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“I am sure Dr Frederick would see it as no bother at all to take us home in his coach,” Miss Justina said.

Dr Frederick got to the bottom of the stairs and walked to Helena.

“I saw you storm out of the dance. Is there any problem?” he asked.

Helena shook her head.

Dr Frederick was at the heart of her problems with Lord Jeffrey. And even as she always wanted to be with him, it was only sensible that she left him out of this. She was about to state that there was no problem, and she was only out because she needed air when Miss Justina spoke.

“Yes, Doctor. Miss Helena needs to get home now, and we have no vehicle,” she said.

Helena looked at her maid in disbelief.

“Why? That would be no problem at all. It would be a pleasure. I was starting to get rather fed up with the musty air in there anyway,” Dr Frederick said.

“Frank, go bring the coach. We’ll drive these fair ladies to Strabolgi, and then be on our way home.”

Mister Frank went off to bring the vehicle. Dr Frederick walked to Helena and stood beside her. Helena inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. She felt like placing her head on his hard chest and listening to the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat. She shook her head.

Mister Frank was back in a jiffy with the coach. Miss Helena got in first, followed by her maid. Dr Frederick got in after them and sat opposite them.

“Let her go, Frank,” he shouted to Mister Frank who was outside in the driver’s seat.

Helena closed her eyes for a while. She thought of nothing and immersed herself in the gentle sway of the coach. When she opened her eyes again, they were already at the end of the street. She looked up at Dr Frederick and saw that he had his eyes on her. His eyes were staring at her, but his attention was far away. He was thinking about something.

“Thank you, Dr Frederick,” she said.

“It is a pleasure, Miss Helena. For you, I could leave my profession to be a chauffeur,” Dr Frederick teased.

Helena laughed.

Lord Jeffrey has never made me laugh. Am I doing the right thing allowing Lord Jeffrey into my life? Is my father’s position worth the rest of my life?

Dr Frederick had closed his eyes. Helena couldn’t tell whether he was meditating or asleep. Helena felt a small nudge by her side. She looked to Miss Justina.

“What is it?” she asked in a low tone.

“I wanted to tell you something.”

“I am not in the mood for idle gossip, Justina.”

“This is more important than gossip.”

“Can’t it wait till when we get home?”

“I saw Lord Jeffrey –”

“Lord Jeffrey, again,” Helena said harshly.

“I am aware that Lord Jeffrey is not of your fancy. But you could do better than always say things that always discredit the man,” Helena said to her.

“I am not claiming things I didn’t see.”

“I don’t really want to know, even the things you saw or see,” Helena reprimanded.

Miss Justina shook her head. Her eyes were watery. Helena knew she had hurt her. She attempted to touch her arm, but Miss Justina jerked it away.

“Mister Frank, please stop the vehicle,” Miss Justina said.