Page List

Font Size:

Helena knew her moan would have been heard around the table if not for her father’s happy reply.

“He is. Lead him to the sitting room, Helena will see him.”

Helena waited till Miss Justina went out of the room.

“Father, how do you know I want to see him?”

The Baron looked confused.

“Yes, how do you know?” Helena asked again.

“Helena,” her mother said in a chiding tone.

Helena then realised her voice had risen. Helena shook her head and stood up.

“Thank you Mother for a wonderful breakfast,” she said hurriedly before leaving the room.

Helena walked through the passage but didn’t get to the sitting room. She had no will to see Lord Jeffrey. She looked out of the window and saw that he had come with two coaches and quite a number of servants.

“What is happening?” Helena asked herself.

She paused to study the situation but couldn’t read what was happening. She didn’t know what was inside the coaches. Helena walked to her room and entered. Inside it was Miss Justina, who was obviously waiting for her.

“Did you see the coaches?” Miss Justina asked Helena.

“Yes, I was just going to ask you what all that was about,” Helena answered.

“I am not sure, but I think the second coach is full of gifts.”

“Gifts?” Helena asked, not expecting any further explanation from Miss Justina.

Why would Jeffrey come with gifts?

Miss Justina sat on the bed. Helena walked to her window and looked outside again. There were five stewards standing beside the two coaches.

What are you doing, Jeffrey?

“This cannot be good,” Helena said.

Miss Justina said nothing. There was a small knock on the door.

“Come in,” Helena said.

A steward poked her head into the room.

“The Baroness asked that I call on Miss Justina,” the steward said.

Helena looked at her friend as she left the room. Helena went to her dressing table, looked into the mirror and tried smiling, but she could only achieve a pained look. There were three wavy lines of worry on her forehead. She pushed the skin but it refused to wipe off. Helena was anxious.

I need something to cool me down.

Helena picked up a book on her table and walked to her bed. She moved to the edge beside the window so she could feel more air. Helena opened the book to the first page and started reading.

After a long while of looking at words without assimilating, Helena stood up. She threw the book to the dressing table.

Why are you here so early, Jeffrey?

Helena walked to the windows again and saw that the coaches had been opened. While she had been struggling to read, the coaches had been opened and their content taken into the house. Helena stopped herself from cursing and turned back to her bed. There was a sudden knock on her door.