“I… I…”
Helena struggled to form words. Thoughts. Much of anything that might save her. She knew where this ended, but she was desperate to fight that ending until there was no hope left.
“The Duke and I… we…”
“What were you doing in the library alone?” Mr. Ramsay pressed.
“Your Grace?” A lord she did not recognize stepped forward. “Explain yourself at once!”
“Yes!” someone else hissed. “Explain yourself.”
“It is not what you think!” Helena tried to no avail. “Please! If you will only listen!”
And they might have listened, had she something to tell them. But what could she possibly say? There was no explanation she might give that could save her from this moment. It was either Mr. Ramsay or the Duke, marriage or damnation.
“Helena!” From behind the crowd, Helena heard a voice that made her entire body tremble.
Face paling, stomach dropping, she stumbled back and very nearly wept.
“What is the meaning of this!”
It was her father, joined by her mother. They pushed through the crowd, coming to an abrupt halt as they took in the scene. Both of them looked from her to the Duke, a moment taken to understand… and then realization hit them.
“Helena!” her mother gasped.
“Your Grace!” her father bellowed. “How dare you!”
“What have you done?” her mother spoke over him. “Helena…”
It was all too much.
Helena stumbled back again, hardly able to stand, as her knees were shaking violently. The hallway spun, the walls cracked and began to tumble, and she was forced to do that which she did not want to do but knew she had no choice.
She spun around and found the Duke standing there, watching. The shock of the moment had passed, confidence reasserted, a calm on his handsome face that might have suggested that this was not in the least bit concerning for him and that somehow he had everything under control.
Helena found his eyes. She winced but then nodded her agreement. No need to say what about, because he knew well enough. What else could she do?
“If I might have your attention!” The Duke stepped forward, placing himself at her side. His voice washed over the crowd like a hammer striking a gong, forcing silence because when men such as the Duke spoke, others had no choice but to listen. “I am aware that this little scene you have stumbled upon might seem a tad uncouth.”
“Uncouth!” Mr. Ramsay cried. “It is?—”
“I suggest you keep your mouth shut,” the Duke snarled. “Lest I shut it for you.”
Mr. Ramsay’s face paled, his confidence leaving him.
“And what of my mouth?” Helena’s father demanded. “I suggest you speak quickly, Your Grace. And whatever it is you have to say…” He shook with fury, unable to finish the thought.
Helena had never seen her father so angry. She had never seen her mother so disappointed. And knowing she was the cause hurt all the more.
“As Lady Helena has said, this is not what it looks like,” the Duke continued, standing with his back straight and his chin pointed to the sky. “And while this was not how we had planned on telling people…” He glanced down at her, his smirk ever-present. And then, he placed a hand on the small of her back and pulled her close. “I suppose the secret is out. I have just asked Lady Helena for her hand in marriage.”
“What!” her father sputtered.
“Helena!” her mother cried.
“And I am delighted to announce that she said yes.” The Duke beamed proudly. “We are to wed soon.”
The shock on her father’s and mother’s faces was nothing compared to how she was feeling. They stared wide-eyed, caught between anger, surprise, and abject disbelief.
