He was still holding her to his side, still looking warningly around them. And then, with the message heard and accepted, he turned around and led Helena away from the elderly lady, who was still looking on with fear and shock in her glassy eyes.
“Some people,” he muttered as he led her away.
The crowd parted for them without hesitation. Many watched on, and all those who did were speechless.
Helena gave her head a shake, forcing herself back to the present. Her heart was beating quickly. Her breathing was erratic. But strangely, she was not embarrassed, nor was she concerned about what the woman had said. She felt safe, protected in ways that she never had before. With the Duke by her side, she felt no harm would ever come to her.
“Thank you,” she said quietly as he led her across the room.
“For what? Standing up for my wife?”
She eyed him, seeing anger flash across his face. It was not what she had expected, because there was no need for him to feel that way. It was not as if theirs was a real marriage. It was not as if she were a wife who needed protection.
“That was quite a performance, anyhow,” she murmured. “No doubt the message was received.”
“Message?”
“That your wife is not one to be troubled. Dare I say that anyone who saw it will buy the ruse now…”
She was still watching him, searching for the smirk or the knowing grin. Needing him to admit that this was all part of their gambit.
“It was not a performance,” he said, looking ahead as they walked, still looking angry at what had happened. “Nor did ithave anything to do with the so-called ruse. You are my wife, Helena, and that is what matters.”
His hand did not leave her side once as he led her. Not out of the ballroom yet, because they did not want to look as if they were running, but he guided her to the other side of the hall, keeping her close, refusing to let her stray even a foot from him.
And Helena found that she liked the way his hand felt on her waist, just as she liked the way his words sounded.
His wife… I guess I am that. Although such a term carries far more significance than it once did.
That thought sent warmth through her, one that she knew the cause of and, for once, was not quite so eager to dismiss.
CHAPTER 13
“What is that look?” Sebastian asked from across the carriage.
Helena shrugged innocently. “What look?”
“That look right there.” He pointed a finger at her face, laughing as he did. “The eyes. The cheeks. The lips. The whole thing, really.”
“This?” She fluttered her eyelashes. “This is my face. It is how I always look.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “You aren’t teasing me, are you?”
“Me?” she gasped. “Never.”
“Good…” Eyes still narrowed, he watched her closely. “Because I think we both know that I am the coy one. If anyone should be doing the teasing, it is me.”
“Sounds like fun.”
He laughed. “You did not think so last week.”
“A lot can change in a week.” She fluttered her eyelashes again.
Helena was expecting Sebastian to laugh along with her.
The mood was light and playful, the atmosphere between them easy and carefree. To her, it felt like the first time they were letting down their guard and enjoying one another’s company. And she was very much liking it.
But Sebastian seemed to realize something. The humor vanished from his face, replaced by a seriousness. He did not dismiss her, nor did he turn away.
