Helena could not escape how she had felt that night in the carriage, how good it had felt to her, and how much she wanted it. And Anna’s words of encouragement echoed in her head all the while.
So it was that she presented herself in the dining room just as Sebastian was sitting down to eat.
“Good evening,” she spoke from the doorway, presenting herself in a way that was surely unexpected. “Is there room for one more?”
Sebastian started in surprise. “Helena. What are you…” His eyes flicked over her, and a smile touched his lips. “Don’t you look a treat.”
“Do I?” She shrugged as if it were no big thing.
He laughed. “That is one word I would use, anyhow. Might I ask what the occasion is? Or does that go against our rules?”
“I thought I might join you, if you will have me?”
“You wish to have supper with me?” There was that knowing look glimmering in his eyes, as if he knew what she was doing and why.
“Is that a problem?”
“Considering you have not had supper with me once, it’s not a problem, as much as it is a surprise.”
“Is it my fault that my husband spends most evenings… I do not even know where. I thought I would take advantage of his being here for a change.”
He laughed again. “Please, I welcome the chance.”
He was quick to move down the table, pulling out the chair right by the head where he sat. She smiled in thanks as she approached, her heart fluttering, her thoughts trying to stay focused. But it felt nice, the way he doted on her, and the adoration in his eyes.
Indeed, the way he watched her reminded her of their first outing, the false love he lavished upon her. Only this time, there was nobody to watch them, which made her wonder why he looked at her that way.
“Thank you,” she said as she sat.
He took his seat while watching her, his eyes glimmering, a smile on his lips. “You really look beautiful,” he murmured. “Perhaps I should eat at home more often.”
“I would not want to drag you away from…” She shrugged. “Wherever it is that you have been getting yourself off to.”
“Curious, are you?” he asked with a wink.
“Not at all,” she said stoically. “Merely making conversation.”
He chuckled and then motioned for a butler to make her a plate.
It was done in silence while he watched her with noticeable curiosity. No doubt he wanted to know what she was doing and why she was doing it. No doubt he was careful not to pry.
As for Helena? All she wanted to do was prove what she thought she knew. That she and Sebastian could never work, and once they were left alone, he would revert to his old self and treat her as little more than an imposition on his life. And once he did…
Once tonight is over, I can rest easy and stop wondering. He does not care for me. I do not care for him. The way it is meant to be.
At least that was the plan.
“So, how goes the redecorating?” Sebastian asked once they were settled.
The butler came in behind Helena to pour her a glass of wine, but she held up a hand to stop him. Now was not the time to succumb to alcohol.
“It is going well, thank you,” she said.
In truth, she had lost interest once she realized that Sebastian did not care. It was still underway because she was not about to stop midway through, but the thrill was gone.
“You really do not care?”
“I told you that I did not.”
