Page 102 of The Matrimonial Advertisement

That fact had been hammered home to him with each dance at this evening’s ball. In her rose-festooned silk gown, her dark tresses bound up in a wreath of flowers and her creamy skin on elegant display, Helena was as dazzling and unattainable as the Koh-i-Noor diamond. A rare and precious jewel of infinite value. And the fashionable glitter of London high society was her proper setting. Not the rural countryside. And certainly not a remote and dilapidated abbey in coastal Devon.

“Do you know what I’d like to do tomorrow?” she asked.

Justin turned his face into her hair. “What’s that, my dear?”

“I’d like to do something—go somewhere—with Jenny and Mr. Finchley. It doesn’t seem fair that we should go out every night and Jenny should have to wait up for us, all alone in the parlor with only her needlework for company.”

“What did she do to occupy herself before all this unpleasantness started?”

“She wasn’t obliged to do anything. I was never out this much before. Certainly not every evening. And if I went to a ball or a supper party, I made certain Jenny was invited as well. She’s not a servant, you know.”

“You pay her, don’t you?”

“Yes, an annual sum, but that’s more an allowance than a wage. And it’s not nearly enough. When the bank releases my funds, I plan to set up an independence for her.”

“You’d send her away from you?”

Helena gave his evening coat a little tug. “Don’t be silly. I’d never send Jenny away. But she must be free to go if she wishes. It’s dreadful to depend on other people. No matter how kind they are, you always feel beholden. As if you’re an object of charity.”

“I won’t argue with that.”

“Is that how you felt? At the orphanage?”

“Beholden? Good God, no. There was nothing to be beholden for. We were treated abominably. The entire establishment was corrupt, the children poorly clothed and barely fed. When I left there for my apprenticeship, I didn’t feel beholden to them. I felt as if—”

“What?”

“As if they’d taken something from me. As if they’d incurred a debt. When I left England, I was determined that one day they’d repay it.”

“You’re speaking of vengeance.”

“I’m speaking of justice.”

Her fingers moved idly on his coat, smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle. “Was it you who closed down the orphanage?”

“Me?” Justin gave a humorless laugh. “No. My sights were set firmly on Sir Oswald at the time. It was Finchley. And he didn’t just close it. He had the building razed to the ground.”

Helena digested this bit of information in silence. “He’s so kind and good-humored,” she said at last. “As if nothing troubles him excepting matters of law.”

“Finchley is amiable enough, I’ll grant you. But he has a diabolical mind and an unforgiving nature. He can hold onto a grudge longer than anyone I’ve ever known. It doesn’t pay to be on the wrong side of him.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“No need. You’re not likely to do anything to incur his wrath.”

“Goodness, I should hope not.” She settled her cheek more comfortably against his chest. “Do you think he’ll agree to accompany us on an outing tomorrow?”

“With Miss Holloway? Undoubtedly. What did you have in mind?”

“An evening entertainment. Something lighthearted. We’ve accepted no invitations yet. We can do whatever we please.”

“On a Saturday evening, you may take your choice of amusements. But if it’s to be the four of us…” Justin considered the options. “It’s closing day at Cremorne Gardens tomorrow. They’ll have jugglers and tightrope walkers and the like. Music and dancing, as well.”

“I’ve never been,” Helena said. “My father believed places like Cremorne Gardens and Vauxhall were dens of vice.”

“They are,” Justin said. “That’s half the fun.”

Located on the northern bank of the Thames, Cremorne Gardens was comprised of twelve sprawling acres on which all manner of entertainments were made available to the public. There were military exhibitions and feats of dangerous daring, including high-wire acts and balloon ascents. Music and dancing were available on a raised platform, hot food and cold drinks were served in the banqueting hall, and a grand pavilion played host to horticultural exhibitions from all over the world.