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Squelching the smidgeon of doubt her words evoked, Adam gave her an indulgent smile. "I may not have described what I feel for Priscilla in terms as rapturous as those contained within the pages of one of
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your Minerva Press novels, but my affection for her is real.
And more substantial a base for a lasting marriage, I believe, than more poetically intense emotions."
'"Twas not in the pages of a no vel that I learned of devotion, but by watching Bellemère and Papa," Charis countered. "She loves London, yet during Papa's life she was completely content to remain at Claygate. On the very few occasions when she went to town, he fretted the whole time she was away. And though some may think her frivolous and empty-headed, when he fell ill, she nursed him with untiring devotion, refusing to turn over his care even to his valet, and sank into a melancholy for months after
his death. Indeed, 'twas not until Helena arrived to occupy her that she has seemed more like her old self. Can you avow such intensity of emotion for Miss Standish?"
"Sounds rather uncomfortable," Adam replied, wishing he'd never broached the subject. "Perhaps in my salad days I fancied myself violently in love with some dashing creature or other, but it always ended in disillusionment. I suppose ladies possess more sensibility, but gentlemen don't experience such excess of feeling—at least not one of my mature years with an estate to set to rights."
"So you say," Charis replied, looking unconvinced.
Anxious now to snd the exchange, Adam kissed her cheek.
"With my future settled, we should discuss which of the young men you've met thus far you admire most."
Though the lift of her eyebrows told him Charis recognized quite well that he was trying to turn the 118THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
subject, she said, "I do thank you for sparing me having to marry wealth. I only wish you did not have to do so! But since you ask it, I will try to be happy for you and welcome Miss Standish with sisterly affection."
"I know you will." Having had no luck with his first diversionary tactic, Adam tried another. "You mentioned Miss Lambarth a bit ago. How is she doing? Will she be ready to appear at Bellemère's dinner for Priscilla?"
At once Charis smiled. "She is doing wonderfully! I think
when you next meet her, you'll be delighted with the changes Bellemère has wrought."
"Our stepmother has ever been a wizard at equipping a lady to look her best—as the recent additions to your wardrobe attest! If we don't have a crowd of young bucks worshipping at your feet within a week of your formal presentation, the young men of London must be blind."
"Worshipping at my feet as you assure me a mature gentleman would not? Then I must hope for young suitors!" Charis replied with a giggle.
"I'm relieved to hear of Miss Lambarth's progress. I was hoping I wouldn't have to present to Priscilla a girl whose odd behavior made her appear attics-to-let."
To his surprise, Charis's smile faded. "Helena is nothing of the sort!" she retorted hotly. "Indeed, I believe her mind to be brilliant! All her tutors have expressed their astonishment at the breadth of her knowl edge of literature, philosophy and mathematics. She performs splendidly upon the pianoforte, which is
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amazing since she confided that she had not played at all since her mother left! She's even proficient at fencing—"
"Fencing?" Adam interrupted, eyebrows raised.
Charis colored. "She has a dancing master, too, and is becoming just as proficient at that. She's a most unusual girl, who interests herself in almost everything."
Adam had a swift, disturbing vision of a thin waif trying to defend herself at sword point. Shaking it off, he said, "So I observed when we first met. But if we can sit through the length of a dinner without her embarrassing us in front of Priscilla, I will be content."
Charis stiffened further. "If she should do some thing.. .not quite right, it would only be because Bellemère has not thought to instruct her about it or our way of doing it does not seem logical.
Her mind is very precise. And she learns with amazing speed—
Bellemère never has to correct her for the same mistake twice."
Charis smiled. '"Tis most entertaining to see our everyday habits and behavior through her eyes!"
"You are quite her champion," Adam observed wryly. "I had hoped she could be like a sister to you. If you have become fond of her, I am glad of it."
"I love her! She has a dry wit and is wonderfully kind, though I know I'm not nearly as clever as she is. I'm never bored in her company. She has such a novel perspective —one never knows what she will say or do next."
Given how exacting Priscilla's mother was, this last confidence was not precisely reassuring. Adam said a 120 THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
quick prayer that the upcoming dinner—meant to show his prospective in-laws that his breeding, if not his finances, was fully worthy of their daughter—did not turn into a disaster, courtesy of his stepmother's unpredictable ward. "Well, I hope she'll not be too entertaining in front of Mrs. Standish. She's...rather conventional."
Charis made a face. "Overbearing and opinionated, I would describe her—but as she is to be your mama-in-law, I shall say no more."
"If you are indulgent of Miss Lambarth's lapses, I expect I shall be, as well. But I must be off. I'm to dine at Grosvenor Square, then meet Dix at White's, where I expect to toast my engage ment handsomely."
Charis wrinkled her nose. "Which means you will drink to excess and return home too foxed to stand."
Adam laughed as he gave her a hand up from the sofa. "And what would you know of that, minx? I shall certainly celebrate this early and providential solution to our difficulties, and be happier still that you may enjoy your Season without my having to worry about expenses."
Arm in arm, the two siblings strolled into the hall. After rising on tiptoe to kiss Adam's cheek, Charis said, "I shall be happy, too—if it all works out somehow." And with that cryptic remark, she walked away, leaving him staring thoughtfully after her, a tiny bit of unease still lodged in his chest.
Late that evening, garbed in one of her new silk night rails under a dressing gown of fur-lined emerald satin, 121
Helena descended to the library after chatting with the ladies upon their return from the musicale they'd attended.
'Twas nearly the last event they would go to without her, Aunt Lillian had told her this afternoon. Now that Helena's wardrobe was complete and since she had so quickly assimilated the essential rules of social behavior, her aunt wanted Helena to start accompanying them on morning calls to Lady Darnell's friends, two of whom, Lady Jersey and Mrs. Drummond Burrell, might be counted upon to send vouchers for the all-important assemblies at Almack's. Once Helena appeared there, she could expect a flood of invitations to routs, musicales, dances, balls, masquerades and alfresco breakfasts.
Though Helena was more interested in attending the meetings of the Mathematical Society, the concerts of the Philharmonic Society and the art exhibition of the Royal Academy, she had dutifully expressed her anticipation of these delights. If it gave Aunt Lillian pleasure to escort Helena to her favorite entertainments, Helena would do her best to appear agreeably entertained.
Her first evening engagement, her aunt had also told her today, would be here at Darnell House at the dinner Aunt Lillian was .giving in honor of Lord Darnell's engagement to Miss Priscilla Standish.
Though there was no reason she should be, Helena had been surprised—and inexplicably disappointed— upon hearing of Darnell's engagement. She had to admit he intrigued her, probably because he seemed so
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different from the few men she'd known growing up. She'd hoped to get to know him better once Aunt Lillian pronounced her ready to appear in public— since, remembering all too vividly his reaction upon first meeting her, she'd been careful to avoid him during the month she'd spent under his roof.
But the family shouldn't expect to see much of the newly affiancéd gentleman, Charis—who hadn't seemed very enthusiastic about the engagement, either—had told her this afternoon. At least, Helena thought with a sigh, when she did meet Darnell again, he should be pleased by the improvement in her appear ance.
Reaching the library, she entered and crossed to the sofa.
Harrison having confirmed that Darnell would be out late celebrating, she'd asked the staff to build up the fire and bring in the extra candelabra she used when she stayed up late reading.
Noting as she lit the candles that the blaze of heat from the hearth made the f ur-lined robe she'd worn to ward off the chill in the rest of the house unnecessary, she slipped off the garment before turning to inspect herself in the mirror beside the fireplace.
She was much improved, Helena decided as she studied her reflection. Nearly a month of Cook's wholesome fare had filled out the hollows under her cheekbones and added an attractive rounding to the shoulders and bosom outlined by the clinging silk of the full-sleeved, high-necked night rail. Her hair was still too unruly, her body too tall and her eyes too large and prominent for beauty, but she would do, she decided.
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Her wardrobe would certainly be exemplary. Though some might disapprove of the colors, not the most exacting could fault the gowns' meticulous construction or the splendor of the materials. For subtle improvements in the design, her new maid could share much of the credit.
