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Though he might be inwardly struggling with his attraction to the girl, not even from his future father-in-law would Adam tolerate such a questioning of his honor. Fixing Mr. Standish with the cold stare that had, in his army days, reduced many a subordinate to stammering incoherency, Adam said softly, "What do you mean to infer?"
Flushing, Mr. Standish took a step back from the menace in Adam's eyes. "Nothing at all! Just.. .making conversation. So, what is the chit worth, anyway?"
Still bristling, Adam replied, "I am not her guardian. Her assets were placed in trust with her mother's lawyer, who led me to believe she was well provided for."
Standish gestured toward his heir. "The way Francis stared at her all through dinner, I'm sure there's an interest there, eh, my boy? Should she come into wealth, 'twould be a good match, don't you think?"
Francis glanced toward the door through which the ladies had exited, a salacious look on his face. "I just might be persuaded to fix my interest there."
The thought of the oily Francis getting his hands on Helena was so nauseating, Adam was once again tempted to plant the man a facer.
"Not a responsibility I'd want, watching over a girl with her looks," Mr. Standish continued, giving Adam a collegial slap on the back. "I expect you'll be beating off the gentlemen. You'd be wise to get her wed before some rake tries to, ah, sample her charms."
Telling himself that Standish meant well, Adam reined in his temper. "I'll be sure to give your advice 158 THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
the weight it merits," he said, striding to the sideboard before irritation tempted him to say something unwise. Meeting him there, a sympathetic Dix rolled his eyes as he refreshed Adam's glass.
"Have no fear," his friend murmured. "I'll carry her off myself before I'd let fish-faced Francis have her."
He ought to be glad of Dix's assistance. But instead of relief, the knowledge that while he must avoid her, his friend might freely solicit Miss Lambarth's company angered Adam so much he had to bite back a sharp reply.
Suddenly rejoining the ladies and bringing this evening to an end seemed like a good idea after all.
In the parlor, helping Aunt Lillian prepare to serve tea, Helena waited for the party to be over. As she'd feared, once the novelty of eating dinner in company faded, the meal had become rather tedious.
After introductions and some stilted chat in the parlor, they'd proceeded to the dining room, where Mrs. Standish had stridently directed the conversation at her end of the table and Mr. Standish monopolized the talk at his. Interested in estate management, Helena had remained mostly silent as the man prosed on while she nodded and smiled until her cheeks ached. Still, she thought it rather poor behavior on the part of this supposedly elevated member of the ton that he'd hardly let Lady Darnell utter two sentences all evening.
On her other side sat Miss Standish's cousin Emily, a meek slip of a girl clearly intimidated by the relations with whom she resided. Feeling sorry for the girl, in 159
the few moments her own attention was not demanded by Mr.
Standish, Helena had attempted to get her to talk.
The only person of interest besides her aunt and Charis was Darnell's friend Mr. Dixon. Though he sat too far away for her to engage him in conversation and properly devoted his attention to his dinner partners, occasionally she'd caught him gazing at her.
Each time he gave her a wink, as if he were amused by a joke he wished her to share. Perhaps when the gentlemen returned she might have a chance to speak with him.
Darnell himself had ignored her. Though he played the gracious host, responding to all the sallies directed at him by Mrs.
Standish and his fiancée, his strained expression seemed to indicate he was not enjoying himself. As for Miss Standish, even the most sanguine observer could not have interpreted the occasional look she directed at Helena to be either approving or congenial. Besides which, in Helena's opinion, Darnell's fiancée seemed far too ready to second every strident opinion her mother uttered.
If that behavior gave any evidence of the way in which her character was evolving, Helena felt sorry for Darnell.
The parlor door opened and the gentlemen filed in, followed by the butlei^with the tea tray. As the men gathered at the table awaiting their cups, Helena bent her attention to performing her task, not wishing to embar rass her aunt by spilling anything or mixing up the orders.
A shadow fell over her fingers. She looked up to 160THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
find an unsmiling Miss Standish before her. "What a lovely gown, Miss Lambarth, and of such unusual styling! I recall my governess used to prefer gowns cut high upon the throat like that.
As it is not quite what is currently in fashion, I expect dear Lady Darnell must have a great fondness for you, to indulge your whims in such a matter."
Looking over from the cup she was filling to smile at her aunt, Helena replied, "I could not wish for someone more loving or considerate."
"Sometimes we are too indulgent of those whom we fancy.
Mama has always warned me to guard against it, especially with children. You've been out in Society too little yet to know, Miss Lambarth, but what appears to be a harmless indulgence within one's family can be interpreted by larger Society as encouraging the inappropriate."
Helena's smile faded. Although she'd tried to overlook the subtle criticism of Miss Standish's first remarks, she could not ignore this further gibe, not only concerning her taste, but Aunt Lillian's judgment, as well.
"And 'tis such an unusual color!" Miss Standish continued. "I suppose it becomes you better than the white or pale shades normally thought suitable for a young lady embarking upon her first Season."
Helena gazed at Miss Standish, her eyes narrowing. Darnell was in the corner conversing with Mr. Dixon, but all the other guests were lingering by the tea table, listening to their exchange.
Though Helena cared not at all what Society thought of her, she was incensed by
161
the indirect criticism of the aunt who'd lovingly accepted an ill-bred orphan into her home and heart.
Knowing that returning the first sharp reply that sprang to her lips would probably increase the breathless interest with which their audience was following the conversation, she bit back her observation that 'twas fortunate that Miss Standish was beyond her first few Seasons, since pales would not become her, either. "I do prefer colors," she said instead.
"At least you are out of black, which is such a difficult color to wear. It has been a year since your father's death, I assume?"
At the mention of her father, the last shreds of Helena's good will evaporated. "Miss Standish, I chose this color and material because the weave of the silk pleased me. And though it has not been a year since my father's death, I would never be so hypocritical as to wear mourning for him."
"Oh!" Miss Standish exclaimed, appearing to be taken aback.
"How very...outspoken you are, Miss Lambarth! I suppose, having lived all your life in the country, you are not yet familiar
with London customs. I beg you will not repeat that remark in any less intimate a family group than this, for such blatant lack of respect for your late parent would be considered most improper."
"Miss Standish, do take your tea," Aunt Lillian said nervously, holding out a cup. "I fear it is growing cold."
With a satisfied smile, Adam's fiancée accepted the tea and moved away. Still seething, Helena resumed serving the rest of the company.
162 THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
Perhaps she'd better begin looking for new lodgings immediately, since she most certainly wished to be established elsewhere before Adam Darnell brought home this bride. If the new Lady Darnell were going to be as unpleasant to Aunt Lillian and Charis as she'd just been to Helena, she would urge both ladies to depart with her.
When she looked up again a moment later, Bennett Dixon was watching her. "Tis a task that requires a good deal of concentration, isn't it?"
"Certainly for one with as little practice as I," she flashed back.
He grinned at her, as if he were amused by her sharpness. "I don't know how you ladies manage it. When I serve punch at Christmas, I spill it all over the cup. Lady Darnell, would you be so kind as to release your charming assistant? I've been wanting all through dinner to converse with her."
Lady Darnell, who'd been looking distressed since the
interchange with Miss Standish, brightened. "Of course. Helena, did I not tell you Bennett was eager to meet you?"
Just then Francis Standish walked up and Helena suppressed a moue of distaste. Bennett Dixon's easy, casual elegance appealed to her far more than Standish's overly fussy appearance and pompous air of self-importance.
"Ho, Dix, 'tis not fair to steal away the debutante of the evening, whom I, too, long to engage in some small chat."
Before Helena could point out that Charis was the 163
debutante and his cousin the dinner's honoree, Mr. Dixon replied, "You'll soon be part of the family, Standish, able to run tame in the house whenever you wish. We not so lucky fellows must seize such opportunities we can. Miss Lambarth?" Grasping her elbow, he pulled her away.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Helena murmured,
"Though I thank you for the rescue, 'twas rather managing."
