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His mind still racing, Adam watched them file out. Helena, gowned o nce again in her favorite scarlet, walked out last, her head high and her carriage graceful.
He'd hardly seen her since that night in the library. He hardly knew what to say when he did see her.
He'd hoped that if he stayed on his guard and concentrated on his role as head of the family, he might keep his attraction under control. And he had honestly meant only to comfort her when he'd taken her in his arms.
But once she'd calmed, he simply hadn't been able to let her go without finally, finally tasting her lips. True, he'd kept the kiss gentle, hadn't parted her lips and plunged his tongue within to ravage her mouth as he did in the dreams that troubled him far too often.
In fact, he realized suddenly, though desire and pleasure had sung in his veins as he held her, he hadn't wanted to ravage her, not with her still so upset. Somehow lust and tenderness and compassion and affection had gotten all mixed up inside him, until he wasn't sure where one left off and another began. He certainly couldn't predict when one irresistible impulse would shift to another.
He both regretted kissing her and was thrilled he'd kissed her.
He'd felt as if his whole soul expanded with gladness and humble awe when she granted him her trust—she who had been given so little reason to trust any man.
Lord, it was such a muddle.
All he knew was that he'd felt more terror while he watched Helena cling to that bolting horse, more tenderness and affection as he held her in his arms, more desire as he gently kissed her than he'd ever felt for his fiancée.
It would be dishonorable to break the pledge he'd made to marry Priscilla Standish. But how could it be honorable to wed a girl he was becoming increasingly convinced he did not and never would love?
Especially when he was beginning to believe 'twas Helena Lambarth who had captured his heart.
CHAPTER 23
Having celebrated her escape from the company at Grosvenor Square, Helena was dismayed when, halfway through the musicale the Darnell ladies attended after dinner, she looked up to see the Standish party arrive.
The group halted at the entrance to the refreshment room where their hostess had escorted her guests while the second set of musicians tuned their instruments. Though Charis and Lady Darnell at once walked over to greet Adam and his fiancée, Helena hesitated, not sure she could force herself to be polite to Priscilla three times in one day.
To her surprise, Miss Standish and Lady Cordelia waved and began walking toward her.
Satisfied as Helena was to have put a scare into Priscilla's cousin, she doubted Francis would have had time to warn Priscilla
not to trifle with her again. Still, how much damage could she do in a drawing room? Helena need only parry the girl's falsely sweet words without losing her temper—difficult as that might prove.
"Dear Miss Lambarth," Priscilla said as they 318THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
reached her, "we have yet to manage a comfortable cose today. Shall we rectify that omission? Cordelia told me of the extraordinary adventures you were relating at dinner."
"I recounted some incidents about which I had read."
"And you are so well-read," Priscilla commented. "Charis tells me you are studying philosophy—in Greek!"
"Even if Papa were to permit me to examine such a heathenish tongue, which I'm sure he would not," Lady Cordelia interjected,
"I should never presume myself clever enough to study a subject normally reserved for gentlemen."
Tired of hearing what females were or were not supposed to do—and under no obligation to be conciliating to Lady Cordelia—Helena said, "How fortunate that you recognize your limitations."
Lady Cordelia flashed her a look full of animosity. "But I understand you are more enterprising than a gently bred female in many ways, Miss Lambarth."
"Indeed," Priscilla said. "Traveling all the way to London on the common mail coach—without even a maid!"
From the periphery of her vision, Helena noted other guests drawing near, heads inclined to catch the conversation. Miss Standish had aimed enough barbed comments at her during various afternoon calls—when Adam was not present—that his fiancée's hostility to Helena was probably well known.
Why not give all these eager observers the show they were expecting? Helena thought. Having worn JULIA JUSTTSS319
out her patience for ignoring Priscilla's baiting during their previous meetings today, she replied, "I rode on the roof, too. You mustn't omit that little detail."
"But that wasn't the boldest of her adventures!" Lady Cordelia said. "Priscilla, did you not tell me Miss Lambarth actually prowled about London at night, disguised as a boy? Oh!" she exclaimed, putting a hand to her lips with a look of mock dismay.
"Dear me! I forgot I wasn't supposed to mention that. Pray, excuse me, Miss Lambarth!"
Someone gasped and the matrons nearest them froze. A sudden silence spread across the room, until even Darnell and Lord Blanchard, conversing near the door, looked up.
Miss Standish glanced at Helena, both anxiety and triumph in her eyes. "Oh, I'm sure 'twas all a hum— wasn't it, Miss Lambarth?" she said nervo usly.
"No, it wasn't!" Lady Cordelia interposed. "Priscilla, you swore to me 'twas absolute truth!"
Stricken to realize that Darnell must have divulged her
escapade to his fiancé'e, Helena studied the girl, who seemed unable to decide whether she was glad or sorry to have her betrayal of Darnell's confidence revealed. But though Miss Standish had offered her a possible avenue of escape, Helena never considered taking refuge in a he.
Besides, true or not, when added to her previous social missteps, the allegation alone would probably achieve Miss Standish's obvious desire: creating an on-dit scandalous enough to permanently discredit the girl she perceived as her rival.
.__320 THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
"Why, no, Miss Standish, 'twas quite true," Helena replied calmly. "I even watched the horse of Lord Blanchard's friend outside White's." Gesturing toward the diplomat, she switched into the tones of one of Dickon's street mates. '"Old yer 'orse fer a copper, me lord?'"
In the now silent room, her words carried clearly to every guest. While Lord Blanchard's jaw dropped, Helena watched shock and disbelief wash over the faces of those nearest her.
Despite her paucity of experience, she knew there were limits to the eccentricities Society would excuse because of her wealth. In the outraged or dismayed looks she was now receiving, she read that she had just bypassed those limits.
But when her defiant gaze met Lady Darnell's stricken face, she realized her downfall would not be hers alone.
Not unless she acted quickly to distance herself from the family that had become so dear to her. Already Charis, recovering from Lady Cordelia's pronouncement, had stepped in her direction, while Adam, a furious scowl on his face, was striding toward her.
Before he could reach her, she said softly for Priscilla's ears alone, "If you expended as much passion trying to please Adam as you have in dispar aging me, you'd both be much happier."
Meanwhile, like marionettes controlled by the same strings, the rest of the guests drew back. Stepping forward to intercept Adam, Helena said urgently, "Don't bother about me! Tend to Aunt Lillian and Charis."
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"You can't think I'll just abandon you—"
"Please, Adam! Don't let my disgrace become theirs."
For a moment he hesitated. Then, recognizing the truth of her words, he nodded. "All right—for now. But don't think this is over yet." After giving her hand a quick squeeze, he proceeded past her to his fiancée.
With a withering glare, Adam clamped a hand on Priscilla's arm and led her toward Chads, Lady Cordelia scurrying after them. Standing alone in the center of the floor, Helena could almost see opinions that had been teetering between amusement and censure turn against her.
How sad Society is, she thought. All these people so trapped by their ridiculous code of rules that matrons and suitors who had flattered her and solicited her company a moment ago no longer dared meet her gaze.
Even Lady Jersey, after giving Helena a tiny, pitying shake of her head, turned away without speaking. Other guests hastened to follow her example. Helena was wondering whether she should
wait until they had all exited before departing herself when a voice rang out.
"Pray, Miss Lambarth, lend me your arm."
Helena turned to see Lady Seagrave approaching her. After first encountering the woman in Lady Jersey's parlor, Helena had often noticed Lady Seagrave watching her when they chanced to be at the same gathering, had even exchanged a few words with her at several functions. Toward the mother of the wild young man Helena's mother had loved and fled to, 322 THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
Helena felt some of the same mix of gratitude and resentment she'd always harbored for the son.
Those emotions gave way to puzzlement as Lady Seagrave reached her side. Had the exile of Gavin Seagrave for killing a jealous husband in a duel made his mother sympathetic to other victims of scandal? Helena wondered.
"Madame." Helena curtseyed to the older woman.
Lady Seagrave placed her hand on Helena's arm. "I find the room has grown suddenly...chilly. I wish to return home. Would you drive with me, please?"
Helena, too, had to get home—and it would not be wise to count on claiming a seat in the Darnell carriage. Still curious why Lady Seagrave was suddenly befriending her, Helena said, "Are you sure you dare take me?"
