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“I understand it’s cured from hogs raised on peanuts and peaches.”
“It’s delicious,” confirmed Sirena. “Helen, you’ll call on us soon, I hope. We don’t always eat in the Greek style anymore, but we would be delighted to show you some of our favorites.”
Helen’s smile was genuine. “Most kind.” It wasn’t quite an acceptance, as she wasn’t certain it was a concrete invitation—nor was she eager to enmesh with their investor’s family. It was difficult, however, not to appreciate the two women’s obvious intelligence and warmth.
“We wished to meet you, and we’re here to extend our hospitality. Nicholas says you have no family in England and are so newly arrived, you must have few connections.”
Helen sat up straighter. She assumed Sirena had kind intentions, but she didn’t care for being a charity case. “London is larger than Boston, yes, and I’m still learning my way. But I’m not afraid. I shall make do just fine.”
“Proud, she is,” Sirena said to Pen, nodding approvingly. While her eyes were the same color as Nicholas's, hers weren’t as enigmatic; they shone with amusement, determination, and friendliness.
Pen’s reflected the same mix, along with playfulness. “Nicholas could be at fault for her reserve, Mama. Helen, did my brother truly declare that you were to serve as collateral for his silver?”
Sirena clucked her tongue several times in rapid succession, then muttered under her breath in what sounded like Greek, looking disapproving.
Helen wondered if it was Pen’s question or Nicholas's demand that piqued her so. She hid her smile. “It’s true.”
Sirena closed her eyes and shook her head, and Pen gave a throaty laugh.
So now I’m their entertainment, Helen thought, her feelings smarting. She knew how vicious gossip was, particularly amongst the idle rich. She raised her chin and struggled to appear the polite hostess. “Shall I ask the kitchen if there is any more ham?”
“Speaking of my son’s behavior toward you makes for more than enough swine in this room, my dear.”
Helen and Pen laughed as one.
“Nicholas rarely surprises me, but when he does…! He did the other night, for several reasons.” She waved her hand, and Helen noticed what looked like colorful smudges around her cuticles. “No matter. What I mean is, Nicholas has great honor in him. You might not know because of how much of a pig he was with this…”
“Collateral,” her daughter supplied.
“Yes, as Pen says.”
Helen smiled. “Thank you for your reassurances. I wouldn’t have stayed in London had I feared your son, but it is good to know it’s not typical for him to demand that a woman serve as collateral.”
She’d meant the last mostly as a jest, but Sirena looked very serious.
“No, he doesn’t. Nor is his…interest in you ordinary.”
Had Nicholas's mother just spoken of interest in her? Either she was part of his plot to manipulate or seduce her, or…his interest was genuine? Helen’s head whirled. What if his demand she serve as collateral was personal rather than inspired by business? A claim on her as a woman. The thought both thrilled and angered her, so much so she struggled to follow Sirena’s next words.
“In any case, my son is off to Spain right now, isn’t he?Iwished to visit you and see you for myself. I’m interested in knowing you better. My oldest son is not in London now, and his house sits empty. Terribly empty. You will stay there, no?”
“Oh, I…”
Pen leaned forward after Helen fell into silence. “It’s a comfortable house, and I assure you Adrian wouldn’t mind in the slightest.”
“Adrian was widowed last year and moved into the new house. But he…”
Pen continued when her mother couldn’t. “He’s left London to mourn.”
Helen wasn’t certain what that meant, but their sadness was palpable, and she, of all people, could understand needing to leave home. “I’m sorry for your family’s loss.”
“I understand you’re a widow. Have you any children?”
Swallowing, she shook her head. Aware that others considered it a failing, Helen waited for the women to look at her with pity or disapproval. Their expressions didn’t change, however.
“How long ago did you lose your husband?”
Helen paused. How could she have lost Robbie when she’d never truly had him? She knew what the woman meant, of course, but she couldn’t quite speak.
