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Chapter Nine
Helen’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Not that look, Elijah.”
He didn’t so much as attempt to hide his amusement. “You’ve sailed around the tip of South America to the Pacific and back. Scoured London for silver. You can survive a visit to…what is a dressmaker called here?”
She bit her lip, trying to remember. “A modiste.”
“Uttered in the same tone you would use for a disease! Why so glum? I claim no knowledge of how a woman’s mind works—well, nor a man’s—but I would have thought you’d be excited about an outing for new frocks.”
Helen shook her head in disgust. Whywasshe fretting so much?
Awaiting the Sideris ladies, the siblings sat on the settee in the drawing room. Elijah turned to face her, frowning. “Is it how rich they are? We weren’t poor growing up, and the Grays possessed means. Not like this family, but…”
Twisting her hands, she looked down at her skirts. She preferred gowns on the simple side, but at one time—before London—she’d considered this silk one rather grand. Was her concern about feeling ridiculously plain next to Sirena and Penelope?
“It’s not the gowns or going to a fancy shop,” she realized aloud.
For once, Elijah was quiet. All hints of his gaiety evaporated, replaced by pity. “It’s what happened with your Boston friends, isn’t it?”
Friends.
Helen closed her eyes at the word, as if to shut out the instant hurt coiling in her stomach.
In a low moment, she’d made the mistake of confiding about her marriage to a friend—once. She regretted it by the next day, promising herself never to weaken again. Gossip, however, was as insidious as shipworms. All seemed well at first, but gradually, her social circle was as riddled with holes as an unprotected wooden hull. People she had counted as friendly looked at her differently, some tittering when they thought she wasn’t looking, others looking down their noses with disdain.
“Mrs. Sideris and her daughter seem delightful. Ilikedthem, Elijah. But it’s foolishness to befriend them! My stay in London is temporary, and they’re only showing interest because Nicholas is investing in our venture.”
He frowned, searching for words.
She put her hand up. “I’ll cancel the outing and have Jenny tell them I’m not feeling well. I can either order new gowns by myself or make do with the ones I already have. I have no business spending time with them.”
His palm lay gently on her shoulder, staying her when she would have risen. “I understand why you’re…skittish. But you must go with them. You need friends in London.”
“I don’tneedanyone!”
He sighed. “For my sake, then. It will lessen my guilt to know you have connections while I’m gone.”
Helen huffed. “I’m to socialize to makeyoufeel better, am I?”
“You are going becauseyouwant to. I can see it. But you’re afraid.”
“Amnot!”
Elijah grinned almost evilly, his fraternal glee at provoking her irresistible. He shook it off, sobering. “I wasn’t challenging you, but stating fact, plain as day. You’ve been hurt, I know, and I’m not telling you to trust the Sideris family. Far from it! But you deserve at least some amusements in this God-forsaken place.”
He’s not wrong.
“With the lumber sale, we can afford the new gowns. Treat yourself and enjoy some new acquaintances. We’ve started a new life, and Boston is behind you now. You never have to return if you don’t want to.”
Helen nodded. New York, the West…opportunities awaited.
She needed only to make it through the coming months—untilAlacrityreturned with the precious cargo that would fund her nest egg. Her freedom.
“Perhaps I’ll still go. You’re right. No need to fuss over this. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
The bell at the front door jingled.
“Go, sister. Enjoy.”
