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“But why would they have sent me away?”
“I understand they’ve been…decorating the house in earnest and wish to engage in a grand revelation when we arrive. I suspect they didn’t want you to see any surprises yet.”
She covered her mouth delicately, her eyes wide.
“Will you do me the honor of joining me tonight, Helen?”
She nodded, tears glistening before she could blink them away, and they made their way outside to the waiting carriage.
The day’s heat had dissipated somewhat but remained unpleasant, and as soon as the carriage door clicked shut, he shrugged out of his tailcoat. “Why is it that women are expected to shiver their way through winter half bare in low-cut gowns, and men must perspire themselves through summer, wearing layers of fabric?”
Helen gave a perfunctory smile, one so lacking in her usual vivacity that he knew she was still fighting to regain her composure from earlier. He was wondering whether to explain everything when she interrupted his thoughts.
“In Greek tradition, what do olive leaves mean?”
Gazing at the arrangement in her hair, he smiled. “They’re worn just as yours are tonight—by brides.”
She gasped, her hands flying to the silk leaves around her head. “Oh, no! I didn’t mean…I shouldn’t have allowed my maid…I’ll take them out.”
“If you wish,” he said reasonably, despite the hurt. Was this an indicator of how the night would go? His hands closed gently over her wrists. “But I hope you won’t.”
“But…”
“You’re beautiful.”
“I didn’t know! I don’t want anyone to think…”
“Think what, Helen?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You know very well, so there’s no need for me to utter the words! Your mother had mentioned something about another meaning besides peace, and I’ve been meaning to ask.”
“Is the thought of being my bride so abhorrent?”
“No, Nicholas, no!” she whispered. “It’s not that. I just don’t want to be presumptuous in front of your family. Or to—change anything, I suppose. I’ve been so happy with you and I don’t want that to change. For anyone to interfere.”
His eyes moved to the leaves in her hair, hoping this wasn’t the last time she would wear them this way.One day…“They look perfect. You look perfect.”
Hesitantly, she dropped her hands, and he brought one to his mouth for a kiss before holding it for the rest of the ride, which they spent in silence. He donned his coat as the coach pulled to a stop in front of his parents’s mansion.
“Who will be in attendance tonight?” she asked nervously as a footman opened the door.
“Apart from Adrian, every person of the greatest importance to my parents.”
She sighed. “Half of London. Oh, my hair!”
He blinked, wondering again if he should have warned her after all.
