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Lady Patridge continued after a sip of her lemonade. “Her hair was all disheveled and gown askew. That's what she gets for frolicking around with men!”
“Unlike my daughter here,” she cooed, patting Edna’s hand.
“Such a shame,” the Duchess remarked coolly. “Lord Erbury is undeserving of such shame. A good man indeed.”
“But with such a bad daughter to have. A lady without virtue is no lady at all,” Lady Patridge said with a wry smile on her face. “I heard from Lady Carstairs that the girl showed no remorse. After all, a ruined reputation is nothing to someone with such sinful actions.”
“Lady Carstairs?” the Duchess mused. “Was she not with Miss Harrington yesternight?”
“Even the governess was incensed at the chit’s behavior. Apparently, she has been reading books that have pushed her into the open. I blame Lord Erbury for this disaster. I hope this Season is not ruined already for the rest of the young ladies. My Edna deserves a groom of virtue, a paragon like herself.”
Theodore’s mind was swirling with thoughts of Helen. A part of him thought that it was his fault. “When was she seen by Lady Carstairs?”
Lady Patridge smiled coyly and placed a hand on her daughter’s. “Your Grace, I believe it was a little before the ball ended. But then, the Lady’s virtue is in question. She is saucy and obstinate not fit for a bride. If you would like, maybe Edna can entertain you by playing the pianoforte?”
Miss Edna smiled at Theodore again which only irritated him further. He was tired of staying at Clyvedon, of thetontaking every chance to make their daughters available.
When he didn’t speak, Lady Patridge chuckled nervously. “A promenade perhaps?”
“I have matters to attend to at the estate,” Theodore said, mustering a mask of calm over himself. “I only agreed to come here to extend some courtesy. A promenade will not be necessary.”
His grandmother placed her hand on his, but he pulled away. “I came a long way from the country because I thought you were unwell. From the look of this, you are fit as a fiddle, and I’d like to take my leave now.”
“But Theodore -”
“My responsibilities hinder me from staying for the rest of the Season,” he said as smoothly as possible. “But I will make sure to visit often.”
Theodore got to his feet and curtseyed. “If I may?”
The young lady started crying as he turned his back to leave. “Mama, does he not like me even the slightest?”
“I am rather envious of Sebastian,” Theodore said, turning to face his grandmother again. “Living in London without having to carry any weight other than his own. He must be having the time of his life as we speak.”
Huffing one last sigh, Theodore stalked out of the room with his mind made up. He was going back home.
ChapterSeven
“Do not play the blushing virgin with me,”he had said, squeezing her against his body.
Helen scrubbed her body furiously, digging her nails into her skin. It hurt enough to remind her of her ordeal in the garden with the strange man. What was even more bizarre was that she had not seen his face. But being at the ball, he must have passed through the front door to gain proper access into the garden.
She rubbed the bar of Sonya’s special lily soap in her hair, making lather and furiously scrubbing her scalp. Helen could still hear the stranger’s bitter voice whispering beside her ear, the stench of alcohol on his breath.
She tried to block it out with other feelings, trying to conjure good feelings from her mind. But nothing was forthcoming. Her mind was on the words he had said when she tried to resist.
“I know everything you’ve done in this garden today.”
She shook all thoughts of that fateful night away as her maid helped her into the dress. When the soft material brushed against Helen’s skin, it sent tingles through her. In the mirror, she stared at her reflection as the maid did her hair up, braiding and coiling into an elaborate style. The dress draped the slight curves of her body in a rather beautiful yet decent way.
“Is not it beautiful?” Helen asked, clasping her hands in front of her, and it scrunched up the dress.
“Of course, ma’am,” the maid replied, head bobbing in a curtsy.
Helen fiddled with the dress one last time, making the folds of cloth swirl around her. After the maid ambled away, she brought out the simple gold and ruby necklace that her father brought on one of his sojourns to the continent.
It curled around her throat, the red glint of the rubies contrasting beautifully against the amber-colored dress. She watched herself in the mirror for a few more minutes, trying to contemplate whether or not to walk down the stairs. Her mind was riddled with fear at the prospect of being engaged, but she shoved the thoughts into the farthest reaches of her mind.
It was her duty to fulfill her father’s wishes. She knew that the Duke had no intentions of marriage, but a part of her hoped he would visit as one of the suitors. Turning around, she walked out the door and into the hallway.
