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“Love exists?” Theodore asked, raising an eyebrow. “By any chance, has my grandmother whispered to you about my bachelor situation? Maybe with some coin in your pockets or new dresses for your wife?”
The steward blushed uncomfortably. “Of course not. If you had any friends, I would have suggested that the Dowager talked to them. You need an heir in this house. But alas, no one talks to the housekeepers.”
“But how do they hear things then?” Theodore asked and turned away from the painting.
“That, Your Grace,” Perceval said with a smile plastered on his face, “is a trade secret.”
Theodore smiled, grateful that he had found a friend in his steward. At least, it kept him from staring at the mirror and talking to himself. His eyes fell on the red wax seal on his desk and fear filled him once again.
“Did you prepare the fastest horses?” he asked.
Perceval nodded. “Helios and Krios are pulling the carriage today. The fastest horses from the stables.”
Theodore nodded and strode out of the room and down the stairs. Sometimes, he wished he could just leave everything behind and start a new life.
Soon, the carriage was rolling and the light breeze found its way in. Theodore closed his eyes, hoping that nothing was amiss with his grandmother.
ChapterTwo
Helen Jarvis grunted softly as the maid tightened the cords of her French Coutil corset. The silk satin gripped her waist and chest tightly as her maid tightened it even more.
“Is not that a tad too tight?” Helen asked, her breath shuddering as she spoke.
“I heard this is the latest fashion of the Season, Lady Helen. Besides, it matches the silk petticoats do not you think?”
Helen groaned and smoothed the creases on the cream-colored petticoats. She hated the corset so much because it gave her little space to move around. And it was ridiculously tight, giving her less than enough breathing space.
“Latest fashion you say, Sonya. Where did you hear that from? The seamstress on Charlemagne?”
“Stop pestering the maid, Helen. You have the latest things, and you are still a spoiled child. You should be grateful that you were even born into the Erbury house,” Aunt Gertrude’s spiteful tone rang through the room.
A frown marred Helen’s face as her lady’s maid finished with the cords of the corset. Her maternal aunt was the worst thing to ever happen to her, mostly because of her stiff principles and lifestyle. Not only was Aunt Gertrude overbearing and meddlesome, but she was also filled with so much hate because her groom-to-be eloped with another woman. Helen had talked to her father about letting her aunt return back to the country, but all her complaints fell on deaf ears.
“I am not pestering her,” Helen replied. “I only asked a question.”
Aunt Gertrude’s face turned sour as if she had just ingested something foul. “Is that a proper way for a lady to talk? How will you even find a match with this attitude?”
“You want me to get married off so fast? This is my very first Season. Maybe you have an ulterior motive for the Erbury house?” Helen asked in a rather sweet voice — one that she knew annoyed her maternal aunt.
“Even if this is your first Season, society will not condone such actions! No man will ever consider you for a bride with this kind of attitude! Perhaps some lessons from me will make you a respectable young lady.”
“The Governess taught me a lot, thank you,” Helen said and curtseyed, not wanting to spend any more time with her aunt.
“Your father has spoiled you so,” Aunt Gertrude replied. “Some time with me during your learning years would have taught you much more than to be disrespectful. All those sinful thoughts lingering in your mind would have been chased away by smacks and proper chores!”
The maid snickered a little, and Helen burst into laughter. It was rather impetuous and went just as quickly as it came.
“Did I say something worthy of laughter, Helen?” her aunt asked with her beaked nose quivering with curiosity.
Helen shook her head, staring at the reflection of herself in the mirror. She did not want to anger her aunt because her father requested her not to, but it was rather difficult not to laugh at her aunt’s spiteful remarks. When her aunt was gone, Helen whistled a sigh of relief. She turned around, twirling and letting the petticoats swirl all around her then she faced the maid.
“Did you find the latest copy ofSilent Dreams?” Helen asked. The maid — Sonya — nodded with a smile and brought out a folded book from her clothes.
“I had to reach the printing press on Burke and Fairmont. Took quite a while, My Lady.”
Helen opened her mouth in shock. The books were usually sold in the Covered Market, just along Hanson Avenue. Maybe the shopkeeper was sent away for selling such books that were considered profane in the eyes of theton, but Helen liked them anyway. She took the book from Sonya and opened the very first page. Excitement wrapped around her chest as the words burned themselves into her mind.
“Can you loosen the cords of the corset?” Helen asked, flipping through the small pages filled with dark ink.
