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“I'm sorry,” she muttered. “I am a bit clumsy these days. Forgive me.”
He smiled, his eyes becoming slimmer, and it warmed Helen's heart. She berated herself in her mind, shoving the feelings down. Everything he did sent her heart skittering and her whole body on fire. It was like he was playing with her feelings.
“I can call you Helen. Only sounds fair, and it will help us keep up what we have.”
“This sham, you mean. You are more than welcome to call me Helen. All is fair.”
“Is something the matter?” he asked, concern dripping on every word. “Do I need to be worried?”
“That you will be once again thrown to the hordes of hell? No, Theodore. I am much too softhearted to throw you to the dogs. By the way, how is your relationship with the mamas of theton?”
He sighed, raking slim fingers through his hair. “They remain adamant, chasing me at every turn. But the suggestive remarks have dwindled, for your aunt did a good job spreading the false news. Quite remarkable work. All in a few days.”
She leaned closer to him. “As you said, I have received calls from numerous suitors, and I am beginning to feel like I am cheating on you. If the mamas are still after you, then you have gained nothing from this arrangement.”
“Distance!” Aunt Gertrude bellowed from her perch near the window. “That in itself is an act of sin! You lot should not be too close to one another when you are not yet married.”
Helen wanted to say something, but her aunt continued after she paused to breathe. “And you, Helen. Change your dress as soon as His Grace leaves. Showing your bosom to a man that is not your husband is ungodly! Not only that, but it makes you look loose and improper, so men become repelled.”
Theodore smiled. “I beg to differ,” he muttered low enough that none of them could hear.
Helen wanted to lean into him again, to let his scent assault her nostrils — pine and citrus, reminding her of two separate and distinct seasons. Polar opposites, but Theodore made them smell so good together.
“I apologize,” Theodore said, scooting away from Helen even though it hurt him too.
He wanted to feel her warmth, to pull her into an embrace and put his nose in her hair. Theodore often found himself wondering how those blonde curls smelled. He wanted to caress the smooth skin on her thigh like he had done before, to hold her once more.
“There,” Aunt Gertrude replied. “That is better. Keep a moderate distance, even if you are so smitten with each other. God should come first in all of your endeavors.”
Helen rolled her eyes at the words. If she heard any more sentences that included God, she would not hesitate to stick wool in her ears. She missed the closeness between them, but she knew that it was for the best. Any more, and she might not be able to control her emotions.
“What do you propose, Helen?”
The question got her off-guard. “Propose?”
“Yes. Since you brought up the topic of being unfair, surely, you must have a proposition in mind to set things right.”
“Ah! There will be another ball soon and others to come. I suggest that we should go together to each one. With my aunt, of course, as the chaperone, we can tell thetonthat you have become truly interested in pursuing me.”
“Pursue?” he laughed. “That will not be a problem. Two dances in every ball, and I take the first two spaces on your dance card.”
“The mamas will see that you have set sights on me and will be in search of other eligible bachelors for their daughters. Your ardent pursuers will dwindle, and my suitors will only increase.”
His eyes glazed over as he spun the thought in his mind. “I see nothing wrong with the plan. But if they only see us together at balls, will we look smitten enough?”
Helen smiled. “We will give them no reason to doubt us. Evening walks and promenades in the park will be incorporated into our routine —”
Theodore interrupted her, his blue eyes darkening. “Let us not call it a routine. Makes it sound insanely worrisome.”
“That is colorful language. Even for you, Your Grace.”
“My deepest apologies then,” he said and bowed slightly. “Evening walks and promenades will be fine by me.”
Helen let out a throaty sigh, taking her eyes off the deep-set features of Theodore’s face. In the short moment they had been together, she had noticed the small amount of bright blue inside his eyes. His muscled thighs stood out in his breeches, and Helen was finding it incredibly difficult to resist him.
“I am enjoying your company,” he said rather suddenly, and Helen’s heart jumped. “You are by far the most sensible lady I have met since I became of marriageable age.”
Helen felt her cheeks turn hot, and she put her face down to hide the embarrassment. She had turned a deep, dark red.
