by Anne Herries
‘The boy was upset. I did not think,’ Helene said defensively. Surely he had no need to scold her? ‘I could not leave the poor creature up there. It was frightened.’
‘So frightened that it scratched your neck,’ Max said. ‘You have blood on your gown. Come into the house and let Miss Saunders bathe it for you.’
Helene put her hand to her neck. ‘It is only a small scratch. I can perfectly well tend it myself,’ she said and set off towards the house. She was walking fast, her head bent as if in distress.
Max watched for a moment and then ran after her. He caught at her arm, swinging her round to face him. For a moment he stared at her, torn between anger, regret and amusement.
‘Damn it, I’m sorry,’ he said and then caught her to him. Helene’s eyes widened as he bent his head and kissed her hard on the mouth. It was such an angry kiss that it aroused conflicting emotions in her. Almost immediately he drew back, an odd expression in his own eyes. ‘Forgive me—that was most improper of me. I am sorry…sorry that I was harsh to you and sorry that I behaved so badly. I was shaken because you might have been seriously hurt, but I should not have spoken to you so sharply—and I should not have kissed you like that, either.’
‘No, you should not,’ Helene said, her expression one of pride. ‘Excuse me, sir. I must tidy myself before nuncheon.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Max said. He stood watching as she walked towards the house. Damn it! He had been a complete fool! He could only hope that Helene had not completely lost her trust in him.
Helene rushed up the stairs to the room Miss Saunders said was kept for visitors to tidy themselves. She was relieved that it was empty when she entered. There was cold water in the jug on the washstand. Helene splashed a little on her face and neck. The scratch stung a little, but when she looked in the mirror she could see that it was only a very little one. Hopefully, no one would notice it after a few hours when the redness had gone.
She smoothed her hair into place and looked at the tear in her gown. Unfortunately, that was noticeable and Emily was sure to ask what had happened. Helene put her hands to her cheeks, feeling a hot rush of colour. Lord Coleridge must think her so foolish. She had acted like a hoyden—climbing into a tree after a kitten was something no properly behaved young lady would do. Helene hadn’t hesitated. The child and the kitten had been in distress. How could she have done otherwise?
After a moment her feeling of embarrassment became anger. There had been no need for him to be so harsh—and to kiss her in that way, almost as if he wished to punish her. Just because she had climbed into a tree, it did not mean she was lost to all propriety, but he obviously thought so—a gentleman would not kiss a lady he respected in that rough manner. He had clearly lost all respect for her!
She felt close to tears, but she knew she must not give way to her feelings. The others were waiting for nuncheon. She must go down and join them. She lifted her head, pride coming to her rescue. She had been reckless and must simply take the consequences of her actions.
Helene went downstairs, making her way to the big dining hall that Miss Saunders had shown her earlier. The children were all standing behind their benches, waiting for her. She felt their eyes on her as she walked towards the high table, where the guests were already seated. Her cheeks heated, making her uncomfortable. She took a seat between Toby and Miss Saunders.
‘Forgive me for keeping everyone waiting,’ she said.
‘She got Tiddler down,’ a voice piped up as the children took their places. ‘He were stuck up a tree and she got ’im down fer us.’
Helene was startled when the children stamped their feet and sent up a cheer. She blushed again, shooting a glance at Max at the other end of the table.
‘Be quiet, children,’ Miss Saunders said and a hush fell over the tables. ‘We shall say grace and then you may eat.’
Helene looked down as the schoolmistress said the prayer. She felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. Whatever must everyone think of her?
‘It was kind of you to rescue that wretched kitten,’ Miss Saunders said as the children settled to their meal. ‘I had to get it out of the lily pool the other day. The children thought it would drown. They do so love their pets—and they adore the donkey. Lord Coleridge sent it for them recently. He told them that a kind lady had rescued it from a cruel master and that they were to take good care of it. I think the beast will be totally useless after all the fuss they make of it.’
‘Oh…’ Helene glanced at Max again. He lifted his brows, as if to ask if he were forgiven. She gave a slight nod of the head and smiled. ‘I should like to see Jezra. I understand that he is much recovered now.’
‘Was it you that rescued the poor creature?’ Ann Saunders asked. ‘That explains it—I wondered why Lord Coleridge had taken a donkey under his care, but I see that you have a kind heart, Miss Henderson. I hope that you may take an interest in our little school in the future?’
‘Yes, of course, though we are in town only for a short time,’ Helene said. ‘However, you already have the best patron you could have in Lord Coleridge.’
‘Yes, indeed, we do,’ Miss Saunders said. ‘Would you care for some of this mutton, Miss Henderson? It comes from the Coleridge estate—or one of them, for I believe his lordship has more than one. Our patron makes sure that we never go short of anything here.’
Helene accepted a little of the pie, which was swimming in delicious gravy, the meat cooked slowly and very tender. She noticed that the children were being served the same foods as they had. In the workhouse they would have been lucky to be served bread and thin soup. The difference was so marked that she could not help feeling approval for the man who had provided them with this home.
Her anger had quite gone now. How could she be angry with Lord Coleridge when he was so generous to these children? He must think her very foolish for climbing that tree, but she would not hold the kiss against him. Indeed, it had made her tremble inwardly. Had she not been certain that he had meant to punish her, she might have found it enjoyable.
Chapter Five
After nuncheon, they were taken to see Jezra. The children took gifts of bread and carrots to feed their pet. Seeing how happy they were to have the donkey to fuss over and care for, Helene was completely satisfied that Jezra would do well in his new home.
Max told them it was time to leave after some minutes spent admiring the children’s pet. They said their goodbyes and walked out to the carriages. Max glanced at Helene as they paused for a moment in the sunshine.
‘Am I forgiven?’ he asked. ‘Or would you prefer Toby to drive you home?’
‘I have forgiven you,’ Helene said. ‘I dare say I was foolish.’
‘I would not say so. Reckless and brave, but not foolish,’ Max replied. ‘I was fearful for your safety but I should not have…behaved as I did. I hope it will not spoil our friendship?’ His eyes quizzed her, making her look down quickly, her heart racing.
‘It is forgotten,’ Helene said and gave him her hand. Max inclined his head, helping her to climb into the curricle. ‘I think, after what I have seen today, I should forgive you almost anything, sir.’
‘You are pleased with our school?’ Max glanced at her before giving his horses the order to walk on.
‘How could I fail to be?’ Helene said, but did not look at him. ‘These children would be forced to live in the workhouse if it were not for you and I dread to think of their fate in that terrible place.’
‘There are other decent homes. Miss Royston is the patroness of one in London, as I am sure you know.’
‘Yes, Emily told me of it, but I doubt that it is quite like yours. You were fortunate to find Miss Saunders, sir. Her ideas and beliefs are very different, as I am sure you agree.’
‘Yes, I was fortunate. I am glad you approve,’ Max said, looking thoughtful. ‘I trust you are satisfied with Jezra’s new home?’
‘How could I not be?’ Helene said and smiled. ‘I think those children will spoil t
he wretched creature.’
‘I dare say Jezra will find it preferable to pulling an impossibly heavy cart and almost starving to death.’
‘I am certain that he will,’ Helene replied. She glanced at him, seeing that he was smiling. She had a warm feeling inside, because it seemed that their argument was forgotten. ‘I think you are very kind, sir.’
‘Do you, Helene?’ he asked and turned to look at her for a moment. Something in his eyes at that moment sent a tingle down her spine. ‘Jezra owes his good fortune entirely to you—and the children need help. Someone has to do something until the laws are changed to protect them. I am certain you agree?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘I knew you would think as I do.’ His dark eyes sent little tingles through her entire body. She remembered the way she had lectured him on the evils of poverty and felt embarrassed. He needed no such instruction from her! She was sure he knew far more about these things than she did.
Helene blushed and looked away. She had a strange feeling that something in their relationship had changed, though she was not sure what or why. Her heart raced for a moment, but she clasped her hands in her lap. She must not read too much into that kiss. She had thought he was angry, his kiss meant to punish…but that look in his eyes had seemed to say something very different.
Max stopped the curricle outside Miss Royston’s house. He got down to help Helene alight, holding her hand for a moment, gazing down at her as they stood in the street.
‘I have enjoyed your company,’ he told her. ‘I have taken a box at Vauxhall next week. If I were to send Mrs Henderson an invitation for all of you, would it be acceptable, do you think?’
‘I am sure Mama would be pleased to accept. Amelia has spoken of taking a box, but we have had so many engagements that there has been no time.’
‘You must visit Vauxhall,’ Max told her. ‘You will enjoy the fireworks, and the gardens are pleasant. I shall write to your mama—and perhaps we shall meet soon?’
‘I expect we shall,’ Helene said. She gave him her hand, her manner outwardly calm, though her heart was beating very fast. ‘Thank you so much for today. I have enjoyed myself.’
‘Despite my show of temper?’ Max lifted his brows.
‘I think it was more my fault than yours, sir.’
‘Well, we shall agree to forget a disagreeable incident,’ Max said and lifted her hand to kiss it. ‘Goodbye for the moment…’
Helene walked into the house, leaving Emily to offer her thanks for the outing. She paused by the silver salver on the hall table. To her surprise there was a letter addressed to Miss Helene Henderson. She picked it up and slipped it into her glove as she went upstairs.
Her mother came along the landing towards her as she reached her bedchamber. ‘Helene, my love. Did you have an interesting day?’
‘Yes, Mama. Miss Saunders is the schoolmistress at the orphanage and she is wonderful with the children. I think it must be so satisfying to do such worthwhile work.’
‘Yes, I dare say it may be more rewarding than life as a governess,’ Mrs Henderson said. ‘However, you are in the fortunate position of not having to work, my love. I am confident that you will receive an offer very soon, Helene. Mr Bradwell called today. He seemed most disappointed that you were not at home. Had you been, he might have had something to say to you.’
Helene nodded, but made no answer as she went into her bedroom. She thought that she would prefer to work, as Miss Saunders did, than marry a man she could not truly love. She was almost certain now that there could be no true happiness in marriage without love. She had not thought that she would ever wish to marry a member of the class that had treated her mama so badly, but Lord Coleridge seemed to think just as he ought about so many things.
Yet it was foolish to allow herself to dream, for she had no real reason to suppose that he had any intention of asking her to marry him.
Max took his leave of Toby with the promise to meet later that evening at a card party to which both were invited. Leaving his tiger to see to the horses, he went into the house. He stopped to glance through the calling cards and pocket a sealed letter before going upstairs to change for the evening.
Max’s valet had laid out the clothes he would need, and a bath had been set for his use in the dressing room. His valet gave the order and servants began to fill the hipbath with hot water. Sinking into the fragrant water some minutes later, Max closed his eyes, allowing his thoughts to drift back to the moment he had seen Helene in the apple tree. Her skirt had been caught up, revealing shapely ankles and more. The glimpse of white silk stockings going right up to her thighs had been tantalising; she looked beautiful, the picture of lovely womanhood, making him very aware of his feelings for her.
Max thought that perhaps it was this awareness that had made him suddenly angry. The desire to crush Helene in his arms and kiss her had come swiftly, making him act in a way he would not normally have dreamed of doing. He had made her angry in her turn. Max knew that he was lucky she had forgiven him so easily. He did not doubt that it was Jezra who had worked that particular magic, and promised himself he would take the donkey an apple when they came in season.
Max admitted to himself that he was intrigued with Miss Henderson. She was a very spirited lady and courageous, though her compassion tended to make her reckless at times. She had rushed to the defence of the donkey without thought for her own safety, and she had not hesitated to attempt the rescue of the kitten, making nothing of either the scratch or her plight when the ladder fell. He could not help but admire her, and she was certainly both intelligent and beautiful.
If he wished to marry, he surely could not do better than to make Miss Henderson an offer. She would make a companionable wife and a good mother for his children. Seeing her in the apple tree had made him aware that he found her desirable. He was not certain that his feelings went deeper and because of that he was still hesitating about making her an offer.
Harry Pendleton had fallen deeply in love with Susannah, and she with him. Max had witnessed the moment when she risked her life for Harry’s, running between Harry and Northaven at the very moment the marquis pressed the trigger. His ball had struck her in the shoulder and she had made a complete recovery, but she might have died—and she had done it out of love for Harry. They were the happiest couple of his acquaintance. Most of Max’s friends had married for reasons other than love: fortune, property and consequence. He knew that two of his friends who married in the last eighteen months already had mistresses; bored with their wives, they looked elsewhere for their pleasure. That would not do for him!
Max stood up, water dripping off the body of a superbly fit Corinthian, his well-toned muscles rippling beneath the skin as he dried himself. It was too soon to think of making Miss Henderson an offer, even though he had experienced a flood of intense desire when he kissed her. Even now he could feel himself hardening at the memory of those shapely ankles. Yet desire was not reason enough for marriage. He would wait for a time, he decided, get to know her better.
Wrapping a robe about himself, he walked into the bedchamber. He remembered the letter he had thrust into his pocket on his arrival home and discovered that his thoughtful valet had placed it on the dressing chest before taking the coat away to brush and clean it.
Max broke the seal and read the contents. He frowned as he digested the letter, which had come from a neighbour. General Tyler had written to tell him of some unfortunate events that had taken place in the district of late. A young woman had been attacked when walking home from her place of work late at night, and another had barely escaped the same fate. Some other girls had reported that a man had followed them—and all the incidents had taken place in the last six months.
It was six months since his cousin, Mrs Heronsdale and the doctor she insisted was the only physician to care for her son properly had moved into the dower house. Max had an uncomfortable feeling about what his neighbour had not written. Could he be implying that
one of the newcomers was responsible for these despicable attacks?
Max frowned as he dressed for the evening. It would be inconvenient to leave town at the moment. He felt that he was just beginning to get to know Miss Henderson. He thrust the disturbing letter into a drawer. Robert could surely have had nothing to do with these attacks, for he was never well. Max was not sure about the physician. He did not care for the man much, but he would not have thought him capable of such wickedness.
He would give the matter some thought. No doubt it would keep for a few weeks. The problem of his marriage was more important for the moment. He needed to make a decision.
Helene opened her letter. She read the contents quickly, frowned and then puzzled over the spidery script. What did the rather cryptic message mean?
Lady Annersley requests the pleasure of a private interview at her house in Berkeley Square tomorrow at three in the afternoon.
Helene recalled that Lord Coleridge had once mentioned the lady as being an acquaintance, and she had been introduced to her at an evening party. However, she had not been invited to the small dance given by that lady only a few days previously. Since they were not intimately acquainted, why would Lady Annersley ask her to call for a private interview? It was puzzling, for Helene could not think that she had done anything to arouse that lady’s interest—or to upset her. However, she was already engaged for the following afternoon to some friends, and would be unable to oblige.
She sat down at the little desk in the window and took out some notepaper, penning a short note of regret. She would be happy to call on her ladyship at another date, but did not have a free afternoon for some ten days. Having sanded and sealed her note, she went downstairs with it and placed it on a salver with others waiting to be delivered by hand. One of the footmen delivered letters to houses in the near vicinity each morning, which saved the cost of some sixpences unless they could be franked. They also collected post from the receiving house, which was left in the hall together with hand-delivered post.
