Capturing the Viscount's Heart

by Abby Ayles

“That summer I knew my feelings toward you had changed, but I didn’t understand them. Then, as time passed, I knew what they were. That the love I had always had for you had grown and multiplied beyond my imagining. You lived in my heart.”

  “Helena,” Elias whispered her name as if it were a prayer.

  “I cannot bear to know that any other man could dare to call you his,” Elias stated. “I cannot allow it. I must be selfish and claim you for my own…forever.”

  He took a deep breath as he pulled the golden band from his pocket. Three large emeralds were set into it. He held it in his fingers as he looked at Helena and slid to his knee.

  “Helena Anne Leeson, would you do me the greatest honor of completing me and being my wife? I have loved no other but you. I desire no other but you. Be mine.”

  He slid the ring onto her finger as Helena began to weep. It was a perfect fit.

  “Yes,” she cried again and again. “Yes.”

  “Do not cry,” he urged her in a gentle voice as he raised himself up from his knee so that his lips met hers for the first time. His stomach warmed and his entire body seemed to heat up.

  Their lips parted but their eyes did not as Helena whispered to him in the most melodic tone. “I love you, Elias.”

  “My sweet Helena,” he said as he cupped her cheek and rose to sit beside her once more. She folded against his body and he enveloped her in his arms. All was right in the world. There was nothing and no one but them at that moment, and Elias could think of nothing better.

  “Does your father know?” Helena asked after several minutes.

  “He approved you long before I asked for it,” he chuckled. “That is why I am here. Now that I have your consent, I must seek your father’s approval.”

  Helena shot up in his arms.

  “I knew you would be concerned, given that we have only recently reconciled, but I can wait no longer, Helena. Your father is an understanding man. Surely he would understand what I feel for you. He would see the love we share.”

  Helena smiled at him. “I will go with you.”

  “No,” Elias answered with a small shake of his head. “Go to your mother and tell her my desire. I will speak to your father alone. The future of his daughter requires us to have a conversation that we have never had before.”

  Helena nodded her understanding as Elias got to his feet. She joined him a second later and he escorted her from the room upstairs where her family waited.

  The moment they arrived in the entertainment room Mrs. Leeson’s eyes were upon them, as was Beatrice’s.

  “Lord Chatleton,” Beatrice greeted with a bright smile. “I am very happy to see you.”

  “As I am to see you,” Elias replied. He nodded at Mrs. Leeson, before kissing Helena’s knuckles gently as he assured her he would return soon.

  Elias walked toward Mr. Leeson’s office. His heart was even louder in his ears as he approached.

  He reached the door and stood outside for several seconds before raising his hand to knock.

  “Enter,” Mr. Leeson’s voice called from the other side, and Elias turned the handle.

  “Mr. Leeson,” he greeted cheerfully though internally his stomach was dancing to and fro.

  “Lord Chatleton,” the man replied as he got to his feet. It was then that Elias realized the lasting effects that his imprisonment had left him. His gait was slower and he seemed significantly weaker as he approached him with a smile. He could not return to work in such a state, that was clear.

  “How are you, sir?” Elias asked.

  “My health is steadily improving, but my body has taken a toll I am told,” Mr. Leeson answered. “Please, sit. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

  Elias cleared his throat as he waited for Mr. Leeson to be seated.

  “I have come, sir, to ask your permission to take Helena as my bride. She has accepted my proposal only just, and now I must ask your approval of the same.”

  The older man watched him in silence for several long seconds. Seconds that seemed to stretch for an eternity.

  “Do you love my daughter?” he asked finally.

  “More than I have ever loved another living soul,” Elias answered.

  “And how long have you known this?”

  “Several months, but I dared not speak of it until things were settled between us,” Elias explained.

  “Was that why you persisted with my case so long? For Helena?”

  “In part,” Elias confessed. “I truly believed you innocent, and to see how she suffered only made me want to find the truth even more. I wanted to restore her happiness. I wanted to protect her.”

  Mr. Leeson clasped his hands on the table before him as he exhaled a long breath. He chuckled. “She has loved you since she was a child,” he mused. “I have long known it and dreaded it.”

  The words caused a pang of alarm to rise in Elias’s chest. “Dread, sir?”

  Mr. Leeson smiled sadly. “I knew the day the both of you realized your feelings it would mean her days under my roof were at an end. I would lose her to you,” he confessed.

  “You must understand, I would gain you as a son, but my little girl would be gone for me. I would now witness her life from a distance. It is a hard thing for a father.”

  Elias smiled. “What if it need not be so?”

  Chapter 39

  “Sit, Helena,” her mother urged for the sixth time.

  “I’m sorry, Mother. I can’t seem to,” she replied.

  Her mother and sister laughed. “Very well, pace if you wish, but you will only succeed in wearing a hole in the floor. It shall not make Elias or your father appear any sooner.”

  Helena wrung her hands as she paced before the window. Elias and her father had been cloistered behind the door of his office for a long time. Surely it did not take that long to approve or deny his request for her hand? What could they be talking about?

  Her sister came to her side and held her. “Be patient. I am sure they will not be much longer,” she assured. “I am sure they will be out any moment to tell us of the decision.”

  “Do you think Father will agree?”

  Her mother laughed. “I think it highly unlikely that he would do otherwise given all that Lord Chatleton and his father have done for this family.”

  “Mother, you make it almost sound as payment,” Beatrice answered.

  “You know I meant no such thing,” her mother replied. “I simply stated that, for the good that family has done for us, and the love we all know they bear each other, there could only be one answer. He would be cruel to answer otherwise and your father is not that.”

  “Listen to Mother. She knows Father best,” Beatrice insisted.

  Her sister led her further away from their mother, who was reading a book while she waited. Helena marvelled at her composure. She felt as if she was being pulled in every direction at once and her heart would not be stilled.

  “Did I not tell you there would be a wedding at Balwell?” Beatrice said with a sad smile. “I am happy for you, Helena. Truly I am. You and Elias are perfectly matched. I wish you both all the joy that can be had.”

  “Thank you, Bea,” Helena replied as she hugged her sister tightly. “One day, it will be your turn.”

  “I think I will put love out of my mind for a while,” her sister replied. “I have thought of nothing but a husband for years. Year after year, I was nothing but disappointed. This was the first time when I thought my day had finally come and I would have my happiness. Alas, that was also not to be.”

  “Bea…”

  “Do not let my misfortune cloud this wonderful day,” her sister insisted with a sad smile. “Elias loved you past pretences and past scandal. He loved you enough to find the truth for you and our father. That is true love.”

  “You will have that,” Helena insisted. “You will.”

  Beatrice smiled meekly and shook her head. “Right now, I would rather enjoy your happiness.”

  Their tender exch
ange was interrupted by the sound of the door to her father’s study opening. Helena waited with bated breath as she heard two pairs of footsteps approaching. Her father and Elias appeared several seconds later.

  “My family,” Mr. Leeson said with a smile as Elias helped him to a seat.

  “Father,” Helena said as he beckoned to her with one hand. She knelt before him and took his hand. He held her chin gently with the other hand.

  “My little girl,” Mr. Leeson said. “How you’ve grown into a wonderful woman. One good enough to capture the heart of a viscount,” he mused. “Who would have thought that the child I had to force to stay indoors would one day become the lady before me?”

  “Father,” Helena said softly.

  “It is a great day,” Mr. Leeson said as he looked down at her. “This day, a man I greatly admire has asked for my youngest child’s hand and I have given my consent to the marriage.”

  Helena’s heart leaped from her chest at her father’s words. She sprang up and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Father.”

  She turned from her father and rushed into Elias’s arms and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck like she did when she was a girl. Her family laughed at her actions.

  “It seems some things have not yet changed,” Mr. Leeson mused as he looked on.

  Elias looked down at her with a smile. “That is not all,” he announced.

  “What else is there?” Helena questioned as she cast perplexed looks to her family. Her father smiled knowingly. What was he aware of that they weren’t?

  “Tell us,” Beatrice urged.

  “Yes. What other news do you have besides a wedding?” her mother questioned. “Though I cannot be sure my heart could take much more delight,” she mused.

  “Just a bit more,” Elias replied with a grin. “Would you like to do the honor, Mr. Leeson?”

  Her father shook his head. “I believe that honor should be yours.”

  Helena wondered at her fiancé as he stepped further into the room. “Mr. Leeson has expressed to me how difficult it will be to give up his daughters into other households, and given our close connection and the fact that we will soon be as a family, I thought there should be no reason for it.”

  Helena’s brow wrinkled in confusion.

  “What do you mean?” Mrs. Leeson asked.

  “I mean, that once Helena and I are wed, the Leesons and Repingtons will no longer occupy two houses but one. I have proposed it, and Mr. Leeson has agreed. You will all come to live with Helena and me at Balwell, and your household staff shall be made part of the staff at Balwell.”

  Her mother raised her hand to her mouth in surprise while Beatrice seemed speechless. Helena could find no words either.

  “How did I ever come to deserve you?” she finally said as her eyes began to sting. Once again, her arms were flung around Elias’s neck as he held her.

  “We will be one family under one roof,” Mr. Leeson declared happily.

  “What of the business?” Beatrice asked as Elias led Helena to a seat and sat beside her.

  “I am not well enough to manage it any longer. Lord Chatleton and I have agreed that a new manager should be found immediately.”

  “We will start the search tomorrow,” Elias announced. “The sooner the better. Then we can decide on a date.”

  The words brought a grin to Helena’s face. “Any date,” she said as her family laughed around her.

  “You were never a patient one,” Elias said gently as he continued to hold her hand. Their fingers were entwined upon his knee and his thumb was caressing her own lovingly.

  “I think this deserves a celebration,” Mr. Leeson declared. “My dear, would you have Mrs. Royce bring up some wine and cakes? You can invite them as well. I want everyone to share in this news.”

  Helena smiled brightly as her mother moved to fulfil her father's request. Beatrice went to join her.

  “Look at you,” Mr. Leeson commented. Helena turned to look at him.

  “Yes, Father?”

  “Look at how happy the two of you are,” he mused. “It reminds me of when I asked for your mother’s hand in marriage. Though I was far less composed than Elias was, I assure you. I bumbled as I sought permission from her father. The man was the most frightening thing I had ever beheld.”

  “Father,” Helena laughed.

  “It is true, my dear. Your grandfather was a sour-faced man whom I saw smile only twice in my life, and that was the days that you and your sister were born.”

  “You do not mean it,” she continued to laugh.

  “I assure you that I do.” He looked at Elias. “I believe you found me far less frightening.”

  “Of course, Mr. Leeson. I have known you for too long to be afraid.”

  “I have lost it then,” he said with a small smile.

  Helena laughed to herself. Her father had changed yet again. He was so much lighter and happier now. He no longer allowed debts or anyone to upset him. He took things as they came and sought to solve them as a family.

  Several minutes later, her mother and sister had returned along with the household staff. There was suddenly a throng of people lined up to congratulate them. Mrs. Royce was first.

  “Bless my soul! Miss Helena engaged, who would think it! I’ve seen you grow up from putting butter in your hair to being the lovely lady you are now. Bless you both on your marriage.”

  “The best to you, my lord,” Mr. Maypole said as he shook Elias’s hand. “You are a very lucky man.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Maypole,” Helena said from beside her fiancé.

  “Yes, Mr. Maypole, many thanks,” Elias agreed.

  On and on it went, and Helena laughed to herself at how much it reminded her of her cousin’s wedding. And the vows had yet to be exchanged.

  Mrs. Royce assisted her mother in sharing the wine amongst them. A platter of cheese, fruit, and some dessert was placed on one of the tables for everyone to help themselves.

  “Friends,” her father began. He repeated it until the room was silent. “This evening, we are gathered to celebrate the engagement of my daughter Helena to Lord Chatleton. Some of you might think it long in coming, for others, not long enough,” he mused. “Nevertheless, the day has come, and we wish to congratulate the couple on what I am sure will be a very successful union.”

  A murmur of agreement rippled through the room as heads nodded and mouths smiled in approval.

  “I also wish to announce that, when the date is set, our family will no longer occupy this house on Sutton Street. My family and I will be newly resident at Balwell Manor, and all of you will be joining us as the new staff of the great house.”

  The uproar her father’s final announcement made was far greater than that of her engagement, but Helena thought nothing of it. The staff was happy. Balwell was an estate, the kind of house anyone would wish to work in. The house not only belonged to a great family but had history attached to it that went back generations.

  “Bless you, Your Lordship,” Mrs. Royce said. It was chorused by those around her as they each attempted to shake Elias’s hand for the second time. Seeing how happy they were only added to her own happiness.

  The celebration did not end with wine and food. Mr. Maypole, to the surprise of all, offered them a song as a gift. Helena was more than taken aback when the older man stood tall and opened his mouth to a most melodic tune.

  “Mr. Maypole,” Mrs. Leeson commented in surprise when his song was over. “Who knew that you had such a gift?”

  “We did, madam,” Mrs. Royce replied. “We sometimes have him give us a song when it’s someone’s birthday.”

  “You have a lovely voice,” Helena agreed.

  “Mr. Maypole, I am hardly ever astonished, but tonight you have astonished me,” Mr. Leeson said with a smile.

  The festivities lasted two hours before it was time for all to retire for the evening. Helena walked Elias to the door. A carriage had been called and waited for him outside.

  T
he house left them alone as she walked with him in silent contentment. This was how it should be. This would be how it would be for all her days to come. Soon, she would no longer be Helena Leeson, but Mrs. Elias Repington, Viscountess of Chatleton. The thought of it made her giggle.

  “Why do you laugh?” Elias asked her as they stood before the door.

  “I was thinking that soon I will be a different person,” she mused. “Helena Leeson will be gone.”

  “And the Viscountess of Chatleton will take her place?” Elias replied with a chuckle.