Page 3 of The Haunted Duke

“You do not deserve to be alone and a spinster,” Jeremy whispered, squeezing her hand. “As I do not deserve to be married to a woman my grandmother chooses for me.”

Helena sighed. “If only we could both have what we truly wanted.”

Jeremy’s lips twitched toward a smile as hope glittered in his green eyes.

“What if we could?” he asked. “What if we got married?”

Helena’s gasp was so sudden and loud that Letty turned to them and glared as she pressed a finger to her lips. Jeremy shot her a sassy look back and quickly focused back on Helena.

“What do you say?” he whispered.

“I say you have lost your mind!” she whispered vehemently back. “How could that possibly give us what we both want?”

“Because we are the dearest of friends,” he replied, his eyes pleading. “I would see you well cared for. And if we married, I wager we would each still have the freedom to be ourselves. Our marriage would be a boon!”

“Oh, Jeremy, you know how dear you are to me. And I know that I am not likely to find the husband of my dreams now, not after losing so many Seasons, but… but I only wanted to marry for love.”

“You know that I love love.” Jeremy tilted his head, studying her in the dim light. “Is there someone, then? Someone you love?”

The letters.

Her heart throbbed as she remembered the start of her Season those four years ago. There had been many suitors, most of them handsome and kind, but the one she remembered most fondly was the one who remained a mystery. The one who had written her the most beautiful letters and sent her gorgeous bouquets of blue hydrangeas.

His written words had stirred those deep romantic feelings she had always hoped to feel, but on the day they were supposed to meet in person, he never showed up.

“No,” she said at last, and was surprised at how much the small word cost her. “There is no one. I just… I never imagined myself having a fake marriage.”

Jeremy’s lips twitched, not unkindly.

“You are being a silly goose,” he said. “But I shan’t press you. I could always ask Letty, I suppose.”

“I am sorry, Jeremy.”

“Well, would you at least consider it?” he implored. “We could be so very gay together. You would never have to worry about me pawing at you or pressuring you for children. You could take a lover, I could take a lover, no questions asked. We could shop every week, and dance every night, and drink ourselves merry. And think of how it would help your family! They would never want for anything again.”

That gave Helena pause. She had not thought of that before, but Jeremy was right. Lifting her family out of financial stress would be wonderful. Still, she did not like the idea of not marrying for love.

But perhaps it is foolish of me to hold out for a love that may never come at all.

Helena’s mind was distracted by the time she got home that evening. In fact, even when she turned to the opera singers, she could not focus on them. Her thoughts were occupied with making a list of all the good and bad things a marriage to her friend could bring. So far, both lists were equally long.

She was so distracted that she almost missed the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs as she moved toward them—but then she looked up. Helena frowned when she saw Lord Ingram approaching her with a satisfied smirk.

What on earth is he still doing here?

“You did not acknowledge me earlier, little Helena,” Lord Ingram scolded lightly as he stopped in front of her. “Has your mother been remiss in lessons in manners?”

Helena fought the urge to scowl.

“Surely not, my lord,” she replied, forcing her tone to be polite. “I was simply in a hurry.”

Lord Ingram’s eyes narrowed a little as he took another step toward her, invading her personal space.

“So?” he asked.

She raised a challenging brow.

“So, what, my lord?” she replied.