Page 40 of The Haunted Duke

Over Jeremy’s shoulder, Evander’s gaze found hers, and Helena’s breath caught. It was all still there in his eyes, his hand on her skin, the low rasp of his voice telling her he would not kiss her while she wore another man’s ring. She wanted to look away, but she could not. Then Jeremy pulled back, clapping him on the shoulder, and Evander’s face shuttered closed again.

What a mess!

“Helena, I must insist that you calm yourself,” Patricia warned. Her tone was polite, but the scolding look in her eyes told a different story. “We all want a chance to speak with your husband-to-be, but he needs a chance to settle in after his trip.”

“Forgive me, Miss, but I must agree,” Jeremy’s valet answered in a similar fashion. “Mr. Winterbourne is most exhausted from his trip and needs time to recover.”

“But—”

“Enough, dear,” Patricia sighed, waving a dismissive hand toward Helena. “There is plenty for you to do until Jeremy is ready to speak with you. Settle your friends into their rooms. Give them a tour of the house. They are the first of many guests to arrive for this evening’s soiree.”

Helena’s spirits sank as she watched Jeremy disappear into the house with his valet.

“Listen to your future grandmother, darling,” Letty insisted, stepping in front of Helena.

Helena’s shoulders drooped, but she nodded.

“Of course,” she agreed, mustering a smile for Letty. “Of course, forgive me, Letty. Thank you so much for coming.”

Letty smiled prettily as she reached for Helena’s hands and gave them a squeeze.

“Of course I came,” Letty gushed. “I would never miss my two friends getting married.”

Her gaze shifted from Helena’s new white day gown up to her eyes.

“Even if one of those friends looks woefully tired,” Letty mused. “Do the wedding preparations keep you up all night, Helena?”

Helena winced at the slight insult, and she felt her cheeks burning. She could hide the mostly faded bruises on her neck with the high collar of her pretty new dress, but her exhaustion? It seemed to be on full display for everyone to see, and she only hoped not everything she felt was so obvious.

“I… Indeed, it is the wedding planning,” Helena stammered. “It is most stressful.”

Letty let out a sharp hmph as she took Helena’s arm and started to lead her toward the front door.

“I am sure it is,” Letty remarked. “Seeing as you are marrying into one of the richest families in the country. Jeremy said he left the Duke of Redgrave in his stead to help you with the planning. Tell me, has he been running you ragged? I have heard so many stories about him. I cannot wait to see if they are true!”

Heat exploded into Helena’s cheeks, but before she could ask what her friend meant, the butler announced the arrival of another carriage.

“We will speak later,” Helena assured her nosy friend. “Please, go on inside and partake in the refreshments? A maid will be ready to show you to your room as soon as you are ready.”

Helena took a moment, willing her fraying nerves and heated cheeks to cool down, and turned back to the carriages. She was greeted by the smiling faces of seven adults and a gaggle of small children.

“Miss Robinson!” Caroline greeted, smiling warmly.

Damien’s wife stepped forward, looking radiant in her daffodil yellow dress. A white, thick ribbon was tied around her waist, accentuating her round belly. They had met once, briefly, at a dinner with Damien and Jeremy some years prior, and Helena had taken an immediate liking to her.

“Your Grace, you look beautiful,” Helena praised, accepting the woman’s hug.

“Does she not?” Damien asked. As usual, he was not far from his wife, hovering protectively just behind her.

“Both of you stop,” Caroline playfully scolded, then her smile grew warmer as she looked into Helena’s eyes and squeezed her hands. “I look giant. I am so sorry that Damien and I were unable to come and help you with the preparations. I hope my cousin made up for our absence.”

“Your cousin?” Helena asked.

“Oh, Evander is my cousin,” Caroline explained. “He can seem a little gruff, I know. But he truly does have an amazing heart.”

Helena’s blood warmed as his name was spoken aloud, and this time, no matter how much she willed herself to stay calm, her cheeks flushed once again.

“This is his little sister, Elara, and her husband, Constantine,” Caroline went on, waving toward one of the other couples. “And this is Evander’s younger brother, Adrian, and his wife, Bridget. Oh, and of course, Evander’s mother, Nora.”