Page 44 of The Haunted Duke

Mary-Anne looked around the room with a smile.

“It is lovely what you and His Grace have accomplished, and when the ballroom is finished for the ceremony, I am sure it will take everyone’s breath away.”

Helena did not respond, finding her own breath hard to catch.

“Why do you not go get some fresh air, darling?” Mary-Anne suggested, turning to study Helena’s face. “You are looking a little pale. If anyone asks, I shall tell them I sent you to my room to get my fan for me.”

Grateful for the chance to leave, Helena embraced her mother and quickly left. It was not air she wanted, though. It was someone else.

“There you are,” Helena said softly.

Evander did not look up at her as he stayed seated on the chaise in the middle of the library.

“What are you doing here, Helena?” he asked gruffly, slowly swirling the whiskey in his tumbler glass. “Now that your betrothed is back, I suspected you would not leave his side.”

Helena winced at his gruff tone. Not that she did not deserve it. She should have told him the truth last night. When she had confessed that she had wanted him to kiss her.

“I am sorry he did that to you,” she began, fretfully pulling at her fingertips. “He has known you much longer than I, and even I know you do not wish for such attention. It must have been difficult for you after… everything.”

Evander let out a barking laugh.

“It is not his fault,” he murmured. “He knew me before the… ‘incident’. I was different back then. I would enjoy a party and attention as much as the next preening gentleman. I believe Jeremy just wishes to treat me like nothing has changed.”

“But you have changed,” Helena gently insisted, taking a step toward him. “That deserves to be noted.”

Again, Evander let out another dry laugh.

“I am sure to you it makes no sense, but I prefer Jeremy’s treatment of me to Damien’s or Adrian’s. They are so very delicate with me. As if I were a doll about to break. Jeremy’s actions may make me uncomfortable at times, but I know he has good intentions. He just wants everyone to be as merry as he is.”

Helena pondered his answer before asking, “Would it not be better for them all to treat you as the man you are now?”

He finally looked at her, his blue eyes full of intrigue.

“And pray, what sort of man am I now?” he asked.

Helena took another tentative step toward him.

“A man who is most certainly still strong, perhaps even stronger than he once was. A man who sometimes bravely toes the line between a torturous past and a peaceful present.”

She paused, feeling a blush tinge her cheeks as she fiddled with her fingers.

“A man who sees people as they are, not who they are trying to be,” she added quietly.

Silence stretched between them.

“I do not believe I have ever been described so eloquently,” he finally answered. “Is that how you see me?”

Helena nodded.

“I do,” she said softly.

“How kind,” he replied blandly, then looked back down at his glass. “So,” Evander said, bringing his glass to his lips. “I ask again, what are you doing here?”

“Am I right?” Helena asked.

“Pardon?”

“About how I see you. That you are able to see past people’s facades,” Helena answered.