In Bed with a Rogue (28 page)

Lavinia’s companion.
Her merriment faded as she laced her fingers with his. “For the past nine years, I’ve had no family history I could share with anyone. I know it’s silly to feel sentimental over events that never happened, but it means a lot to me that you gave me a Great-Aunt Mae, Christmas, and plum puddings.”

Sebastian lifted her hand and kissed each fingertip. “Someday we will have real memories to cherish, my love.”

That sliver of hope in her heart began to work its way deeper, expanding until she began to believe perhaps it
was
possible for her to have it all. All because of this man. A rogue by reputation, but the most kindhearted soul she had ever known. And he loved her, sincerely. It showed in his tender gaze. His soft touch. The endless patience he seemed to have for her.

Her eyes misted. “Sebastian?”

He glanced down at her and sat up straighter, worry lines forming on his forehead. “Helena?”

“I love you, too.”

Twenty-four

Helena shielded her eyes against the severe afternoon sun as the carriage stood idle, waiting for a boy to urge a herd of sheep across the country lane. The carriage’s sudden appearance around the bend had caused somewhat of a panic among the four-legged pedestrians, resulting in the flock darting down the lane and bleating for their lives.

“Are you certain we shouldn’t offer assistance?” she asked Sebastian.

“The boy almost has them in hand. We might spook them if we try to help.”

She watched the scene beyond Sebastian’s shoulder, doubting his assertion as the flock appeared to be camped out on the lane. “Do you know much about sheep?”

“Not particularly,” he said with a grin tossed over his shoulder, “but I’ve fair experience with corralling stubborn creatures.”

She flopped back against the seat, pretending insult, but she couldn’t hold back a silly smile. “You, sir, are treading on dangerous ground.” Picking up her copy of
Belinda
, she opened the cover intending to read until the boy could convince the sheep to let them pass.

Black script jumped out from the stark page.
To
a
beautiful
partnership. Fondly, S.
She glanced up to find Sebastian watching her with a tiny grimace.

“It’s not very eloquent, I am afraid. I have been told my actions represent me better than my words.” He waggled his eyebrows in jest.

“Yes, I suppose they do.” Although his manner was playful, she became more thoughtful. “Every promise you have made, you have fulfilled. You have kept my confidence. You found my sisters.”

He held his hand out and she placed hers in his. “You kept your word too, Helena. I only accused you of not keeping your side of our agreement because I wanted to purchase time. I wanted to figure out how to keep you with me.”

“Perhaps you will be looking for a way to toss me aside soon,” she said with a teasing smile, although deep inside there was a niggling fear he would do just that at some point.

“No, what I wrote is true. We have a beautiful partnership, and I would like to make it lasting.”

“What do you mean by lasting?”

He held on to her hand, not allowing her to withdraw. “Marry me.”

Suddenly, Helena could relate to the sheep. His proposal was like a six-in-hand coach barreling toward her. Her gaze locked on the door as she fought the temptation to run.

Marriage equaled confinement and loss of control. It meant failing to please, consequences, and isolation. Her heart shuddered, then slammed against her breastbone as if trying to escape her body.

“Shh, it’s all right.” Sebastian gently stroked her hair. “Don’t be afraid, love. It’s all right. I withdraw my request.”

The sound of her rapid breathing filled the carriage. This was ridiculous, behaving like a frightened child. Clamping her lips together, she took a shaky breath as a drop of perspiration trickled down her back.

Sebastian wasn’t Prestwick. He didn’t want to squire her away to a remote castle. Instead, he wanted to keep her among Society where she had formed friendships, and he wanted to make a home for her sisters. Sebastian was everything her husband hadn’t been—loving, thoughtful, engaging, accepting—but marriage was a big leap.

She reached for his hand still stroking her hair and held it tightly. His strong and steady touch quieted the maelstrom inside. “M-may I have time to consider before you withdraw your request?”

His smile lit the carriage, rivaling the sun. “Take as much time as you need. I am not going anyplace.”

And neither was she. She had to trust in Sebastian’s plan to reunite her with her sisters.

With the sheep finally cleared from the lane, the carriage jerked forward and continued toward Springvale Manor, the home of Pearl’s employer. When they had stopped in the village, Sebastian asked for directions to Mr. Mason’s farm. The innkeeper, a rather chatty fellow, described a much larger estate than Helena had been anticipating.

Apparently, Mr. Mason’s farm had been prosperous before his accident, but when it appeared he wouldn’t survive, his hired men found other employment. With no brothers or sons to help, the farm had begun to fall into disrepair. She was uncertain what living conditions she would find Pearl living in, but her sister would have no more worries once she came to stay with Helena.

As the carriage turned onto the drive, three chimney caps peeped over the tree line. Helena scooted to the edge of the bench, anxious for her first glimpse of the house. Several steep-pitched roofs came into view, and as they approached, Helena spotted at least two outbuildings.

“It is larger than I thought,” she said.

“And it’s in better condition than the innkeeper led us to believe.”

The grass around the house was clipped short, and window boxes dripped with flowers. A rounded door swung open and a young woman hurried to stand in the drive. She looked toward the house, dashed back inside, and a moment later returned with a gentleman at her side. His arm was draped around the woman’s shoulders while a crutch supported his other side. Helena’s stomach dove when she noted the bottom half of his leg was missing.

The woman smiled broadly and waved as the carriage rolled up to the house.

“That must be Pearl. She has changed so much.” Pearl’s hair had darkened to a chestnut brown and her manner was more carefree.

“It seems they are expecting us,” Sebastian said.

“I didn’t want to arrive unannounced as I did at Cora’s. I think I shocked the poor girl. I sent a message yesterday.”

Sebastian descended the carriage steps first, then held Helena’s hand to assist her.

“Helena!”

Mr. Mason’s smile was as wide as Pearl’s as he nudged her. “Go on. I will be all right without you.”

Pearl hesitated but a heartbeat before rushing to gather Helena in a hug. “Thank God you are alive. I never believed you were gone. I sensed you were still out there.”

Cora had spoken similar words. Helena returned her sister’s vigorous hug. “Oh, Pearl. How I have missed you.”

Her sister’s blue eyes sparkled as she took Helena’s arm and urged her to follow. “I want to introduce you to someone.”

Sebastian trailed behind, allowing her to have this moment with Pearl. Her sister resumed her place at Mr. Mason’s side. He was a handsome man with longer-than-fashionable blond hair that fell on his forehead. And he was young. Perhaps not much older than Sebastian.

The same set of dimples Helena had inherited from their mother flashed when Pearl smiled at her employer. “May I present my sister, Lady Prestwick?”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mason.”

He shifted his weight to his crutch and reached for Helena’s hand to bring it to his lips. “The pleasure is mine, my lady. Pearl’s family is always welcome at Springvale.” A manservant slipped outside and Mr. Mason nodded at him. “Show Lady Prestwick’s men where to take the trunks.”

“Oh! Lord Thorne and I don’t wish to impose, sir. We plan to take rooms at the inn.”

Pearl laughed. “Don’t be silly, Helena. We have plenty of room for you and Lord Thorne.”

We?
Helena exchanged a look with Sebastian as Mr. Mason’s men helped carry their trunks inside.

“Elliott is my betrothed,” Pearl said. “Cora’s husband granted permission for us to marry last week. The banns were cried on Sunday. Please, come inside.”

Without waiting for a reply, she assisted Mr. Mason, her husband-to-be apparently, to swing around and maneuver back inside the sprawling home.

Sebastian offered Helena his arm to escort her. “Are you all right? You’ve grown pale,” he whispered.

She nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

As they entered, Helena viewed the dwelling with a different set of expectations. This was Pearl’s home, the place where she would raise her children and grow old with her husband. Helena noted the loose hinge when the manservant closed the door behind them, the worn carpet, and the sparse furniture in the drawing room, but the home was immaculate.

Sebastian and Mr. Mason exchanged handshakes once their host was seated. “Congratulations on your betrothal, sir.”

Pearl made certain everyone was seated comfortably then excused herself to see about tea. While the gentlemen engaged in talk about Mr. Mason’s land, Helena reconciled herself to the idea Pearl wouldn’t be leaving with her as she had expected. She wanted her sister’s happiness above all else, and she would have to be blind not to notice Pearl bubbled over with glee.

When her sister returned, Mr. Mason offered to show Sebastian his stables, which he accepted. Pearl grimaced as her betrothed struggled to stand and hopped until he gained his balance.

He winked at Helena’s sister. “I can manage without your assistance. Enjoy your sister’s company. I’m sure Lord Thorne will lend a hand if I need it.”

Sebastian reassured her that he would be pleased to assist Mr. Mason, and then the two men left Pearl and Helena alone.

Helena accepted a cup of tea from her sister. “I am surprised Cora did not mention your engagement when I saw her yesterday.”

“I am not,” Pearl said as she poured a second cup. “She isn’t pleased by the match.”

“Why not? Mr. Mason seems like a lovely man.” Although appearances could be deceiving. What did Cora know that made her oppose the marriage?

Pearl laughed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, you know Cora.”

Only Helena didn’t. Not really. She didn’t know any of her sisters any longer, and the chance to get to know them was slipping through her fingers. Lavinia had experienced more in her life than Helena could in three lifetimes, not that she would want her sister’s experiences. Cora was already married with three children. And now Pearl was to be a wife. Helena’s desire to stay in England grew stronger.

Pearl set her cup aside. “Our sister wants the best match. She has always thought of herself as prettier. Even though she hasn’t met Elliott, she is convinced he is a wealthy man, wealthier than Mr. White. And more handsome.” Pearl’s eyes sparkled happily. “She is correct about the latter.”

Helena chuckled. “Having seen them both, I agree.”

“I bet she turned green with envy when she met Lord Thorne.”

“I didn’t introduce them. We aren’t—”

“You aren’t…?” Pearl’s delicate brows slowly inched up her forehead.

Her heart sped up as she recalled Sebastian’s proposal in the carriage. “We are not attached. At least not yet.”

Pearl squealed and launched from her chair to throw her arms around Helena. Helena juggled her cup and managed to set it on the side table with minimal spilling. “I knew you were coming with good news. As soon as I read the gentleman was escorting you.”

Helena wrapped her arms around her sister and laughed. “You always were a romantic, sweet pea. There is nothing to announce now, but you will be the first to know.”

When Pearl returned to her seat, Helena asked about her wedding plans and the farm. “Elliott and I have managed to keep the farm afloat, but it will be easier once he gets a new leg.”

“Wasn’t his accident months ago? Why hasn’t he been fitted already?”

“Well, he had to heal first.” She lifted the tea and stared into the cup as she took a sip. She continued her examination of the contents as she said, “Once the bred-heifer has her calf, we can start selling the milk. I calculate by Christmas we will have over half of what we need for a prosthetic limb.”

Helena smiled sadly at her sister. The poor dear hadn’t even thought to ask Helena for the money. She didn’t know if Mr. Mason would accept charity anyway, but surely he wouldn’t deny Pearl a dowry. Perhaps Sebastian could approach him on her behalf later this evening. Helena would see her sister settled, and settled well as long as she had the means to provide for Pearl.

“I have a feeling there is a very romantic tale behind your betrothal. I would love to hear about it.”

The happy twinkle in Pearl’s eyes had returned when she looked up. “Heavens, yes. Elliott is the most romantic gentleman I ever met.”

Helena smiled indulgently. Pearl hadn’t known any other gentlemen in her life, and Helena was grateful the only one her sister had ever encountered was a good man. She sat back as Pearl began the story of their courtship.

Twenty-five

Sebastian retired to his allotted chamber when Helena, her sister, and Mr. Mason went up to bed, but even after he stripped down to just his shirt and trousers and kicked off his boots, he wasn’t ready to sleep. Instead, he began pacing the small space, his mind refusing to rest.

When he and Helena returned to Town, his first task would involve a trip to the shipping docks. Gracie’s name must be on a ship’s manifest—a ship arriving from Ireland—to make their story believable. There was only one man of Sebastian’s acquaintance who could accomplish such a feat. Unfortunately, that man was related to Benjamin Hillary. And Sebastian hadn’t ingratiated himself to the Hillary family by challenging the second eldest son to a slapping duel.

Blasted
humiliating
little
sisters.
He stopped at the window and rubbed away the tightness accumulating at his temples.