Fergus scowled. “He can replace his watch.”
“But if it has sentimental value… Please. The poor man has suffered enough. Surely a little kindness will do him good.”
“You are too kind, lass. It addles your brain.” He tucked the watch in his pocket. “I will take it to the watchmaker today.”
“Thank you, Fergus.”
He left, grumbling under his breath, but she knew it was for appearances only. He rarely denied her anything, which made him addled by kindness as well.
Feeling much relieved by the absence of her name in the paper, Helena retired to her chambers to sort through her correspondence, but Luna had other ideas. The gray cat leaped onto the small writing desk, turned a circle atop the letter Helena was trying to read, and plopped in the middle.
“You naughty girl,” Helena playfully scolded as she scratched Luna’s head and smiled when the stray began purring. Helena’s correspondence would have to wait, it seemed. A knock sounded at the door.
“Enter.”
It was Ismay and Fergus.
“You have a visitor, milady.” Ismay crossed the chamber and held out a calling card. Helena took it, expecting Olive had come to check on her well-being, as she often did. Helena fumbled the card.
Sebastian Thorne? The black ink screamed in warning. What was the baron doing here? In the middle of the day, no less. An unrelenting heat engulfed her as the alternative hit her. A nighttime visit would be a thousand times more damning. Her mouth was dry and she licked her lips.
“Did he state his business?”
Fergus frowned. “He didna. I should toss him out on his arse.” He looked too happy with the prospect of manhandling the baron, but she didn’t care to draw more notice to his presence at her doorstep than necessary.
She couldn’t receive a bachelor, of course, especially one with his reputation for being a rogue. Even if curiosity would drive her mad all afternoon.
“Don’t do anything hasty, Fergus. Tell him I am not in, but see if you can determine his purpose in calling.”
The large Scotsman snorted. “A man like Thorne has one purpose for calling on a lady.”
Helena shot a censorious look in his direction. Fergus glanced at his younger sister and sobered. “As you wish, milady.” He bowed then spun on his heel and stalked from the room.
She scratched Luna behind the ears once more before making her way to the window to see if Fergus would follow her orders about not making a scene. Ismay scooped the cat in her arms and came to peer out the window too.
The boulevard was free of carriages, thank goodness. Lord Thorne had arrived a little before calling hours, which meant he’d either given thought to how his appearance at her door may be viewed, or he had no manners.
“Does he wish to bed you then, milady?”
Helena gasped.
Ismay smiled and cuddled Luna. “I know about the carrying-on between lads and lasses. Fergus may treat me like a child, but just because I am no’ married does no’ make me naive.”
Helena didn’t question her claim. Ismay had a beau back in Aberdeen. “When are you going to marry your Terrence? I know he has asked you.”
Ismay shrugged. “Not till I see you settled, I suppose.”
“If you are waiting for me to remarry, please don’t. I am widowed and I have money at my disposal. I am as settled as I will ever be.”
“You havna been loved yet, but you will. Then I will marry Terrence. He is waiting for me.”
Helena bit her tongue. They could discuss it once they returned to Aldmist Fell with Gracie and any of Helena’s other sisters who wanted a new start.
Muffled voices carried to the second floor, and the front door slammed, rattling the window.
“That didna sound good.”
Helena held her breath as she awaited the baron’s reaction. He stepped onto the walkway and paused, his back to the town house. A smart hat hid his raven hair except for a few wisps brushing the collar of his burgundy coat.
“My, he cuts a dashing figure in his buckskins.”
“Aye.” Ismay chuckled as she set Luna on the ground. “His tailor should be commended.”
Heat climbed Helena’s neck as she realized she’d spoken aloud. Blast. Why must she too want what she couldn’t have?