The hot tingles turned into flames licking Helena’s face. She didn’t know what the lady meant by making him happy, but it implied they had a future together, which was improbable. Once Helena found her sisters, they would return to Scotland and need never come back to London again. It held too many bad memories for all of them.
Besides, Sebastian’s interest was fleeting. His reputation for enjoying a lady’s company for a time and then turning his attentions elsewhere was often a topic of conversation with Olive.
She smiled politely at Lady Ellis. It truly was none of the young woman’s concern, but Helena appreciated her directness. She decided to return the favor. “I’m certain I will make him happy for a time. Until he is ready to find his happiness elsewhere.”
Lady Ellis frowned and shook her head. “I hate to contradict you, my lady, but I have it on good authority the baron is smitten with you.”
“And what authority would that be?”
“My husband spent most of the day with him. Lord Thorne spoke of nothing but you all afternoon. Anthony said he has never known the baron to wax poetic over any lady. Ever.” An impish grin appeared. “Which should make me very cross to hear, but I am pleased beyond measure that he has found someone to love.”
“Love?” Helena practically squawked the word. What a fanciful imagination the countess had. Love indeed.
Eve and Lord Ellis approached with glasses of lemonade, cutting off any further conversation with the countess. As Helena sipped her drink, she watched the earl and his wife together. The way he touched her elbow. How he smiled into her eyes. How he leaned into her when she spoke, as if he feared missing a single word. Everything he did was evidence of his love for her.
Realization hit her like a lightning bolt, and the hairs stood up on the back of her neck. Sebastian behaved the same with her. But he couldn’t love her, could he?
No. Now who was being fanciful? It was impossible he would form an attachment to her. They had known each other such a short time.
Oh, why must everything become complicated?
Her hands shook so badly she almost spilled her lemonade. Quickly, she drained her glass. “Please excuse me, I would like to visit the retiring room before the opera begins again.”
Eve took the glass from her and placed hers and Helena’s on a footman’s tray. “Splendid suggestion. I believe I will join you.”
She linked arms with Helena and led her away. Leaning her head toward Helena’s, Eve whispered, “You won’t believe what happened when Lord Ellis and I were retrieving refreshment. Lady Wiltshire deigned to speak with me. She has always looked at me as if I were a bug squished on the ballroom floor.”
“That is wonderful.” Despite her words, Helena couldn’t feel Eve’s excitement. She was still reeling from the possibility Lady Ellis might be right. What if Sebastian did hold a tendre for her? This presented all types of trouble.
Once she told him the truth about her background, he would put distance between them quickly. Why would he take a chance on damaging his reputation again now that it was beginning to recover?
She hadn’t planned to ever tell him about her family. She would just disappear and that would be the end of it, but she couldn’t leave without a word if he had feelings for her. It would be too unkind.
Oh, blast it all! Who was she fooling? She had feelings for him too, strong ones that made her half mad most days. She didn’t want to leave him, but what choice did she have? Once she found her sisters, they would need her and the security of Aldmist Fell. She couldn’t be selfish.
Eve was chattering about an invitation to Almack’s, and how Sebastian had defended her honor earlier that day, as they entered the retiring room. Helena’s gut seized when she spotted Lady Lovelace at the dressing table applying lip rouge. Several other ladies formed a queue waiting for their turns for a peek in the looking glass.
Lady Lovelace’s red lips twisted with a sneer. “What is this I hear of Lord Thorne’s ridiculous slapping duel with Mr. Hillary? I heard it was quite the spectacle, but I’m not surprised. I fear it’s true what everyone says. The baron is prone to madness just like his sire. The poor man.”