“A time or two, yes.”
Helena folded her arms and fought back a smile. She didn’t want to encourage him, but she couldn’t help feeling flattered that he would want to change her mind. Her gaze traveled the length of his strong legs and her heart missed a beat.
Stop it! There was no room for a man in her life, no matter how amazingly handsome he was. She was doing the right thing for her family and herself.
Eve quit drumming. “I have a great idea. We should invite Helena and Sir Jonathan to join us for a stroll this afternoon.”
“I’m afraid I must—”
“I would be honored.” Sir Jonathan cut off Helena’s response.
“That is a splendid idea, poppet.” Sebastian grinned at Helena, and she had a sinking feeling she would be subjected to his persuasive powers very soon if she agreed.
Eve’s doe-eyed gaze pleaded with her to accept. “Surely you can join us, Helena. We have barely spoken all afternoon.”
Helena did feel rather guilty for ignoring her friend, but if she didn’t know better, she might think Eve was conspiring with her brother.
She suppressed a sigh. She hoped she wouldn’t come to regret this. “A stroll sounds lovely, Eve. Thank you.”
***
Sebastian would have to thank his sister once they reached home, although he didn’t delude himself into thinking Eve had asked Helena and Sir Jonathan to join them on a walk for his sake. His sister had linked arms with Sir Jonathan and dragged him several paces ahead the moment they left Lady Norwick’s. Eve’s laugh was a little heartier, her gestures more animated, and when she slanted her head to smile at her escort, the poor man stumbled over his own feet.
“She likes him,” Helena said softly.
“Yes, she is rather obvious, but it’s sweet.”
A slight smile curved Helena’s lips. “Sir Jonathan allowed her to play his drums, even though he wouldn’t put her in a trance. I am sure that says something about his regard for her, too.”
“I’ve no doubt he is smitten, but I’m unfamiliar with the gentleman and his family. Until I know more about him, I will not encourage a match.”
“He seems kind.”
Sebastian’s teeth ground together. She had known Sir Jonathan Hackberry for all of three hours and she had already deemed him kind. And yet Sebastian, who had willingly given his time to help her search for a servant’s sibling, was arrogant. A completely unfounded accusation. He was confident. There was a difference.
When ladies began propositioning him at age sixteen, he had known he was different from his friends. Granted, nine years of women fawning over him hadn’t made him humble, but the experience with Gabrielle had knocked him down a few pegs. Now there was Helena, a woman he desired more than any other, and she refused to have anything to do with him, which made no sense.
He glanced sideways at her. Her gaze remained straight ahead and her posture was as stiff as a soldier marching in a parade. Sebastian had never been one to dance around a topic. In fact, he’d been told on occasion he had no tact, but he’d always found asking straight questions usually reaped straight answers.
He cleared his throat. “What impediment keeps you from becoming involved with me? I know you are as attracted to me as I am to you.”
“Sebastian.” Surprise and censorship was clear in that one word.
“Be honest. I deserve the truth.” He held his breath, dreading her answer. If she mentioned anything about his family history of mental frailty, he wasn’t certain he could stand to hear it. Not from her.
Her steps slowed until the gap between them and his sister grew even greater. Eventually, Helena stopped. He turned to face her, preparing for the harsh truth and unsure how he would respond.
“Sebastian.” She forcefully exhaled and a pink flush climbed her face. “It’s me. I am the impediment.”
He blinked, not following her.
“I’m afraid.”
“Of me?”
She shook her head. “It’s not like that, at least I’m not afraid of you in the sense you mean. I am afraid of what I might lose if I become involved with you. I never had a moment of freedom until recently and I can’t risk my independence. I just can’t.”