A surge of affection flowed through him. She had nothing to fear from him, and now that he understood her reluctance, his patience returned. “I don’t want to control you, love.”
She gave a rueful laugh. “You would be the only man who hasn’t. First it was my father and then my husband. This is the only time in my life I haven’t had a man making decisions for me, and I’ve found I like that very much.”
“I understand the appeal.”
He wasn’t being sarcastic. Having grown up mostly with his mother and sister for companionship, Sebastian didn’t hold some of the same ideas about ladies and their places in Society as his fellow gents. He believed in protecting and providing for Mother and Eve, but he would never force them into doing something they didn’t agree to. He wanted to ask Helena about her father and husband, so he could reassure her that he was nothing like them, but the middle of the walkway was not a place for such a discussion.
For now, he would just have to prove himself, and he would start by accepting her refusal.
“I promise not to place you in a difficult position again, Lady Prestwick, but know I will be waiting.” As long as it takes.
Despite his father’s long periods of isolation, he had managed to impart some of his values to Sebastian. Hard work and determination reaps rewards. Determination was in Sebastian’s lifeblood. He had never been one to surrender without a fight or back down from a challenge, but that didn’t mean his only weapon was brawn. He had the advantage of charm and wit, and that was what he needed to win over the ever-more-desirable Helena.
“Shall we?” He offered his arm and a disarming smile.
Her eyes narrowed on him as she accepted his escort. “Thank you, I think.”
“Now, now, Lady Prestwick. No more flattery or I will become too arrogant by half.”
Her smile returned. “Too late, my lord.”
Fourteen
Helena smiled fondly at Eve as Sir Jonathan Hackberry led the young woman to the dance floor. Somehow Sir Jonathan had managed an invitation to Lady Bellwyn’s garden party yesterday, where Eve had spent most of the day paired with him in games, and now he’d made a surprise appearance at Lady Chattington’s ball. He obviously had connections one would not expect a mere baronet to have.
Helena suspected it wouldn’t be long until Sir Jonathan requested an audience with Sebastian. Whether Sebastian would entertain an offer from the gentleman remained to be seen. The stubborn set to his jaw when he had spoken of investigating Sir Jonathan indicated he would leave no stone unturned. Not that Helena could blame him after Eve’s disastrous engagement to Mr. Benjamin Hillary.
But if Sir Jonathan proved to be a worthy suitor for Eve, what might that mean for Helena? If Eve made a match, Helena would have fulfilled her part of the agreement with Sebastian. She had no way of holding him to his side, and she didn’t have another gentleman to take his place. Her stomach churned and she took several deep breaths to rein in her worry. Sebastian had given his word, and he’d done nothing to make her question his honor. She owed him the benefit of the doubt.
She sensed Sebastian’s approach before he spoke. Prickles raced along her skin as if every inch of her was aware of him.
“May I have this dance, Lady Prestwick?”
She glanced sideways at him, her heart sputtering a moment before recovering its steady rhythm. Giving him the benefit of the doubt did not require her to dance with him. His touch would only complicate things and muddle her thoughts.
He held out his gloved hand, and she placed hers in his. Her fingers tingled and she swayed into him.
He caught her by the elbow, smiling down at her. “Careful.”
Good Lord, she was trying to be cautious, but he had an invisible pull on her that made resisting him impossible.
He led her to the dance floor as the quartet began a waltz. She sighed softly when his hand pressed against her back. Her mind might believe it was unwise to be so close to him, but her body clearly disagreed. When his fingers wrapped around hers to guide her along the parquet floor, it was as if a lost piece of her had returned.
“You look beautiful tonight, madam.” His eyes flared like the black star sapphire ring he always wore.