“Helena, where have you been? I stopped by yesterday when you didn’t attend the Mayfair Ladies’ meeting, and the town house appeared deserted.”
Helena winced. “I forgot about the meeting. Forgive me, Olive.”
She hadn’t had time to concoct an excuse to explain her absence, although she hadn’t realized she would need one. Foolish woman that she was. Of course Olive would notice she was missing.
Helena stood and made her way to the bellpull. “I will have another cup delivered and perhaps the cook has more of those ratafia cakes you love.”
Olive pursed her lips as she tugged off her gloves and removed her bonnet. “If you think you can distract me with sweets, you are mistaken.”
Fergus popped into the drawing room.
“Another cup for Olive. And a ratafia cake.”
“Or two,” Olive said, holding up two slim fingers.
“Yes, madam.”
As soon as they were alone, Olive persisted. “Where were you? Did you leave Town?”
Helena sighed. It was clear her husband’s cousin wouldn’t leave without some story, so she would tell her one that was true and would surely distract her. “Please, have a seat. I have exciting news to share.”
Olive sat primly on the edge of the settee and folded her hands in her lap. Helena took her seat and smiled.
“Lord Thorne and I are to be married soon. He proposed and I have gladly consented to become his wife.”
Olive’s jaw had grown slack the moment Helena mentioned marriage, and she still wasn’t speaking.
“I realize this may be a bit of a shock, but I am happy, Olive.” Helena’s face flushed and a ridiculous smile spread across her face. “Overjoyed, in fact. I hope you will wish us well.”
Fergus reentered the room with a cup and saucer in one hand and a plate of sweets in the other. Helena accepted both with her thanks and poured a cup of tea for Olive. Her hand shook as she held it out to the older woman. Helena’s mother had been gone for ten years, and although she and Olive hadn’t known each other overly long, there was a paternal-like bond between them. Olive had taken Helena under her care at once, for which she was thankful beyond measure.
The other woman sipped her tea and regarded Helena over the gilded rim. With care, she placed the cup and saucer on the low table in front of the settee, her expression giving nothing away. “Are you certain about the baron, my dear?”
“Yes, I have never been so sure of anything. I know your opinion of him has been low, but I love him.” She hugged herself, reveling in the sound of those words. “And he loves me.”
The lines around Olive’s mouth softened. “I have nothing against Lord Thorne, aside from the fact he and scandal are far too familiar. I wouldn’t want you to suffer because of him.”
Helena’s gaze dropped to her lap. If anyone was likely to suffer from scandal, it was Sebastian. Olive had no notion of how scandalous Helena was. Or how scandalous her marriage to Wickie would seem if anyone learned the truth about her.
“But,” Olive said in a suddenly cheerful voice, “if the duchess and her family can survive a scandalous elopement, surely we can rise above whatever trouble the handsome scoundrel brings our way.”
Helena’s head lifted, her eyes misting. “Oh, Olive! Thank you for understanding.”
Olive reached for a cake with a smile. “We have much planning to do. There hasn’t been a wedding breakfast at Eldridge House since the former Lady Eldridge hosted one after Lord Eldridge and I married. When our sons married, the ladies’ mothers insisted on hosting.”
“A wedding breakfast isn’t necessary. Besides, we will be marrying by special license in a few days. Lord Thorne was to purchase one at the Doctor’s Commons yesterday.”
Olive’s eyes flew open wide. “A special license? What will people think when they hear?”
Likely that Helena was increasing, but Sebastian had lost his fiancée once before while waiting to marry. She wouldn’t put him through the anxiety again. She smiled sweetly at Olive. “I suppose we will have our chance to rise above scandal from the start, no?”