Capturing the Viscount's Heart

by Abby Ayles

  “I know, Mrs. Ruskin. Believe me. There is no doubt in my mind of my father’s affection.”

  “Good. Now that that has been settled, would you tell me of Miss Helena? How do they fare since they were last at Balwell? I can’t imagine what they must all be going through.”

  Elias began to walk as he told Mrs. Ruskin the truth. She listened in silence, drinking in every word. It was amazing how silent she could be, yet it was clear that every word he spoke had some effect on her.

  When his story was at an end, she sighed. “That is awful indeed. I cannot imagine how she must be feeling. All of them.”

  “It is indeed unfortunate, but I have every hope that those circumstances will change in time. Soon,” Elias insisted.

  “I also cannot believe that this has caused such a rift between you. The Leesons have always been welcomed here. Their home was a second home to you as a boy. I do hope that, when the truth is known, all will be put right between you.”

  “I am sure it will, Mrs. Ruskin,” Elias said with a smile. “I’m sure it will.”

  “I will be very pleased to hear it. In the meantime, I would ask how long we may expect to keep you in our company? Are you still planning to leave in a fortnight?”

  “Yes. I must. My friend is to be married and I have been asked to attend. I cannot refuse such an invitation. You know I love weddings,” he mused as he turned with a grin.

  “You have never been to a wedding,” Mrs. Ruskin replied.

  “I did. Mrs. Frome’s.”

  “You were four-years-old. It hardly counts as experience. I’m surprised you remember any of it,” she dismissed jovially.

  "I remember there was cake," Elias mused as they continued on their walk. They stopped outside the parlor.

  “Would you like me to get you some tea? It’s late in the day and something warm might do you good.”

  “I would love some tea, Mrs. Ruskin, but only if you ensure that there is some cake to accompany it,” he mused.

  The older woman chuckled and left him.

  Chapter 21

  Arabella was ecstatic as she and Helena stood looking out from an upstairs window of Dunlily.

  Helena had never seen her cousin so happy in her entire life. It was as if the sun had risen after a dismal night and suddenly her world was vibrant color. It was all because of one man, Captain Amos Standish.

  “He’s here, Helena,” Arabella said excitedly as she grasped her cousin’s hand. “How I have waited for this.”

  Her cousin’s fiancé had been many months abroad, and it was only now, when his service was no longer needed by the Crown, that they could wed.

  “Take a breath, Arabella, or you’ll faint,” Helena teased.

  “I’m trying,” her cousin replied as glee spread across her face.

  “I look forward to meeting the man who can discompose my cousin in such a wonderful way,” Helena continued to muse. “He must be more than just handsome to accomplish such a feat.”

  Arabella laughed. “You tease me.”

  “Why shouldn’t I? There will be no better time for it. I doubt I will ever see you happier than on your wedding day,” Helena replied. “I must take my opportunities when they arise. Another day could have drastically different results.”

  A moment later, Agatha entered the room without ceremony. She neither knocked nor acknowledged Helena’s presence once she did so.

  “Arabella, they have come. Why are you still here?” she questioned, and she began to pull here and there at her sister’s dress. She was trying to perfect what already was.

  “We were on our way,” Helena explained.

  Agatha didn’t respond.

  Why her cousin should treat her so was beyond her. Yes, there was some scandal associated with her side of the family, but they were just that – family. Did that not count for something? Or did Agatha believe the lies lobbied against Helena’s father and their family?

  Helena followed Arabella and Agatha from the room. The latter had taken her sister’s hand and led her from the room moments after Helena spoke. She said nothing. Whatever her cousin’s troubles, she had enough of her own to be concerned with them.

  They walked down the main stair to the entrance hall. Arabella's dress was pale with tiny pink flowers over it. Agatha’s was simple and lavender in color. Helena wore a dress of mustard with small white flowers and lace trim.

  The trio reached the landing just as the butler was opening the door. In walked a set of the finest looking gentlemen Helena had ever seen in naval livery. They were tall, handsome, and all smiles. At the sight of them, Helena felt optimistic about the prospects of the coming weeks.

  The party was large, at least six ladies and eight gentlemen. Trunks were being brought in, and most of the household’s staff was busy with the task of delivering them to their respective accommodations. It was Helena’s understanding that the Captain came from a large family, and the majority of those who accompanied him were siblings, with a few friends in between.

  “Captain Standish,” Arabella said with a deep curtsey. The smile on her face was evidence of all her cousin felt in her heart. It was beautiful.

  “Miss Eggerton,” the Captain replied as he bowed low. His emotions were also reflected in his expression. Helena wondered at the little game the two were playing. They were engaged yet remained so formal, but their looks showed the truth of it. There was amusement behind their eyes.

  “My dear Captain, you remember my sister, Agatha,” Arabella stated.

  “How could I forget?” he replied. He bowed his head. “Miss Agatha.”

  “And this is my dearest cousin, Miss Helena Leeson,” Arabella continued as she turned to her. “Her older sister Beatrice will be joining us closer to the wedding.”

  Helena smiled as best she could, but her eyes surreptitiously scanned the faces of those before her to see if the sound of her name garnered some reaction. Only the Captain seemed to recognize it.

  “Miss Helena,” the Captain said with a bow. “It is my pleasure to meet you.”

  “As is mine, Captain.”

  "Perchance, are you related to the Leesons of London?” he questioned politely.

  Arabella stiffened slightly and gave Helena a sidelong glance, while Helena’s heart faltered in her chest. “Yes. I am a daughter.”

  Surprisingly, his smile brightened, and he turned to someone amongst his party who had yet to enter. “Lord Chatleton?”

  It was as if the heavens had heard her prayers and angels had delivered him. Elias stepped into the hall a moment later. His face was calm and composed. Then he saw her, and a bright smile illuminated his features. It was only for a moment, but it was a moment to last a lifetime.

  “Lord Chatleton, my fiancée, Miss Arabella Eggerton and her sister, Miss Agatha,” Captain Standish introduced proudly.

  Elias bowed his head to her cousins politely. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last. I have heard many things.”

  “Lord Chatleton," Arabella replied hesitantly as her eyes drifted momentarily in Helena’s direction. "It is indeed an honor to have you with us. I believe you know my cousin."

  Elias turned to her as the smile still tugged at the corners of his lips. “Miss Helena,” he said with a bow of his head.

  “Your Lordship,” Helena said with as much composure as she could muster. Her emotions were in fever and she didn’t quite know what to do with herself. She hadn’t expected to see him, despite wishing for it. Now, what was she to do?

  Her father’s edict still remained. Her obligations to them were unchanged, yet Elias’s presence made the task of keeping them that more difficult.

  “Lord Chatleton, I am very pleased you could join us for my sister’s wedding, especially given the current problems with your business. Such a terrible thing. I heard the news in the papers. There was some issue with a disloyal employee?” Agatha commented, and Helena’s heart sank to her shoes along with her pride.

  Elias’s reaction was measured. He
held Agatha’s gaze and removed all expression from his face and tone. “That is a matter for business. I am here to celebrate with your family.”

  “Yes, but to have a trusted employee take advantage of your kindness must be a painful thing. You have my sincere empathy, Your Lordship.”

  Agatha’s fox eyes turned to Helena smugly.

  “Such a person doesn’t deserve to be amongst the civilized,” her cousin continued.

  “You must all be tired from your trip. I’ll ask the housekeeper to bring some refreshments into the drawing room. Agatha, would you join me?” Arabella said tensely as she took her sister by the hand and practically dragged her from the room. She gave Helena an apologetic glance as she passed her.

  “Miss Helena, would you do me the honor of joining us in the drawing room? I would ask you to lead the way,” Captain Standish asked as he offered her his arm.

  Helena smiled and took his offering. She gave Elias a cursory look as she moved past him before focusing her attention on the Captain.

  “It would be my pleasure, sir,” Helena answered as she stepped beside him.

  The party gathered in the drawing room to await the promised refreshments. Helena did her best to act as host until her cousins returned. Her aunt had fallen ill that morning with a cold. She had confined herself to her bedchamber until she was fit to be seen.

  Helena moved amongst the guests with all the pleasantries she could muster. Agatha’s unpleasant display had removed all desire for company from her heart. However, Helena had no choice. This was for her cousin, and it would only injury Arabella further if Helena retreated from amongst them now.

  “Mr. White?” she said in surprise as she spied another face she did not expect. Her father's former clerk was amongst the group? She wondered how he had come to be associated with them, as they were not the usual company he was known to keep.

  “Miss Helena?” Mr. White replied in surprise. “I had not expected to see you here.”

  “Nor I you, Mr. White. May we speak?” she asked. If the man was there, then there was some opportunity for her to question him regarding the predicament her father now found himself in.

  “Usually I would be most eager, but at the moment I am rather engaged with Miss Morton,” Mr. White stated as he turned his gaze to the woman beside her.

  Helena looked at the young woman who had dark hair and eyes and wore a questioning expression on her face.

  “I see. I do apologize. I hadn't realized in my eagerness,” Helena replied. “Do continue. We will have other opportunities to speak.”

  Mr. White nodded and immediately turned his gaze from her.

  This was too much. First Agatha, and now Mr. White was slighting her? The man had known her for years and yet he would act as if she was of no association at all.

  Elias remained at a distance, even after her cousins returned and the refreshments were served. He seemed perfectly happy with everyone else, but almost purposefully did what he could to avoid her. She supposed it was to be expected given all that had happened, still, she couldn't help but wish that things were different.

  Helena kept to the periphery of the room as she watched the interactions of the guests. They all seemed to know each other well, and there were no obvious discomforts amongst them, save for Helena.

  “Helena, won’t you join us?” Arabella called as she spotted her sitting alone in the corner. Her cousin and her fiancé were seated at a small card table, playing whist.

  Helena moved to join them, but Agatha suddenly stepped in and took the available seat. “I’m sorry, cousin. I was waiting to play for the longest time. I’m sure you won’t mind me stealing your seat.”

  “Of course not,” Helena replied as the back of her eyes began to sting.

  Agatha smiled snidely. “I thought you wouldn’t mind me stealing it.”

  Arabella did her best to hide her mortification at her sister’s actions, but it was painfully obvious to Helena, who felt the cuts of each of her cousin’s jabs.

  The rest of the evening flew by in a whirl. Helena returned to her seat in the corner of the room and watched as one-by-one the faces began to look in her direction as Agatha made a turn around the room.

  She was telling them. Her own cousin was tearing out her heart. Why? What had she ever done to her that she would be so cruel?

  Helena wasn’t sure what hurt more, her cousin’s unfathomable actions, or the fact that when she got to the group of which Elias was a part, all eyes turned to her but his.

  Arabella came to try to soothe her hurt but there was no use. Helena simply denied her feelings and pretended all was well for the cousin’s comfort. She wasn’t entirely sure of the success of her exercise, but she had to try. Arabella didn’t deserve to pay for the mistakes of Helena’s father or Agatha’s malice toward her.

  She could not say there wasn’t more relief than regret when the day came to an end. Helena preceded the other guests to their rooms. The door was barely closed behind her when the dam broke.

  Helena pressed her back against the door and wept bitterly. She covered her mouth with her hands to stop the threatening wails from being heard.

  She stumbled toward her bed in the dim light and tripped over her own feet in the blur of her eyes. Thankfully, the bed broke her fall.

  Helena curled on top of the covers and cried as she brought a pillow to her face to stifle the sound of her tears. She had only small hopes for her stay at Dunlily, yet in the passing of one evening, they too had been utterly dismantled.

  Her life was falling apart around her, and her own family was aiding in the collapse. It was more painful than she could have ever imagined. This was not to be her life. This was some nightmare she had walked into and had no way of escaping.

  Helena cried until fatigue took her under. Her heavy lids fought weakly before they gave in and allowed sleep to take her.

  Chapter 22

  It took all the strength and restraint that Elias possessed not to rush to Helena’s side. Her cousin had acted unforgivably. First when they were introduced, and then when she’d taken it upon herself to inform each member of their party of Helena’s unfortunate circumstances.

  Agatha was very good in making Elias the poor victim of it all, but her kindness was not one he desired. He found her loathsome. How could she treat her cousin in such a way?

  Elias had never been given the opportunity to meet the Eggertons, though it wasn’t for lack of trying. Over the years, there had been times when the acquaintance could’ve been made, but for one reason or other, plans always failed.

  He had done his best not to look at her. It hurt to see her in pain, and Elias knew that, if he dared to rest his eyes on her beautiful sad face, there would be no way he could stay away from her. Not now or ever.

  Helena retired from the party before the other guests made their way to their bed. Elias could only imagine how she must’ve been suffering upstairs in her room alone. However, what was more concerning was what happened the moment she left the room.

  “Lord Chatleton, is it true that you have some acquaintance with Miss Leeson and her family?” one of the ladies in the party asked. Her name was Miss Frost. A pretty woman with fine features but with more airs and graces than her position demanded.

  “I have known the lady and the family for many years,” he replied evenly. “Why do you ask?”

  “I heard,” she began hesitantly. “That is, I was informed that the matter Miss Agatha spoke of earlier involved Mr. Leeson, Miss Helena’s father. I was told he embezzled from you.”

  “He was accused,” Elias answered uncomfortably. “Though I do not see this matter’s relevance to you.”

  "I beg your pardon, my lord, it's just that I can't believe a story to be true unless I hear it from those involved," Miss Frost replied. In that, Elias was glad. It was good to hear of someone who examined the facts before believing tales, though he was not glad for the inquisition.

  “It is a good practice to question the authentic
ity of any story you hear,” Elias answered. “It is to your credit.”

  “And yours, my lord. I’m amazed at your forbearance with the lady given the circumstances. I am sure I could not bear the sight of one who benefited from such a betrayal,” Miss Frost answered.

  Elias exhaled deeply as his jaw tensed and hands closed tightly at his sides. “And what perceived benefit do you believe Miss Helena to have afforded by this? Her father is in prison and her family is without a parent.”

  “If one is paying for one’s crime, the repercussions are duly earned.”