Capturing the Viscount's Heart

by Abby Ayles

  “A substantial amount,” Lady Alice replied. “He was very angry when he found out. He tore his office to pieces with rage. However, later, he was quite changed about it. All of his anger seemed to dissipate and he never spoke of it again. That is, until you approached him about buying the company.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, that day after you visited, he seemed quite altered on the subject. He seemed pleased almost.”

  “Why do you say that? What did he do?”

  “He called for Mr. Gibson immediately and they began the inspection of our books as you requested. I think it was the trust you put in him to carry out such a task that made him feel better about it. He knew then that the company would be in worthwhile hands. Why do you ask?”

  Elias shook his head. “No reason. I would have thought his anger would have been longer lived. I had no idea of it when we met.”

  “My father is not a man who shows his emotions openly to those who are not close to him” Lady Alice informed. “I am his daughter and sometimes I cannot tell what he feels.”

  “Indeed,” Elias stated as they approached the stair to the house.

  “Are you alright, Your Lordship?” Lady Alice asked as she noticed his distraction.

  “Quite well,” he said with a smile. “I am just surprised that even after his loss he was still so eager to keep Mr. Leeson a part of the company,” Elias said aloud as his mind began to process the news.

  “Yes. He said that Mr. Leeson had made a mistake and should be given an opportunity to make recompense,” Lady Alice continued.

  He kept him close. Why? Could it be to frame him? Is that the recompense he desired?

  Elias smiled. “Your father has a very big heart.”

  “He is a forgiving man,” Lady Alice continued as they entered the house.

  “I am sure he is.”

  Dinner was set for the guests. The dining room and entertaining room had been cleared, and larger tables brought for all the guests to be seated. Everyone was smiling, happy, and congratulating the new couple.

  Elias took his opportunity to do the same. He first informed the Baronet of the story they had concocted to hide the truth of Agatha’s temporary disappearance.

  “Congratulations, Captain Standish!” he said as he shook the man’s hand and patted his shoulder. “You look happier already.”

  “I feel happier,” the Captain replied.

  Elias turned to Arabella. “You make a beautiful bride, Mrs. Standish.”

  “Thank you, Your Lordship.” She looked around her. “Have you seen my sister and cousin?”

  “I have. I was with them both only a short while ago,” he confirmed.

  “Why are they not here?” she asked. “I have to introduce Helena to a few of the guests.”

  “I am sure she will be here shortly,” Elias assured.

  “You look lovely, Arabella,” Lady Alice commented from beside him. “Congratulations, Captain. You have won yourself a beautiful bride.”

  “Thank you, Lady Alice, on both my and my wife’s behalf,” the captain replied with a smile. “Do enjoy the rest of the festivities.”

  Elias nodded and led Lady Alice into the dining room.

  The meal was delicious, the conversation lively, and Elias was having a great time. Still, his mind was not present. He constantly sought Helena amongst the crowd. When he finally found her as she walked in halfway through the meal, his heart felt easier.

  “The Baronet certainly went all out with this celebration,” Lady Alice commented.

  “It is his oldest daughter’s wedding. Should he not have done so?” Elias mused.

  “Of course he should, but I must admit I did not expect it to be so grand. I am quite impressed.”

  “Lady Alice, that is praise indeed if such a wedding could make a mark on your high esteem. I know that it is not easily given,” he continued to joke.

  “Indeed. It is not freely given but earned,” she answered. “As you have earned my high regard, Your Lordship.”

  Elias straightened. "Lady Alice, it is indeed an honor to be thought well of by you," he said. "You have become a dear friend. I look forward to continuing that friendship which has begun here."

  He could see how the words affected her. It was in her eyes.

  “Friendship is a wonderful beginning,” she said lightly.

  “It is something that can last forever,” Elias answered as he gave her a sympathetic smile. She wanted more, he could see that, but he could not give it. Lady Alice was a charming and lovely woman, but she was nothing to compare to his Helena.

  They turned back to their meals and continued in silence. After dinner was over and dessert served, the party moved into the great room for dancing. Lady Alice allowed another gentleman to escort her. Elias understood and was not offended.

  He gathered with the Baronet and Lady Eggerton as they talked.

  “It was a wonderful wedding,” Lady Eggerton declared. “Arabella looked lovely.”

  “Indeed, she did,” the Baronet agreed.

  “I owe you thanks, Lord Chatleton. My husband has made me aware of the service you did for my daughter, Agatha. You and Helena found her in the garden. Who knows what might have happened if you had not intervened.”

  “It was nothing, Lady Eggerton. I was happy to be of assistance. I am sorry that I did not find her earlier that she might have been able to attend the wedding.”

  “Aunt. Uncle,” Helena said with a smile as she passed them. She was on her way to watch the dancing, Elias believed, but her aunt stopped her.

  “Helena, dear, thank you for everything you did today. I cannot thank you enough.”

  “It was nothing, Aunt. Do not consider it," Helena answered bashfully. She glanced in her uncle’s direction and then in Elias’s. He smiled at her.

  “Are you going to dance?” her aunt asked as the music began to play and the song called.

  “I have no partner,” Helena said.

  “Why, there is a gentleman before you who has no partner. I am sure he would be happy to lead you,” her aunt said with a smile.

  “After all the good the two of you have done this day, a dance seems rather appropriate. A way of celebrating," Lady Eggerton encouraged.

  Elias looked to his hosts and then to Helena. “I would be honored,” he replied. She looked at him with a wide-eyed smile.

  “Then I accept,” she replied sweetly.

  “Excellent! Hurry, you can join in before the next dance begins,” Lady Eggerton urged.

  Elias took Helena by the hand and led her to the dance floor. He could feel the eyes that studied them from afar in wonderment. He cared not. They could stare all they wished, they were doing nothing inappropriate or in disobedience. A request had been made by their host, how could they not accept?

  Elias waited for the beat before sweeping Helena into her place as they joined the solemnity of the dance. Around they went, beneath arms and in circles.

  He usually hated to dance, but this evening he wanted nothing more. The opportunity to hold Helena in his arms, to touch her and see her smile only at him was like water to a thirsty man.

  He had been in a drought of her attention and affection for far too long. He was ready for a deluge of her presence. Still, he knew they would have to wait longer until all between their families was resolved.

  Elias noticed when Helena tensed as her eyes spied someone amongst the crowd. He had already guessed who before his eyes found her. It was Beatrice. Helena’s older sister was staring at them coldly, with her arms folded over her chest.

  “You have done nothing wrong,” he said quietly to Helena as the dance brought her close to him.

  “She will not understand,” Helena replied.

  “I will explain it,” Elias insisted.

  “She will not listen.”

  “Then have your aunt explain. Surely she cannot fault you for fulfilling her aunt’s wish?” Elias protested.

  “Beatrice’s only thought is
the happiness of our family and finding someone to blame. You are the only target she sees. She will not be swayed, even by my aunt.”

  He smiled. “Then we shall have to keep on dancing forever, therefore she will never have a chance to speak of it to you.”

  His words had the desired effect as a small chuckle escaped Helena’s lips. Elias let the conversation end at that. Instead, he concentrated on the moments the dance allowed them to be together. It would be over far too quickly. He wanted to savor every moment of it.

  Chapter 35

  Arabella was gone, and Captain Standish with her. They were on their way to Italy for their honeymoon, then on to Spain. A four-month honeymoon. How fortunate her cousin was. Still, Helena had a lot to be thankful for as well.

  She would hold the lovely memories her cousin’s wedding had given her for all the days of her life. She found no placement as a governess amongst the guests, likely due to Agatha’s interference, but it was of no consequence.

  Helena was happy to have a reason to hold off leaving her family for a little while longer. If she had been placed with a family, they might have wanted her to start immediately, and with her father’s trial mere weeks away, her family needed her.

  The night had a chill to it, yet the air was fresh and clean as Helena inhaled the late evening breeze. The moon was full, and the garden of Dunlily was cast in ethereal light. The Grecian temple looked like it was from Mount Olympus as the marble glistened under the pale light.

  Despite the news of her father’s impending trial and the renewed tension between her and her sister, Helena was feeling happier than she had in so long. Her only regret was that Elias was no longer there to share the time with her.

  He had left Dunlily two days after the wedding on urgent business. He had not returned and now, on her last night under her aunt’s roof, she feared she would not see him again.

  Beatrice was gone. She left the day following the wedding to be with their mother. Helena only stayed at the request of her aunt. There were two other visitors expected who she thought might be able to help Helena. She was wrong. They were of no help, but Helena was still grateful for the extra days with her aunt and uncle.

  Helena wandered down the stair and into the gardens. The air was even fresher there with the hint of poplars and lavender. It brought a smile to her face as she strolled amongst the shrubs that had been cut into various shapes. She inhaled deeply and felt all the tension leave her body.

  Something cracked amongst the shrubs. Helena suddenly became very aware of the night around her, and the shadows that fell here and there. Then the sound of something beating against the earth.

  Her heart began to race as the sound of pounding grew louder and louder. Helena searched the treeline around her for any sign of the source but there was none. Slowly, her feet began to walk toward the stair and the safety of Dunlily’s walls.

  Then, out of the night, a horse and rider broke into view beneath the moonlight.

  Helena almost fell over her feet as she tried to get away from the dark figure and his horse. She turned to the house ready to run when the sound of her name stopped her.

  “Helena!”

  She turned in surprise as the face, which had been in shadow, now became visible. “Elias? What are you doing here?”

  He was off his horse and striding toward her in an instant. He gripped her arms gently. “We must leave here tonight.”

  Her head was spinning. Did he say they had to leave there that night? It made no sense. She was due to leave tomorrow. What was so urgent that she needed to leave now?

  “I have news of your father,” Elias added. He must have recognized the confusion on her face as she looked up at him. However, the moment he mentioned her father all was forgotten.

  “Father? What of him?” she asked urgently.

  “I will explain on the way, but now you must hurry and pack. We must be to London tonight.”

  Helena ran toward the house with Elias beside her. “What shall I tell my aunt and uncle?”

  “I will speak to them. You must pack,” Elias urged.

  Helena left him to speak to her aunt while she got two of the maids to assist her.

  “Pack those things there,” she called as she pointed at one item after another.

  Elias had arrived on horseback. He could not possibly mean for them to travel to London by that means with her trunks. Where was the carriage?

  Helena left the maids to pack while she sought Elias. She needed to know what news he bore. She needed to know if her father was well. Had something happened to him? Had they brought his trial even closer?

  A thousand wayward thoughts ran through Helena’s head as she searched for Elias. She found him in the stable preparing her aunt and uncle’s carriage.

  “I have asked for the fastest they have,” Elias stated the moment he saw her. “We should be back in London within a few hours.”

  “And my father? What is it you have to tell me? Is he hurt? Has something happened?”

  “Something has happened,” Elias answered. “But not what you might think. Please, allow me to finish preparing for our departure, then I will tell you.”

  “Tell me now. Please?” Helena pleaded. “I do not think I can stand another moment not knowing.”

  Elias looked at her with a smile on his face. “I have proof of your father’s innocence.”

  Helena almost fainted at the news. Her heart beat faster, her head became clouded, and her hearing seemed to hollow. Elias caught her before her feet could give way beneath her.

  “Helena,” he cried out as he caught her. She stumbled against his chest and had to grip his lapel to keep herself standing.

  “I am alright,” she murmured as her head tried to right itself.

  “Come,” Elias said as he led her to sit on one of the fresh bales of hay that had been brought in that morning. “Get some water for Miss Helena,” he commanded the groom.

  Elias stooped before her and held her shaking hand.

  “No,” she refused gently. “I am well. It was just a shock.”

  “I can see that. Still, I believe some water would do you well before our journey.”

  She nodded.

  “Elias, do you mean it? Have you a way to prove my father’s innocence?”

  “I have found a man who knows it all. He has agreed to confess to the authorities all that has happened. It will see your father’s name cleared and those guilty of the crime punished.”

  “Who?” Helena asked in amazement. She and her family had searched high and low for someone who might know the truth, and here it was that such a man existed. How had he escaped their detection?

  “If I tell you, I fear it will only upset you more. When you are more composed, and with your family, I will tell you all. I promise,” Elias asserted as he looked up at her with a bright smile. “It is almost over, Helena.”

  The words sent levity through her body. She had dreamed these long months that the end would come and now it was here. Soon her father would be freed and their family could begin to rebuild.

  “Thank you,” she whispered to Elias as her hand left his and reached to touch his cheek. Her fingers held the relaxed muscles of his face as he looked at her. “Thank you so much for keeping your promise.”

  “I have never made a vow to you that I did not keep, Helena. I would not have this be the first,” he answered. “I said I would take care of you and help you. I would not do otherwise.”

  Her heart filled with so much joy at his declaration. Could there be more for them now? Would her father see the truth, that Elias and his father were their family’s true friends and end the quarrel between them? Would her mother and sister accept the truth and admit their wrong in how they treated them?

  Love radiated from her. Her hand traced the lines of his jaw as she looked into his eyes.

  “I have missed you,” Elias murmured.

  “And I, you,” she answered.

  “When this is over, I will not ha
ve us parted again,” he confessed. Helena’s heart danced in her chest. Was this a confession?

  “Helena?” her aunt’s voice called. She was walking toward them with the Baronet close behind. Helena let her hand fall from Elias’ face.

  “Aunt,” she replied.

  “The groom came to tell us you fainted,” Lady Eggerton stated as she looked from Elias to Helena and back again.

  “She was a little overwhelmed by the news I shared with her I’m afraid. I have asked the groom to bring water before we travel.”