Helena wrapped her arms around her sister and laughed. “You always were a romantic, sweet pea. There is nothing to announce now, but you will be the first to know.”
When Pearl returned to her seat, Helena asked about her wedding plans and the farm. “Elliott and I have managed to keep the farm afloat, but it will be easier once he gets a new leg.”
“Wasn’t his accident months ago? Why hasn’t he been fitted already?”
“Well, he had to heal first.” She lifted the tea and stared into the cup as she took a sip. She continued her examination of the contents as she said, “Once the bred-heifer has her calf, we can start selling the milk. I calculate by Christmas we will have over half of what we need for a prosthetic limb.”
Helena smiled sadly at her sister. The poor dear hadn’t even thought to ask Helena for the money. She didn’t know if Mr. Mason would accept charity anyway, but surely he wouldn’t deny Pearl a dowry. Perhaps Sebastian could approach him on her behalf later this evening. Helena would see her sister settled, and settled well as long as she had the means to provide for Pearl.
“I have a feeling there is a very romantic tale behind your betrothal. I would love to hear about it.”
The happy twinkle in Pearl’s eyes had returned when she looked up. “Heavens, yes. Elliott is the most romantic gentleman I ever met.”
Helena smiled indulgently. Pearl hadn’t known any other gentlemen in her life, and Helena was grateful the only one her sister had ever encountered was a good man. She sat back as Pearl began the story of their courtship.
Twenty-five
Sebastian retired to his allotted chamber when Helena, her sister, and Mr. Mason went up to bed, but even after he stripped down to just his shirt and trousers and kicked off his boots, he wasn’t ready to sleep. Instead, he began pacing the small space, his mind refusing to rest.
When he and Helena returned to Town, his first task would involve a trip to the shipping docks. Gracie’s name must be on a ship’s manifest—a ship arriving from Ireland—to make their story believable. There was only one man of Sebastian’s acquaintance who could accomplish such a feat. Unfortunately, that man was related to Benjamin Hillary. And Sebastian hadn’t ingratiated himself to the Hillary family by challenging the second eldest son to a slapping duel.
Blasted humiliating little sisters. He stopped at the window and rubbed away the tightness accumulating at his temples.
Captain Daniel Hillary was more likely to toss him from Hillary Shipping than listen to a word Sebastian had to say. How was he going to convince the man to falsify one of his ship’s manifests? He didn’t need money. Daniel Hillary was one of the wealthiest men in England. And he cared nothing for his social standing, although his marriage to a lovely American girl had improved his manners a great deal.
Sebastian resumed pacing, the floorboards creaking with every footfall. If he kept this up, he would wake everyone. Perhaps Mr. Mason wouldn’t mind Sebastian walking the floor in his drawing room. He was always able to think better when he was moving. Grabbing the candle still burning in the holder, he slipped into the hallway and noticed a light beneath Helena’s door across the hallway. It seemed someone else was not accustomed to country hours either.
He listened at her door briefly to ensure her sister hadn’t snuck into her chamber for a late-night chat, and when he heard nothing beyond the settling of the house, he slowly entered the room. Helena was propped on pillows, prim and proper in a high-neck night rail, with her book open on her lap.
And she was sound asleep.
The foolish woman deserved a good scolding for falling asleep with the candle burning, but he couldn’t bring himself to wake her. The past few days must have taken a toll. She’d found her sisters, but nothing was working out as she had planned. Lavinia, Cora, and Pearl had lives in England and wouldn’t be returning to Aldmist Fell with her. And now he was pressuring her to stay with him.
He sidled up to the bed, set his candle on the side table, and eased the book from her hands. A soft shuddering sigh passed her lips and a bittersweet twang vibrated through him. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her, except let her go.