Page 50 of A Dream of Redemption
Richard stood shaking his head. “I hope you’re right.” When Clary made to argue, Richard held up his hands. “You’ve always been a good judge of character, life has taught you that, so if you think he has no idea then it must be his manager.”
“Lord Coldhurst would be the best judge of that, but, Boon, can you find out the man’s name and trail him?”
The lad nodded.
“Don’t engage with him, just keep an eye on him. I don’t want to spook Glover now that we have located him.”
Chapter 14
The carriage journey to her sister’s house for dinner was short but it gave Helen the opportunity to watch the interaction between Beatrice and her brother. She could not help the burning envy deep in her gut as she watched how he held her hand, linking his fingers with hers. The look of love they gave each other, they both knew how the other felt with no need for words.
It was the little things that showed how much he loved her, and she him.
She wanted that connection. Wanted it with Clary. Was the nonverbal communication something that should be there from the beginning or did it develop over time? She hoped her intuition where Clary was concerned would become real the more they got to know each other.
Helen was looking forward to the dinner tonight. She hadn’t seen the other Libertine Scholars and their wives in a few weeks. She missed Isobel’s teasing and Portia always had the latest details of the fashions from Paris. Besides, there was a chance she might bump into Clary. Not at the dinner of course, but he might be working late…
She wondered if she did marry Clary would her friends welcome them into their homes? Would she and Clary be invited to a dinner such as this, or would she be expected to come on her own? Reality of what her life might become made panic begin to choke her. But then she imagined her life without Clary in it, and her heart squeezed tight in her chest.
By the time the carriage pulled up at the front steps she was a bundle of nerves. She didn’t know what she’d say to Clary if she did see him. She would have to lay her heart on her sleeve and beg him to give them another chance. What she wanted from him was an agreement that they would take things slow. She loved Clary but if she lost her family because of the inappropriateness of their relationship, would she end up resenting him? Would he wait to see if the feelings they had for each other would last the test of time, and together work on a plan to bring her brother around?
Brunton took their cloaks and hats and when they reached the landing near the drawing room, her heart leapt at the site of Clary. She beamed a smile at him. “Mr. Homeward, how lovely to see you.”
He bowed to her and Beatrice. “Ladies.”
“Do you need to talk to me about the orphanage or the luncheon?” she asked. Hopefully he’d understand that she wanted him to say yes. Then she’d be able to see him alone and arrange a time to talk.Reallytalk.
His face heated and he gave a swift look toward Sebastian. “Actually, my lord, I was wondering if I might have a quick word regarding what we discussed in your study yesterday. There have been some developments.”
Sebastian nodded and slipped his arm free of Beatrice. “You ladies go on, and, Beatrice, could you also ask Maitland to join us in Mr. Homeward’s study.”
Helen looked between the two men. What had they been talking about? It had to be about Glover but what had it to do with her brother? “Are you discussing Glover?”
“Just go with Beatrice, Helen,” her brother ordered so she appealed to Clary.
“But, Clary, you promised me you would keep me informed about Glover.” As she finished her words she knew she’d made a huge mistake in front of her brother. She’d called him Clary. The silence around her statement lengthened.
Finally Sebastian threw a stern look at Beatrice as if to say,We will talk later. “Mr.Homeward. Shall we?” and he indicated Clary should lead him to his study.
Beatrice linked her arm through Helen’s. “That was a mistake. Hopefully, he won’t think anything of it. You were probably upset about being excluded from the discussion.”
“Iamupset at being excluded. I’m supposed to be managing the orphanage, would he dare exclude Marisa?”
“Exclude me from what?” Marisa asked at the door to the drawing room. “You were taking too long so I came to see what was holding you up.”
“You tell her and I’ll pass the message on to Maitland.” With that Beatrice was gone.
“Clary has asked to have a meeting with Sebastian—”
Marisa clapped her hands. “Wonderful. So you’ve told him?”
Helen shook her head. “No. Tell him what? No. I think they are discussing Glover. Clary came to the house yesterday and met with Sebastian. Now they are meeting again. Why am I not included? Maitland would have included you.”
Marisa slipped her arm through Helen’s and drew her into the room. “No, he probably wouldn’t have. Men tend to have a sickness called overprotectiveness. But don’t worry.” She flashed her husband a smile as he passed them on his way out of the room. “I’ll find out from Maitland tonight and let you know.”
Inside Helen fumed. Clary was deliberately keeping her at arm’s length. Isn’t that what he told her yesterday? That he needed to put distance between them and she should step away from the orphanage. Well, he was not her boss and he was not her…anything. She had found a calling. She loved knowing that she was helping those less fortunate and she was not going to let him or anyone stop her.
As soon as her brother returned to the dinner she was going to have it out with Clary.
