Page 92 of Terms of Trade (Trade Wind 4)

Chapter Twenty-Three

The sweltering July heat transformed the carriage into an oven on wheels, but Helen spent much of the ride covering her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. She had learned this trick—applying floral oils to the soft square of fabric—from Sirena and Pen, and it helped indeed when the summer sun cooked the Thames and London’s streets, filling the city with an eye-watering and gag-inducing stench.

Walking up to the front door of the Sideris residence, she distracted herself from the unpleasantness of the temperature and odor by imagining the inventive and profanity-laced descriptions Elijah would have devised. He had thought this town unbearable in the winter!

Clutching the accounting ledger to her chest with one arm, she used the other hand to clasp the handkerchief to her face, eager to be admitted inside. When the door opened, however, it did so only by an inch; the butler aligned one eye with the crack and peered out.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Gray.”

“Good afternoon! I know I’m not expected yet, but I’ve come by to show something to Miss Sideris.”

“The Siderises are…not at home.”

The butler’s tone wasn’t foreboding, but something felt terribly off. “Are they well?”

“All is well.”

“Oh. I see. Well, I—I’ll just scribble a note and leave these accounting records. If I may come in briefly—”

“I’m afraid not. The household is not receiving any guests. Good afternoon, madam.”

The door closed gently in her face, leaving her standing there, blinking. She lowered the handkerchief, her hand falling to her side.

So it has happened.Finally.

There was no satisfaction in having been right; no relief that the wait was over. Part of her had begun to hope this time would be different, that it waspossiblethe family’s affection for her was true. That it might persist even after they came to know her.

Perhaps later she could remind herself that their abandonment simply left her in the same position as when she arrived—alone and prepared to fend for herself. That it had been amusing and delightful while it lasted, but never to have been trusted in the first place.

But for now, she stood frozen on the porch, cut to the quick.

The front door opened suddenly, this time only a sliver. “Mrs. Gray?” called out the butler without showing himself.

“I’m here,” she replied quietly.

“As to the outstanding invitation for tonight at eight o’clock—”

“Yes, I…”I know.

“Apologies for the last minute change, but it is kindly requested that you arrive earlier than initially communicated. Would seven o’clock be convenient, madam?”

Her rapid inhalation caused her to choke on the thick London air. She replaced the scented fabric over her face again and took several careful breaths.

To what end?She shook her head, confused. Was she to report even earlier so she could be dispatched prior to the dinner party, before the rest of the guests arrived?

Helen frowned, hearing whispers behind the nearly closed door.

The butler cleared his throat. “Erm, Mrs. Gray? You are kindly reminded to wearthe apricot gown.”

The door clicked closed.

∞∞∞

Despite Nicholas’s general loathing for his family’s meddling ways, he had not only gone along with tonight’s plan for Helen, but was fully participating in it. Indeed, he was looking forward to it.

When Pen and his mother had first shared their idea for tonight’s festivities, he had simultaneously been warmed by their genuine affection for Helen and become concerned that the night would reveal just how vulnerable he was. By tomorrow, he would know a great deal more about whether Helen was poised to accept him and his family—or whether she was determined to blockade them from her heart.

After finishing a meeting with David Chadbourne and James Robertson about the joint venture at the North Wales Mine—they had completed its purchase a few months ago and were moving forward with the construction of Mr. Macalester’s impressive waterwheel—Nicholas returned to the refuge of his office and shut the door. He’d contributed when needed, though he struggled to keep his attention on the discussion. The subjects of gold prices and how long it was taking to have the metal wheel fittings cast couldn’t compete with his anticipation for tonight.

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