Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

That unnerving kiss in the dark courtyard had stayed in her thoughts all night long, as Helen tossed and turned in the tangled sheets of her bed with irritation.

Who was this scoundrel that had ruffled her feathers so? And why did she feel a tinge of regret that she hadn't stayed to find out?

Finally, it was light enough for her to rise, washing and dressing quickly without bothering her maid, and then calling for tea as soon as she heard movement downstairs in the kitchen.

Sipping a bracingly hot cup of Ceylon, Helen decided to pay her friend, Amelia, a call. She was a fixture at the Palais, and if anyone might know who Captain Starling was, and what he was after, it would be her.

It was late afternoon when she lifted the heavy knocker at the door in Grosvenor Square, but Amelia never rose before noon.

A burly footman opened the door, his jacket straining across a broad back and strong biceps. Helen stifled a smirk as he ushered her upstairs into an intimate parlour.

It was clear that footman was not the man's foremost duty in this household.

Amelia did love to surround herself with male beauty at its finest. Her hedonistic approach to life was one of the things that Helen loved about her, as it was rare to find another woman who indulged her desires without giving a fig for what the world thought.

Amelia smiled when Helen appeared in the doorway, waving her in with one pale dainty hand as she lounged in elegant dishabille on a chaise before the fireplace.

"Helen, dearest," Amelia cooed, rising up to buss her on the cheeks with an extravagant flourish.

The footman moved to pour Helen a glass of sweet wine, as Amelia followed his movements with hungry eyes.

When the man finally left, Helen raised her glass to her friend, a knowing look in her eye.

"You are shameless, Amelia," she laughed, taking a sip of her drink.

Amelia smirked, fanning herself dramatically as she pretended to ogle the footman's arse on the way out. "You should let me send some new staff your way, Helen. You have no idea what you are missing out on."

"Oh, but I do. You have no qualms about telling me all the sordid details, as I recall."

" La, it is not my fault you don't allow yourself to have any fun. It is practically expected of a wicked widow such as yourself to indulge in a scandalous affair."

Helen sighed. This was a familiar debate between them. "Is it my fault there is a dearth of interesting men to be found? Besides, I have other means of getting my satisfaction."

"Like fleecing Lord Burton at the tables last night?" asked her friend with an amused hitch of her brow.

"Precisely."

They relaxed companionably for a moment, enjoying the wine as Amelia nibbed at a biscuit.

Amelia sighed, reaching out to stroke the long fluffy white fur of the cat that lounged in her lap. "And how close are you to your goal now, dear friend?"

"Close," admitted Helen, tapping her fingers against the arm of her chair with barely concealed excitement.

"I think you will miss it, you know, the thrill of it all, when you retire," said Amelia, cocking her head.

"Perhaps, but I suppose I will worry about that when the time comes."

Amelia sat up, rousing the cat who flounced off across the room with a flick of its tail.

"I worry for you, though. I must admit."

Helen frowned, setting down her drink. "What do you mean?"

Amelia bit her lip, nibbling it between her teeth. "There are those who are not happy with your run of success. Many powerful people owe you money, my friend, and they are not inclined to lose their fortune to an upstart widow."

"Why, what have you heard?" asked Helen, leaning forward with a frown.

She shouldn't be surprised, but still, it was unnerving to think that such talk was circulating at all.

"Nothing really. But the whispers are there. I would not like to see you come to any harm."

They shared a look of mutual understanding. Amelia had been there when Helen first made her foray into the underbelly of London society. She knew all the horrid details of her husband's betrayal and had been a great help in introducing Helen to the realities of her newly chosen lifestyle.

"I will speak to my solicitor. He will be more circumspect in collecting on my winnings. But I will not back down," said Helen, raising her chin determinedly.

Amelia nodded. "And I will speak to Madame, ask her to keep an eye out for you on the floor."

"Thank you," said Helen, overcome suddenly with affection for her friend. Never had she met someone so loyal as Amelia.

She rose and joined Amelia on the chase, giving in to the compulsion to wrap her arms around her in a quick hug.

" Gah , enough maudlin thoughts," said Amelia, squeezing Helen's hand. "Tell me, who was that divine man I saw making eyes at you all night?"

Helen felt her cheeks heat, avoiding her friend's eyes. "You noticed that, did you?"

"Of course," said Amelia with a sly grin. "I have never seen you look so unsettled."

She gripped Helen's hand, tugging on it with excitement. "Tell me, did you take him home? Please, tell me you did."

"No. Well, almost."

Amelia gasped, her eyes sparkling with scandalised amusement. "No? Good Lord, Helen, you are not a nun. Stop behaving like one."

"His name is Captain Starling, have you heard of him?" asked Helen, both embarrassed and relieved that the topic had arisen.

Amelia tapped her lip, staring off into the distance. "Hmmm. I have a feeling I have heard that name bandied about before. Captain Colin Starling, if I recall correctly. I will ask around."

She flashed Helen a knowing look. "Will you say yes, next time he approaches you?"

Helen flushed red, biting her lip. "He was abominably rude… "

"But, you liked it, you liked him, didn't you?" said Amelia with a knowing wink.

Helen laughed, she couldn't help herself. Amelia's lust for life was contagious.

"We shall see. Perhaps I never see him again."

"Somehow I doubt that. Not after the way he was looking at you, as if you were a sweet cake he wanted to devour."

"Amelia!" gasped Helen, slapping her friend's arm in mock horror.

"What, darling? I only speak the truth."

Amelia downed her drink, rising to ring the bell for more wine.

"Now, tell me, what are you wearing to Lady Caroline's card party next week? You need to look more entrancing than usual, since you have declared that this will be your last foray at the tables before you retire. Although the thought of you deserting me makes me quite blue."

"I haven't decided yet," smiled Helen. "I wanted to ask if you would come and help me choose some fabrics at the modiste, then perhaps later we could go to the theatre? And, of course, I expect you to visit me when I am settled in Bath."

Amelia clapped her hands in glee. "Ooh, a shopping trip? Certainly, any excuse to order a new gown. And don't you worry, my dear, I am looking forward to a holiday. I fully intend to discover all the pleasures to be found in Bath."

The two of them dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"You are incorrigible," gasped Helen, as Amelia waggled her eyebrows suggestively at her.

"You love it, though," replied her friend with a saucy wink.