Love Sneaked In (Montgomery Family Trilogy) (29 page)

Matthew was now able to devote his time on getting the townhouse ready, which pleased Helen immensely. It was finally time for the painters to come in. Over the next fortnight, they spent much of their time at the townhouse, but it was worth it. It was starting to look more like a home. Helen had begun to order furniture and other accessories. At this pace, they should have the house ready by the end of November.

They were able to move in the first weekend of December. Christina and Catherine cried when they had to leave their friends, but Helen assured them that they would still get to see Mary Elizabeth and Angela on a regular basis.

Helen had decorated the nursery in bright yellow, and the girls liked their new rooms, but they told Helen they still liked the castle in their room at home better. The master suite was decorated in soft shades of blue with beige accents, which would remind them of the sea. Helen and Matthew were sharing the bedchamber, and Helen was excited about that, because she felt it would bring a greater level of intimacy for them.

Helen received an invitation from Cassandra for a soiree on the twentieth of December, and since they were going to leave London on Friday the fifteenth, they would be able to attend. Helen looked forward to going back to Devonshire, because she missed the ocean. Even if she couldn’t ride on the beach, she could still watch the sea from the house. Seeing the sea always gave her such a peaceful feeling. Even when the ocean was tumultuous, she loved it.

Helen and Matthew attended several parties during the first two weeks of December, but Helen was beginning to show, so she wouldn’t be able to attend many more functions. Cassandra’s soiree would probably be the last public appearance she would make. Even though she had worked hard on getting the townhouse livable, she didn’t regret it, because now it would be ready in the spring when they came back to London for the season. They would miss the first part of the season because of the baby, but they should still make it there by the end of May.

The trip back to Collingswood Hall went smoothly, and they were able to get back in four days. Christina and Catherine were sad to leave their new friends, but Helen told them they would go back to London in the spring, and they would be able to see Mary Elizabeth and Angela again.

On the last night of the trip, while they were getting ready for bed, Helen felt the baby move and the joy was indescribable. “Matthew, I just felt the baby move! Come over here and put your hand on my belly so you can feel it too. Now stay real still and wait a second.” Matthew placed his hand on her belly and waited, “There, it just moved again. Did you feel it?”

“Darling, all I can feel is your delectable body. I’m thrilled you felt the baby move, but I guess it may be a little longer before I’ll be able to feel it, but we can keep trying. Every time we’re together and you feel the baby move, I’ll see if I can feel it too.” Matthew pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her forehead. “Sweetheart, we need to get to sleep because we have another long day ahead of us.” Pulling her over to the bed, they lay down together and held each other as they slowly fell asleep.

They arrived back at Collingswood Hall just in time for the soiree. The soiree was that night so Helen had to get ready quickly. Matthew had given her the heirloom sapphires to wear, and they complimented her gown perfectly. She was wearing one of the new gowns Madame Devy had designed for her, and it completely hid her delicate condition. It had a silver underskirt and silver ribbons under her breasts, which caused her bosom to almost spill out of the very low décolleté. Her breasts were quite a bit larger now that she was with child.

When Helen came downstairs, Matthew was waiting for her, and his eyes glowed as they roamed up and down her body. Taking her hand when she reached the bottom of the stairs, he kissed her palm and it sent shivers up her arm. Everything had been so hectic that they hadn’t made love since well before they left London, and she had really missed it. She hoped they could make love tonight when they returned from the soiree.

When they arrived at Lord and Lady Ralston’s home, there were already quite a few people there. When they went through the receiving line, Cassandra gave her a hug. “Helen, I’m so pleased you made it back in time for my soiree. I hope your trip went well. We’ll talk later, and you can tell me all about it.” They moved on and entered the ballroom.

Helen watched Margaret as she looked around the ballroom at all the beautiful decorations. Helen turned to her and asked, “So what do you think of your first ball?”

“Oh Helen, it’s wonderful. Everything looks so beautiful. I can’t wait for the dancing to start,” Margaret replied. “I can’t believe I’m finally at a ball!”

Boling grinned. “Come on, I want you to meet some of my friends.” He grabbed her hand and started to lead her away, when he added, “Sorry, Helen, please excuse us. We’ll see you later.” Then Boling led Margaret away.

Matthew and Helen looked at each other, and then laughed. “They certainly seem happy. Maybe this marriage won’t be the disaster that I thought it would be.”

Matthew and Helen mingled with the other guests while they waited for the dancing to begin. Helen saw Mrs. Arlington across the room and hoped she could avoid talking with her. Now that she knew she’d been after Matthew hoping he would marry her, she at least understood her animosity towards her.

The first dance of the evening was a waltz and Matthew took her in his arms. Matthew couldn’t take his eyes off her, and it thrilled her when he looked at her with so much passion. As they swayed to the music, she said, “Matthew, I’m so glad that we were able to get back for Cassandra’s soiree. The ballroom looks so festive with all the holly and evergreens. I can’t wait to decorate Collingswood Hall for Christmas. What kind of traditions do you have there?”

“Well, as I told you, my father was very frugal, and we didn’t do very much at Christmas. So any ideas that you have would be appreciated. I’m sure you participated in the Christmases at Sanderford Park.”

Smiling, Helen remembered the Christmas season at Sanderford Park. “Oh yes, we always had a party every year for all the neighbors, and family came from all over and stayed for the entire twelve days of Christmas. I helped plan many of the activities. We also put together baskets for all the tenant farmers and their families and distributed them the day before Christmas. I hope we can do something like that here for your tenants.”

“Do you think we could do that this year? I know it doesn’t give you much time, but I know our people would love it if we did something like that for them.”

“I think I can handle it. I’m sure Mrs. Smith and Cook would be happy to put the baskets together, and then we can deliver them. I’ll talk with both of them tomorrow.”

Matthew leaned in close and whispered, “Have I told you how ravishing you look tonight? When you came down the stairs this evening, you looked astonishingly beautiful. Now I’m having a difficult time keeping my eyes away from your breasts. What I would really like to do is bury my face in them and inhale your sweet essence!”

Helen blushed. “Matthew, be quiet! Someone might hear you, and you’re making me blush. We can continue this discussion when we get home tonight!” When the dance ended, they went over to Cassandra and her husband and started chatting.

Cassandra asked, “Helen, did you have a nice time in London? I’m looking forward to going in the spring.”

“We had a splendid time in London. It was wonderful to be able to spend time with my family. Because of all the uproar with that bill, there were parties almost every night. While I enjoyed them, it quite exhausted me. We’ll be going to London in the spring, but not until the end of May.”

“I’m glad you have a good visit. Where did you get your gown? It’s simply gorgeous.”

“Madame Devy designed it. I always use her when I’m in London. She specially designed several gowns for me to hide my condition.”

“I’m so happy for you. I’m still amazed you were able to keep the baby, what with your accident and all. Well, I need to mingle. Can you come for tea tomorrow? That way we can catch up.”

Helen quickly ran through what she had planned for the next day. “I think I can fit it in tomorrow afternoon at two, if that would be all right with you?”

“Yes, two o’clock would be fine. I’ll see you then. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight.” Cassandra turned and hurried away to check on her other guests.

Helen thought she had been able to avoid Mrs. Arlington, but then she ran into her in the retiring room. “Good evening, Lady Collingswood. I see you’ve returned from London. I was so sorry to hear of your accident. I was amazed to hear that you fell off your horse. How in the world did that happen? I had heard you were an excellent horsewoman, so I’m surprised you fell. I hope you received no lasting injury?”

“No, I’m fine. For some reason, the girth on my saddle gave out, and that’s why I fell. Well, if you’ll excuse me, I need to return to my husband.” Helen couldn’t believe the venom that came from that woman. If looks could kill, she would be dead!

This was really getting ridiculous. It was not her fault that Matthew didn’t marry Mrs. Arlington, and she was really resenting this woman. Helen decided it was time to have a serious talk with Matthew. There might be more to this woman’s hatred of her than she had been led to believe. She would bring it up tonight, just as soon as they got home. She hated that she would probably spoil their evening. She just knew she wasn’t going to like what Matthew would tell her. She might be naïve, but she wasn’t stupid. Something more than friendship had been between them, and she was determined to find out about it, no matter how difficult it would be to hear!

Chapter 19

Christmas 1820

When they arrived home, Helen went straight to her room. She didn’t seem to be quite as tired as she had been the last couple of weeks, so Matthew had high hopes that he would be able to make love to her tonight. Everything had been in such a frenzy while they were visiting London. Now that they were back home, things could return to normal. Just thinking about actually holding her in his arms had his desire at fever pitch. Thank God he’d been able to keep her away from Cecilia tonight.

Cecilia was always so hateful towards Helen that he was afraid Helen would begin to think there had been more between them than just friendship. Maybe it was time to do more wooing, just as Bradley had suggested. Asking her to help plan something for his tenants had been brilliant. Helen’s eyes lit up at the idea, and he hoped it would help her see him in a positive light.

Well, Sally should be through helping Helen get ready for bed, so he made his way across the sitting room and opened the door to Helen’s room. There she sat in all her glory, brushing her lovely hair.

Helen stood up as he entered the room. “Matthew, please take a seat so we can talk. I need to ask you about Mrs. Arlington. She has such hatred for me that I’ve decided there’s more to the story than I’ve been led to believe. What exactly was your relationship with her? I’m sure you were more than acquaintances, and I need to know the truth. Did you lead her to believe you would marry her?”

Oh God, why did she have to bring Cecilia up now?

Helen must have talked to her after all, and Cecilia must have said something to make Helen suspicious. Feeling very uncomfortable and wary, he lowered his head before he spoke. It was time to be completely truthful with her and try to explain as gently as possible what had been between them. In a way, it was almost a relief to get his affair with Cecilia out in the open. He just hoped Helen would be able to understand and forgive him.

Taking a deep breath, he began telling his story. “I don’t know how to tell you this. Helen, please listen to everything I say before you decide to despise me too much. I’ve grown to care about you tremendously, and I’d never do anything to hurt you. Before we got married, I was involved with Mrs. Arlington in an intimate way. I wish that I could go back in time. I would never have gotten involved with her at all, knowing what I know now. You don’t deserve her animosity. I’m so sorry for this. I hope you can forgive me.”

Giving Matthew a stormy look, Helen said, “I knew there was more that you hadn’t told me! What exactly do you mean by an intimate way? I need to understand your full relationship with this woman and if you raised her expectations! I had that happen to me, and that’s why I didn’t want to fall in love again, because it hurt too badly! Tell me everything!”

Hanging his head, Matthew sighed. “Cecilia…was my mistress up until we got married.” Then rushing on, he pleaded for her understanding. “I went to her just as soon as we got here and told her that I had gotten married, and that I wouldn’t continue to see her. When she started going on about how she thought I would marry her, I was shocked. We never discussed marriage, and I made it clear to her before we ever became intimate that I wasn’t interested in marriage. Please…please forgive me. I’d never do anything to hurt you, and I’ve been faithful to you.”

When he realized Helen was crying, he walked over to her and started to put his arms around her, but she shrugged him off and wrapped her arms around herself, as if she were trying to protect herself from him.

Oh God, it ripped his heart out of his chest, knowing he’d caused her such pain.

Helen raised her head and looked at him through her beautiful tear-filled eyes. “I never imagined you had a mistress when we got married. I understand that you broke it off right away, but you should have ended it before you ever came to London. You knew you were looking for a wife. There must have been a part of you that thought you could get married and keep a mistress at the same time, or you would have broken it off before you ever came to London. I don’t know if I can forgive you for that!”

God, he was such an idiot!

“You’re right. I should have ended it before I left for London. Please forgive me. I’m just thoughtless and stupid. I should have broken it of before I went to London.” Then recalling what she said about someone hurting her, he asked, “Helen, who hurt you?”