ThePleasureDevice Read Online Free Page A

that, at the advanced age of twenty-eight, he would never fall in
love. And with Lavinia at his side, he was happy just as things were.

Chapter Three
     
    Helena tugged at her gloves, then traced the arabesque on
the brocade of her silk skirt, then toyed with the fringe on her cashmere sortie
de bal . And when the jostling carriage finally slowed to a jerky amble, she
gripped the leather seat cushions for dear life.
    “Helena, a lady does not fidget so,” Mama scolded gently as
they pulled up to Lord and Lady Wrexham’s Mayfair residence. “You must calm
yourself. A man does not want a girl who fiddles and twiddles. He wants a fine
young woman who will attend to him without distraction.”
    “Yes, Mama.” Helena drew in a fortifying breath as she
stepped down from the brougham and mounted the marble steps of the Neoclassical
mansion. She fought back desperately against pangs of anxiety. The stakes were
high. If she succeeded in a good match, her grandparents, the Marquess and
Marchioness of Richmond, might not look upon her and Mama as the black sheep of
the family.
    Well, at the very least, Mama had intimated to her, they
might have more respect for Helena. As far as the Marquess of Richmond was concerned,
Mama was no longer his daughter—much less the Lady Sophia Harwell—after she had
married Joseph Phillips, a commoner and, even worse, an American.
    At the top step, Helena sighed, preparing to meet her
destiny.
    “Sophie, you’re looking radiant. And Helena, all grown up.”
    The familiar voice filled her with a glow of joy. “Uncle
Arthur!”
    Uncle Arthur, ever so dapper in his evening attire, stood
next to a column with his arms open wide waiting for her to hug him. Helena
knew she had to restrain herself in such a public place. Still, he was her
favorite uncle, and she, his favorite niece, a private joke since neither had
any more of such relations. He wrapped his arms around her and patted her
politely, then turned to Mama and kissed her on both cheeks.
    “I didn’t expect you, Arthur.”
    “Ah, but ‘Lord Petersham’ must make an appearance every once
in a while,” he said with a smirk. “Otherwise the gossips of the ton might
think me dead.”
    “And not throw eligible widows your way?” Mama teased. She
and Uncle Arthur shared a wonderful rapport.
    Uncle Arthur was terrifically handsome yet remained a
confirmed bachelor, something having happened in his past that her parents just
hinted at but would never actually discuss. Helena only knew that the lady in
question had been beautiful and that it had happened a very long time ago,
before she was born.
    Uncle Arthur turned to her. “I received a letter from your
father. He told me all about our business overseas.”
    “Oh?” Helena tried to be polite, but it was not quite what
she wanted to hear.
    “And that he sends his love.”
    She bit her lip in abashment. “Thank you.” She smiled up at
him. “Are we allowed to dance?”
    “Together? I think not.” He glanced at Mama. “I’m sure you’ll
have legions of suitors and I should not stand in their way.” He winked. “I’ll
keep an eye on you, make sure none of the young men misbehave.”
    Like Mama and Papa did.
    “Arthur, we must be going in now,” Mama reminded him.
    “Yes, of course.” He hugged Helena once again and pressed
his lips to her ear. “You’ll know him when you meet him, Helena,” he whispered.
“Don’t settle for anyone less.”
    Helena grinned, then quickly composed herself before she and
Mama stood in line to enter the Wrexham mansion.
    “Darling,” Mama said softly with a proud smile, “you look
beautiful.”
    “So do you, Mama.” Helena thought she saw her blush. Even at
thirty-seven, Mama was still a captivating beauty. Tonight, though, Helena
sensed a touch of sadness, probably because they were alone. Papa was far too
often in America for his business, and Helena knew Mama missed him desperately.
Her parents had a very enviable connection, a