The Secret Wallflower Society - Jillian Eaton Page 0,11
faced down worse monsters than you. I wasn’t afraid then, and I’m not afraid now.”
“What do you want?” he repeated. “If it’s money, you can have whatever you need.”
He owed her that much, at least. More, for without Helena he wouldn’t have fallen in love with Heather. But she brushed away his offer with an insulted flick of her wrist.
“Please,” she said scornfully. “I’ve more wealth than I know what to do with. Not that it’s any of your business. Unless you know who my benefactor is, in which case you must tell me at once.”
“Your benefactor?” he said, caught off guard. “I just assumed you were–”
“Living off the generosity of my late husband?” Although her mouth was curved in a smile, her eyes were hard as emeralds. “Cambridge left me nothing. Less than nothing, as he made sure to take my pride and innocence with him when he went. But that’s neither here nor there. I told you I came here to collect a favor, and it has nothing to do with money.”
“Favors owed have expiration dates, Helena.”
“These kind don’t.” Her gaze softened. “We’ve both suffered, Leo. You far more than I. The past hasn’t treated either of us kindly, which is why we must look to the future. Why you must look to the future. Heather was my friend, one of my dearest friends, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this isn’t how she would want you to be–”
“Don’t,” he said raggedly, cutting her off before she could spill the words he didn’t want to hear. The words he couldn’t bear to hear. Because he knew this wasn’t what Heather would want for him. She’d want him to be happy. She’d want him to move on. She’d want him to cast aside his misery. But knowing something and actually feeling it wasn’t a distinction he was ready to make.
Helena put a hand on her hip. “I should have come here to see you a long time ago. You’re withering away, Leo. Rotting from the inside out like a discarded apple left in a dark, dingy corner. But you are not some forgotten thing. You’re the bloody Earl of Winchester, one of the most honorable men I’ve ever met. It’s time you started acting like it again.”
Leo raked a hand through his hair. He hadn’t spoken this much in ages. It was exhausting.
“Are you done?” he said, crossing his arms. “You’ve given me a headache.”
“I want my favor.”
“I don’t owe you a damned–”
“I want my favor.” She advanced on him with her finger extended and jabbed it fearlessly at his chest. Incredulous, he swatted her hand away.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Helping you, whether you want it or not. And helping another dear friend at the same time.” She paused. “Do you know what a doctor told me once?”
He gritted his teeth. “I nearly certain I do not care.”
“He said a broken bone is one of the most painful things a person can endure. But do you know what happens when the bone is set?”
“I told you I don’t–”
“It becomes stronger,” she continued. “A bit different than what it was the first time around, but stronger. I want you to attend the Galveston Ball tomorrow evening.”
Leo was certain he hadn’t heard her correctly. “You want me to attend a ball?”
“Yes. Tomorrow evening.” She lifted her chin a notch. “That’s the favor. Complete it, and we’ll finally be even. I will never ask you for anything else.”
“Why is this ball so important?” he asked suspiciously.
She shrugged. “Oh, no particular reason. It was very nice to see you again, Leo. I’ll see myself out.” But she stopped suddenly in the doorway, a faint line appearing between her brows as she looked back at him. “I almost forgot the second part of the favor. Silly me.” She tittered lightly. “At the ball there will be a woman. I want you to ask her to dance.”
Leo scowled. “There will be lots of women at the ball.” Which was why he’d been avoiding them like the damned plague. “How will I know which one?”
“Don’t worry,” Helena said with a wink. “You’ll know her when you see her.”
Chapter Four
Sixteen Days To Go
“Lady Galveston’s ball?” Calliope shook her head. “The invitations were sent out months ago, and even Lady Shillington didn’t receive one. I’ve a better chance of flying to the moon.”
Which, after the morning she’d had, seemed like an ideal location.