Helena slightly aside, near enough to be included, far enough to be ignored if convenience demanded it.
The bell rang again.
This time the hush that fell was almost reverent.
Footsteps. The murmur of the butler's voice.
And then His Grace, the Duke of Everre.
He entered the room with that same contained grace Helena remembered from the night before, though she had seen him only at a distance.
Now standing, she dropped her curtsy with her eyes fixed properly on the carpet.
When she finally lifted her gaze, she met his eyes fully for the first time.
And in that instant, Helena had the unnerving impression that the most eligible duke in England was not looking past her or around her, but directly at her, as if she were not a number, not a seat to be filled, but a person he had come deliberately to see.
For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
Then Lady Ashford gathered herself like a general rallying troops and stepped forward with a flutter of lace.
Your Grace, she exclaimed, curtsying deeply. What an unexpected honor! We are quite overcome.
The honor is entirely mine, Lady Ashford, Adrien replied, bowing with smooth precision.
His gaze flicked briefly to Alicia, who dipped her head with a practiced blend of modesty and delight, and then returned deliberately to Helena.
And Miss Ashford, he said.
There was the slightest pause, just long enough for confusion to hover.
Alicia, Your Grace, Lady Ashford supplied quickly. My daughter. And Miss Helena Ashford.
He added as though gently correcting the universe itself, turning toward the quieter figure by the side chair.
Helena dropped another curtsy, this one smaller, more precise.
Your Grace.
She expected his attention to slide away, drawn by brighter colors and easier prospects.
Instead, he crossed the room to where she stood, the movement unhurried, purposeful.
I hope, he said, his voice lowered just enough that it wrapped around her more than the others, that you will forgive my intrusion upon your morning. I am told I may have caused you some discomfort last evening.
Helena felt every eye in the room fasten on her.
Her fingers itched to find the safety of her work basket, her embroidery frame, anything but the emptiness of her own hands.
You are very kind to trouble yourself, Your Grace, she replied, forcing her voice to steady. But I assure you, the fault was entirely the heat of Lady Harbury's dining room. I am not accustomed to so many lilies in one place.
A flicker of amusement warmed his eyes.
Then I shall remember never to seat you near my conservatory.
He inclined his head, a hint of contrition returning.
Still, I am sorry that my arrival displaced you. I was not aware until later that a place had been taken from you to provide one for me.
Helena's throat tightened.
The words taken from you struck with unexpected force.
It was nothing of consequence, she said quickly. Indeed, I believe I was far more comfortably situated afterward at the smaller table.
He asked, the question shaped with such mild interest that it took her a moment to hear the undertone.
Her lashes fluttered. She met his gaze fully.
At the quieter one, she answered. Comfort is a matter of perspective, is it not?
Something like respect flashed across his face, swift and real.
So it is.
Alicia stepped gracefully nearer, folding herself into the space between them with a smile.
Your Grace, you are very gallant to concern yourself with such trifles. I am sure Helena hardly knew she had moved. She slipped so easily from one place to another.
She laughed, light and tinkling.
I told her she ought to consider it a great adventure to be so nearly trampled by a duke.
Alicia, Lady Ashford murmured warningly.
But Adrien only regarded the younger lady with polite attention.
Adventures are rarely appreciated by those standing in their path, he said, his tone smooth. I think Miss Helena has the right of it, to seek the quietest territory available.
Helena was not entirely sure if she was being defended or gently teased, perhaps both.
It made her oddly aware of herself, as though she had been a shadow and was now abruptly outlined in light.
Pray be seated, Your Grace, Lady Ashford urged. Will you take tea? We have the most excellent Darjeeling. Alicia, pour for His Grace, if you please. Helena, you may ring for more hot water.
The familiar choreography settled over them.
Alicia floated to the tea table, a perfect picture of graceful domesticity.
Helena moved to the bellpull, feeling herself relegated once more to the fringes.
It should have been a relief, yet when Adrien took his seat, he angled it slightly, not toward the tea table where Alicia presided, but toward the corner where Helena resumed her place.
I confess, he said, accepting his cup with a word of thanks, that my visit today is selfishly motivated.
Lady Ashford's fan stilled.
Selfish, Your Grace?
I have lately become impatient with the efficiencies of society, he said lightly. One meets the same group of people in every drawing room. Hears the same stories repeated in slightly different chairs.
I thought, having so nearly been an instrument of Miss Helena's disappearance last night, I owed it to myself to discover who precisely I had nearly caused to vanish.
It was so deftly said that Lady Ashford laughed before she quite realized its implication.
Helena is very good at not attracting notice, she said, the words meant as modesty but landing somewhere nearer apology. She prefers it, so I am sure.
Do you? Adrien asked, turning the full weight of the question onto Helena.
She could have smiled, could have given the expected answer.
Yes, Your Grace, I am quite content to sit unnoticed in corners, like a piece of furniture too sturdy to discard.
But his gaze made it difficult to lie.
I prefer peace, she said slowly. And kindness. Those are not always found at the center of a room.