Dangerous Decisions by Margaret Kaine

else about him.’
    â€˜They probably don’t move in the same circles.’ Helena stretched. ‘I hope they won’t be long with tea, I’m starving.’ She twisted round. ‘You still haven’t answered my question. I’ve given you the time you asked for – so again, what do you think of him?’
    As Dorothy gazed at her, Helena could see a frown puckering her forehead.
    â€˜You don’t like him!’
    â€˜I didn’t say that. I think he is incredibly handsome, but Helena, I’m just not sure. I cannot fault his attitude towards you, nor his charm in general. But … I can’t help thinking that there’s another side to him. I find him a bit of an enigma. Still, maybe that’s one of the things you find attractive.’ She laughed. ‘Even I can see that it would be more exciting to marry a man like Oliver rather than Hugh, fond though I am of him.’
    Helena’s peal of laughter rang out. ‘You’re just talking like a sister. Hugh’s one of the nicest people I know.’
    â€˜Maybe,’ Dorothy said drily. ‘But he’s hardly the dashing hero. Still, I’m sure there’s some nice girl out there who will think he’s wonderful. At least I hope so.’
    â€˜But you can understand why I’m tempted, with Oliver?’
    â€˜Who wouldn’t be? All I can say, Helena, is that if you’re looking for a tranquil marriage, then I suspect he’s not the man to choose.’
    Helena really hadn’t wanted to hear this, not least because it echoed her own feelings, particularly after that ugly scene the other afternoon. And yet when Oliver held her in his arms she had longings she hadn’t known she possessed. Sometimes she felt guilty, wondering whether she should be allowing him to kiss her before they were betrothed. Was her heart ruling her head, was that what being in love meant?
    Dorothy was thoughtful. ‘Is your papa keen on the match?’
    â€˜He has made no secret of it.’
    â€˜And Beatrice – how does she feel?’
    â€˜She thinks he’s wonderful, and that I should consider myself fortunate.’
    â€˜Don’t let yourself be unduly influenced by family pressure, Helena. Mind you,’ Dorothy glanced sideways at her, ‘he
is
quite a catch!’
    â€˜You make him sound like a fish!’
    They began to laugh again and Dorothy said, ‘Well if you do marry him, I shall expect an invitation to Graylings. I’ve never been to Hertfordshire.’
    Helena was wondering whether to confide in her friend about the strong attraction she had felt to the dark-haired doctor during her time in London. Dorothy would approve of her intervention on behalf of the abused horse, but would she dismiss as romantic nonsense the fact that after all this time Helena still felt haunted by the memory of a man who was almost a stranger? While she was hesitating, Bostock and the maids came out of the house carrying trays and tiered cake stands to put on the white-cloth-covered table in the shade. When he rang a bell to summon guests from all corners of the garden and house, Helena felt a sense of relief, deciding it was wiser not to say anything after all. Cook’s delicious lemonade accompanied by cucumber sandwiches, scones and other confections was just the distraction she needed.
    Once everyone was comfortable in the drawing room that evening, at Jacob’s request Helena seated herself at the grand piano. Oliver remained standing, leaning slightly against the wall in one corner. A parlourmaid had been in to light the oil lamps and in their golden glow Helena’s expression was absorbed as her long, slender fingers rippled over the keyboard. Oliver, finding her sensitive interpretation of Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ a delight, closed his eyes. The room was silent, captured by the beauty of the melody, and Oliver imagined the same scene in the