He found himself staring for a moment, before he reminded himself of his manners and averted his gaze. She was breath-taking, and there was no doubt he was intrigued by her presence and aura. “I assume a mothers love is more than anything I can imagine -- you would go above and beyond for her.” He smiled, nodding softly as he did. She was caring, empathetic, everything of which he desired. He chuckled upon hearing her comment. The weather was nicer where he came from, often basking in the sun at this time of year. “That is quite alright, my travels have led me to become accustomed to the weather here, I am a quick learner that sun is a rarity here.”

a small frown graced the older woman's face as she observed the way the prince seemed to pause every so often and stare at her . helena had never had such a gaze upon her , at least , not since her ill-fated tryst with hamish . a soft blush crept at the corners of her cheeks , " there is nothing in this world that i would not do for her . " her words rang honest and true . helena would sacrifice herself if it meant keeping ophelia safe . as his chuckle filled the air , she could not help but admit that she enjoyed the sound of it . it was soothing but also somehow uplifting . " however , you will find us outdoors the minute that the sun does appear . how lovely it must be to live in such a climate . however , i am quite partial to the snow . "

"i had heard that you were back in town but i did not believe it."

" i am not sure whether you say such a statement as a good thing or not , lord bridgerton , " helena mused slightly under her breath as a slight smile pulled at the corners of her lips . " we only arrived in the past week from the countryside . "

the brunette beauty intrigued him, that was certain. she was captivating in both grace and beauty, and he would be lying to say he was not curious to get to know her further. “it seems a brilliant occasion, a good time for your daughter to get to grips with the ton.” he exclaimed, a smile remaining on his lips. “i have indeed, everyone has been most hospitable.” he was enjoying things more so now she was in his company. “it has been a long travel for me, but most certainly worth it.” this was far from his normal accommodation, the turkish towns far different, the weather being more prominent of a change for him.

" as a loving mother , i can not lie and say that there is not a part of me that wishes to protect her from any potential heartbreak and take her back to the country . however , i do know that she will flourish here . " the fondest smile graced helena's lips as she spoke of her daughter . there was truly no one else she loved more than ophelia . having children had always been one of her biggest dreams when she had been younger and naive . " i am relieved to hear such words . " she mused slightly under her breath . despite the fact that they were stations apart , helena could not help but feel at ease around him . something that she had not experienced in such a long time . " i should apologise for english weather in advance . i am certain it is much more dreary than what you are accustomed to . "

tea is poured quietly, cups offered with warm smiles and gentle hands, grateful for the company, mary pushes a plate of pastries towards the other. ❝ i wasn't expecting much company today. ❞ it was a rarity, she didn't expect company from many in the ton, after all, she'd caused a scene so many years ago. ❝ but i am grateful for it. ❞

" it has been quite a while since either of us have decided to grace the ton with our presence . " helena spoke kindly as she accepted the cup of tea from mary with a soft smile on her lips . " it would be nice to have a friend that understands to a certain degree what it is like to re-enter society with a daughter . after all , we both know how vicious the ladies in the ton can be . "

" imperial prince altan , " she greeted with a soft smile as she dropped into a soft curtsey . even with years out of the ton , the etiquette and manners helena had been instilled into her from the various governesses she had been raised by . as his lips touched the soft skin of her knuckles , a rare blush seemed to creep on the outside of her cheeks . it had been so long since the dark haired woman had been greeted in such a way . " i have . it has been enjoyable watching my daughter enjoy her first season . i do hope you have enjoyed your day . "

"i will take your word for it, for now at least," she sighed softly. licking her lips nervously she glanced shyly at her mother and rolled her eyes slightly, "but what if," pausing she shook her head, "what if i am not what he expects or wanted? what if he wanted a son? what if i am not what he pictured me to be?" pausing once more she let out a hefty sigh, "what if he wants nothing to do with me?" her voice was soft as the last question slipped out. "still no way of me escaping these lessons is there?"

a soft sympathetic look graced the older woman's features as she took a hold of her daughter and brought her into a motherly hug . " if he does not appreciate you the way you are , then he was never worth it to begin . he never deserved to know the most amazing daughter ever born . i would make sure to let him know that . no one hurts you and escapes my wrath . " helena would protect her daughter to the ends of the earth . " i am sorry , my love but unfortunately not . "

"well i promise you this right here and now that if one of them look at her in the wrong way or in a way that even i deem is improper i shall be having fierce words with them," there weren't many that he would step out and offer help as such but there were a few. if it were his sister he would strike a man down, perhaps even kill him for speaking of his sister in such a way, he would do the same for helena's child. "it is not pathetic," pausing he turned towards her fully and gripped her shoulder gently, "you were in love and no one can fault you for that, i'm sure she will seek your guidance on how to approach him or what to do when she meets him. i think that at some point you should all gather together perhaps a family bond will come of it if nothing else to ease her and know that she has you both working for her benefit in this crazy mess."

a soft smile graced her lips out of appreciation to her old friend's words . despite his reputation , helena knew him to be a well meaning and protective individual especially over the people he cared about . " i appreciate your words more than you will know . thank you , " the smaller woman reached across and squeezed his hand gently . " i am not sure i can face hamish again without resorting to a love sick teenager again . i have to be strong and pulled together for ophelia . " a sigh left her lips before hopeful eyes looked up at andrew , " perhaps you could accompany me when i have to see him again . after all , i have heard you two are friends . "

a chuckle escaped him as he looked at the small brunette, it was nice to have normalcy back around him. good friends and friendly faces were a decent change. "are you nervous or excited for this to be her first season? think she will do well?" he didn't mean it as an insult or for her to think poorly of it, but he was interested in her life and her daughters too. "i will be sure to let you know who to keep her away from," he added on quickly. "how do you think he will react?"

" nervous . i do wish for her to have a successful season and find herself someone truly devoted to her but i worry about the gentlemen of the ton . especially if they are anything like your or her father . " it was well known amongst the ton just how popular andrew and hamish were with the young women . it was the last thing helena wanted for ophelia . " i am not certain . i wish for her to know him but i do not wish to see him . it's quite pathetic that i still carry a torch for a man who never gave me a second thought after i left . it will be easier to allow her to interact with him alone . "

she could feel herself pale ever so slightly at her mothers words and shook her head just a little, "surely the events can't be that bad? can they? though i will be honest i am nervous to meet him," pausing she glanced down at her feet and picked nervously at her fingers, "are you sure he even wants to meet me?" her voice was so soft she wouldn't have been surprised if her mother had trouble hearing her. "it's going to be terrible mother, terrible and embarrassing."

" they can be but they can also be magical . " the mother reassured her daughter , smoothing ophelia's hair softly . " do not be nervous . you are the greatest gift that has ever been bestowed upon me . hamish is many things but he will be thrilled to meet you . " helena could only hope that it would mean that she did not have to speak to her ex lover again . " you will fall but you will rise back up . i will be here every step of the way . "

he chuckles lightly as he releases her hand, ❝ if that is what you should tell me ma'am, then that is what i shall believe. ❞ he muses lightly, tucking arms politely behind his back. ❝ i'm not entirely sure of the ton and it's changes, i don't often frequent, my travels only brought me in for the season. ❞

" do you always believe words that ladies tell you or are you simply flattering me ? " she jested , a single raised eyebrow accompanied her words . " where do you normally travel , my lord ? "

she loved her mother very much and she was grateful that helena was attempting to make up for lost time. yet deep down all ophelia truly needed was her mothers love and comfort, being where she truly belonged. "i am truly happy to be your daughter and proud to be able to call you my mother. i couldn't imagine a more amazing mother than the one that i have," pausing she could feel her face drop and pale slightly, "dance lessons? truly you jest mother?"

" remember that when you attend your first ton event . also remember that when you meet your father , " helena was not delusion to think that hamish would not carry any sort of resentment towards her . especially since she had kept her pregnancy a secret from him for years . watching ophelia's face drop and pale , the other woman smiled sympathetically , " unfortunately , it is a requirement especially if a gentleman is going to ask you to dance . "

"and how lucky we all are that you still kept it all this time, aren't you just a special one," the humour was evident in his voice as he stared down at her. having an old friend back around was always a joy and he never tired of having her around. "and how is young ophelia doing? she's just coming of age is she not? is she to be a debutant this year?" nodding slightly he moved to lean against the bookcase, "does he know that you are both here yet?"

" always a pleasure to run into you , drew . " she shook her head slightly in amusement . it was nice to see the male and it brought a smile to her face knowing that the man had truly not changed one bit . he was still the same casanova as he once was . " she is doing well . it will be her first season . i am doing my best to prepare her . " helena hummed before the smile dropped quickly from her face . " no . he doesn't . i have been avoiding finding him . "

❝ surely there is a need, to have arrived so unannounced. ❞ he muses, taking her hand with a gentle hand and bring it to his lips as he dropped slightly into a bow. ❝ pleasure is mine, ma'am, colby ledger. ❞

" would you believe me if i stated that i am planning a surprise reveal later on ? " she jested slightly , a slightly amused smile graced her lips . as he took her hand and brought it to her lips , a slight blush coated helena's cheeks , " i must say this is quite the welcome . the ton must have changed in the years i have been away . "