Chapter 360: An Evening at the Palace
Lady Helena Reynolds entered the drawing room next to Princess Jessica, finally relaxing a bit after being so nervous at meeting the reigning monarch and his wife.
โDinner was wonderful, your royal highness,โ Lady Helena said as she walked next to Princess Jessica into the lounge adjacent to the family dining room. โPlease extend my compliments to your chef. It was a true delight.โ
โIโm sure Monsieur Tremont will appreciate your kind words,โ Jessica replied as they sat down. โHe so rarely has the opportunity to challenge himself anymore. Growing older, Stephenโs tastes โ and I must admit, my own, as well โ are fairly simple, so I know he was excited to have a visitor to impress.โ
โWell, he certainly did so,โ Helena replied. โItโs been such a lovely evening I almost wish it wouldnโt end.โ
โSuch flattery,โ Stephen said, smiling. โThough, I must admit, Iโve truly enjoyed myself as well. Michael has brought young ladies home before โ but none have been quite as lovely as you.โ
Helena dropped her gaze, nearly blushing.
โSo how are you finding life in the city?โ Jessica asked. โIt must be quite a change from Hemingford.โ
โIt is,โ Helena replied, โthough, having spent so many years in Paris after my parents passed, Hemingford was more of an adjustment than Weston. While I enjoyed the peace and beauty, there were times it seemed a bit more bucolic than I might have preferred. At least, until Michael arrived.โ
โOf course,โ Stephen replied. โWhich leads me to my next question. Do you two plan on going public with your relationship?โ
โStephen!โ Jessica snapped as Helena dropped her gaze nervously. โThatโs none of our business!โ
โIt is very much our business, my dear,โ Stephen said. โIf they are serious about this relationship, going public will be a much better option than being found out by the press. Believe me, I learned that lesson with Michaelโs mother.โ
โThat may be, father,โ Michael said, crossly. โBut I would appreciate you allowing us to determine the next phase of our relationship. When weโre ready to go public, we will โ but no amount of pressure from you or the press will push us into it.โ
โSuit yourself,โ Stephen said. โBut I wonโt be around forever, Michael. Itโs time for you to start thinking about your future. That means a wife and a family. The monarchy requires stability, and itโs your responsibility to provide it.โ
โI think weโre all getting ahead of ourselves,โ Jessica said, trying to de-escalate the conversation. โMichael and Helena have only recently begun seeing one another. I think thereโs plenty of time for them to decide how they want to move forward.โ
โPerhaps,โ Stephen said, standing. โI apologize if Iโve overstepped. If youโll excuse me, I should turn in before I say anything more.โ
โFather, you donโt have to โฆ.โ Michael began.
โGoodnight baroness, Michael,โ Stephen said. โIโll see you upstairs, my dear.โ
After Stephenโs departure, the room was silent for a moment.
โMother, what the hell is going on?โ Michael asked quietly. โThis behavior is extreme โ even for him.โ
โIโm not sure, but I intend to find out,โ Jessica said. โNow, as far as you two are concerned, I hope youโll ignore my husbandโs comments. Michael, why donโt you show Helena the gardens. Theyโre actually quite lovely at night.โ
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