My Fair Lady

CHAPTER FIVE

"So you are getting married, Helene?" Asked Marchioness Felicia Wakefield as she poured some tea into her teacup. "To Late Count Moriarty's adopted son, I presume?"

"Yes, that is correct, Marchioness Wakefield. Thanks for asking." Helene answered politely to her aunt's queries.

Marchioness Felicia Wakefield, nee Emsworth was Ernst and Leonard Emsworths' younger sister, making her Helene's aunt. Back in the days, she was the second prettiest woman in London's high society, right next to Princess Caroline, Helene's mother. And now despite her advanced years, traces of beauty such as her luxurious blond hair and lush green eyes still remained, causing her to look younger even with her wrinkles. Felicia was not an unkind woman for she was the only one from Helene's paternal family to treat her right, but as for her husband, would be a totally different case.

"Do you really want to marry him, Helene? You can have better. If Leonard is the issue here, I can persuade him and provide you with a sufficient dowry." The marchioness assured tenderly with a smile, a gentle smile that was unlike from any other noblewomen Helene knew.

Helene found herself responding to her warmth with coldness that was already rooted deep into her heart. "I am grateful for your kind consideration, Marchioness Wakefield. However, I am already set on marrying Lord Louis."

"But, Helene! That man has neither a title nor any blue blood. I advise you not to be swoon by his looks...!" The marchioness stated firmly, her face serious.

Reaching for Helene's hand, she tried to put her own on hers. but Helene flung hers off and stepped back, staring at her as if she thought she was as nasty as Catherine. "If you are trying to 'help' me because of the guilt you felt about my mother years ago, then that would be unnecessary," she smiled courteously, her voice shaking with bitterness.

The marchioness flinched at Helene's harsh words and her head jerked sideways as if she had been slapped. "I apologise,"she whispered nervously, biting her lip to stop her chin from quivering. "I understand that you blame me for my cowardice of not helping your mother years ago, but even now, Caroline was still my friend and Ernst is my brother so I am obliged to help you find a suitable husband."

Helene saw her colour fade and sighed, "Thank you for your concern, Marchioness but you do not need to worry. I have met the man. He is a gentleman with a gentle personality and I think I will be happy with him." She attempted to soothe her aunt by sitting down and taking a sip of her tea.

Marchioness Wakefield raised her eyes to her, trying to smile as the colour went back to her face. "If that's the case, I will not pursue further if you are happy."

Helene nodded, giving a faint smile at the relaxing aroma of the tea as she began to ask, "how are your children? I heard that your son has made it to Eton, congratulations."

"Thank you, Helene. My children are well and Nicholas is also excited to go to Eton. Regina had recently given birth to her first child and Melanie is going for her first season. As for Alice, she said that she misses you as you are her favourite teacher." The marchioness replied fondly, stirring her teacup. Although Felicia Wakefield was a weak and submissive woman towards her husband, she loved her children dearly and raised them well which was the reason why Helene harboured no ill intentions towards them like Leonard's.

"I see, that's nice to hear." Helene murmured, her face softened at the mention of her only favourite cousin, Alice who used to be her pupil under the request of the marchioness. "I sincerely hope that Alice is still practising her pianoforte."

"Why don't I call her her?" Marchioness Wakefield suggested with a warm smile, gesturing to a maid stationed nearby.

"Its fine, I'm sure she's busy-" Helene's words got interrupted when the door was suddenly burst opened by none other than an angelic young girl with mahogany hair and green eyes.