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It was quite rare for the viscount to leave his wife and his cousin-in-law all alone. He felt a certain responsibility to both of them and considered it his duty to guard them at all times. As it was, he had left behind his trusted valet Elkins to look after his wife. But it wasn’t the same as having a viscount on the premises.

Without him, Helen was free to sneak away in the middle of the night unnoticed.

She was not going to tell Olivia about it either. Although she was certain that Olivia would not have judged her, she didn’t want her to worry.

As open-minded and supportive as Jarvis was, he was her cousin-in-law. And conversations like these were not had with brothers-in-law or any other male members of the family.

But now, the road was clear.

What more proof did Helen need that this was a providence of… Well, maybe not God, but some ungodly deity responsible for her fate.

Still, she wasn’t convinced. And that brought her to the third thing that turned her thoughts back to the brothel.

The mask.

* * *

Helen sat staring at the open book on her lap as her mind drifted once again to the balcony of the Payne’s ball. She found her mind often wandering toward that night. She could feel the soft breeze against her neck, the warm hands pressing against hers, and the comforting scent of the man before her.

She couldn’t remember his features or anything tangible about that night, only the feelings. Her mind clung to that feeling, reminding her that there was more for her to explore.

Suddenly, Olivia burst in the room, took Helen’s hands and tugged her up. “Come with me.”

“But I was reading,” Helen complained weakly as she stood and the book fell to the floor with a loud thump. Dreaming.

“Oh, I am sorry, but can you read later?” Olivia asked not looking apologetic at all. It was obvious that she wasn’t about to leave Helen alone.

Helen chuckled at Olivia’s genuinely excited mood.

“Of course, dear. Anything for you.” Helen picked up the book and placed it on the chair she’d vacated before taking her cousin’s hands.

Olivia led Helen through the corridor and up the stairs. “Since Jarvis left to tend to his other estate, I find myself quite bored.”

“It’s understandable. You spend most of your time together.”

Olivia let out a sigh. “I find it frustrating. Before I was married, I spent a lot of time by myself. Mostly with my perfumes. Yet here I haven’t set foot in my perfumery since it was built.”

Helen smiled. “Well, now that Jarvis is gone, you will have a lot more time to dedicate to your own projects.”

“That is true. I love Jarvis. But I think it’s a good thing that he left.”

“You do?” Helen was genuinely surprised by that confession.

Olivia grimaced. “He is worried about the babe, and I understand that. But he worries too much to the point of insisting on helping me dress and deciding what I should eat. And he insists on me sitting in my room all day unless I have his escort as if I am a child or worse, a cripple! And I know that he is just scared and wants to protect me and our child, but my emotions don’t seem to understand reason. I become upset and angry very easily. Or I start crying for no reason at all. And then I get frustrated with myself and there’s guilt.” She waved a hand and crinkled her nose. “I think I’ve become unbearable. And it’s good that Jarvis gets a few days away from me.”

“Hmmm…” was the only thing Helen could answer. She knew exactly how Olivia felt.

Suffocated.

It was enough to worry about the life that was growing inside you without anyone else—even a loving soul—putting pressure on you to keep that life safe. Add to that her changing emotional state due to pregnancy and the fact that Olivia was always more sensitive than other people, and it spelled trouble.

“Still, I miss him dearly,” Olivia continued unprompted. “And I don’t know what to do with myself half the time. And perfume smells just make me dizzy. Which brings me to my current project.”

They’d reached Olivia’s bedchamber, and she opened her door with a flourish.

Helen slowly entered the room and looked around in confusion. The room was in disarray. Gowns, petticoats, accessories, and even stockings were strewn about the room. “What happened here?”

Olivia bit her lip. “I decided to clear out some of my things. Before I got married, I was constantly pressured to wear beautiful gowns that… well, itch or make me fidget.”