Her son was fortunate that the painfully obvious flattery did the trick, and that her granddaughter’s smile was better than any nonsense Charles might spew at her in pursuit of her capitulation. It was inevitable anyway – she could hardly deny her children anything, which was likely why Elmer was up to something she didn’t wish to know about in Peru.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you dear,” she spoke mostly to Althea, but caught Charles’ eye at the last moment. “Perhaps I’ll take her to visit your auntie Attie…Emma usually visits her about this time I believe so there will be plenty of females to influence her.”

If he was going to disregard subtlety then she deserved to have a little fun at his expense, surely? And it would be impossible to ignore the glances he sent towards Emma when he thought nobody was looking, though Helena hoped dearly it was only a lingering fancy from their youth.

"Off you go then, I certainly don't want to keep you from a wedding."

Perhaps it might push him in the right direction after all...