Page 80 of The Scholar's Key
Faith snorted, although her sister reprimanded her with just a look. Faith was as cynical as Hope was optimistic.
Percy couldn’t help but look at Lord Ferrington with some pity. Noah had told her that his brother had always been a bit in love with Faith, although Percy could hardly understand his infatuation. Faith was one of her closest friends, and she loved her like a sister, but she had always treated Lord Ferrington with derision, as she had apparently thought he was rather a pompous sort. It was quite interesting how different he and Noah were from one another. Perhaps Lord Ferrington’s heart wanted what it couldn’t have.
It wasn’t until the next morning when she and Faith were walking together down the small river that led away from the lake that she was able to better understand Faith’s opinion on Lord Ferrington and his intentions.
“What do you think of Lord Ferrington’s plan to travel to Spain?” Percy asked as she trailed her fingers along the lush greenery that bordered the river. It was not well manicured here like the estate gardens, but rather wild and free, the greenery painting its majesty on the canvas it had been provided.
“I think that he is using this for an adventure himself,” she said.
“Are not all the men of his acquaintance interested in daring pursuits? It is, after all, what initially drew them together,” Percy said, not worried about Faith’s response. The two of them had always been this way – sharing their complete truths, secure in the knowledge that any response would be made and met in truth and love.
“Yes, but why suddenly volunteer to visit the Continent?” Faith persisted. “The man is an earl. He has responsibilities. Who is going to look after them while he’s sailing away on some silly pursuit to find a treasure?”
“I suppose that is for him to be concerned about,” Percy said lightly, attempting to hide her smile at how concerned Faith was over the man’s affairs.
“I do not trust him.”
“Whyever not?” Percy asked, surprised. She knew Faith wasn’t keen on Lord Ferrington but couldn’t understand why she would say such a thing. She had thought them all to be acquaintances on friendly terms.
“Due to an experience,” she said hastily. “It is nothing to note.”
“Faith,” Percy said, peering at her, “are you keeping something from me?”
Faith sighed, staring out over the water before turning to Percy, her blue eyes insistent. “I will tell you, but you must promise me that you will never tell anyone else. Not even Hope knows.”
“Of course,” Percy said.
“Especially Noah.”
Percy bit her lip. That was a much harder promise to make. She didn’t like the thought of keeping secrets from Noah, especially when they concerned his brother.
“I’m not sure…”
“Percy, please?”
Faith never asked anyone for anything. She was always the one who took it upon herself to be there for others, to take care of them, to make sure that all was well. The fact that she was asking Percy, and with such supplication in her eyes, meant that she truly needed to speak to someone about this.
“Very well.”
“I know that Lord Ferrington is interested in me because he told me.”
“Did he?” Percy said, stopping where they walked, her eyes wide. “What did you say?”
“Nothing. I didn’t have a chance before he kissed me.”
“Oh, Faith!” Percy exclaimed, bringing her hands up to her face. “How wonderful.”
“Yes, it was actually,” Faith said, a blush stealing up her cheeks, but her mouth remained in a grim line. “Until I saw him kiss another that same night.”
“He didn’t,” Percy said incredulously.
“He did,” Faith said, nodding her head. “It was at one of my mother’s parties a few years ago. He whispered me those sweet nothings in the garden, kissed me, and then when I went to find him later, he was in an alcove near the ballroom, with another woman on his lips.”
“Oh, Faith,” Percy said, seeing the pain in her eyes. Here she had thought that Faith didn’t like Eric, as she supposed she could call him now that he was going to be her brother-in-law, when all along it was the opposite. Faith had been hurt. “What did he say when you asked him about it?”
“Nothing, because I never mentioned it.”
“You didn’t?”
