Page 58 of The Lord's Compass
“If you find even half of that with Lord Ferrington, I will be ever so pleased,” Hope said with a wistful smile. “Has Percy arrived?”
“I am here!” They both turned to the trill at the doorway, seeing Faith’s closest friend, the former Lady Percy and now Mrs. Rowley, standing within it, dressed, as always, in the latest, most vibrant of fashions, a sapphire blue dress flowing over her curves, a gold sash tied around her waist.
“Percy,” Faith said, not only allowing her embrace but actually returning it despite her usual resistance to such a gesture. “It is so good to see you!”
Percy stepped backward, holding Faith out at arm’s length as though to inspect her. “Who are you and where is my closest friend, Lady Faith Newfield?” she asked with a smile. “For someone has told me this very intriguing rumor that you are to become my sister-in-law.”
“That is correct.”
“And this is the same woman who vowed to never again be alone with Lord Ferrington, let alone wed to him? Who chastised everyone else for not being proper enough and then took off on an adventure of her own – across to the continent, no less?”
Faith groaned as she threw a hand over her eyes before dropping down on the bed.
“Sit,” she said with a sigh. “What you say is true. I will tell you all. Hope, you are going to have to hear it again.”
“I am more than happy to,” Hope said, flouncing down and placing her head on her hand. “And I am sure that Percy would love to hear about the secrets the necklace had hidden.”
“Oh, do tell,” Percy said, obviously greatly intrigued as she and her now husband – Eric’s brother – had been the ones to find it. “Butafteryou tell us more about you and Lord Ferrington.”
So Faith did, forgetting – for just a moment – what was awaiting her the next day.
CHAPTER19
Eric had imagined this moment many times.
He knew that dreams of weddings were supposed to be for women, and that, as a man, he should be most concerned that he was adhering to his responsibility and taking one step closer to continuing his family line.
But as soon as he had met Faith a few years ago, he had dreamt of her, in this moment, walking toward him in all of her finery, prepared to become his wife.
He had just thought she would be a little happier about it.
He wasn’t thrilled with the terror that covered her face as she walked toward him, up the aisle of the small chapel at Newfield. The shimmering fabric clung to her high-waisted bodice, her gentle scoop neckline modest with the lace which covered it. She was almost ethereal with a sheer muslin veil pinned to the soft curls piled on her head.
After she reached him and he shook her father’s hand, he decided that as much as he had waited for this moment, had longed for it even, he was not marrying an unwilling woman.
“Faith,” he said, leaning in and whispering in her ear, despite the scoff of disapproval from the vicar in front of them, “I am not kidnapping you. If you do not want this, then do not marry me.”
She turned wide, shocked eyes upon him. “There would be a scandal.”
“So there would,” he murmured. “But I would prefer that to a life of misery. I want this. I want you. It is your choice now.”
She nodded nearly imperceptibly and he held his breath. He knew that giving her a choice was a gamble, knew that there was a very good chance she would run away and never look back.
Which was why his shoulders sagged in relief and the breath he hadn’t even realized he was holding flew out when she turned toward the vicar and gave an affirmative nod to begin. She was accepting this marriage – accepting him.
Eric reached out and squeezed her hand, although he had to drop it when the vicar cast critical eyes down upon them.
Eric released her, but not before a thrill ran through him that she was not only going to be his, but she had agreed to it. Had chosen it.
The weight of his mother’s stare pressed into his back, reminding him of her question when he had announced his bride to her – was she the right one? Was she ready for the responsibilities that came with the life of a countess?
He had bristled at first until he had considered that his mother had always been a nearly equal partner to his father, who had spent so much of his time away at war. After his father’s death, his mother had put aside her grief to seamlessly maintain her role as countess, even if it was as the mother of the earl this time.
She was wondering if Faith was up to the same task.
Eric had been able to assure her beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had no worries in that regard. Faith was an anchor, unwavering in her strength.
Which she was proving today as she stood there in front of his mother, his brother Noah and his wife, Percy, her parents, her sister, and Lord Whitehall.
