Page 66 of The Lord's Compass
“Tell me the truth, Hope, please,” Faith said, her stomach swirling in unease. Hope was the ever-optimist, the eternal believer in love. If she was questioning Faith’s marriage, what did that mean about her husband? “Do you not think that Eric will be satisfied with me?”
“Faith,” Hope said earnestly, leaning forward. “What you need to remember is that you are the most amazing woman there ever was. I do hope – Ibelieve– that he sees it. He was so eager to marry you and has been infatuated with you ever since you told him no. You are just so dear to me that I will always fear you being hurt.”
“Youare worried aboutme?” Faith said, taken aback. She had always been the older sister, the one watching out for Hope. She had never considered that Hope might have any concern for her.
Hope looked from one side to the other to make sure no one else had arrived and then leaned in, lowering her voice so the servants in the room wouldn’t hear.
“I have seen the way you look at your husband. You love him.”
Faith said nothing, even as her heart started pumping hard. Love. She hadn’t considered it. She enjoyed Eric’s company and was certainly attracted to him but love… could it be true?
“Lord Ferrington is popular with the ladies and I know how you were hurt in the past. I would never want to see you turned away from love like that again,” Hope said, biting her lip. “I would like to believe that he will be true to you, but perhaps give it some time before you fully trust him. He was chasing you for so long that I suppose I just want to be certain that it is more than the chase that has fueled him.”
Faith sat there in stunned silence, but she had no opportunity to respond as Percy and her husband – Eric’s brother, Noah Rowley – joined them. It was certainly not a conversation to be had in front of them. She pasted a wooden smile on her face to greet them.
Had she been wrong all along, blindly believing what she wanted to hear? And had she already lost her heart?
* * *
Eric stretchedhis arms wide across the silk sheets as he sunk into the feather mattress, enjoying the relaxation in his muscles after being so well and deliciously used last night. The smile stretched just as wide as he remembered all that he and Faith had shared.
Faith. His wife.
He threw his legs over the side of the bed, shaking his head incredulously. Two years ago, there had been a moment when he had caught a glimpse of what he could have – with Faith. After her rejection of him, he had never considered this with another, and now… here she was.
Well, not here at the moment. He recalled through his sleepy haze that she had said something about going down to breakfast.
He called for his valet, who helped him dress. Even the servant commented on the spring in his step.
“It is a good day,” Eric said, smiling at himself in the mirror. “A very good day, indeed.”
He wondered how long they were going to stay here at Newfield. He knew Faith was happy here and was enjoying visiting with her family – especially her sister – but he was looking forward to returning home and starting their life together, after a quick stop to return the compass and the map to Castleton.
He remembered his mother and his smile faltered slightly. She was as strong of a presence as Faith was herself. He could only hope that the two women he loved most in the world would learn to get along well together.
Love. There was that word again.
He was falling for Faith. But would she ever feel the same?
CHAPTER22
“We shall be at Castleton before sunset,” Eric said, staring at his wife from across the carriage. They had finally left Newfield, and not a moment too soon, for he was getting itchy from having to share her time.
His mother was returning to Newfield and would ensure it was prepared for their arrival.
Home, where they would begin their lives together. He could not wait to show Faith his family’s country home, to make it theirs.
But first, he had to determine why she was being so distant.
“It has been convenient to live so close to Castleton,” she said, distracting him. “I wish Cassandra had been in residence more often when we were young. Isn’t it interesting that we first came to know her in London, and yet were so close all this time?”
“Well, it is fortunate that everything came about the way it did, for it all led to us being together,” he said, lifting her hand and bringing it to his lips, kissing the back of it.
“Yes,” was all she said, her small smile not quite reaching her eyes, concerning him.
“We shall stop for something to eat at the inn mid-day.”
“I am sure we can make it all the way,” she said, her brow furrowing, but he shook his head.
