Page 35 of A Masked Lady for Mr. Kenworthy
Faye laughed. Her mother, at last, felt well enough to make lighthearted complaints once again. Though she would worry about her mother, she now felt much better about having to leave her.
“I am so sorry, Mother,” Faye said, kissing her mother’s hands in return. “I would never make you take that awful stuff were it not so important.”
The dowager countess shook her head gently, her eyes filling with tears.
“You need never apologize to me, my darling,” she said. “I do not know just how you did it, but I do believe that you have saved my life. I am not completely well, but I am certain I am no longer on my death bed. And I owe it all to you, dear. I am so grateful to you for everything you have done for me since I became ill.”
Faye’s smile continued to grow as her mother spoke. She had not heard the dowager countess speak so many words at once without becoming winded and succumbing to coughing spells in weeks. Her heart ached at having to leave. There was nothing she wanted more than to stay and witness her mother’s improving health and spend time with her for the first time since she fell ill. But she had to remind herself that what she was doing was to ensure her mother’s recovery further and that she was doing the right thing.
“There is nothing in the world that I would not do for you, Mother,” she said, stroking the older woman’s hands.
The dowager countess raised her daughter’s hands to her own lips, and Faye felt renewed joy when she saw that it was with almost no effort. The lips with which she kissed Faye’s skin were warm and moist, and Faye wanted to shout for joy.
“Likewise, my darling,” she said. “Now, you should be off. It sounds as if you have quite the adventure ahead of you.”
Faye leaned down, embracing her mother tightly. The arms that returned the gesture, though still thin and fragile, felt much stronger and steadier. She kissed the dowager countess on both cheeks, laughing as tears of joy began slipping down her own.
“I love you so much, Mother,” she said. “I shall return as soon as I can.”
The dowager duchess wiped at her daughter’s tears, squeezing her arms gently as she released Faye from her grasp.
“I love you, even more, my darling,” she said. “Please keep safe. I shall look forward to your return.”
Reluctantly, Faye turned away from her mother and left her bedchambers. An idea occurred to her as she descended the stairs. Mayson probably would not check in on her mother. But even if he did, he would not bother to bring her food, as Faye had been trying to do. So, rather than heading straight for the manor's front door, Faye made a sudden turn and headed for the kitchens.
As Faye had hoped, Bretta was alone in the kitchen, leisurely kneading some dough. When the cook heard Faye enter, she pushed the ball aside and hurried over to her.
“Good morning, milady,” she said. “How is your mother?”
Faye gave her a reassuring yet guilty smile. Faye had not come to see Bretta much since her mother had fallen ill, though she knew the cook loved her mother just as much as she loved Faye.
“Much better, Bretta,” Faye said, wiping away fresh, joyful tears. “I must leave for a few days, and I have come to ask a favor if you can manage it.”
Bretta nodded eagerly, curtseying to her mistress.
“Of course, milady,” she said. “Ask anything of me.”
Faye nodded, glancing over her shoulder to ensure that Huston was not moving past the door to the kitchens. She reached into the pocket of her dress and fished out a handful of coins that she had been saving in her room since right after her father died. She quickly pressed the coins into the cook’s hand, closing the woman’s fingers until her hand made a fist.
“Please, see to it that Mother has something to eat each day,” she whispered. “Use that money to get any food you can from town. You might need to take it up to her, at least in the beginning, but soon, she might be able to come down and eat in the dining hall. And keep any of the money left over for yourself. I know it isn’t much, but for now, it is the best I can do to thank you for your kindness.”
Bretta looked at her fisted hand, then back up at Faye. She gave her mistress a warm smile.
“It shall be done, milady,” she said.
Faye sighed with relief and patted the cook’s hand. After bidding her farewell, Faye slipped out of the kitchens as quietly as she had entered and headed for the front door of the manor. But before she could reach it, Mayson intercepted her. This time, she did not even jump. She was no longer startled by his surprise attempts to frighten her. As always, he made himself appear as large and menacing as he possibly could, but Faye stood unruffled.
“Do not forget what is at stake,” he said, sneering at her. “If you value your mother’s life, you will find out where the marquess keeps that black journal.” He paused, pushing Faye back as she tried to push past him. “And if you value your own, you will not do anything to mess up this plan.”
Faye shuddered, but it was more out of anger than fear now. She was tired of her cousin’s tyranny, and she hated the complications he had added to her life. She forced herself to look at him, her face all but expressionless, and nod.
“I understand what is expected of me,” she said blandly.
Mayson glared at her, clearly trying to understand her blatant lack of fear. In the end, he must have decided it did not matter. He eventually stepped aside and allowed Faye to pass. She shuddered as her shoulder brushed against his chest, but she kept walking hurriedly. When she stepped into the carriage, her nerves were every bit as raw as they had ever been, and she expected to be somewhat disturbed throughout the entire trip. However, as soon as the coach began moving, she found herself being lulled gently to sleep. And, to her surprise, she did not awaken until she reached Salisdene Manor a few hours later.
The butler awaited her with a kind smile and warm greeting. He led her into the parlor. When she saw that Mr. Kenworthy was waiting for her instead of the countess, her heart leapt in her chest as their eyes met.
“Lady Salisdene will be down shortly, my lady,” he said, no doubt having seen her initial confusion on her face. “Please, do come in and make yourself comfortable.”
