Page 44 of A Masked Lady for Mr. Kenworthy
Faye relaxed her body again, nodding in a way that only Selina could see. Then, she lay there and waited for the servants to let them know the carriage was ready for Faye to board. Two men, presumably kitchen and stable staff, helped her to her feet, and one of the men scooped her up with surprising gentleness.
“Don’t worry, your ladyship,” he said, with an accent, Faye could not quite place. “I’ve got you.”
Faye offered a weak smile, knowing she must continue feigning illness.
“Thank you,” she whispered, letting her head relax against the man’s arm as he carried her to the coach.
Once inside it, Faye positioned herself so that she could lean against the equipage's side wall and keep an eye on the front door of the country manor. She was anxious for the countess to join her so they could leave, and she felt terrible that she could not help Selina see to the arrangements of their departure. She also began forming a plan in her mind in case of any mishap befalling the countess. She had no idea what might detain her friend, but she quickly began rehearsing a dramatic performance for reentering the manor and calling for Selina, if it took longer than Faye thought it should for her to come outside.
Fortunately, none of her frantic planning was necessary. Just as she was slowly wiggling her way to the coach’s door, she saw the countess burst through the front door, waving her hands in a histrionic fashion. She slinked back down in the seat to hide a giggle at Selina’s performance. Certainly, anyone would believe she was frantically concerned for Faye’s health. Faye noticed the marquess’s bulk slowly fill up the doorway as Selina walked to the carriage, so Faye quickly pretended to be asleep. She did not dare open her eyes until she heard the door close and the countess begin to giggle.
“Very well done, my dear,” she said. “I believe he was none the wiser.”
Faye waited until the carriage reached the end of the long driveway before she sat upright. She joined the countess in a moment of laughter, though mostly because she felt giddy relief at being away from the marquess and his repulsive touch.
Once they were safely away from the manor, Selina took Faye’s hands and smiled, her eyes lighting up.
“We have what we went for, my dear,” she said, looking as excited as a young woman at her debut ball. “It went flawlessly, and it took even less time than we expected. Thomas and Lord Daleshire will be thrilled.”
Faye smiled, her heart leaping at the mention of Mr. Kenworthy. She had been so nervous since she found the journal, she had all but forgotten about him. But now that she was thinking of him, images of his face filled her mind again, and her heart raced frantically. She tried to hide her smile as she nodded coolly to the countess. Selina gave her a knowing look but said nothing about her feelings for Mr. Kenworthy as she had on the way to the country manor.
“Oh, but before we do that, I would like to check on my mother,” Faye said.
The countess’s eyes widened, and she nodded, her cheeks flushing mildly.
“Oh, heavens,” she said sheepishly. “I almost forgot about your poor mother, what with everything else going on. How is she faring now, darling?”
Faye gave the countess a warm, reassuring look.
“It is quite all right, Selina,” she said. “I understand this has been very preoccupying.” She smiled, thinking of her mother’s rosy cheeks on the day she had left for the country. “The medicine seemed to help Mother immensely. And I still do not know how to properly thank or repay the kindness of you and Mr. Kenworthy for sending the doctor to her.”
The countess hugged her tightly.
“I am so happy to hear such news, my darling,” she said. Then, she released Faye and stroked her cheek. “Knowing that your mother is getting well and having your cherished friendship is all the gratitude and repayment I shall ever need or accept. Don’t even think of trying to repay any debt because as far as I am concerned, no such debt exists.”
Faye felt tears of joy fill her eyes. She knew she would always be in the countess’s debt, but she was overjoyed at Selina’s kindness and charity. She was glad the mission was almost at its end, so she could explain everything that had transpired to her mother. She knew her mother, too, would be grateful to the countess and that they would also become great friends.
Selina’s smile faded, and she looked at Faye with concern.
“Are you certain that it is safe to check in on your mother before we have spoken to the men?” she asked. “What if Mayson sees you while you are there?”
Faye smiled and waved her hand dismissively.
“My cousin will not be home,” she said. “Today is his weekly meeting with his solicitor. He will not be home until the early hours of tomorrow morning, to be sure.”
Selina relaxed then and gave Faye an approving smile and nod.
“Then I insist that you check in on your mother,” she said. “And, in the meantime, I shall take the journal to Lord Daleshire and Thomas.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
“You mean you have found nothing?” Rupert asked, running a hand through his hair in exasperation.
Thomas stared dumbly at him, shaking his head slowly.
“You and I have worked for two days on this, Rupert,” he said. “You know very well that I know no more than you do.”
Rupert looked at Thomas, catching the warning behind his partner’s cautioning tone. He ceased the pacing he had commenced moments before and heaved a slow, heavy sigh.
