Page 29 of A Masked Lady for Mr. Kenworthy
Lady Faye’s face instantly lit up. Her lips trembled as they turned up into a hopeful smile.
“Oh, Mr. Kenworthy,” she said, placing a hand on her chest. “Do you really mean it?”
“Does he really mean what, darling?” Lady Salisdene asked, entering the room, a maid carrying a laden tea-tray following closely behind.
Lady Faye looked at Thomas, her eyes wide with fear. Thomas gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand once more. He understood her hesitation in trusting people after everything she had been through of late. He gave her a gentle nod of assurance, then turned his attention to the countess, who took up the seat that had been his and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Briefly, Thomas explained his plan to both the countess and Lady Faye. Both women listened attentively, and, from the corner of Thomas’s eye, he could see Lady Faye’s hope rising by the minute. He felt a wave of pride at being able to give her the assistance she so desperately needed. But how was he ever going to manage it?
Lady Salisdene came to his rescue in that regard. She gave Thomas a small wink and then smiled warmly at Lady Faye.
“I will be honored to help Thomas find a physician,” she said. “In fact, I will help him arrange for one to visit your home as soon as you leave mine today.”
Lady Faye gasped and covered her face with her hands. Thomas offered her a handkerchief and, while she wiped her eyes, he mouthed a silent word of thanks to the countess. Lady Salisdene dipped her head modestly, smiling fondly at them both.
“Oh, thank you,” Lady Faye said, laughing with pure joy. “To both of you. I cannot tell you how much your kindness means to my mother and me.”
The countess rose to kiss Lady Faye on the cheek and stroke her hair. Thomas patted her hand once again, shaking his head humbly.
“It is a pleasure, my lady,” he said.
He gave Lady Faye minutes to collect herself while the countess resumed her seat. As much as he disliked taking away from the relief and happiness the young woman was clearly feeling, he knew he must get down to business. With an apologetic smile, he stroked Lady Faye’s arm.
“Please, forgive me,” he said sheepishly, “but now I must ask you, how did things go with Charles?”
Lady Faye furrowed her brow in confusion, and Thomas realized his error.
“Lord Turlington,” he corrected. “I apologize, my lady. Charles is his first name.”
Lady Faye nodded, the shadow returning to her features. She sighed and proceeded to explain to him about the alcohol on the marquess’s breath and the party to which he had invited her later that week. Thomas felt cold dread knotting his stomach as she spoke. He was not surprised to learn Charles had been distasteful and ungentlemanly, especially where liquor was concerned. But he was alarmed at the prospect of Lady Faye being anywhere with that horrid criminal without the close supervision of Rupert and himself. No matter how badly they needed that black journal of Charles’s, Thomas knew in his heart that Lady Faye would be in grave danger if she were ever alone with the marquess.
“If you are to attend this party,” the countess said, stopping Thomas before he could fiercely object, “then I shall attend, as well, as your chaperone.”
Thomas turned to Lady Salisdene, surprised. Not only had she offered a solution Thomas would have never even thought of, but she was also volunteering herself for the task of protecting Lady Faye. It seemed like a good plan on the surface. But would he only be endangering both Lady Faye and the countess if he agreed? And how would Lady Salisdene manage to attend the party without a direct invitation?
Thomas voiced his concerns to be met with a patient, knowing look from the countess.
“Darling, I am sure I can handle myself in a crowd of London’s finest,” she said. “And, as luck would have it, my husband received an invitation to the marquess’s fine party. He will be unable to attend, as he has to see to some important business matters, but he has already granted me permission to go in his stead.”
Thomas glanced at Lady Faye to gauge her reaction to the idea. Her face had once more relaxed and, though she still looked as though she objected to the idea of spending time with Charles, she also looked relieved at the countess’s offer. Truthfully, Thomas was, too. And knowing Lord Salisdene would know where she was to be that day was a bit of extra reassurance. The marquess would be far less likely to inflict any harm to them if he knew Lady Faye was with someone who would come looking for the two of them if it became necessary.
“Very well, Lady Salisdene,” Thomas said, allowing his gratitude to replace his dread and dismay. “It is a most excellent idea that Lady Faye have a chaperone for the party. You are too kind to offer, and you have my thanks.”
“And mine, as well,” Lady Faye said, smiling brightly at the countess. “Thank you for everything. I have known you for such a short time, and yet you treat me as though I am a dear friend.”
The countess rose again, pulling Lady Faye to her feet gently. She wrapped her arms around the young woman, rubbing her back gently, as a mother would.
“As far as I am concerned, you are a dear friend, darling,” she said.
Thomas watched the exchange with great affection, and he found himself relaxing throughout the rest of the tea party. The three of them talked of happier topics, and Thomas was happy to let the two women do the largest share of the talking. When at last it was time for Lady Faye to leave, his heart sank. But he knew that, once she had gone, he could set about helping her and her mother. That made him happier than he had been in as long as he could remember, and he could not wait to do something kind for such a wonderful, sweet young lady.
Chapter Twenty
Faye wrung her hands as she paced up and down the drawing-room floor. The events of the day had been pleasantly surprising, especially learning that Lady Salisdene knew who Mr. Kenworthy and Lord Daleshire really were and how she was helping them with their current case. She had also been thrilled when the countess had offered to be her chaperone to Lord Turlington’s party. She thought Mayson might get word of it, but it would not be until after the party when it would be far too late for him to do anything about it. He could no longer hold her mother’s care over her, after all, since Mr. Kenworthy and the countess had promised to see to that for her.
But where were they? She had been home for almost three hours, and the countess had promised to send for a physician as soon as she had left the party. She despised herself for thinking such things about people who had been so kind to her, but she could not help wondering if they had deceived her. What if they did not send a doctor? She could not fathom why they would do such a thing to her, but neither could she imagine why it was taking so long. Had she fallen into another trap, just like the one in which Mayson had ensnared her?
When the doorbell rang a moment later, Faye nearly jumped out of her skin. She held her breath, briefly fearful that Huston, or even Mayson himself, would hear it. But a hollow, endless silence followed the ring, and she realized that Mayson must have gone out, taking his valet with him. She hurried from the drawing-room and to the front door, nearly tripping in her rush. She pulled open the door, uttering a cry of relief and surprise when she saw the countess, Mr. Kenworthy, who was dressed as a footman, and an elderly man whom she did not recognize. The man slowly raised something in his hand to his waist, and Faye saw it was a medical bag. Tears of gratitude filled her eyes as she motioned the trio inside.
