Page 19 of Leap of Faith
It was quite apparent which way the wind was blowing as soon as Lord Westwood arrived with her sisters. Faith had little doubt that Lord Westwood had already charmed them and filled their heads with promises of dresses and balls, and any number of grand amusements from the theatre to Astley’s.
Nevertheless, she was delighted to see them. Never before had they been separated so much as a day.
However, before Joy could race into her arms and Lady Westwood think her lacking all proper teaching and decorum, Faith stepped forward. “Lady Westwood, may I present to you my sisters: Patience, Grace, and Joy. Make your bows, sisters.”
She looked up and caught Lord Westwood’s gaze, which was watching her with undisguised amusement.
“We have just had the most splendid treat at Lord Westwood’s, Faith! His chef made it special for us!” she exclaimed.
Joy must have put on quite a show for him already! It served him right.
“Lord Westwood.” She curtsied to him, and he returned it with a bow.
Lady Westwood was already exclaiming over the younger girls. It happened nearly every time they were seen together. She was rhapsodizing over the plans she had already made for them. How quickly she had taken to this notion! A dressmaker had already been arranged to attend them, and Faith felt powerless to stop this extravagance. What she could not understand was why it was happening. She needed to speak with his lordship, but every time she began, he seemed to anticipate her intent, and was talking with someone else or fetching a paper from the study.
Was he avoiding conversation with her for some reason?
“Your trunks will be taken to your chambers, and the dressmaker will be here shortly to take your measurements and begin some new gowns for you,” Lady Westwood announced.
“That is a certain sign for me to take my leave,” Lord Westwood proclaimed.
“When will we see you again, sir?” Joy asked. “Will you take me to see the animals at the Exeter Exchange I have read about in Ackermann’s Repository?”
“Joy!” Faith scolded. “You should not impose upon his lordship in such a manner.”
“But I am certain he would wish to see them, and who better to take me?” she asked with such innocent guile that even Faith paused to consider.
“Who, indeed, little imp?” Lord Westwood teased and ruffled her hair.
“Perhaps we can invite Lady Jersey’s niece as well,” Joy added.
Lady Westwood looked up at that. “Lady Jersey? Do you know Sally?” she asked Joy.
“Oh, yes. We met her this morning, and she mentioned she had also made Faith and Hope’s acquaintance, and would be pleased to send them vouchers.”
“My goodness! I am happy to know it will not be necessary to seek the patronesses’ favour!” her ladyship exclaimed.
“What are these vouchers?” Grace asked.
“Why, they are one of the most coveted tokens of approval a young lady may aspire to—tickets to a subscription ball at Almack’s Assembly Rooms. They are most exclusive to obtain. May I ask how you became acquainted with Lady Jersey?”
“Oh, we helped to fish her sons out of the Serpentine during a walk. Their nursemaid was quite overcome. They are much too exuberant for one nurse! The other nursemaid was laid up with a toothache or some such malady, and her ladyship had been conversing with someone and the children had gone on to the lake in order to feed the ducks.”
“Extraordinary!”
Faith looked at Lord Westwood, who looked as though he were choking back a laugh.
“Well, I am certainly glad the dressmaker is coming! Let us not keep her waiting.” Lady Westwood began ushering Faith’s sisters from the room and she saw Lord Westwood trying to escape.
“My lord, may I have a word with you?”
He stopped and inclined his head. “Of course. Will here suffice or would you prefer a turn about the garden?”
Was he deliberately trying to distract her? “The garden, I believe.” There, she would not feel the need to restrain herself.
He led her through the entrance hall beyond the dining room and the library—outside to a brick pathway that wound throughout the garden. The air was thick with the sweet smell of flowers and blossoms. Faith instantly recognizing the familiar scents of lavender, roses, and jasmine. At the back of the garden was a small gazebo and pond with water lilies, where a solitary bench sat beneath lush trees. He indicated for her to take a seat, which she refused.
“What did you wish to speak about?”
