Page 2 of Leap of Faith
“The new baronet? Her ladyship never mentioned the new heir.”
“A distant cousin of her ladyship’s dead husband. He has been in India these past years, but as Lady Halbury had a life tenancy in this house, it is likely she never thought to mention him. I wrote to him about you ladies, of course, but since he was not in the country, I allowed things to remain as they were until he gave further direction.”
“And has he now?” Faith was afraid of the answer.
“He has returned from India, yes.” There was hesitation in the man’s voice.
“What is it, sir? Are we to lose our home?”
“Sir Reginald has returned with his family and wishes to take up residence here. Unfortunately, he has four young children of his own and does not wish to be encumbered with five more that are not relations.”
Faith had known it was a likely outcome, yet it was still extremely difficult to hear that their home for the past decade or more was to be taken away. It was never really theirs to begin with, but still.
“Where are we to go, sir? Is there any hope that I might receive my portion a little sooner than my birthdate?”
“That is a question for your guardian. He might be prevailed upon to release the funds.”
Why had Lady Halbury never mentioned a guardian? Faith looked warily at her sisters, who were equally dismayed. “Is Sir Reginald not our new guardian?”
“Indeed, no. I have contacted the gentleman on your behalf, but have received no response. The best I could convince Sir Reginald to do was to provide you with enough to see you on your way. A hundred pounds will hopefully see you comfortably to your guardian and then he may advise you from there.” He slipped a piece of paper from the folio along with an envelope and handed it to Faith, who took them distractedly.
“How long do we have?” Hope asked.
“Sir Reginald will be here in a sennight and would like you to be gone by then.”
“We are simply to arrive on our guardian’s doorstep without any communication with him?” Faith was in shock.
“I am not certain how to advise you, Miss Whitford. I have done all I can.”
“I cannot like haring off to London without any expectation of being received.” It was not to be borne!
“A legal guardian can hardly refuse his wards. Perhaps you and Miss Hope could go and leave the others with someone in the village until matters are settled. It would certainly be easier for two of you to travel than five.”
The man stood and made his way to the door, clearly ready to wash his hands of them. “Good day, Misses Whitford.”
Faith watched him leave feeling oddly detached. It was hard to feel angry with Sir Reginald when he was only claiming his rights, but Faith could not help it. At least there was enough money to see them to London. But none of them had ever been to London, and she held no delusions that it would be a simple task to set up house there. She did not even want to set up house there. She knew her sisters would love to have a Season, but she also knew enough that they would have little success without funds or a sponsor. Her 5000 pounds would not last long in such an endeavour, let alone provide for her own future.
Her sisters were watching her, waiting for her reaction.
“Perhaps Hope and I should go and try to speak with our guardian before taking everyone to the city. It is not so far, and we would be back before the week is over. I am certain Vicar and Mrs. Carson would allow you to stay for a few days.”
Grace and Patience were best friends with their eldest daughter, Louisa, and their younger daughter, Mary, was between Grace and Joy.
“Would you mind terribly?” She looked to her sisters. They had always made decisions together, even though she was more like a mother to them.
“If we may stay with the Carsons, that would be well enough,” Joy said. She was the one that did not like Faith to be out of her sight.
Faith blew out a breath of resolution. “Very well. I will arrange it and plan on leaving first thing in the morning.”
She gathered her sisters around her, and they all came together for a hug.
“I don’t want everything to change,” Grace said.
“Supposing our guardian is an ogre?” Joy asked.
“Supposing he’s nice?” Patience countered.
“Supposing he won’t let us have a Season?” Hope worried.
