Page 39 of Leap of Faith
Her sisters turned their horses about and lined up next to her, whether consciously or not.
A handsome gentleman in a uniform approached with Lord Westwood. “Ladies, against my better judgement, may I introduce my scamp of a brother, Major Ashley Stuart?”
Major Stuart took off his hat and bowed from the waist. “The pleasure is mine. I had heard the rumours, but they do not do you justice!”
“This is Miss Faith Whitford and her sisters, Miss Hope, Miss Patience, Miss Grace, and Miss Joy Whitford.”
Faith watched with pride as her sisters inclined their heads and smiled.
“When Mother said you’d inherited five wards and were bringing them out, I’ll admit I had a good laugh, Dom, but this beats all!”
Where Lord Westwood was inclined to appear bored and cynical, his brother was all friendliness and amiability. Faith liked him immediately. Where Lord Westwood’s hair was golden, Major Stuart’s was sandy. He had a dimpled smile and looked very handsome.
Faith could see that if there were five of these brothers, how easily there might be a rebellion amongst the ladies.
“Did the devil get into you, Dom?” Major Stuart teased.
“No more than usual,” he answered with a half-smirk that made Faith feel funny inside.
“I think you’re in for a deal of pother, big brother.”
“Think what you like. No, Joy, you may not jump the seats in the park!”
* * *
Before they even left Hyde Park, therewas a plan in place to ride out to Richmond the next day for a proper gallop, followed by a picnic instead of after the ball.
Dominic should have expected something of the sort, and being conscientious enough not to overtax his secretary when he was currently at Lady Westwood’s beck and call, he sent a groom out to the Star and Garter at Richmond to bespeak a picnic luncheon for the morrow.
He would say one thing for the ladies Whitford, he was not yet bored. One would think five unmarried females might drive a hardened bachelor to distraction, but fortunately, they were not like most Society misses. They were punctual, and they did not simper. Had they been, would he have still brought them to London?
In all likelihood, he would have done, but he would have left them entirely in his mother’s capable hands.
His friends gathered at his stables, and they each led one of the Whitford ladies’ horses to Charles Street. The sisters were already ready and came down the front steps at their arrival.
“I don’t believe it!” his brother exclaimed. “I’ve never known a female not to keep one waiting above half an hour!”
“You have been around the wrong females, then!” Miss Whitford replied.
“Apparently so,” he agreed.
“May we go now?” Joy asked impatiently.
“Why the hurry, imp?” Dominic asked.
“I want to ride, of course,”
“There will be time for that.”
“But there is also Hampton Court Palace and a maze to see!”
“Easy, sprite. We have all the time in the world for the other amusements!” Though he had no intention of gallivanting all over the country for her pleasure. He tweaked her cheek then boosted her into her saddle. It was not long before she left his side and found her way to Freddy. They both seemed to be of the same mind, and considered each other great guns in addition to sharing an affinity for the little cat. Dominic had little doubt the beast was somewhere hidden on Joy’s person, and could only hope there were no misadventures in that quarter.
He spent some time alongside each of his wards, but Grace did not talk much to him. The only one she seemed comfortable with was Montford. Carew was flirting outrageously with Miss Whitford—or attempting to, Dominic noticed with amusement. Miss Whitford was not much of a flirt, thus a greater challenge, which was likely why Carew was doing it. While Patience and his brother were wholly engrossed and Rotham was equally monopolizing Hope, he fell in alongside Grace in attempt to draw her out.
“Are you enjoying London, Grace?”
“Yes, my lord. More so now that we have our own horses, regardless of what Faith may say.”
