Page 50 of Leap of Faith
“Even if it did not potentially involve all of us, of course we would help. Besides, I rather like the Whitford ladies,” Montford added.
“Pluck to the backbone!” Freddy agreed.
“Who shall take whom? Freddy, you already have a rapport with Joy, though I should not think her a likely target.”
“I have a good rapport with Miss Hope,” Rotham offered.
“As does my brother appear to have with Miss Patience. He had military duties this evening, but will be glad to help. I think it would be less obvious were I to guard Miss Whitford, and she is most likely to offer opposition to being shadowed. That leaves Grace.”
“I will take Grace,” Carew offered. “Though she seems the shy one and like to recoil from me,” he added with a wicked grin.
“Grace will not be one to venture out on her own and pose much risk.”
The plan agreed upon, they moved on to debating which horse was favoured for the upcoming races at Newmarket, where three of them had horses running.
CHAPTER12
Meanwhile, the Whitford ladies were oblivious to the undercurrents surrounding their being in London. They thought it perfectly natural that their new gentlemen friends were always around to escort them wherever they went, not knowing what a dubious honour was being bestowed upon them.
Neither did they realize what a miracle had occurred when five of London’s most eligible bachelors escorted them to Almack’s, causing shock and palpitations in the hearts of the hardened matrons, and false hope in less fortunate but hopeful mamas.
Moreover, a more singular cause for a remark amongst thetonwas the fact that the bachelors each took turns dancing with the five Whitford ladies present.
However, Faith was beginning to suspect something was wrong when Sir Julian approached and asked her to dance the waltz. Why did he persist? Yet, she still had a nagging curiosity to know what he was about.
“I have not been granted permission yet, Sir Julian.” Neither had she been granted permission from Westwood, but there was no point in bringing that up again. However, within seconds, his lordship was at her side and guiding her to the other side of the room. It was as if he were watching and waiting to do anything to prevent their further acquaintance.
Before she could question him further, he stopped before Lady Jersey.
“Good evening, Miss Whitford, Westwood. I suppose you’ve come for permission?”
“Do you object?” Westwood asked.
“Not at all. In fact, I am inclined to grant permission to all of your wards for accomplishing what no one else this past decade has been able to do.”
Faith looked up at Lord Westwood, who was wearing an amused smirk.
“Perhaps the five of us will even darken your doors again.”
“Oh, I live to see the day! Go, with my blessing. And if you send your other wards my way, they may be granted permission as well.”
Faith curtsied and Westwood made her a bow.
“I do not think it will hurt your sisters at all to sit this one out. Perhaps for the next waltz I will tell them.”
Faith was still contemplating how to upbraid him for his high-handedness, yet when his hand touched her waist, all rational thought ceased to function. Even though she had practiced with him, this felt different with others watching.
Part of her wished he would keep his distance, as she had thought he was going to before that day in the park with Sir Julian. Something about Lord Westwood disturbed her equilibrium and made her wish for things that could never be. The other part of her wanted to follow those thoughts and dreams to their conclusion, but she knew it to be impossible. She was not even certain she liked him.Later, she told herself.Do not think, just feel. Just enjoy being in his arms.
Why couldn’t anyone else make her feel this way? Many handsome gentlemen had asked her to dance, yet she had felt nothing. Had she never danced with Lord Westwood, would she have realized? Still, he was not for her. She was determined not to settle for less, even if she ever became free to marry.
“Penny for your thoughts, or are you minding your steps and you wish me to hush?” he asked with the mischievous glimmer she knew meant he was teasing.
She dared to look up with a smile. “Actually, I was lost in thought.”
“I do not know if that is a compliment or not,” he reflected.
“A compliment, certainly. You taught me the steps.”
