Page 55 of Leap of Faith
“I have not been to Astley’s before,” Carew admitted. “I would not mind seeing what it is all about.”
Rotham looked up to the ceiling. “If you told me I’d be spending my Season doing this, I would have said you were mad.”
“I, for one, am happy to be of service. Those girls are orphans, and have no one else to look out for them!” Montford announced.
“Yes, yes, Sir Galahad. None of us intend to abandon our virtues,” Carew drawled.
When Dominic had finished the note, he folded it and handed it to Ashley.
“I must be going if I am to arrange for a friend to help. Do we meet at Astley’s tomorrow or at Westwood House?”
“I think Astley’s will suffice. I will see that they arrive safely,” Dominic answered. “See if you can discover what else Sir Julian may have planned. Perhaps people’s tongues will be looser around you. Not everyone will associate you with us.”
“True enough. I have some gamesters in my regiment, much to my chagrin. If they know anything, you can be sure I will wring it out of them.”
Ashley took his leave and it was near dawn before the rest of them struggled off to their own beds.
CHAPTER13
Secretly, Faith had to admit that she was excited to see Astley’s even though it had been Joy who had prompted the excursion. After days and nights full of balls and routs, and even a Venetian breakfast, she was looking forward to an informal afternoon.
After being one of Joy’s constant companions, Faith missed her and was looking forward to her being included again.
It was quickly apparent that while Mr. Cunningham had agreed to the outing, it was Lord Westwood who had actually arranged everything. Faith knew not what to expect, but as they rode across the Westminster Bridge to the other side of the river, Joy was full of excitement and speculation.
“What kind of tricks do the horses perform?” she asked their guardian, who was driving them while their sisters were being transported in the carriage behind.
“As best as I can recall, the horses dance to music and perform tricks.”
“You don’t say!” Joy exclaimed.
“Not all of the tricks are performed by the horses, mind you,” he warned. “There are some acrobats involved in part of the act.”
“That is to be expected, I suppose,” Joy replied, though she looked a bit disappointed.
“I have only been to the Amphitheatre once, though I did see a drama called The Blood-Red Knight, but it was quite different from the performance we will see today.”
They arrived and made their way through the mêlée to a box which had been reserved for them. The audience was quite a mixture of people from all walks of life—much more akin to that attending a village fair in the country.
At their box, they were greeted by Lord Rotham, Mr. Cunningham, Lord Montford, Major Stuart, and another soldier who was introduced to them as Captain Fielding. He was another well-formed, distinguished-looking gentleman with full blond whiskers and piercing blue eyes. Faith had a little doubt that Patience was in raptures of ecstasy at having not one, but two soldiers present.
Lord Carew smiled at her and led her to the seat beside him. It was difficult not to like the suave Irishman, but she was suspicious of anyone handsome with a devilish twinkle in his eyes. Nevertheless, it was flattering to receive his attentions, although she suspected Grace would prefer to have them all to herself. Joy was on her other side with Mr. Cunningham and once the act began, Faith was caught up in the performance every bit as much as Joy.
When the first performer rode out bareback, that was nothing to impress notable horsewomen such as themselves. However, when he tossed a handkerchief in the air then rode around and fetched it from the ground at a canter, that made the crowd gasp then roar with applause. This was soon followed by riding two horses at once while playing some sort of piped instrument and doing headstands on the horse’s back!
When there was a brief intermission, Faith finally looked around only to find Carew’s eyes watching her, full of amusement.
Faith felt warm and uncomfortable at the depth of his stare. “Are you enjoying yourself, Lord Carew?”
“Surprisingly, I am,” he said in a deep voice, eyes hooded.
Faith was unused to being flirted with, but there was no mistaking his tone.
“Do you ever return to Ireland?” she asked, hopelessly trying to change the subject.
His smile would have melted a block of ice. “Aye, I breed horses, and I prefer to oversee most of it myself. You seem to appreciate good cattle. I’d be obliged to take you there sometime.”
“I’ve heard Ireland is very beautiful,” she said weakly to his bold invitation.
