Page 6 of Leap of Faith
As she turned back to the water, she heard a resounding slap across the nurse’s face. “Well, that is one way,” she muttered, then quickly discerned the boys had now taken to splashing and playing in the water and the ducks were swimming away.
She lifted her skirts and stepped into the water and plucked the first young offender out and deposited him on the bank.
“Boys!” A voice of authority called from behind just as she took hold of the second offender. They scrambled to attention and out of the water with haste.
Faith turned to see a beautiful lady who looked straight out of a fashion plate fromLa Belle Assemblée. “I left you with Nurse for ten minutes while I spoke to an acquaintance and this is how you behave?”
“Sorry, Mama.”
“I should say so. Look at what you have done to Nurse, and these two young ladies had to come to your assistance. You shall walk home and I will think of a proper punishment by the time you arrive there.”
“Forgive me, my lady,” the nurse said. Having regained her senses, she gathered the other children and began leading the boys away. Faith and Hope remained there, watching the scene. Faith desperately hoped the woman would leave so she might return to the hotel and exchange her soaking boots for some dry ones. Instead, the lady turned a moment later to survey them. Faith tried not to squirm under the scrutiny.
“I must thank you for your assistance. Our other nursemaid fell ill, and I was but a poor substitute.” She flushed an apologetic smile that indicated she knew precisely what had occurred. “I do not believe we have met. Perhaps under the circumstances, we may forgo the formalities. I am Lady Sarah Jersey.”
Faith and Hope bobbed proper curtsies. “I am Faith Whitford and this is my sister, Hope, my lady. We are new to Town.”
“May I ask where you live, so that I may call and thank your mother?”
“Actually, our parents are deceased. We are only visiting whilst waiting to meet our new guardian, so he can tell us where we may live.”
“May I ask who your guardian is?”
Faith, knowing nothing about with whom she spoke, answered quite readily. “Lord Westwood. He is apparently hunting in Leicestershire.”
“Westwood you say?” The lady looked as though she had heard a juicy bit of gossip. Perhaps she had.
“Indeed. We have never met him, but Lady Halbury appointed him our guardian.”
“Lady Halbury…” she appeared to be searching her memory for the name. “I do not believe I have had the pleasure.”
“Oh, no, my lady. She never ventured from Bath,” Hope added.
“And are you staying at Westwood’s home now?”
“No. His secretary sent us to the Pulteney while he sent word to Lord Westwood.”
“Well, I do hope you will call on me so I may thank you properly should you stay in London.”
“Thank you, my lady, but we left our three younger siblings in Bath with the vicar’s family. We will be returning to them as soon as we hear from our guardian.”
“Ah, a pity. I was very much looking forward to the storm.” She smiled and left.
“What did she mean by the storm?” Faith asked with a frown as they began walking back towards the hotel.
“I have no idea. She was very grand but friendly. Oh, look. Is that Mr. Satterlee?” The staid secretary was hurrying towards them.
“I believe it is. I would dearly like to change my boots, but I suppose that will have to wait.” They walked forward to greet him.
“Good morning,” Faith said as he neared. He looked a bit hurried and flustered, though he still bowed when he reached them.
“Have you news from my guardian, Mr. Satterlee?” Hope asked.
“What are you doing in the park? I thought I made it clear you were to stay at the hotel until I received instructions from Lord Westwood.”
Faith bristled at his reproach. “We are country girls, Mr. Satterlee. We did not think we were being imprisoned and might take a little air in the park. Now, what has our guardian had to say?”
“He desires me to find you a house and a chaperone where you may reside until he returns.”
