Page 67 of Leap of Faith
“He asked me which sister I was, because Sir Julian was trying to find Miss Whitford in order to win his wager.”
“When I said he had already found her, he said. ‘Hell and…’”
“Yes, yes, he cursed,” Faith supplied. “What else did he say?”
“He said he’d be obliged if we kept you from Sir Julian because he had a great deal placed against him.”
“Then I said how I didn’t approve of wagering about my sister.”
“‘Well, everybody does it,’ he snapped back at me, and then he said he wished he could see my face to see if I was as pretty close to as everyone said.”
Dominic noticed Miss Faith tapping her foot with impatience as she waited for her sister to tell the story.
“Since he was being so forthcoming, I decided to question him a bit more.”
Faith and Dominic glanced at each other hopefully.
“I asked if it was true that Sir Julian was trying to ruin Faith, and he asked how I knew such a thing.”
“That confirms what my brother heard. At least there do not seem to be any additional riders on the bet.”
“If only we knew how much longer this is to go on!” Faith exclaimed in frustration.
“Oh, he did mention there was only a fortnight to go, so he expected Sir Julian to try anything.”
“Thank you, Hope. Can you think of anything else he might have said that would help? Anything at all?” Dominic prodded.
“No. I believe that was everything.”
Dominic turned towards Faith. “Perhaps if there are only two more weeks, it would be better to spend them in the country, where it would be very difficult for Sir Julian to do you any mischief.”
“Do not make us leave before Vauxhall!” Hope cried.
Dominic sighed. That was about the least safe place he could think of to take the sisters. “When is Vauxhall?”
“Tomorrow evening.”
“It would surprise me not at all if he were to do something out of desperation there if he gets wind of your intention to go. Especially since he may feel he has tried being gentlemanly.”
“Is it unsafe for Faith? Perhaps she should not go,” Hope said, and thought better of it. “That’s hardly fair, is it? I am sorry, Faith.”
“I think it best if we make an early departure. This is hardly a safe place for discussion. We will escort you to Westwood House. Stay together while I inform my mother to have my brother escort her home.”
Soon the sisters were returning to Westwood House. It was hardly inconspicuous for all the sisters to leave at once, but it could not be helped. Knowing how short of time remained made Sir Julian a lit fuse.
“We did not even get to see the unmasking,” Grace complained.
“Or dance more than three sets,” Patience commiserated.
“Sir Julian found Faith tonight. He was in the disguise our guardian was wearing. You can understand that she is not comfortable remaining when she is unable to discern who is who,” Hope explained.
“Of course. Forgive me, Faith,” Grace said.
“Believe me, I want this over with as much as the rest of you. I hate being forced from London and yes, I did say that.” She cast a knowing glance at their guardian.
“If we leave, it will only be temporary, ladies. You seemed to enjoy yourself at Taywards. I had thought to send at least Faith there to keep her safe.”
Once back at Westwood House, the sisters climbed the stairs towards their chambers, but Dominic stopped Faith. “May I have a moment?”
