Page 84 of Leap of Faith
“You are saying I should bully her?”
“You have never been stupid, Dominic. Of course that is what I am saying!”
“I suppose it is worth a try.”
“Take your feelings for her and use them to the good.”
“My feelings?” Was he so obvious? Thankfully, she did not push him further on what he was not yet prepared to discuss.
“You must help her through this ordeal. She is not accustomed to leaning on anyone, you know. Lady Halbury may have taken them in, but had very little maternal instinct, if I know anything from our Season together. Not but what it was good of her to give them a home. What Faith needs now is someone to lean on. Someone masterful who knows what she needs for herself when she is too distraught to see or even know what she needs.”
Could his grandmother be right?
“Go to her. I’ve already directed the bed to be made ready for her. All you have to do is convince her to lie upon it. And send that footman in on your way out.” She waved her hand before he could protest.
Dominic walked slowly up the stairs and down the hall to Joy’s chamber, pausing in contemplation before the door. He tapped lightly and opened the door when there was no answer.
Faith was sitting next to the bed, staring at Joy, looking like a ghost of herself. She had not even noticed him enter.
He walked quietly towards her and put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to start.
“I did not see you there,” she said apologetically.
“It is no wonder. You are worn to the bone. Please let me sit with her for a while so you may sleep.”
She bit her lip and shook her head. “I cannot leave her. What if she wakes and I am not here? Or worse, what if she…” A tear rolled down her cheek. Dominic reached up to wipe it away.
“You will not be leaving her. Come and see.”
Reluctantly, she stood and took the hand he held out to her. He walked her to a door across the room and opened it. “You will only be as far as this. The moment she stirs I will wake you.”
He saw her look with longing at the bed inside the dressing room.
“You must let me help you, Faith. You will do Joy no good if you are exhausted.”
“I know it, but it is impossible to make myself leave her.”
“You will not be leaving her. I would have had them put the bed inside the room for you, but I think this is a better solution. Then I may watch over her while you sleep.”
Faith nodded acquiescence, and Dominic felt guilty. He should have thought of this sooner. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but she was already halfway to the bed.
“Shall I send a maid to you?”
“No, thank you. I can do for myself.”
“Very well. I will let you know if she stirs.”
Faith nodded, and Dominic wondered if she would remember to remove her shoes before she fell asleep.
Dominic closed the door behind him and went to begin his vigil over the patient.
“Well, imp. You are saddled with me, I am afraid. I recommend you sleep because I have no intention of waking your sister.”
He decided to ring for some coffee and a book.
CHAPTER20
Faith awoke and could not recall where she was or what day it was. She stretched and blinked and looked around, but she recognized nothing about her. Daylight was coming in through the small window of what appeared to be a dressing room. She sat straight up in the bed as she immediately remembered what had happened.
