Page 38 of Leap of Faith
“I do not know how you contrived this, but it must have been at great expense to you. We are in your debt yet again, Lord Westwood.”
“You do not wish to become a bore, Miss Whitford. I was hoping you would tell me how delighted you are to see your mount.”
“I would be lying were I to say otherwise. It was with great sorrow that we parted from them, not expecting to see them again.”
“If it sets your mind at ease, Sir Reginald was only too happy to have them off his hands instead of ‘eating their heads off’ in his stables as he put it.”
It did relieve her mind a little to know that, but still the expense of stabling them in London must be great!
“Besides,” he continued as he boosted her up into her saddle, “the picture you present is too great a temptation to resist. Shall we go, ladies? No more than a canter in the park, Miss Joy,” he warned as she was already urging her horse forward.
“None of my sisters will embarrass you in the saddle, my lord,” Faith said, noticing him as he watched them intently.
“I see that.” He nodded with approval.
Once inside the park, the group of them set out at the prescribed canter when they reached the bridle-path.
“Do we really create such a spectacle, my lord?” Faith asked as she noticed several gentlemen stopping to stare.
“Indeed, you do. I imagine most of them are trying to determine if their bachelorhood is worth holding onto at this juncture.”
Faith laughed. “Your absurdity knows no bounds!”
“To be sure,” he agreed complacently.
Faith could only wonder when he would grow bored of them.
“This way!” he called to her sisters and led them over to where his friends were waiting.
“Well met!” Freddy said in cheerful appreciation as they approached.
Rotham whistled. “Five well-matched mounts. However, did you find them, Dom?”
“I cannot take the credit,” he confessed.
“These are our mounts from Halbury Hall,” Faith said. “They are all brothers and sisters from the same sire. Daily rides were our favourite past time during our time of mourning. There was little else to do.”
“I can see we will need to plan some rides out to the country. Perhaps two days from now? After your highly anticipated debut ball?” Lord Westwood suggested.
Faith smiled. “I would like nothing more. The city is closing in around me—although I must admit this helps a great deal. I appreciate what you have done for us.”
“No longer an ogre?”
Before she could defend herself, she saw a group of soldiers ahead on the path. One of them hailed Lord Westwood.
“Forgive me, I believe I see my brother!”
Faith watched as he rode over to meet the group.
“Where did he go?” Hope wheeled her mount back to ask with Rotham by her side.
“He said he thought he saw his brother.”
“Very likely. He is part of the household cavalry, after all,” Rotham explained.
“I did not know he had a brother,” Grace remarked, as they looked towards the group of soldiers.
“They look magnificent!” Patience said breathlessly. “Look, they are coming!”
