Page 72 of Leap of Faith
“They look worse than they feel, I assure you. And how do you fare this morning?”
“I suffered little more than a few scratches, my lord. It was certainly an unexpected adventure.”
“Yes, an adventure.” He searched her face with a questioning look, and she was hard-pressed to maintain her composure under the scrutiny, unsure of what it meant and afraid her newfound feelings would be as transparent as glass.
“Will you join me for coffee while we wait for Mr. Cunningham to join us? He wishes to accompany us.”
“Of course.” She sat down, and Lord Westwood signalled to a footman.
“Would you care to read the paper? There is enough to share.”
He pulled out part of the paper and handed it to her. As she sipped her coffee, she read through the Society pages. Lady Halbury would be appalled if she knew her wards not only read gossip but also featured as some of the more prominent fixtures in the column.
She scanned the lines quickly, hoping that no one had caught wind of their involvement in last night’s brawl. A slight giggle escaped her when she thought of it. It was easy to laugh now, but she had felt real fear when in the middle of it.
“What is it?” Lord Westwood asked.
“Oh, I was just thinking about last night. It seems quite fantastical that we were caught up in a fight last night.”
He smiled his understanding. “The evidence is on my face. I am only grateful that nothing serious happened.”
They both went back to reading, then another alarmed cry rose from Faith’s throat.
“No! No, no, no!”
Westwood was instantly at her side. She handed him the page with the offending words as she cast her hand to her mouth to keep from sobbing.
Could it be true?Rumour has it that Miss Whitford eloped with Sir Julian Wright after being caught in a compromising situation at the Knighton masquerade. It is hard for this writer to imagine how they slipped past the guard dogs her guardian put in place around the sisters, seemingly at all times. Yet reliable sources inform me that it is true.
A stringof curses erupted from his lordship’s mouth. Were she not a lady, she might have joined him, for it was precisely how she felt.
“What are we to do?”
Lord Westwood began to pace about the room. She thought she would never like to be on the wrong side of his temper. He looked ferocious, like a lion on the prowl about to decimate his prey.
He called to the footman. “Send for Rotham, Montford, and Carew immediately. Tell the stables not to put to the horses until I say.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Finally, he looked at her and his expression softened when he saw her obvious fear.
“I will admit he has caught me unawares. I had not expected this, but he will pay. I will send a retraction immediately, but I am sure it will take more than that to undo the gossip it will cause.”
“Am I ruined? Has he won?”
Westwood shook his head. “It cannot be that simple or he would have done so sooner. He has no proof.” He banged his fist on the table. “What am I missing?”
“I do not know,” she whispered.
He held out his hand. “Come with me to the study.”
His hand rested on her back to guide her, which was reassuring but also unnerving. She began to tremble inside and was furious that she was letting Sir Julian affect her so. She could not be forced to marry him, so she knew his intention was to ruin her.
Lord Westwood led her to a comfortable leather armchair, then pressed a glass of brandy into her hands.
“Small sips, my dear. It will soothe your nerves.”
She obeyed, but was surprised by the burning sensation which was followed shortly by a relaxing warmth.
