Page 95 of Leap of Faith
Would rowing on the lake be enough to tempt her? His memories of doing that on their first visit to Taywards, which now seemed an eon ago, were some of his fondest with her, but would she feel the same? The bridge was where he’d like to speak with her, but he was uncertain if she would even accept his invitation.
He found the sisters in the drawing room with his grandmother, mother, and aunts.
They were laughing at something the dowager had said.
“There you are, Dominic. Dr. Harvey has just left us and now we are at a stand.”
“What did the good doctor have to say?”
“He has removed my sutures!” Joy said, apparently relishing this gruesome occurrence.
Her other sisters made faces of disgust. His grandmother laughed, then explained. “He is very pleased with her recovery, but he thinks she should remain in the country for a while, and Faith does not wish to leave her. Do you not think Miss Whitford should return to Town and finish the remainder of the Season?” His grandmother’s keen eyes watched him for his response.
Actually, Dominic did not want Faith to return to London, but it was not his place to say so.
“Am I to have any say?” Joy interjected. “I do not see why it matters if I am in the country or in Town. There is a garden I may sit in there. I cannot ride in either place. There are only a few weeks left of the Season, after which we may return here.”
“But Joy, the air is so much fresher and cleaner here,” Grace explained.
“It was not my lungs that were injured,” she argued.
Dominic felt his lips twitch with amusement.
“Besides, our friends are there, and I do not want to be the reason Faith misses anything more. She has already suffered enough because of me.”
“Joy,” Faith said with a mixture of chastisement and affection.
“There is certainly no harm in trying it if you do not think the journey to be harmful. You can certainly return here should you find the London air is not agreeable to you. We will send you in our best carriage to minimize your being jostled,” his mother suggested.
“If we surrounded you with pillows and blankets, I suppose we…” Faith said hesitantly.
“Excellent!” Joy needed no further encouragement.
“Perhaps we should spend just a few more days here,” Grace suggested. “Much though I have loved the Season, a little respite is very welcome.”
“How about if we were to leave on Monday? Will that do?” Dominic asked.
“That will do nicely, thank you,” she replied.
“Miss Whitford, I wonder if I might interest you in another turn about the lake?” he asked quietly, where he hoped only she would hear. Fortune failed him.
“‘A stitch in time may save nine,’ eh, Westwood?” his grandmother shouted with glee.
“In the future, I will remember that you only pretend to be hard of hearing,” he murmured wryly. Turning, he noticed Faith had gone rather pale. He held out his hand to her. “Come. I think it best if we speak without an audience.”
Hesitantly, she put her hand on the arm he held out for her.
“What is happening?” Joy asked as they began to walk out of the door.
“Hopefully, my dear, my grandson is about to stop kicking his proverbial heels and offer for your sister!”
Dominic bit his lips on an acid retort and refrained from speaking until he and Faith had reached the front steps.
“Forgive her. She has decided you are the proper viscountess for me. It just so happens that I feel the same, but I would not have you be uncomfortable.”
“I beg your pardon?” She looked astonished.
“Come, let us stroll down to the lake, where we may speak further and without interruption.”
