Free Lady Faith Takes a Leap by Maggi Andersen Page A

were stuck in a tree some years ago. The second, well, it wouldn’t be fair to go into that one. And now this. What would you have done without my help?”
    “I would have managed.”
    He eyed the sky through the window with a smirk. “It wouldn’t do to still be in the rose garden. It’s about to rain.”
    She raised her chin, and her temptingly curved mouth quivered. “I believe you are teasing me.”
    Vaughn blinked and hastily bowed. “I must leave you, I’m afraid. My business.”

 
     
Chapter Eight
     
    As the spring was in the very center of Tunbridge Wells, the carriage ride took little more than half an hour. Lady Brandreth had invited Faith to ride with her, as her mother, suffering a slight chill, had declined the invitation. Faith settled on the velvet squabs in the luxurious barouche drawn by matching greys, a little intimidated by the dowager, who was known to be a woman who spoke her mind.
    They had barely left Brandreth Park when Lady Brandreth crossed her gloved hands in her lap and settled her vivid green gaze on Faith. “I expected you to be married by now, or at least engaged, after your come out. You attracted many suitors.”
    “I met no one I wished to marry,” Faith said.
    The Dowager gave an approving nod. “I heard you sent Lord Fitzgibbon packing. A wise decision. His mother would have made your life a misery, as she does her son. I was surprised you went against your father’s wishes, however.”
    Faith lifted her chin. Vaughn’s comment that she lacked fortitude still rankled. “I am not a namby-pamby miss, Lady Brandreth.”
    The dowager chuckled. “Neither you are. You have a good deal of spirit, my girl, and don’t forget it.” She did not elaborate, however, and as the carriage drew up at Tunbridge Wells, Faith was left to wonder why Lady Brandreth took a sudden interest in her. 
    They joined the rest of the small party outside the spring, where a servant waited to offer them the waters. Lady Montrose’s daughter, Rosamond, had come with her and her ladyship’s brother, Lord Whitworth.
    “Isn’t Lord Vaughn coming today?” Rosamond searched the busy colonnade.
    “I don’t believe so. He mentioned a business matter.”
    “Business? Gentlemen have little to do with business. Mother will see that as a rebuff. She won’t be pleased.” Rosamond frowned. “Mother believes gentlemen to be shamefully unreliable.”
    Perhaps Lady Montrose wanted Vaughn to marry Rosamond. Perhaps he would. Dismayed by the sad throb in her chest, Faith plastered on a smile as she was introduced to Lord Whitworth. A widower, the tall, grey-haired gentleman had deep grooves radiating from the corners of his hazel eyes as if he smiled a lot. He promptly took the two older ladies by their arms and steered them over to the table covered by a white cloth, where the servant called a Dipper awaited them.
    Rosamond hung back. “You saw Lord Vaughn today?”
    “Yes, at Brandreth Park this morning.” Faith bit her lip, recalling the unfortunate episode with Freddie. Had Vaughn been laughing at her?
    “I believe you are neighbors.” Rosamond and Faith followed slowly after the others. Rosamond sighed. “I do wish he’d come. He’s always tremendously good company and so very handsome, don’t you think?”
    “Yes, he has a good sense—”
    “Mother wants me to marry him,” Rosamond confessed. “But it’s more about her needs than mine.”
    “Why?”
    “She just wants to be connected to the Brandreth family; even Vaughn’s reputation doesn’t deter her.”
    “How do you feel—?”
    “I shan’t take the waters,” Rosamond said, cutting Faith off midsentence. “I’m sure it has a hideous taste! It is reputed to cure all sorts of ills. I don’t suffer from moist brain, or other dreadful complaints.” The corners of her mouth turned down with a disgusted mew. “I find this all a dreadful waste of time, don’t you?”
    “I’ve never actually—”
    “Are you and your parents