Free Lady Faith Takes a Leap by Maggi Andersen Page B

to attend the grand ball here on Saturday evening?”
    Faith nodded, doubting Rosamond required an answer. She had launched into a description of her new gown, which she would wear to the ball, fashioned in the latest style. “I like the waistline lower, do not you? I hope this ball doesn’t prove to be dull. Tunbridge Wells is so frightfully countrified. I’d much rather live in London.”
    “Most of London visits here at one time or another,” Faith ventured. “And the air is much fresher.”
    “You prefer Tunbridge Wells to London? You must be of a quieter nature than I.”
    Faith had begun to feel superfluous in this one-sided conversation. “I don’t believe I—”
    “I wonder if you would help me, Lady Faith.”
    “If I can.”
    “Persuade Lord Vaughn to come to the ball.”
    “He is not likely to do what I tell him,” Faith said.
    “I’m sure he will. Your sister Honor has married into the family. And can you then endeavor to send him to me?”
    “I am not sure—” Faith gave up. Rosamond was confident of her charms and used to getting what she wanted. But she seemed nervous. Was she madly in love with Vaughn? It was hard to tell. She was mercurial by nature and seemed always to be involved in an intrigue. Faith doubted she would take no for an answer. “If I can.”
    “Good.” Rosamond tugged at her sleeve. “Look. My uncle seems taken with the dowager. Perhaps we’ll all be connected to the Brandreths in one way or another.”
    Faith managed a weak smile. “I think I will try the waters.”
    “If only more men had been invited today. Really, what a total waste of a day!”
    “I expected Mr. Sefton to come,” Faith said. “I hope he has not met with an accident.”
    “Oh well, Mr. Sefton’s company will brighten the outing I suppose.” Irritated, Rosamond shrugged her shoulders.
    It was impossible to guess Rosamond’s true wishes. But Faith had to admit that Vaughn’s presence would enliven the afternoon, as would Mr. Sefton’s, she added with a guilty intake of breath.
    “Are you taking the waters, Faith?” The dowager’s cheeks were rosy. Faith wondered if the water had produced it, or the attentions of the elegant Lord Whitworth.
    Faith took the dipper from the servant in the white apron and frilly cap. The reddish-colored water smelt and indeed tasted strongly of minerals. She swallowed the bitter brew and tried not to cough.
    When they’d all partaken, even Rosamond at her mother’s insistence, they planned next to take afternoon tea at the coffee house. Mr. Sefton rushed to meet them.
    “I do apologize for my tardiness, Lady Brandreth, Lady Montrose….” He greeted each with an earnest bow. “An upturned dogcart on the road held up the carriage for a good twenty minutes!” His gaze settled on Faith. “I do hope I’m forgiven.”
    “Of course you’re forgiven,” Lady Brandreth said brusquely. “But please let us go and have our tea. After that spring water, I feel an urgent need of it.”
    The party left the spring and walked along the colonnaded walkway. Faith’s gaze settled on a man walking ahead of them. His fair hair beneath his hat and the way he strolled along, swinging his cane, was familiar. She tensed. It was Mr. Warne! She thought he’d left Tunbridge Wells. Had business brought him back again?
    Mr. Sefton offered her his arm while inquiring how she’d found the waters. She watched Mr. Warne disappear into a shop. “Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Sefton, I was distracted for a moment. I thought I saw someone I knew. The waters were so unpalatable they surely must be good for one.”
    Later, having enjoyed refreshments, the small party returned to their waiting carriages. Lady Rosamond gave Faith a final persuasive reminder of her request while Lord Whitworth took Lady Brandreth’s hand and held it to his lips for rather a long time.
    In the carriage, the dowager’s cheeks were still tinged with pink. The trip home continued in dreamy silence, leaving Faith