Faith had spent hours getting ready to attend Nick’s ball. She’d made poor Jane fix her hair twice when a curl worked itself loose. She’d never been more nervous about seeing him. Not even when she’d lured him to Parvus had she been so meticulous about her appearance. She’d chosen a purple gown that was darker than was strictly appropriate for an unmarried lady. Lavender lace around the low neckline and sleeves gave it a sweeter, more feminine look.
Both the Earl and Countess of Dornbury arrived at West Lane to pick her up. Faith was taken by surprise at the sight of her father, who never attended events. While her parents were affectionate toward each other, it had always been Mother’s job to find a suitable husband for Faith, and Father wanted no part of the process.
Father cringed as Faith descended the stairs. “That gown is not hiding your overly curved person.”
Mother’s lips twitched, but she held in her amusement. “You look very nice, Faith.”
“But, Melody!” Father blanched.
“We are going to the home of her fiancé. I’m sure by now, Faith knows what His Grace likes and doesn’t like about her. If her figure were a problem, she would have chosen a different gown.”
Remaining silent, Faith walked the remaining stairs and accepted her wrap from Tipton. It was strange for her mother to take her side in anything, but she was happy to have one parent’s support.
Her parents followed her to the door. Father asked, “Where are all those friends of yours?”
“Two of those friends are countesses now, Father. You might show some respect.” Faith accepted the footman’s hand up into her family’s carriage.
Father bristled. “Are they all out gallivanting?”
It did no good to correct him, so Faith held in a torrent of rage to protect her friends. “They already left for the same ball we are attending, Father. Do try to act like a gentleman when you see them. The Earl of Marsden becomes quite protective if anyone insults his wife or sister. Besides, you and Mother have always liked the Countess of Radcliff.”
He narrowed his gaze, but said nothing.
Seeming not to notice the tension, Mother smiled. “Do you think His Grace will announce a wedding date, Faith? Is that why he’s holding a ball? I understand he brought his sister, the Countess of Dunworth, to London to act as hostess. I’ve never met her, but she is said to be quite fashionable. I also heard that she never comes to London, so this is a real treat if we catch a glimpse of her.”
“Mother, you really should avoid all the gossip. I’m sure the countess is busy with other things and perhaps doesn’t care for a season in town.” Faith had no idea, but she didn’t like her mother gossiping about Nick’s sister.
As they approached the Ellsworth townhouse, the carriage slowed to a stop. There was a crush of carriages trying to get close to the house, but none were making progress.
“Damned inconvenient that we must walk from here where all the horses have been.” Father slammed his hand against the carriage window but sat forward, ready to exit.
A whistle sounded and the carriage jerked forward.
Mother leaned out the window. It was not at all ladylike. “We are being waved through, Filmore. It seems His Grace had footmen waiting to spot our carriage and now they are directing the other vehicles aside so that we can drive through.” She sat back on her seat next to Father and grinned happily. “How thoughtful.”
Even Father appeared impressed that anyone would make such an effort for Faith. Perhaps she had moved up slightly on his assessment ladder.
Faith shook off the notions. She was sure to disappoint her father at some point in the near future and would be knocked down again. There was no point looking for his approval when he did not wish to give it. She had managed for one-and-twenty years without a loving father to dote on her; she could survive the rest of her life thus.
Several large men stood like sentinels in front of the house. She studied them, and while they were dressed like gentlemen, they stood like soldiers watching the street.
When the carriage reached the front of the grand stairs leading up to the Ellsworth townhouse, a footman in dove-gray and white livery opened the carriage door. “My lord and lady, Lady Faith, you are welcome. I have been instructed to take you past the line and directly to His Grace. Would you please follow me?”
Father practically leapt from the conveyance, leaving Mother to be helped by the footman. There was nothing Father liked better than to be shown preference in public.
Once Mother was safely on the ground, Faith stepped out of the carriage. “Thank you,” she told the footman.
“My lady Faith, it is my pleasure. I am Will, and if you need anything at all, you have only to ask. Everyone in the Duke of Breckenridge’s employ is at your service.” Will’s brown eyes sparked with honesty and admiration.
Faith couldn’t imagine why the servant should admire her, since she’d done nothing to earn such regard from Nick’s staff. “That is very kind. Has the duke put guards around the house?” She pointed to the men she’d noticed from the carriage.
Will smiled. “It’s just a precaution to keep out the riffraff, my lady.”
“I see.” It was likely more than that, but Faith let it go.
As promised, Will led her and her parents up the steps, past the crowd of people waiting to enter. Inside, the foyer loomed magnificent. A ceiling that soared for thirty feet was adorned with the largest chandelier Faith had ever seen. Its crystals shined in all the colors of the rainbow as the fully lighted jewel gave the foyer the feel of royalty. Black and white checkered marble was beneath her feet, and a curved staircase led up to a grand landing where it was likely the family had their bedrooms.
Faith had never seen such a grand home. Running and hiding was not out of the question. She was not grand enough to be mistress of so much opulence. She would never fit here.
Then she spotted Nick at the bottom of the stairs. His stunning blue eyes locked on hers and he didn’t seem to hear whatever the short man next to him was saying, or didn’t care. His attention was fully focused on her.
A stretch of silence fell over the din of the crowd as they searched for whatever had captured the Duke’s attention so fully. Every head swiveled toward Faith.
Her skin prickled from the unwanted attention, but she stayed focused on Nick and moved through the throng, all the while her heart pounding in her ears.
When she reached him, she made a low curtsy. “Your Grace.”
He bowed but kept his gaze fixed on hers. “Lady Faith.”
Time stood still for a full three seconds.
Father cleared his throat.
Recovering propriety, Nick rose and shook Father’s hand. “My lord, it’s good to see you again. Lady Dornbury, you look lovely this evening. Thank you both for accompanying my fiancée to the ball. I’m delighted to have you all here. May I introduce my sister, Elana Trent, Countess of Dunworth?”
The woman to Nick’s right was as tall as Mercy, her head reaching past Nick’s shoulder. Her dark hair and bright blue eyes were exactly like her brother’s, and she was elegant in a way that cannot be taught, but must come naturally. She made the slightest curtsy to Faith’s parents. “A pleasure to meet you.”
Elana turned her attention to Faith. She narrowed her eyes and cocked her head. “I have long wished to make your acquaintance, Lady Faith. I must apologize for not coming to London sooner and meeting you in a more private setting. Would you do me the honor of coming to tea tomorrow so we might better know each other?”
“I would be delighted, Lady Dunworth. Thank you.” Faith made a low curtsy.
Looking her over for longer than was comfortable, Elana finally smiled. She took Faith’s arm and turned her toward the ballroom without so much as a word to her brother or all the people waiting to get a look at her. “My brother speaks of little else but you, Lady Faith.”
When they were out of view of the foyer, she stopped. “I thought you might like to get away from the attention of all those people and your parents. Nick will have to stay and greet people a while longer, but I’m sure he will come and find you as soon as propriety allows.”
Faith tried to clear her head. Nick’s sister had just left the receiving line to get Faith away from an uncomfortable situation. Elana didn’t even know her, but she knew being the center of so much attention was abhorrent. “Thank you, Lady Dunworth. That was very thoughtful.”
“I suppose your father will like to stand with Nick for a while.” Elana’s smile was warm and knowing.
“You have excellent intuition.” Faith was astonished by how easily a stranger had read the situation.
With a nod, she shrugged. “I see things about people that would perhaps take others longer to see.”
“That must come in handy in London society, with all its intrigue.” Faith wished for such a gift.
“I try to avoid London for just that reason. Too much intrigue sets my nerves on edge.” She glanced over Faith’s shoulder and raised a brow. “Friends of yours?”
Faith turned in the direction of Elana’s gaze. Poppy, Aurora, and Mercy were wending their way through the crowd toward her. “Yes.”
The Wallflowers arrived, bursting with what they wanted to say. Faith could see it in all their eyes. They all turned to Elana and remained silent.
Faith made the introductions.
“It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I have to return to the foyer and help my brother with the greeting of guests. I’m sure we will have occasion to speak later.” Elana smiled and left them.
“Hera’s eyes. His sister is so elegant,” Poppy said.
“And quite nice,” Mercy added.
Aurora nodded. “It’s hard to say from so short a visit, but she did seem friendly.”
Trying not to commit to any degree of like or dislike until she knew Elana better, Faith said, “She was kind upon meeting me and has invited me to take tea with her tomorrow.”
Rhys sauntered over and joined them. “Is this a ladies-only Wallflower meeting, or may I ask my wife for the first dance?”
The musicians tuned their instruments as they readied to play the minuet.
Faith’s parents entered the ballroom with Nick as if they owned the place rather than as guests.
Embarrassed, Faith plastered a polite smile on her face and turned toward them.
Nick’s sympathetic smile warmed her. “Lady Faith, would you honor me by starting the ball with me?”
Heart pounding and insides aquiver, she took his arm. “I would be delighted.”
As soon as they had moved away from the others, Nick said, “You look stunning tonight, Faith.”
Her cheeks warmed. “Thank you. My father found the dress too revealing.”
“Is it?” He gave her a full look. The gown was slightly low cut, but otherwise revealed nothing of Faith’s flesh, though it did hug her curves.
The long look made her blush deeper. “I think it was my figure being revealed that troubled Father.”
“I quite like your figure, Faith. Perhaps you should begin ignoring these hurtful comments from your parents. While I’m sure they mean well, ultimately they do you a disservice.” He smiled as he took his place for the dance.
It warmed Faith’s heart to have him take her part despite his polite regard for her mother and father.
During the dance they didn’t speak, but with each pass and touch of his hand Faith remembered the secrets he had shared with her. Despite the horrors of their time at Parvus, Faith loved that he had stopped keeping things from her and shared parts of himself that she doubted even his sister knew.
Geb grinned from the crowd watching the dancing, and Faith returned his smile.
When the dance took her away from Nick, she still felt his gaze following her to her next partner. As the final chords brought them together, his smile was private. “Will you walk with me in the garden, Faith?”
She glanced around the ballroom and found her parents watching from the side, where they stood with Mercy’s aunt and Aurora’s mother. “I will meet you there in a few minutes. If I retreat now, there will be too many questions.”
Nick bowed over her hand, his lips touched her skin and the kiss vibrated through her to a place impolite to think about during a crowded ball. “I will wait for you.”
As soon as Nick escorted her back to her parents, he excused himself.
Mother pulled her close. “What did he say?”
“There is little time to speak during the minuet, Mother.” Faith would try not to lie, but her mother rarely told her the entire truth, so she felt little guilt in a few fibs if need be.
“I saw him speak at the end. What did he say, Faith?” Her mother’s eyes flashed with anger as she sensed Faith’s reluctance to share anything.
“Only that he would speak to me later in the evening. Must you make drama out of everything, Mother?” It was not entirely a lie, nor was it the truth. Rather pleased with her response, she put on her best blank stare and waited for whatever Mother might throw at her.
Father gripped her other arm. “You had better see to it that a date is set for your wedding, Faith. This absurd length of your engagement is beginning to grate on me in a very unpleasant way. I approved your moving in with those friends of yours because I assumed you’d be married within a few months. If I do not have a firm date by the end of this night, you will be moved back home before the end of the week.”
Where he gripped her, pain lanced through her arm. “Why don’t you tell him that, Father?”
“Do not test my patience, girl.” There was no mistaking that his last word was the worst thing she could be.
She tugged free and faced him. “I will do what I can, Father. You and Mother arranged this marriage, not me. Perhaps you should have stipulated a time frame.”
Spinning away, she didn’t wait for her father’s response. She stormed out of the ballroom, down a hallway, and then down several others until she was thoroughly lost within the townhouse.
Frustrated, she entered a door and found herself in the prettiest room she’d ever seen. Cream walls with arched trim and French doors as tall as the ceiling. They led out to a patio surrounded by trees and lit by torches.
Inside, the three standing candelabras glinted off golden accents on walls and even the thread of the tapestry over the fireplace. Curtains the color of the new leaves in spring hung lushly from the top of the walls and matched a thick rug. Cream and gold chairs made a quartet around a low table in the center of the room, while a lady’s desk sat in the corner by a window.
At the sound of the closing door, Faith spun around. Nick stood just inside. “Do you like it?”
“Who could find fault in this room? It is lovely beyond measure. What do you use it for?”
He stepped closer. “It is not in use. My mother used to use it as her study and to entertain her lady friends. I keep it as she left it, in hopes that one day you might like to use it in a similar fashion.”
Faith swallowed down the emotion knotted in her throat. “You have been keeping this room much longer than you and I have been engaged, and for much of that time, you hoped I would call it off.”
Smiling, he took another step in her direction. “Then let’s say, I kept it with the idea of you.”
“It is truly lovely. Your mother had a great eye for what would make a person feel comfortable even in an ornate setting.” Faith turned toward the fireplace and admired the tapestry depicting animals surrounding a woman sitting in tall grass.
His arms encircled her. “It is meant to be the goddess Diana.”
“I thought she was a huntress. Why are the animals so comfortable in her presence?” Faith loved the way he was strong and gentle at the same time.
Kissing her ear, he said, “A good huntress only takes what she needs to survive. Those animals know she is sated and only wishes for their company.”
She sighed. “In my experience, people take what they want regardless of their state of satisfaction.”
“Not all people. You have your friends,” he said.
“That is true. There are some who want only what you are willing to give and take only what they need. People who don’t judge.” She sighed and leaned against him.
“What did your father say that made him look as if he might strike you?” Nick’s tone turned dangerous.
Faith spun in his arms. “You saw that?”
“What did he say?”
The notion of another fib crossed her mind, but lying to Nick felt wrong after all they’d been through. “He wants me to force you to set a date for our wedding or he’s threatened to force me to move back to his house.”
Nick stepped back, releasing her. He turned and uttered a curse under his breath. “He hurt you?”
Not wanting to whine over a bruised arm after the kind of pain Nick had endured, Faith shrugged. “It was nothing.”
“I don’t want you under his roof. I know he’s your father, but he also has many debts he’s run up since our engagement and his fear that he might not get the funds promised might push him to do something foolish.” Nick spoke flatly, but turned to meet her gaze.
“He has?” Faith had no idea Father had been overspending in the past year.
Nodding, Nick said, “He bought into a shipping business and two coal mines. He will not be able to pay his debtors, should we not marry.”
“He didn’t tell me that. Why would he keep that a secret, if he wants me to go forward with the wedding?” Bewildered, Faith struggled to see the logic.
Nick shrugged. “Perhaps your mother doesn’t know. Perhaps he holds it as a last card to play with you. I don’t know. I only know what I’ve told you, sweetheart.”
“How did you come by this information?” She stared at him, trying to decide if he’d done something inappropriate where her father was concerned.
A slow smile played across his full lips. “I wish I could tell you I came by the information in some innocent way, but I’ve had your father investigated since your mother first contacted me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m a spy, Faith. I have a difficult time trusting people, and your parents were too eager to rid themselves of a lovely and intelligent daughter. I wanted to know what I was getting into.” He raised both brows and waited for whatever her reaction might be.
She couldn’t fault him for his mistrust. Not only was he correct about her father, his own experience couldn’t help but color his actions. “I see. I must tell you that my father’s debts will not alter my decision. I suppose that is selfish and foolish.”
“And noble and charming and yes, foolish. However, I love that it will not force your hand. I do not want you to marry for reasons that are not your own.” Nick offered his arm. “Will you walk with me in the garden?”