Faith woke to an empty bed. Jane arrived to help her wash and dress. Her peach and cream room was oddly quiet and empty compared to the bombardment of thoughts shooting through her mind.
“Are you all right, Jane?” She hugged her maid.
“Just fine, my lady. What about you?”
Other than sore ribs and a scabbed-over nick to her throat, Faith felt fine, if somewhat stiff from the hard ride. “I think all my bits and pieces are in the correct places.”
“It’s a miracle,” Jane said.
She slipped her arms through the sleeves of the day dress. Her stomach growled. “Jane, why is the house so quiet?”
“Everyone went down to break their fasts and didn’t want to wake you after recent events. You’ve been asleep an entire day and night. His Grace said you were exhausted.” Jane quickly worked the ties at the back of the dress.
“I slept an entire day away?” That explained why she was so hungry and stiff.
Jane pulled Faith’s hair into a loose bun and pinned it before going to the window and opening the heavy cream drapes.
Sitting on the chair by her writing desk, Faith pulled on her shoes. “I’m going down. I don’t like all this quiet. It seems wrong for West Lane.”
Tender muscles forced Faith to take the steps more slowly than she would have liked, but she made her way and found all three of her friends, plus Rhys, seated around the breakfast table, chatting. They silenced when she walked in.
Everything was as it should be. The newly decorated breakfast room was bright and cheerful with light pouring in the front window. The rose-colored curtains had their femininity tempered by a dark maroon border that matched the rug. The walls had been changed from floor-to-ceiling wood to wainscoting below and crisp white paper above. Aurora was redecorating her husband’s abominable house one room at a time and turning it into a home where Wallflowers were comfortable. The sideboard was draped in white, as was the table. White china and crystal gleamed.
“Were you talking about me?” Faith asked, happy to see them all hale and hardy.
Aurora stood and hugged her. “Only good things, of course.”
Faith returned the hug. “I never had any doubts.”
With a bow, Tipton cradled his left arm in a white sling. “Would you like me to make you a plate, my lady?”
Faith hadn’t eaten in a long time, but food didn’t appeal. “Just toast and coffee, but only if you can manage it, Tipton.”
“It is my pleasure, my lady.” Tipton slipped into a grin before donning his stoic repose.
Rhys had stood when she entered and sat as soon as she took her place at the table. “You should eat more, Faith. You look quite pale.”
Around a mouthful of food, Poppy said, “She’ll eat when she’s hungry. Don’t bully her.”
“I heard you had to walk a long way to get home,” Mercy said.
“Too far,” Faith agreed. “And you know how I hate walking. But, after the ride bounced me about for miles, I didn’t complain about the walk. I will eat more after I manage the toast. I’m quite famished.”
Tipton put a plate with toast, butter, and jam in front of Faith and then set a steaming cup of coffee beside it.
“I’m just glad you both made it home in one piece.” Aurora cut a link of sausage and put half on Faith’s plate.
It was like old times. In school, Faith was always trying to slim down to please her mother, and her friends were constantly making sure she ate enough. “Thank you all for being so brave yesterday. I hope that part of our lives is now at an end.”
Faith ate the toast and the sausage while her friends observed.
Rhys read the paper. “The only thing about the incident that has been reported is the smoke pouring from this house. It just says a servant left the flue closed and caused no damage, though it sent neighbors off in fear.”
Laughing, Mercy choked on her tea. “I think they must have seen those two guards I scared off, running from the house.”
“Where is Nick?” Faith finally asked.
Lips still twitching, Mercy said, “He went to meet with someone in government and then had an appointment with the archbishop of Canterbury. He said to tell you he would return with news this afternoon.”
“Oh.” Nerves flitted around in Faith’s stomach and she put her coffee down.
Rhys sat forward, a line of concern between his eyes. “Have you changed your mind about Breckenridge, Faith?”
“No.” Her voice was weak.
“Because if you have, we’ll send Rhys down to Doctors’ Commons right now and stop everything.” Like a ferocious mother lion, Aurora’s eyes lighted, ready for action.
It was all so perfect: her friends’ loyalty, Rhys’s rushing forward, Tipton standing ready. Faith wanted to cry with joy. “I want to marry Nick more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I’m just a bit overwhelmed by how normal everything seems this morning.”
They all nodded.
Aurora sighed. “Soon it will be just you and I living here, Mercy.”
Nodding, Mercy sipped her tea. “I think Faith and Poppy will come back from time to time.”
Nerves rattled Faith. “Every Tuesday for tea at the very least.”
“And what about me?” Rhys added. “Does no one care if I return or not?”
Poppy kissed his cheek. “We adore you and you know it. After all, we made you a Wallflower, and have you to tea. What more can you want?”
He laughed. “Not one thing.” He stole a kiss from his wife.
The front door knocker sounded and Tipton rushed from the room.
“Should he be working with his arm injured?” Faith asked Aurora.
Aurora lifted her hands in defeat. “I tried to get him to rest. Luckily it is not broken and only badly banged up, but I still would have liked for him to take a few days off to recover. He wouldn’t have it.”
“His Grace, the Duke of Breckenridge,” Tipton announced from the breakfast room door.
They all turned.
Expecting Nick to be happy, Faith rushed to him when he looked like a man who’d lost his best friend.
Rumple escaped the kitchen and bounded across the breakfast room to leap on him.
Faith reached him at the same time. “What’s happened?”
Kneeling down, Nick scratched Rumple behind the ears.
Benny arrived to take the puppy back below. “Sorry, he got away from me.”
Nick ruffled Benny’s hair. “I’m glad to see he’s doing so well.”
Puffing up like a pigeon, Benny said, “When those men came yesterday, I locked him in the root cellar so as he wouldn’t get kilt.”
“That was wise,” Nick said.
With a wide grin, Benny dragged Rumple out.
Hand shaking, Nick touched Faith’s cheek. “The Archbishop denied my request. We did not get a special license. I’m sorry, once again I’ve failed you, Faith.”
Looking around, Faith found everyone staring. She turned back to Nick. “Nonsense. After all we’ve endured, I’ll not have anyone decide our fate, not even the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
“Oh?” Nick raised his brows. “What do you suggest?”
“That Tipton needs to rest and we shall all go to Gretna Green.” Faith stomped her foot, but immediately regretted the sharp movement as her joints still ached.
Nick had given up on his cane, but still limped as he took her hand and they returned to the table. “My word, and I was told by your friends that the appearance of propriety was important to you, Lady Faith.”
She shrugged and sipped her cooled coffee. “It seems I have changed.”
“Then we had better pack for Scotland. Someone must inform Mr. Arafa. He will wish to join us, I’m certain, and he must know the nuptials will not be taking place at his home.” Aurora placed her napkin on the table. She stood, forcing the men to stand as well. Halfway to the door, she stopped. “Your Grace, may I have a private word?”
Nick’s mouth opened and closed, before he recovered. “Of course, but I hope by now you might call me Nick.”
With a nod, she exited.
Nick followed.
Faith’s heart pounded as she watched them walk out. She looked to Mercy and Poppy.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Poppy said.
“Or something.” Mercy winked.
Faith shook her head. “I suppose he must get used to the Wallflowers at some point.” Still, her small breakfast threatened to reappear.
* * * *
Nick had thought nothing would surprise him after the last few months, but Aurora asking to speak to him alone was completely unexpected. He followed her into the ladies’ parlor. “Is something wrong, Aurora?”
“No. I’m pleased for you and Faith. I can see that you love each other. That is all I’ve ever wanted for my friends.” She paced to the window, stopped, and paced back.
“Can I help you in some way?” Nick had no idea what she wanted, but it was clear whatever it was gave her some difficulty.
Aurora took a deep breath. “Perhaps, and perhaps I might be of some service to you as well. It seems we have had similar negative experiences. My friends suggested that speaking to someone who understands might help.”
Pain and panic tightened inside Nick. Aurora’s eyes were so filled with worry, but she trusted him. He said, “Let’s sit.”