Lady Faith Takes a Leap (4 page)

“Are you looking for someone, Lady Faith?” Lord Vaughn walked up the steps from the garden.

“Honor, but it’s of no importance.”

“I just left her with Edward. They’re walking by the lake. Shall I take you to them?”

The lanterns looked magical amongst the trees. Faith had no desire to return to the ballroom and come under the concerned gaze of Lord Fitzgibbon. To dally a moment in the moonlight with Vaughn had infinitely more appeal. After all, he was family of a sort.

“If you would be so kind, thank you.”

They walked along the path lit by braziers, the soft air sweetly perfumed with magnolia blossoms.

“Won’t your betrothed wonder where you are?”

“Lord Fitzgibbon is not my betrothed.”

“Not as yet.”

Faith remained silent. She would not discuss Lord Fitzgibbon with him. She owed Lord Fitzgibbon that much she supposed.

Vaughn lifted his chin to take in the great arc of sky above them. “The sky is magnificent tonight. Some say strolling under a full moon stirs one’s passions.”

Walking alone with him suddenly seemed dangerous, especially on an evening such as this. She frowned up at the purple night sky as if it plotted against her, the stars like diamonds hanging suspended around a golden moon. Exasperated at how tempted she was to indulge him in a scandalous tête-à-tête, she took a steadying breath.

“It merely makes me thankful that I can see where I’m walking.”

“Oh, Faith.” Vaughn’s husky tone condemned her. His arm brushed against hers on the narrow path, and her heart picked up a beat. He cast her a sidelong glance. “I remember you as spirited and quite determined. Is it Fitzgibbon who has changed you? You’ve become a sleeping beauty.”

His words stuck at her very core. Enraged, Faith stopped and swung around to face him. She curled her fingers into her palm, yearning to slap him. “How well said, my lord! You have managed to insult both of us in one fell swoop!”

Vaughn chuckled. He eyed her fist, and his long fingers curled around her wrist. He raised her hand and kissed her gloved fingers. “Yes I rather think it was. I hoped I might wake you in time.”

She pulled her hand away. His firm, warm touch, even through her glove, made her want to draw closer. “You…you are outrageous, sir. You know a woman cannot always choose who she marries.”

“Fitzgibbon is a sensible choice; he can give you an easy life with no surprises. Now why did I think that would not suit you?” The light from a burning torch flickered across his face, bright enough for her to see his intense expression.

“We grow up and have responsibilities. At least some of us do,” she added with a pointed glance.

“I remember the young Faith, driven by curiosity and a passion for life, climbing trees in the middle of a hunt with guns going off all over the wood.” He gazed down at her. “I gave you a flower. Do you remember?”

“Did you? Such a long time ago.” She hoped Charity would never tell him she’d pressed the wildflower in her Bible.

“I’m not sure why I felt compelled to say such things. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

Was he teasing her? “I assure you I’m not upset. Your opinion doesn’t concern me,” she said waspishly.

He shook his head, regretfully. “I have hurt you. Forgive me?”

She bit her lip as a quick and disturbing thought struck her. What if Vaughn was right? After all, he had merely voiced what lurked in her heart.

“We are almost at the lake,” Vaughn said. “I shall leave you in peace.”

She had disappointed him. Faith drew in a deep breath as emotion coiled through her, along with an even more terrifying realization; she was disappointed in herself! She took a step closer and launched herself into his arms.

With a grunt of surprise, Vaughn caught her, stepping backward.

“I need you to kiss me,” Faith said urgently.

Vaughn recovered quickly, his strong arm around her waist. He steadied her, his hand on her back. Up close, she studied his handsome face as his dark brows peaked above confused green eyes.

“I’m happy to oblige, but why?”

Her hand rested on his broad chest, her heart hammering foolishly. Flushed with embarrassment at her uncharacteristic act of rebellion, she wriggled to free herself. “I’m sorry I….”

Vaughn’s mouth crushed hers, his arms enfolding her against his hard body. His kiss was more than a brief touch of lips; he inhaled sharply as he drew her closer. Suddenly it wasn’t embarrassing or awkward but quite delicious. His lithe body pressed against hers. He smelled of a blend of citrus and spice, starched linens, and clean male. When he drew his tongue along the seam of her lips, her knees almost buckled. As her head was swimming at the taste of him and the warmth of him, he released her with a murmured oath, leaving her gasping.

“Faith, what are you about? I’m only flesh and blood,” he said, his voice husky. She hastily stepped back.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“I’m at your service,” he said with a bemused laugh. “You have only to ask me.”

Her cheeks heated at the surprised amusement in his voice. “I shan’t ask again. I needed to find out something.” She was pleased at how cool she sounded, although her pulse still thudded in her throat.

He stiffened. “I was some kind of experiment? A last fling before you marry a dull dog?” Vaughn huffed. “Women!” He turned away on the path. “Your sister is on the other side of that copse of trees,” he said over his shoulder. “I suggest you cough before you join them.”

Faith guiltily listened to his angry footsteps as he strode back to the house. Vaughn’s claim that she was like a sleeping beauty had provoked her. It was his fault. His manner made her forget her determination to be what her father wished of her. But she hadn’t expected him to be insulted. Why, he must have kissed hundreds of women. He was certainly accomplished. She put her gloved fingers to her lips as blood coursed thought her veins like a warm river. Might he have enjoyed the kiss? She revisited the whole thing in her mind, how he held her, his sharp intake of breath, the pressure of his lips, then breathed out in an annoyed huff. Best she didn’t dwell on whether he did or not. Even though Vaughn would likely never speak to her again, the kiss had served its purpose. Her decision was made. Despite the furor she would face, she would not marry Lord Fitzgibbon.

Faith continued down the path towards the lake. She broke into a fit of coughing as she circumnavigated the bushes just in time to see Honor and Edward draw apart.

“Faith!” Honor exclaimed. “Why are you wandering about the gardens alone?”

“You’re not catching cold are you, Faith?” Edward asked in an amused voice.

“No, Edward. That is… Honor, I need your help.”

****

Vaughn strode back to the house, grinding his teeth. Despite the hurt Faith’s confession had dealt him, he couldn’t forget the kiss. Her fragrant, flowery scent, her breasts pressing against his chest, and the curve of her waist beneath his hands were scored into his mind as he crossed the terrace. Cursing under his breath, he stepped through the French windows into the ballroom. Ladies dressed in their finery danced, mingled, and chatted. Some paused and gazed in his direction. Vaughn smoothed his cravat. He would dance with every available young woman until he’d banished Faith from his memory. 

Hours later, Vaughn had worn out his shoe leather. Even after Chaloner slapped him on the back and praised his dedication to ensure the ball a success, the evening hadn’t improved. Vaughn had struggled to keep his gaze from wandering to Faith while he spent endless hours in tedious conversation with his partners, none of whom gave him a questioning glance or a wry smile the way she did. None of them had big blue eyes, which could search his very soul one minute and appear vulnerable the next.

When, at last, the guests all departed, he headed for the library, intending to get very drunk. He paused, his hand on the crystal decanter of brandy, and uttered another string of curses, more heated than the last, causing a footman at the door to retreat into the corridor. Chaloner would never finance him if he found him in his cups. Vaughn was engaged to ride with him before noon.

Vaughn left the library and headed for the billiard room. He’d spend the few hours until dawn awake. It was useless to court sleep.

He sent the ball rolling across the green baize in the quiet wood-paneled room. Faith’s infatuation had flattered him two years ago. But tonight, despite the kiss, he very much doubted he measured up in her estimation. And that hurt. She had adored him once, and he had the perverse desire for her to do it again.

Edward walked into the room. “Still up?”

“As are you,” Vaughn said, striking a ball.

“I couldn’t sleep.” Edward chose a billiard cue and returned to the table. “How about a game?”

Vaughn set the balls up. “What worries you? A case?”

Edward lined up the cue ball and struck the red, hitting it into the side pocket. “A legal matter, yes, but something else.”

“Oh?”

“Young Faith refuses to marry Lord Fitzgibbon.”

About to take a hit, Vaughn straightened and wrestled silently with the rush of irrational pleasure. “Really? What reason did she give?” Really, it was no business of his. He was glad for her, of course, because Fitzgibbon was a bore.

His brother tipped his head to the side. “I rather thought you might supply the answer.”

Vaughn’s eyebrows rose. “Why me?”

“Not much good if you have given Faith some hope you will marry her. Is there?”

Vaughn threw down his cue. “Blast it, Edward. Not you too! Of course I didn’t. Does everyone here think me a bounder?”

“No one thinks any such a thing.” Edward grabbed his arm when Vaughn’s cue was in danger of damaging the baize. “And least of all me. But one must be realistic. Faith might still have a soft spot for you.”

Vaughn tried to hide the warmth flooding through him at Edward’s statement. It was gone in an instant. He’d been someone to toy with, to test the waters. He almost growled at the thought. “I very much doubt it. But if she has, she’ll get over it soon enough.”

“Yes. Good. After you discourage her.”

“I’m sure her father will do that.”

“She’s about to go against Baxendale’s wishes. It will make trouble for her at home. She might turn to you.”

“And if she does?”

“Do the right thing. Make it plain you’re not interested.”

“You want me to return to my rooms in London?”

“Of course not. But Chaloner and Lavinia plan several social engagements in the next sennight, which will give you the opportunity to show more interest in another lady.”

Vaughn gazed at Edward. Another of his brothers who married the woman he wanted. “What would you have done if I’d advised you not to pursue Honor?”

“That’s different.”

“Why is it different? Baxendale wasn’t over fond of you for a son-in-law either.”

“That’s precisely my point. Baxendale would not countenance another Brandreth for one of his daughters. Especially one even more impoverished than the last.” Edward grinned. He gestured to the table. “It’s your shot.”

His shoulders tight, Vaughn stuck a ball. It missed by a yard and rolled off to come to rest against the cushion. “I think you give me more credit for charm than I possess,” he said. “And Faith appears stronger than one would expect from someone so dainty.”

Edward raised an eyebrow. “Dainty, eh?”

“I’m not blind, Edward. Faith is both petite and graceful, but I believe she has grit. Defying her father proves it so.”

“Honor and I hate to see Faith unhappy.” Edward replaced his cue in the rack. “This game is going nowhere. I believe I’ll turn in.”

Vaughn climbed the stairs to his bedroom and his cold, empty bed. All very well for Edward. He had a warm, loving body waiting in his.

Faith stood at the window as the carriage disappeared down the drive, taking Edward and Honor back home to Surrey. She was completely rattled and wished they didn’t live so far away. They were coming to the ball at Dimbley Castle, which Lavinia had arranged on Saturday next, although they would not join them on their sojourn to the Royal Tunbridge Wells Spring the following Tuesday, when the Dowager Lady Brandreth planned to take the waters to cure her lumbago. Faith flopped down onto the sofa, where the grey cat curled up on a cushion. She took Sable onto her lap, and a rumble of contented purring filled the air.

Charity raised her eyes from a book on art. “I’m glad you’re not going to marry Lord Fitzgibbon.”

“You didn’t like him?”

“He said my painting was too green.”

Faith looked around the walls of the parlor where all Charity’s paintings were displayed. “Which?”

“The one of the woods.”

“But of course it would be predominantly green. It’s a landscape,” Faith said, astonished.

“Exactly. How could you live with a man with no taste?”

“I’m relieved that Edward and Honor were able to persuade Father to give up the idea, but Father is furious. He threatened to send me to live with Aunt Christabel in Northumberland.”

“Would that be so terrible?”

“It sounds ghastly. Honor said Aunt Christabel has her nose in a book all the time, and there’s little in the way of society there.”

“That sounds perfectly respectable to me. You could spend your days reading or drawing.”

“I have no desire to do either. I plan to marry and have children.”

Charity gazed at her. “You’ve had heaps of suitors. What was wrong with Viscount Pilkington? He wasn’t so old.”

“I didn’t like the way he dressed.” Pilkington was a coxcomb who wore his collars so high he couldn’t turn his head. If Vaughn had accused Viscount Pilkington of mincing, instead of Lord Fitzgibbon, he might have come closer to the mark.

She preferred to dwell on Vaughn, his lean and powerful body crushed against hers. Faith flushed when she relived the kiss in her mind: his clean, manly smell, the strength of his arms, the way his mouth claimed hers, all of which had made her quite giddy. While shamed to have acted so brazenly, she still couldn’t suppress a small smile.