Lady Faith Takes a Leap Read Free Page B

narrowing her eyes.
    “That’s true.” Edward ran his hands over his hair. “Nice fellow, too, Gillingham. I believe I’ll leave you two ladies to discuss it. I can offer little by way of advice. A man is somewhat de trop.”
    Honor smiled fondly at him. “You are quite right, my love. Both are good men. But Faith doesn’t love them.”
    “Love, eh?” Edward hurried to the door. “Well, that is another matter entirely.” The look he gave his wife was nothing short of smoldering as he exited the room.
    “See?” Faith grinned. “Is it unreasonable for me to want what you have?”
    “Oh no, dearest. You must insist on it,” Honor said, her cheeks pink.
    “Vaughn has come home for the ball,” Faith said casually.
    Her sister’s brown eyes widened. “Has he? You have seen him?”
    “Yes, Charity and I were sitting by the river when he came out of the woods with his dog.”
    Honor studied Faith carefully. “Still handsome?”
    “Yes.” Faith sighed. “Even more so.”
    Honor leaned forward and took Faith’s hand. “Dearest, I am your champion in anything you choose to do, but I would hate to see you hurt. Father would never approve of Lord Vaughn.”
    “I doubt it matters. Vaughn showed little interest in me.”
    “Edward did mention Vaughn had been seeing a lady in York. But if nothing has come of it, he will likely fall under your spell, for most men do. Do not, I pray, encourage him.”
    “I didn’t…I wasn’t.”
    “Of course you didn’t, not deliberately. It’s not in your nature to toy with a man’s affections, dearest. But sometimes just the thought fits the deed. And your loyalty and affections, once engaged, are unshakeable.”
    Faith shrugged. “I believe I would be out of my depth with Lord Vaughn.”
    “Mm. I look forward to seeing him again. But even if he has changed his ways, Father would not want you to marry a younger son with no real prospects.”
    “But, Honor, you did.”
    “I know, dearest.” Honor smiled. “But I am his step-daughter. Father will want something better for you.”
    “What man could be better than Edward?”
    Honor laughed. “Indeed! Perhaps, in this case, we are wiser than Father.” She sobered. “But you have been infatuated with Vaughn for years and must ask yourself what it is about him that attracts you. Rakes have great success with women because they offer excitement. Often to a lady’s dismay and, in some cases, ruin, when they discover rakes have nothing of real value to offer, certainly not love.”
    “But I don’t believe Vaughn was ever a rake!”
    “Perhaps not, but he has proved to be of a less-than-stellar character in the past, has he not?”
    “As are many younger sons who don’t suffer the same pressures as the heir. But once they find their calling, they often settle down and become responsible men.”
    “You are determined to defend him. I shan’t argue. I promise to make my own assessment of his character. But what I might say on your behalf would do little to help your cause.”
    Faith bit her lip, annoyed with herself. Why was she defending Vaughn? Her emotions confused her.
    Honor rose. “Now I want to see what you are wearing tonight.”
    “Oh, Honor, I have the most divine dress, powder-blue satin with rows of old lace. You will love it.”
    ****
     
    Chaloner’s valet, Jones, assisted Vaughn into his tight-fitting, blue long-tailed coat of superfine. The valet stepped back, clothes brush in hand, with a nod of approval.
    “Excellent, Jones.” Vaughn patted his perfectly tied cravat. In the mirror, the light caught the emerald he always wore on his little finger. A present from his father many years ago. His father’s death had rocked him, perhaps more than his brothers, who were older, their lives more established, but he refused to use that for his sorry final year at Oxford. Kicked out on his ear, his life had gone downhill from there. At least until John gave him a job running his horse stud. Breeding