banyan around her and picked her way along the path.
They rounded the house to find the rest of the guests in a forlorn group on the carriageway in the front of the house. A chill breeze lifted her hem, and she shivered.
“The fire doesn’t seem to have gained a hold, thank God,” Vaughn said as the local fire fighters loaded their hand pump on their cart and drove away.
“Thank you for rescuing me, my lord,” Faith said in a loud voice, aware of the curious faces focused on them. “I shall send your banyan to you.”
“You’re welcome. It looks a good deal better on you,” he murmured.
Faith pressed her lips together so as not to respond to his provoking statement. She left him and hurried to answer her mother’s call. As Faith threaded her way through the small group of Brandreths, the dowager gave her a nod and a smile.
A servant opened the front door, and light spilled onto the driveway. The earl strode through. “I deeply apologize for the inconvenience everyone. A lamp was knocked over in one of the reception rooms and started a fire. The curtains caught, but we now have it under control. Regrettably the small salon’s quite badly damaged, but the most important thing is no one has come to harm,” he said as they all trouped inside. “Hot chocolate and brandy will be served in the morning room.”
An hour later, Faith still lay awake. She raised an arm over her head and stared at the shard of moonlight on the ornamental ceiling. She smiled. Vaughn had come for her. She rolled over and punched her pillow, remembering how her father had ushered her and her mother back to their rooms.
“Why didn’t you dress more appropriately, Faith? Displaying yourself for all to see in Lord Vaughn’s dressing gown. I begin to believe you mean to undermine everything I try to do for you.”
“I didn’t think. I feared I might burn to death, Father.” She frowned at him, perplexed.
“And I thank God that you didn’t. I’m grateful to Vaughn Winborne for rescuing you while I saw to your mother, but don’t get any foolish ideas about him,” he said. “Now go back to bed.”
****
His mother’s bedchamber in the dower house reminded Vaughn of a sunlit bluebell wood, decorated as it was in blue, gold, and green. He crossed the flowery carpet to where she lay propped up on lacy pillows in the carved oak four-poster.
A servant removed the breakfast tray and, with a bob, left the room.
He leaned over to kiss his mother’s scented cheek. “Morning, Mama.”
“Sit down, Vaughn.”
“You look well this morning. That lace cap is becoming.”
She patted the cap absently and studied him. “You were out riding early.”
It was more like a question. Did she expect him to sleep half the day like so many useless members of the ton ? The suggestion rankled. Vaughn sat where she’d directed him on an unlikely piece of furniture for someone of his size, a spindly French satin-covered gilt chair. He attempted to cross his legs.
“Forgive me for coming smelling of horse, but your summons gave me no time to change.” He raised his eyebrows. “Something troubles you?”
“I was about to ask you the same question.”
“Why?” He stretched out his legs, uncomfortable on the slippery satin seat.
“You were very attentive to Rosamond at the ball. Lady Montrose is of the opinion that a proposal may be forthcoming.”
He jumped to his feet and walked around the floor. “I danced with Rosamond twice; I hardly think that amounts to a declaration.”
She smiled and patted the bed. “Sit. And stop quibbling. You are aware of society’s expectations as much as I am. Such behavior signals your intention to pursue her.”
Vaughn perched on the edge of the bed. “I like Lady Rosamond well enough, Mama, but that’s all.”
“Then why favor her, when there were so many young ladies there in need of a partner?”
“In the hope that Chaloner will support my new endeavor.”
“What has Rosamond to
They rounded the house to find the rest of the guests in a forlorn group on the carriageway in the front of the house. A chill breeze lifted her hem, and she shivered.
“The fire doesn’t seem to have gained a hold, thank God,” Vaughn said as the local fire fighters loaded their hand pump on their cart and drove away.
“Thank you for rescuing me, my lord,” Faith said in a loud voice, aware of the curious faces focused on them. “I shall send your banyan to you.”
“You’re welcome. It looks a good deal better on you,” he murmured.
Faith pressed her lips together so as not to respond to his provoking statement. She left him and hurried to answer her mother’s call. As Faith threaded her way through the small group of Brandreths, the dowager gave her a nod and a smile.
A servant opened the front door, and light spilled onto the driveway. The earl strode through. “I deeply apologize for the inconvenience everyone. A lamp was knocked over in one of the reception rooms and started a fire. The curtains caught, but we now have it under control. Regrettably the small salon’s quite badly damaged, but the most important thing is no one has come to harm,” he said as they all trouped inside. “Hot chocolate and brandy will be served in the morning room.”
An hour later, Faith still lay awake. She raised an arm over her head and stared at the shard of moonlight on the ornamental ceiling. She smiled. Vaughn had come for her. She rolled over and punched her pillow, remembering how her father had ushered her and her mother back to their rooms.
“Why didn’t you dress more appropriately, Faith? Displaying yourself for all to see in Lord Vaughn’s dressing gown. I begin to believe you mean to undermine everything I try to do for you.”
“I didn’t think. I feared I might burn to death, Father.” She frowned at him, perplexed.
“And I thank God that you didn’t. I’m grateful to Vaughn Winborne for rescuing you while I saw to your mother, but don’t get any foolish ideas about him,” he said. “Now go back to bed.”
****
His mother’s bedchamber in the dower house reminded Vaughn of a sunlit bluebell wood, decorated as it was in blue, gold, and green. He crossed the flowery carpet to where she lay propped up on lacy pillows in the carved oak four-poster.
A servant removed the breakfast tray and, with a bob, left the room.
He leaned over to kiss his mother’s scented cheek. “Morning, Mama.”
“Sit down, Vaughn.”
“You look well this morning. That lace cap is becoming.”
She patted the cap absently and studied him. “You were out riding early.”
It was more like a question. Did she expect him to sleep half the day like so many useless members of the ton ? The suggestion rankled. Vaughn sat where she’d directed him on an unlikely piece of furniture for someone of his size, a spindly French satin-covered gilt chair. He attempted to cross his legs.
“Forgive me for coming smelling of horse, but your summons gave me no time to change.” He raised his eyebrows. “Something troubles you?”
“I was about to ask you the same question.”
“Why?” He stretched out his legs, uncomfortable on the slippery satin seat.
“You were very attentive to Rosamond at the ball. Lady Montrose is of the opinion that a proposal may be forthcoming.”
He jumped to his feet and walked around the floor. “I danced with Rosamond twice; I hardly think that amounts to a declaration.”
She smiled and patted the bed. “Sit. And stop quibbling. You are aware of society’s expectations as much as I am. Such behavior signals your intention to pursue her.”
Vaughn perched on the edge of the bed. “I like Lady Rosamond well enough, Mama, but that’s all.”
“Then why favor her, when there were so many young ladies there in need of a partner?”
“In the hope that Chaloner will support my new endeavor.”
“What has Rosamond to
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