Keeping Faith (Fair Cyprians of London 3)

She couldn’t decide whether he was of an artistic temperament or just filled with energy that needed to find an outlet. Part of her lessons at Madame’s had been in how to read a man. Not only had Faith attended sessions where young men willingly revealed themselves to a dozen or so of Madame Chambon’s girls for a practical demonstration of how easily they were aroused, and by what, but she’d had to listen endlessly to Madame discussing man’s many temperaments and how to pander to them for the greatest return.

An artistic temperament required feeding a man’s passion by suggesting that one, alone, had what was required to unleash his genius.

“There he is, Faith. What do you think?”

As Lady Vernon had asked the question, Faith was less inclined to answer truthfully. And yet there were benefits since it would be reported back to Mrs Gedge and, in truth, Faith had hoped very much that she’d be able to please her benefactress. It made life so much easier.

“He’s very handsome,” Faith conceded.

“And you’ll be five hundred pounds richer once he seduces you.”

Faith gasped and glanced about her, but they were within no one’s hearing. Surprised at her reaction, when she’d lived so long in a house of ill repute, she said, staring stonily ahead, “That will be between the gentleman, whose name I don’t even know, and myself.” She offered Lady Vernon her haughtiest expression. “I’ll thank you to keep your nose out of my personal affairs.”

“It’s what I’m being paid for, and I am just as keen to earn my five hundred pounds and be rid of you, my girl.” Lady Vernon stared down her thin nose at Faith. “The sooner you complete the business, the better.” She hesitated. “Though there is a little more to the transaction.”

“Yes, of course there is. Don’t I have to make him fall in love with me, then break his heart?” Faith thought the acid in her tone was justified.

“Don’t pride yourself on being too clever. That was plain for anyone in your position to know.”

“And why does Mrs Gedge wish her revenge on this man, in particular?”

Lady Vernon shrugged, and the rise and fall of her bony shoulders accentuated her flat chest. Faith stared at the woman, unloved and bitter, but whose nature had perhaps never invited friendship, and decided she’d never be like Lady Vernon with a title and living a celibate life on a diet of boiled cabbage. No, Faith would make the most of her youth and beauty to find an escape from the evil house that confined her until she’d expedited Mrs Gedge’s plans for revenge. She’d find a rich and handsome man who’d love her despite her secrets and sordid past, and who’d marry her and give her a life of comfort and security.

She sent her prospective gentleman another assessing glance. Perhaps he actually might be the one who would do all this for her.

“Mrs Gedge is a woman who jumps to conclusions. I think you know that, Faith. She also harbours grudges. Grudges that are never laid to rest until she’s satisfied her requirements have been conquered.” Lady Vernon rummaged in her reticule and produced a lace handkerchief. “That American woman has too much time on her hands to brood and too much money, but if she wants to throw it in our direction, I’m not going to stop her.” She blew her nose. “Who knows why she wants revenge on him. Perhaps he’s the sacrificial lamb substituting for someone else? His father, perhaps. I really don’t care. I just want my five hundred pounds, as do you, I’m sure.” She gave Faith a warning glance. “Just don’t lose your own heart in all this.”

“I’m surprised you care enough to warn me, Lady Vernon.”

“Oh, I don’t care a jot. I’m just stating the obvious to fill in a little time and to find something to say while this young man makes his leisurely way over here.”

Faith now saw that Lady Vernon was using her handkerchief as cover for a very close scrutiny of the gentleman who was perhaps ten feet aw

ay, when the old woman took Faith by the elbow and started leading her towards the door, not pausing as they passed by him.

“Where are we going?” Faith asked. “It’s so early and…he was just about to speak to us!” She felt ridiculously disappointed all of a sudden. Was Lady Vernon suddenly deciding she needed to protect Faith from herself, or the young man, or Mrs Gedge?

“Yes, I’m afraid we must go home now, Faith. My poor old back is hurting and I’m longing for my bed, but don’t make the mistake of thinking Mrs Gedge will be displeased.” Her lined face softened beneath a rare smile as they reached the double doors which were opened in unison by a pair of footmen. The cool night air hit them like a slap in Faith’s face. “Tomorrow or the next your work will begin in earnest. Soon, Mrs Gedge will understand I’m worth so much more than the paltry allowance she pays me.”

Chapter 5

Crispin opened the book that teetered near the top of the pile his father had given him, and tried to focus his attention on its account of British and Prussian diplomatic relations in the past decade.

An ornate gilt clock loudly proclaimed the passing of time, while the crackle of the small fire in the study grate on this unseasonably chilly day was even more distracting.

Last night had been a bore. And a sore disappointment. There’d been no lively conversation; no interesting revelations. And the young lady he’d wanted to speak to had simply disappeared in front of his nose.

He could picture her now, the golden hair that rippled down her back, the intricately coiffured curls complementing her fashionable hairstyle and contrasting with her spectacularly plain dress. Would she look more beautiful in bolder colours or did a more austere presentation highlight her beauty?

His father had promised him three weeks of freedom and, of course, Crispin was itching to be gone from his books and the stifling timetable his father demanded.

Yet, it would have been diverting to have made the girl’s acquaintance. It had been such a long time since he’d confronted such a vision that made him so ready to whip out his paintbrush and paints and set to work.

After another half an hour of diligent study, Crispin was more than ready to entertain the interruption that came from one of the housemaids, who put her head around the door half an hour later to tell him he had visitors and should she show them in?

It was more shock than surprise that tore through him when they were announced.

“Lady Vernon?” he repeated. She was not someone with whom his parents were on any level of intimacy, though he knew of her. Her father had been a nobleman fallen from grace on account of some very shady dealings which his untimely death had fortunately meant were not fully investigated.