The Rake's Companion by Nina Coombs Pykare

Author:Nina Coombs Pykare [Pykare, Nina Coombs]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1980-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Faith’s first act on waking the next morning was to thrust her feet hurriedly into her slippers and run in to the Countess. The old woman opened her eyes and smiled. “My dear girl, you will catch a chill running around like that. Whatever are you thinking of?”

Faith was covered with confusion but she did not return to her room for a robe. “Last night I heard the ghost,” she said hurriedly.

“I hope you stayed snugly in your bed,” observed the Countess with a strange twinkle in her eye.

Faith shook her head. “No, I followed it.”

The old woman frowned. “That was unwise, Faith. Do not do it again.”

“That’s what he sa--” The color flooded Faith’s cheeks at the renewed realization that his lordship had seen her in her nightdress. Seen her and carried her!

“You needn’t turn so fiery red, child.” The Countess chuckled. “I was awake when Hugh brought you back to your room.”

“Did you hear the ghost?”

The Countess shook her head. “No. Perhaps that was what woke me, but I have no recollection of it. But I saw Hugh when he came to be sure I was safe. I saw you, too.”

“I - I wanted to be sure,” Faith faltered.

The Countess’s face took on an expression of sadness. “You do not trust Hugh, do you?”

“I - I don’t know.” Faith wrung her hands. “Everyone seems to mistrust everyone and -”

“Come, do not hesitate,” the Countess urged. “What were you told about Hugh?”

“I – I -”

“Tell me,” commanded the Countess. “Do not be concerned for my feelings.”

Faith took a deep breath. “I was told that his lordship - that he needed money - for gambling debts.” She paused, unsure how to continue.

“And you were told that he would not be too upset should I depart this life prematurely, so to speak.”

Faith could only nod. How could the Countess lie there and speak so calmly of such things?

The Countess smiled curtly. “I am an old woman. I do not even mind dying. But Hugh, my Hugh, would not hurt me. I know that.” Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “If I believed such a thing, I should wish to be dead. But I do not,” she added crisply. “And I never will.”

“But -” Faith wanted to believe the Countess, to allay the suspicions of his lordship that rose periodically to haunt her, but the Countess could be mistaken. “Men do change. Gambling debts. Fancy women.”

The Countess laughed. “Hugh has been on the town for some time. And, in spite of his devilish good looks and his insatiable appetite for excitement, he has a sound head on his shoulders. I simply will not believe ill of him.”

“Yes, milady,” Faith fully respected the Countess’s feelings. She thought that she, too, might want to die if she discovered that his lordship was anxious to hasten his aunt’s death.

The thought occurred to her to ask why Mr. Felix should tell such horrid things about his brother. But the subject was bound to be a painful one for the old woman and so Faith remained silent.

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