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How could Constantine stretch out upon his plump mattress when she lay upon a hard floor?
What manner of monster did she think him?
Besides, Mother had contrived what she believed was a foolproof scheme.
It meant deceptiveness—a small, unpleasant cost for the good of all. Or so Constantine tried to convince himself.
What choice had they?
Constantine scratched his temple and tossed another glance up and down the corridor. They really ought to have this conversation someplace that assured privacy rather than here where anyone could come upon them or listen behind a door.
He stepped nearer to Faith and lowered his voice. If anyone overheard them, the game was up, and his siblings and he would be up to their neck in suds.
“My mother has come up with a solution that we believe should stop the unsavory gossip and protect your reputation.”
“And your family’s as well?” A thread of cynicism leached into Faith’s tone.
“Naturally.”
No sense in denying the obvious, or rather the real motivation behind Mother’s scheme. She was a fair woman—kind and generous—but when it came to her children… Well, the truth was that she became a veritable lioness or mother bear. No one—absolutely no one—was spared her wrath when she protected her children.
“Pray tell me, what is this plan, my lord?”
A single line pulled Faith’s fine eyebrows together. The smattering of freckles on her cheeks and nose stood out in stark relief, revealing she’d begun to comprehend the tenuousness of the situation.
“It’s been decided that you’re a distant cousin on my mother’s side who’s come for Charlotte’s wedding. Afterward, you may decide to stay at Dovetonwick Court and become Edyth’s companion.”
“How very magnanimous,” Faith muttered, her tone dry and caustic as ash.
Constantine chose to disregard her acerbity.
“You’ll stay in Edyth’s room for now, and after the wedding, move to Charlotte’s bedchamber until the last guest has departed next week.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, where a headache had begun to throb.
“It will delay our return to London, but it cannot be helped. If anyone should inquire after you, Mother will say you missed your family most dreadfully and returned home.”
Nice and neat and convenient.
For the Kellinggraves.
Not so much for Faith, he was honest enough to admit.
“So I am to be a party to a deception and a lie?” Twin spots of color appeared on her high cheekbones, and offense flashed in her eyes. She thrust her chin out and squared her shoulders.
“I am not a deceitful woman, my lord. I was raised to be virtuous and honest. What you ask of me goes against everything I value.”
Constantine closed his eyes.
No one, except him, had considered Faith might refuse.
Admiration for her integrity, even though it might mean her ruination, budded behind his ribs.
“I respect your position, Faith.”
And Constantine did.
Few people had the moral scruples to stand firm when it proved detrimental to themselves. It complicated matters—made the situation bloody untenable—but honestly, he was relieved that he didn’t have to go along with the farce.
