“I really must be going.”
“You canne leave in this condition. You’d likely drop dead before you got out the threshold.”
“I must.”
“Sir Logan will not consent to it. He’ll insist you stay, least your health be put into serious jeopardy and my lady, I would agree.”
Faith was about to argue but didn’t. She was distracted by the maid’s use of that term again. She put her hand over the maid’s to still her.
“Why do you call Mr. Harris, Sir Logan, as though he has been knighted?”
The maid gave her a strange expression as if she had just asked an absurd question, but Faith only stared. Evidently, the maid saw her chance to distract the patient, and she began to lead Faith back toward the bed. Weak and intrigued, Faith let her.
“Because he has been, my lady.”
Faith’s mouth dropped a little.
“He has?”
“Of course, my lady. He was knighted upon his return from Burma, by her majesty, for heroics in battle.” Faith placed her hands on the mattress’s edge and climbed back under the covers. “He saved an entire ship while fighting beneath Lord…” The maid looked around the room as her voice dipped. “Lord Dalhousie.”
“Dalhousie?” Faith repeated, familiar with the name. “The one from the papers?”
She had read about him. Lord Dalhousie had led the campaign against the Burmese during the war but had been challenged in Parliament over his reasons. Apparently,Dalhousie was known as a combustible commodore. Though many saw his stance in Burma as one that demonstrated British excellence, some viewed his connection with the East India Company dubiously and held suspicions about his campaign overseas, to the point where many had come to view Dalhousie as a villain.
The maid’s face scrunched up in worry, looking about the empty room once more as if someone might overhear her.
“Yes, my lady. Although, I pray you do not mention that man’s name too loudly. Especially in Sir Logan’s presence. He has forbidden it.”
“Has he? Why?”
The maid shook her head.
“I did not ask, my lady. Nor should you,” she said, standing up as she gave her a look over. “I’ll inform Miss Arabella of your condition at once and have some beef tea brought straight away.”
With a quick curtsey, the maid hurried from the room, leaving Faith alone with her thoughts. How odd that Logan had been knighted yet refused to go by his title. Faith had only met two knighted gentlemen previously, and both had been exceedingly proud of the honor. She wondered why Logan was so against it and if it had anything to do with his time in Burma. For the first time since knowing him, she wondered what it had been like for Logan during his military career.
Faith had been caught by surprise by her interaction with him last night. His usual arrogant attitude had vanished upon entering the art gallery, and she had sensed his deep appreciation for the pieces he kept. Almost as if by magic, she had noticed his entire person relax as he stared up at the artwork. It had been months since she had been able to discuss art with someone who truly appreciated it, as neither of her sisters had an eye for it. Aunt Belle had accompanied her in Italyto several museums, but while she enjoyed the arts, she was an admirer of sculpture, first and foremost. Faith could value it as a medium, but her true love was oil paintings, and so it seemed was Logan’s.
She hadn’t meant to reveal so much of herself while inspectingThe Coronation of Napoleonpainting, but then he hadn’t balked or tried to lead her to a different understanding, as so many others had done before. Donovan had corrected her interpretations at least a dozen times during their relationship, which had constantly exasperated Faith. He was sure that his view was the only correct one, and she had agreed at first, but then his perspective always seemed to contrast with her own thoughts. Eventually, she had simply refrained from speaking to avoid being hushed.
But Logan hadn’t done that. He had seemed genuinely intrigued by her opinion, which was certainly a first. Their usual sparring had been replaced by honesty, which had unnerved her. So much so that she had practically run away from him in the gallery.
Which was precisely what she intended to do now.
Faith threw off the covers again and swung her legs over the bed using all her strength. But before her feet could touch the ground, Arabella entered the room, followed by Jaco. Her sweet countenance was replaced with shock as she witnessed Faith’s feeble attempt at escape. She gathered her pale-pink skirts in her hands and hurried to Faith’s side.
“Oh, you mustn’t get up,” she said, approaching the bed’s edge. “I knew this would happen. You were soaked to the bone when you arrived yesterday.”
Faith didn’t wish to reveal that she had also been soaked the day before last as well, during her morning outing, though she privately wondered if that had anything to do with her currentstate. Had Logan mentioned their meeting? Most likely not. She tried to sit up.
“It’s really not terrible. I only have a chill,” she said as the pounding sensation behind her eyes intensified. The heel of her palm came up to her brow, and she pressed slightly. “And a slight headache.”
“You must stay in bed until you are well again. I shall call for a doctor.”
“No, really, there is no need. If I can return to Lismore Hall, my sister Grace will be able to tend to me.”
“Your sister?” Arabella said, surprised. “But how can she?”
