At first, she’d had ideas to steal the painting or, at the very least, ruin it somehow. She had some paints in her room that she could throw on it, but the thought of going to Harris House made her leery. There was no way on God’s green earth that she would ever be able to look Logan in the eye again. Which is why she decided her best choice was to flee.
Forever.
“London?” Aunt Belle said with disdain. “Goodness, my dear, why would you wish to return there?”
Faith held her chin up.
“I’ve always had an idea to return to London and I think now is as good a time as any.”
“But why?” Hope asked, dropping her embroidery to her lap. “It seems rather sudden.”
“Yes, you’ve not mentioned it before now,” Grace added. “Has something happened?”
“No, nothing has happened. And just because I haven’t mentioned it doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about it. Which I have. In great detail, actually.”
“But you can’t go alone,” Hope said. “Where would you stay?”
“I could stay with Renee. I’m sure if I write her, I could persuade her to ask her parents to allow me to visit for an extended period of time. And who knows? If I were to meet someone, I might stay forever.”
Faith knew she was being slightly outrageous, wildly tossing out the idea that she might meet a suitor, but then she couldn’t bear staying in Lismore. Not with that painting only an hour’s walk from where she slept. What if Logan hung it in his house where guests might see it? What if his father or sister saw it? Faith could feel herself grow warm with embarrassment. She couldn’t bear it.
She looked around the room, noting the apprehensive glances she was receiving. She must be genuinely shocking them.
“I see no harm in going to London,” Aunt Belle said at last, addressing the rest of the family, though her silver stare held Faith’s. “If our Faith wishes to leave Scotland, we should be supportive of her.”
Faith smiled unevenly, not entirely pleased, while Hope seemed at a loss for words. She turned to her husband, who appeared equally as dumbstruck.
“Er, well, I don’t see why not,” he said, unsure, as Hope stood up, facing Faith.
“You cannot go,” her sister said. “It’s just not feasible.”
“Why not?”
“Because. It’s too far from the rest of us and you can’t beg to stay with friends.”
“Surely she wouldn’t beg,” Aunt Belle interjected. “Would you, dear?”
Faith shook her head, glad to have at least one person’s support.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“It’s still out of the question,” Hope said defiantly, and Faith stood up.
“Who made you matriarch?” she snipped, glad to be starting an argument. If Hope became upset with her, leaving would be easier, and her sister would most likely be happy that she was gone. “You have no right to tell me how to live my life.”
Hope frowned, appearing hurt. Faith bit the inside of her cheek, hating to see her sister distressed, but she needed to be away from this place.
“I don’t want to dictate your life,” Hope said, her tone softening. “I just don’t know why you suddenly wish to return to London. It’s been over a year and I’ve not heard you speak of the city in nearly as much time. We have a home here and we’ve all been very happy—”
“I don’t deny that,” Faith cut in. “But I don’t wish to stay here.”
“Whyever not?”
“Ladies, ladies,” Aunt Belle said, waving a bejeweled hand above her head as if to settle them down. “There is no needto argue. If Faith wishes to go to London, then she may go, of course. We will not hamper her desires. And I will accompany her.” Faith gave Hope a self-satisfactory grin. “In three months’ time.”
Faith’s smile faltered as she glanced at Aunt Belle.
“Three months?”
