left it for you.”
Faith smiled. “Thanks.”
She hurried at her tasks, knowing that to be late would be socially unforgivable. But Mrs. Lakewood would just have to understand. After all, her last-minute invitation could be considered just as rude. Faith chose her green walking-out dress. Made of a lightweight tussore, the outfit was perfect for tea. She hurried through her bath and then dressed her hair in a simple knot at the back of her neck. She found a ribbon-trimmed snood and carefully attached it before checking her image in the mirror. It was good enough for afternoon tea.
Mimi had the lunch plate ready for her, but Faith found she had no appetite. She took a piece of buttered toast and sampled it. It sat like a rock in her stomach. “I’m not hungry.”
“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.” Mimi put a cloth back over the plate.
“I should go,” Faith said when the clock began to chime.
The Lakewood estate was not close enough for a comfortable walk, and without a carriage at their disposal, Faith knew she would have to walk to the trolley and perhaps go all the way downtown, where she could hire a cab. It seemed a terrible waste of time and money, but at the moment she had no other idea how to get there.
In the foyer, she took up her umbrella. It looked like rain. “I’ll head to the hospital after I see Mrs. Lakewood,” she told Mimi.
“I’ll let them know if they return. I think the Armisteads will be hard-pressed to get Nancy away from her husband.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
Faith had no sooner stepped onto the sidewalk than a carriage drove up alongside her.
“Are you Miss Kenner?” the driver asked.
“I am.” She looked at the man and then at the carriage. There was a large L on the door.
“Mrs. Lakewood sent me to bring you to tea,” he said, halting the team of matched bays.
“How fortunate for me.” Faith waited as the driver climbed down and opened the door to assist her.
The carriage ride was much appreciated and gave Faith time to consider what this meeting might be about. She hoped that Mrs. Lakewood had found out about the college situation and had forced her husband to have pity on Faith. It was doubtful, however. Maybe Mrs. Lakewood wanted to discuss Faith’s opinions on the Indians. The summons made little sense, and by the time Faith reached the Lakewood estate, she was quite perplexed.
The butler showed her to the library and told her to wait there. Faith looked around the large room at the walls of books and thought it strange that a woman would entertain her here. This was more of a man’s domain, with its polished oak paneling and shelves. Even the draperies and furniture were more masculine than feminine.
A young uniformed woman appeared with a tea cart. Still there was no sign of Mrs. Lakewood.
“I’m to offer you refreshment,” the girl said, pouring a cup of tea. “Would you care for cream or lemon?”
“Cream, please.”
The serving girl added the cream, then handed Faith the beautiful china cup and saucer. The tea smelled of flowers and spices.
“May I prepare you a plate?” the maid asked, motioning to a three-tiered arrangement of food.
Faith looked at the delicacies and shook her head. “Maybe I’ll try something later.”
The girl took that as her cue to leave. Faith sipped the tea but felt too restless to sit. She took her cup and walked along the shelves, reading various titles and wondering if anyone in the Lakewood house had read each and every book.
“I’m glad you could come, Miss Kenner.”
Faith turned so quickly that she nearly spilled her tea. “Mr. Lakewood. I wasn’t expecting to see you.” She steadied the cup.
“I know, and I apologize for giving you a fright. In fact, I apologize for my duplicity in its entirety.”
“What are you talking about?” Faith stood frozen in place as Lakewood crossed the room to join her.
“The invitation you received today wasn’t from my wife. She just left about fifteen minutes ago with our children to attend a birthday party across town. I wanted to see you myself but knew you would never agree to come.”
“It’s hardly appropriate for a single woman to meet a married man in private.” Faith sipped the tea, desperate to appear unconcerned. Her brain warned her to put the cup down and leave, but her stubbornness wouldn’t allow it.
“It’s true, but once you hear me out, you’ll understand why that hardly concerns