Page 18 of Finding Hope
Freddy laughed. “He was just discussing bringing out the hounds for a hunt since the ground is soft enough from the recent rains.”
“Was he?” Max asked. “I suppose I should not be surprised. If I were at the end, I would do all the things that brought me joy. I shall see that it happens if that is his wish.”
Carew struck a perfect strike and curved the black, potting it into the pocket for the win. He smiled with satisfaction.
“That was devilish clever, Carew,” Montford said, appreciatively conceding the win.
“Are you certain you wish to fulfil all your father’s wishes?” Carew asked Max perceptively as he leaned on his cue.
Max poured four glasses of brandy and handed them around.
“Of course, I will not commit to something I am not certain of,” he answered casually.
“I am glad to hear it. I have seen too many comrades fall on the sword of familial duty.”
“I am acutely aware of it.”
“And I would hate for anyone’s hopes to be raised.”
Had he deliberately put emphasis on the word hope? “As would I,” Max drawled. “It is why I am not mentioning my intentions to anyone.”
“I wonder if Westwood is having any regrets yet?” Freddy asked.
“That was a perfect match if ever I’ve seen one. Nothing less would have served for Westwood,” Montford retorted.
“Let us be honest, there are not many ladies in thetonlike the Whitford sisters,” Carew remarked.
“Their beauty is incomparable,” Rotham agreed.
“I am not talking about their beauty. I would not want someone for them who only valued that.”
This was getting out of hand, but Max would not commit himself to anyone yet. Max did not know what Carew was about.Did he want Hope for himself or to bring Max to heel? He was such a staunch defender of the ladies, but he had always had a face for cards and kept his true intentions to himself.
“Would you care for a game?” Max asked.
“Always,” Carew said and pushed away from the table.
CHAPTER 5
Hope was joined in Joy’s chamber by Grace and Patience. Both of them gasped when they saw it. “I had no idea this existed. It is magical!”
“It suits Joy perfectly.”
“Oh, I could live here forever.” Grace sighed dreamily.
“Only dukes and kings live this way,” Patience replied in her usual pragmatic fashion.
“I am quite certain that marquesses and earls often have similar estates. Even Taywards is magnificent.”
“Regardless of that, one of our sisters has already defied the odds to marry a lord. I do not think that luck will hold for all of us.”
Hope swallowed hard. Patience was right. She should not even allow herself to daydream about such things.
“Are you sad about Rotham and Miss Cunningham?” Grace asked. “I had thought…”
Hope shook her head. “A girlish fantasy is all it was. I have learned my lesson. I feel sorry for him, but he cannot marry as he wishes.”
“I do not know why a dowry matters so much to someone with all this.” She waved her hand around at the magnificence.
