Page 19 of Finding Hope
“Miss Cunningham does not even hold a title,” Patience pointed out. Thankfully, Joy was not present or she would have defended Freddy’s name somehow.
“But it is an old and respected name,” Hope pointed out. “Not that there is anything to tarnish ours, but our parents were poor missionaries. We only have the dowry we do because of Lady Halbury.”
“Saving souls should be more respected than some stupid family name.” Grace sounded very young and very much like Joy at that moment. Hope tended to agree, but it was not the way Society worked.
“Why do you think we were really invited here?” she found herself asking.
“I heard the Dowager saying to her maid, Jenkins, that there had not been a house party here in almost a decade. It is a bit suspicious, do you not think? And Rotham was the one to put it into place?”
“Really? I suppose I did hear her saying he sent the invitation. Why is that, do you think?”
“I do not know if this is true or not.” Patience leaned forward and spoke quietly. “But the maid also said she heard his Grace was ill and that he told Lord Rotham he had to marry before he died.”
Hope covered the involuntary squeak that came from her mouth.
Patience continued. “My theory is that he brought us all here to choose a wife.”
“But he is already betrothed to Vivienne Cunningham,” Hope said miserably.
“That is what the Duchess wants everyone to think.”
It was what Rotham had also said to her, but still, Hope did not know how to fight against the blessing of the Duchess.She didn’t even want to think about how intimidating the Duke would be.
“I think you are the one he really wants,” Patience said.
“It doesn’t matter what he wants,” Hope argued. “He will be a duke, and to theton, we are the daughters of poor missionary folk.”
“Not just folk, but a gentleman and a lady,” Grace chimed in. “And now our sister is a viscountess. And we have the sponsorship of one.”
“You truly think that it is why we are here?”
“I do,” Patience nodded.
The thought that she still had a chance bubbled warmth inside Hope like champagne.
“And we will help,” Patience said as if reading her thoughts.
“I am afraid to ask what you mean to do,” Hope replied warily.
“We can be extra eyes and ears.” She ticked off on two of her fingers. “We can make excuses for you should you find yourself able to catch a few moments alone with him, and we can also interrupt or be a nuisance if another lady is hoarding him.”
“Hoarding him?”
“Yes, as in monopolizing him. Jenkins told me that the servants become spies during these house parties in order to gain advantages such as time alone with desired persons.”
Hope looked at her sister in horror. “I had no idea you and Jenkins had become so close.”
Patience waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I am naturally observant and therefore hear things that many do not. It is a feather in the cap of a servant to work for the highest-ranking peer. There is an entire hierarchy below stairs that is even more pronounced at gatherings such as this.”
“Fascinating,” Grace said.
“I suppose I know something of that, but Halbury was small and everyone seemed to rub along so well.”
“I miss Halbury,” Grace said with sadness, having just said she wanted to stay there forever. “Everything was so much simpler.”
“That is the truth. I would never have thought I would need to bribe servants to have a chance for happiness.”
“Kindness goes a long way,” Patience added. “Whilst the servants here are loyal to Davenmere, they prefer Lord Rotham to the Duchess, which is only natural considering her disposition and his being the next duke.”
