Page 21 of Finding Hope
Hope turned when she heard a noise. She looked around and saw that a piece of paper had been slipped beneath her door.
She hurried over and picked it up, burning with curiosity as to who would be sneaking about leaving notes. She opened the door, but could see or hear nothing but an empty corridor. She unfolded the paper and read out loud.
I will be watching you.
Rotham?she wondered at first. But if it was from him, why would it be secretive? It felt more like a threat.
Max tried notto seek out Miss Whitford with his eyes, but he knew the moment she and her sisters arrived outside. Deliberately, he forced himself to keep his eyes away from Miss Hope.
Everyone was mingling on the terrace on this late summer’s eve. Tables were laid out with light foods from sandwiches and fruit to pastries and ices. Meanwhile, tea, lemonade ,and punch were being handed out by the footmen.
All of the players in the act were finally present, but he had to force himself to look at the other ladies. He had not yet formulated a plan on how to speak to and interview the ladies, as it were. In looks, Vivienne Cunningham was the only one who was comparable, even though she was the opposite of Miss Whitford.
Lady Caroline was pleasant and a little older than the others, which made for conversation above the average. She had the same auburn hair as her brother and was built much like him.
Brosner’s sister, Lady Alice, was probably his second favourite choice, however, because she was a devout bluestocking and had never pursued him as most of the others or their mothers had done. He and Brosner had never been close, but their fathers and mothers had been good friends. As the daughter of a marquess, Lady Alice would know perfectly how to manage the responsibilities of a duchess. They were late arrivals, so he had not yet spoken more than a greeting to them.
“Brosner, Lady Alice, I trust your chambers are satisfactory?” He took the opportunity to make a brief mental survey of thelady’s assets. She had thick brown hair and intelligent hazel eyes. She was not traditionally pretty, but he would consider her handsome.
“Rotham.” Brosner shook the hand that was held out to him while Lady Alice inclined her head. “Everything is lovely, my lord. Thank you for inviting us.”
“London was interminably dull,” Brosner drawled.
“How can you say so?” Lady Alice scolded. “Museums, theatre, and reading salons—I could spend all day, every day, and never see or read everything London has to offer.”
“I am afraid you may find Davenmere very slow, my lady, but perhaps some of the tomes in my father’s library will meet with your satisfaction. Please help yourself.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“I heard a rumour there will be hunting,” Brosner said hopefully, as one who was always searching for sport.
“I have heard the same,” Max confirmed. “My father will do anything to show off his hounds. It is not the right time of year for it, of course, but we will humour his Grace by taking out the hounds and chasing them across the fields.”
“What a vile set of murderers the male species is!” Lady Alice said with open disgust.
“Alice,” Brosner growled. “We have discussed this.”
“You have told me to keep my mouth closed, you mean. What kind of person would I be if I did not speak what I know to be right?”
“Why do you care about vermin?” Brosner asked.
“I care about all of God’s creatures, Ned.”
Max was acutely uncomfortable, but could hardly excuse himself politely in the middle of their argument. It was not one he cared to be drawn in to.
“What do you think, Lord Rotham?”
He thought he had already crossed her off his list, was what. He did not mind her having her own opinions, but rather minded the lack of diplomacy about how she expressed them.
“Do you not eat meat, Lady Alice?”
“I do not,” she said with her nose in the air and eyes narrowed in challenge.
“I commend your dedication to your beliefs. I, however, am a hunter and carnivore. I see my sister trying to draw my attention. Will you excuse me?” He beat a hasty retreat away from the siblings before it escalated any further.
Max was already tired of this game and felt he’d done enough for one day. In fact, he had already eliminated one possibility. He found Carew, Montford, and Freddy and waved to one of the footmen to bring them drinks.
“Just think, it would be much worse in London,” Carew said, not hiding his amusement.
