Page 26 of Finding Hope
Max returned downstairs to join his guests, but paused when he heard laughter coming from the study.
He stopped to look inside. “Gus!” Max walked over and embraced his brother, who was there with Montford, Carew, and Freddy, enjoying a glass of brandy.
“I was just about to go and greet Father. How is he?”
Max adored his younger brother, who was formed almost in the same dark mould as himself, but with the attitude of nonchalance that came with being the second son instead of the heir.
“He has retired for the evening. You will have to see him in the morning. I confess it will be a shock to you. He is half the man his former self was. But having everyone here seems to have lifted his spirits. I am glad you came.”
“No more glad than I am.”
“Oxford does not agree with you?” Max asked.
“Certain parts do.” He smirked. “But the studies, no.”
Max shook his head, unsurprised. “Have you all abandoned the ladies already? Do not tell me everyone has retired whilst I was seeing his Grace to his chambers.”
His friends exchanged guilty looks. “There are parlour games going on in the drawing room,” Freddy said, “but we are protecting ourselves.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Freddy explained what Miss Patience had overheard from the maid. Lady Matilda’s forward looks immediately sprang to mind.
“So that is what you were discussing at dinner. I have a feeling I might be able to narrow down the suspects. It is only a suspicion, mind you, but we cannot barricade ourselves inside the study for the duration of the house party.”
His brother handed him a glass of brandy and he took it gratefully. Had it only been one day—that was not yet over?
“Let me guess. The fusby-faced Wilton sister,” Freddy said with uncharacteristic cynicism.
Max grinned knowingly. Freddy really did have a strong dislike of the two sisters. “On what other delights did the delightful Whitford ladies enlighten you?”
“Not much. We were also telling Gus about the row you and the Duchess had.”
“Mother is still up to her old tricks, is she?”
“She has decided Miss Cunningham shall be the next Duchess of Davenmere, and no other shall do,” Max confirmed.
“Vivienne?” Gus asked doubtfully.
“That’s what I said,” Freddy agreed.
“I suppose her Grace thinks it’s time you beget an heir. I must say I wish you would so I may be off the hook.” His brother threw him a mischievous glance.
“As it happens, there are a few eligible ladies here I am considering.”
“Pray tell.” Gus refilled his glass, then walked around the room and filled up the others.
“I do not suppose Gus has had the opportunity to meet the Whitford sisters, has he?” Carew asked.
“I have not. Are they here?”
Max sank into a chair and took a long drink of his brandy while his friends told Gus about their Season, culminating with Westwood’s marriage to the eldest sister, Faith.
CHAPTER 7
The next morning, the men were to go fishing, and the ladies were to go shopping in the village. The afternoon would offer a variety of lawn games, followed by a picnic along the river.
Since Hope and her sisters did not wish to go shopping, they decided to take some books and read in the Roman bath house.
