Page 37 of Finding Hope
“Is something the matter?”
“I was sitting with the Duchess,” the Dowager began as the water lapped at the bank.
“She does not care for us, I think.”
The Dowager laughed lightly. “That is her way. I do not think I have ever known her to like anyone particularly.”
That was a small comfort. Hope felt even more sadness for Lord Rotham. She had not known her parents long, but at least she’d known laughter and love from them.
“The Duchess did make mention of some interesting things.”
Hope looked up expectantly.
“She says the Duke will cut Rotham off if he does not marry as they wish.”
“Cut him off? Do you mean disinherit him?” Hope asked, shocked to her core.
“Indeed. He promised his father he would choose a bride soon since the Duke’s health is failing.”
“But he says he will not be forced to marry Miss Cunningham,” Hope insisted.
The Dowager Viscountess turned towards Hope and looked at her with sympathy. “Has he singled you out?”
Hope thought of their too-few interactions. She shook her head. He had shown her nothing more than friendship. Although she had thought he was going to kiss her earlier, he hadn’t.
“He has paid marked attention to several ladies thus far,” the Dowager said gently.
Hope’s face burned with recognition as she thought about it. She looked back up the hill at the gathering and saw him speaking with Lady Caroline. The Dowager was right. “Did the Duchess ask you to speak with me?”
“No, but I suspect that was her aim. Be that as it may, I know you, and I know how close you have become to Rotham. I do not wish for you to be hurt.”
“I think it is too late for that,” Hope confessed.
“I am sorry for it, my dear.”
The look of pity she gave her only deepened the hurt she felt, and Hope only wanted to be alone in her misery. The house party had barely begun. How long was she to endure it?
“I know it will be difficult, but keep a smile on your face,” the Dowager said. “Once we leave, it will be easier.”
Hope nodded with a false smile. Any words would be trite. She debated whether or not she should confide in the Dowager about the notes she had been receiving. Her sisters had not been overly concerned, so perhaps she should wait.
“Shall we return?” the Dowager asked, drawing Hope’s attention back to her.
“I think I will stay here a little longer, if you do not mind.”
“Of course,” the Dowager said with a look of understanding. That was the last thing Hope wanted. She turned and walked along the shore until she reached a rocky outcrop and sat on it. She knew she was being unsociable at the moment, but she could not face the other guests with the Duchess there, looking upon her with both scorn and satisfaction. She had to have known that the Dowager would repeat her words to Hope.
It was difficult not to chafe at the unfairness of it all. She was still a lady, even if she was not born into the nobility. Her behaviour was above reproach, and she had not thrown herself at Rotham’s feet as she had seen some of the others do.
It mattered not. There was little she could do to change the Duke or Duchess’s minds, even though she strongly suspected it was all the latter’s doing. The Duke was a kind old man who had not seemed in the least pretentious about her father.
All she could do was her best and remain above reproach. If noble birth was the main qualification for Max’s bride, then there was nothing to be done, but her pride demanded she at least behave as well or better than the others.
A large boulder that was perfect for contemplation seemed to appear in front of her, so she perched upon it. A little squawk reminded her that Freddy Tiger was with her, and she reached down to let him out. He wandered off into the grass, and Hope stretched out her feet and loosened her bonnet strings. There would be no wallowing, she told herself. She was a Whitford and her name was as fine as any other.
Freddy Tiger was leaping and pouncing after a grasshopper, and Hope had to smile at his antics. If only she had stayed by Joy’s side, her happiness might have lasted a little bit longer. “No. It would have only delayed the inevitable.” She sighed.
“No! Freddy, no!” Hope called, suddenly realizing the kitten was perilously close to the water’s edge. Did kittens know how to swim? She had no idea, and she did not wish to find out. She climbed down from the rock to go after him.
