Page 40 of Finding Hope
Another note was sitting by her wash-stand, very likely placed there by the chambermaid when she brought in her water for the morning. Hope was coming to expect them every single day now, but this one was a little different from the others.
How strong is your allure! I see how others watch you as I watch. Yet tread carefully, for not all admirers bear kind intentions.
“You don’t say,” Hope muttered as she read the note.
It was still a threat, but almost laced with advice. Hope shook her head. It was unnerving to have someone meddling without knowing who it was. It could not be someone close to her, for they would say what they wanted her to face. Therefore, it had to be someone outside their circle, but who? If she only knew were the writer male or female, it would help. Women tended to be more spiteful, so that was her first inclination.
There was little time to think, though, because Jenkins arrived to dress her. It was a big day, with the hunt happening,and the Duke’s excitement was infectious. Hope had never liked the thought of running a fox to death, even if they didn’t kill it, but as avid riders, all of the sisters enjoyed the thrill of a good gallop across the countryside with jumping fences as part of the chase.
Hope was also excited, despite the new note of warning. Perhaps she should consider other suitors? Lord Brosner had been paying her attention and he was handsome. However, he was a Marquess in his own right. If she wasn’t suited to be a duchess, then there was little difference in the rank of marchioness!
Jenkins held up a dark blue riding habit tailored with a high-waisted jacket and adorned with brass buttons. Then she dressed her hair in a plaited knot with a military style hat adorned with white feathers and ribbons to tie it beneath her chin.
Once she was ready, she went down the hall to find her sisters. She was surprised to find Joy up and dressed, ready to go with them.
“Joy, are you well enough?” Hope asked.
“I am not about to miss a ride, Hope. I was specifically invited by Lady Susan.”
“I am only concerned if you feel up to it. Yesterday must have sapped your strength.”
“It did,” she conceded, still looking rather pale. “However, I was able to keep some gruel down last night and drink quite a bit of broth.”
“That is excellent news. I want you to promise me that you will stop if you begin to feel weak.”
“There is no need to warn me. I’ve had a bad fall recently, and have no wish to repeat such an event.”
Hope was glad to hear it. She loved Joy’s spirit, but she had ever been a neck or nothing rider.
“Shall we go?” Patience asked, standing by the door looking fetching in her own new dark green habit in the military style with frogged button-holes and braided trimmings.
They made their way to the dining room where tables of food had been set aside to sustain them through the morning. There was a hum of excitement in the air as everyone was itching to get started.
Hope was surprised to see the Duke dressed in scarlet livery. The tail-coat had obviously originally been made for a larger person, though it had been altered. From what she had heard, he was half his normal size. It must be hard for Rotham to see his father like that.
Hope was also relieved to see that the matrons had not yet come down that morning. Many ladies did not ride to hounds because of the constraints of the side-saddle. Were the Duke not such an avid hunter, and having allowed his own daughters to ride, then it was likely the Whitford sisters would not have had this opportunity. They had never ridden to hounds precisely, but were bruising riders. It was one of the few pleasures Lady Halbury had allowed them.
The large group made their way to the stables. It was early enough that the morning air was cool and a fine mist still hung over the valley, with dew still lying on the grass. There were ten gentlemen and eight ladies planning to ride that morning.
“Do you have a riding partner?” a deep voice asked as he brought his mount alongside hers.
“Lord Brosner. Good morning. In fact, I have not yet paired off with anyone.”
“May I be the lucky fellow to pair with you then? Rotham has asked the gentlemen to pair with a lady, and as my sister is vehemently opposed to the sport, she will not be joining us.”
“That is a shame,” Hope remarked. But she knew there were many who sympathized with the fox. Gentlemen, she was learning, were highly driven by sport in any form.
Her gaze fell upon Rotham, joining forces with Lady Caroline, and she turned back to smile at Brosner. “I would be delighted to accompany you, my lord.”
“Excellent.” He smiled down at her, and she decided to open her mind to the possibility. If all she felt for Rotham was infatuation, it would pass, and she could possibly open her heart to someone else one day.
“Have you hunted before, Miss Whitford?” he asked.
“I have not, but I have spent a lot of time in the saddle. As I understand it, we follow the hounds, and they chase the fox?”
“Normally, yes, but it is too early to hunt foxes—there are rules about such things, you know—so we will follow hounds only,” he explained.
“If there is no fox to chase, then what scent will the hounds follow?” She frowned.
