Page 5 of Finding Hope
“Yet you hang in the pocket of one! Do you think I do not see your name associated with hers in the papers every day?”
“Miss Whitford is a lady.”
“Ha! She is gentry at best.”
“I will not argue this, your Grace.”
“Vivienne has everything you could ever want—birth, fortune, looks. She is a diamond of the first water!”
“She is as a sister to me.”
“You have raised expectations in her breast! As well as her parents and yours!”
“My father has no opinion on the matter whatsoever. This is solely your doing.”
“There you are wrong.” She pushed a letter across the table towards him, and Max recognized his father’s script and seal.
Max picked it up and tossed it into the fire. “You have bullied him into proclaiming his deepest wish for the union, have you not? It will not work.”
“Then you will be cut off.”
“So be it. I cannot be removed as heir. I can survive until then.”
He stood and made her a bow—he would give her no reason to disclaim him a gentleman at least.
“You will regret this!” she called after him.
Once he was out of sight of Davenmere House, Max increased his pace.
He yelled for his secretary the moment he was through the door. “Johnson, the Duchess has been busy. Hand deliver a notice to all the papers at once! No announcements are to be published unless at my expressed wish!”
The nerve of his mother! She was correct in one thing, though—Vivienne was beautiful, but in a girlish, innocent sort of way. Miss Whitford’s deep blue eyes flashed fire and held promise of hidden depths that were yet to be explored.
CHAPTER 2
Hope dressed for the Cunningham garden party in a subdued morning gown of jonquil muslin adorned with tiny embroidered daisies. She paired it with a straw bonnet with a white ribbon and daisies to match. She was determined to think of Miss Cunningham as Freddy’s sister, and not Rotham’s intended. Hope adored Freddy Cunningham, so why not his sister?
“You look plucked straight from a meadow,” Joy teased. She was the only one waiting in their sitting room. Little Freddy Tiger was no longer so little, and was currently attacking the tassels on one of the sofa pillows.
“Stop that, Freddy!” Joy scolded as she picked him up and moved him.
“It is a garden party,” Hope retorted. “You are certain you do not wish to go? The invitation expressly included you.”
“I am certain that was Mr. Cunningham’s doing, but I do not think I feel up to watching everybody else be gay and playing games and not be able to participate.”
“Shall I stay here with you? I do not mind.”
“Miss Hillier has promised to finish readingEvelinato me, and Westwood’s chef has promised to make me some jam tarts.”
Hope shook her head. “Very well, but you must assure me you will take some fresh air. I do not think it is healthy to stay inside all the time.”
“Easily done. I am good about taking Freddy out myself.”
Patience and Grace came into the room, wearing rose and green muslin respectively.
“Shall we go?” Patience asked. “The Dowager will be waiting for us.”
They did not have far to go. The Cunninghams’ town house abutted the Green Park, and tents and tables had been set up, along with several lawn games from tennis to lawn bowls for those who wished for amusement.
