Page 63 of Finding Hope
CHAPTER 16
Despite her resolve to stay away from Rotham during the ball, Hope was conscious of him at every moment.
“You look lovely tonight,” Lord Brosner said, drawing her attention back to him as they went through the motions of the dance.
“Thank you, my lord.”
Rotham was dancing with Faith, and oh, how Hope would have loved to be in her sister’s place! They seemed to be having a serious discussion, and she wanted to know every word.
“I have been wanting to speak with you, but you have been deuced difficult to find alone these days,” he lamented.
“I apologize, my lord,
He smiled at her indulgently. “This is not the ideal place to ask, but I find I cannot wait any longer. Would it come amiss if I were to speak to your guardian?”
The words were so unexpected, that Hope almost lost her footing in the dance.
“Of course, I know you would like to be courted and wooed, but I did not wish to leave you with any doubt as to my intentions.”
Hope knew she should be delighted by the declaration, yet inside she wanted to deny him. What could she say? She could not sever the connection.
“You do not need to answer me now. I can tell that I have astonished you.”
“I am very flattered, my lord. I would not be averse to getting to know you better.” That was the highest form of prevarication, but it was honest.
He smiled down at her, and he was handsome. He was just not Rotham. She desperately wanted to ask what his family would think, and if he was no longer in need of an heiress.
The next dance was with Lord Carew, and he was as charming as ever.
“How blows the wind these days, my dear? Are you in need of rescue?” His blue eyes twinkled.
“I always seem to be in need of it,” she said, answering truthfully. She could not take Carew seriously and therefore felt at ease speaking her mind to him.
Unconsciously, her eyes searched the room for Rotham, who was now dancing with Vivienne Cunningham.
“Just say the words, my dear,” Carew murmured in that half-teasing, half-serious way he had, which left you wondering what he really meant.
“I thank you, my lord. One of these days you will be punished for your chivalry when someone takes you up on your offer.”
He laughed with his roguish smile. “It would serve Rotham right if you did.”
“It would indeed,” she agreed.
He laughed, then they spoke no more about it.
The next partner arranged for her was Freddy Cunningham. He was cheerfully oblivious to her inner turmoil—either that, or he was determined to make her forget about it.
Rotham was not dancing the set, she noticed, but was speaking with Lord Westwood all the while Mr. Cunningham was regaling her with tales about each of his new puppies. How she wished her only care in the world was the personality of an animal!
Lord Montford whirled by with Mr. Cunningham’s sister in his arms, causing him to frown.
Hope looked at the couple for a quick moment and could see they were enchanted. An interesting development. Hope had not considered that Miss Cunningham might want someone else. She had assumed the young girl would accede to her parents’ and the Duchess’s wishes.
Hope’s attention returned to Westwood and Rotham. Rotham was pointing outside, and Westwood seemed to be hesitant about whatever his friend was saying. Rotham then left through the open door.
“Where is he going?”
“Who?” Freddy asked, still watching his sister.
