Page 81 of Finding Hope
“I assumed, given the state of your father’s health, that it would be for the best. I imagine that escorting your mother away will have taxed not only his body but also his spirit.”
He kissed Hope on the top of her head, filled with gratitude. “What did I ever do to deserve you? No, do not answer that. I have done nothing. However, I do realize I am the most fortunate man alive to have you for my bride.”
“Indeed, you are, and I will never let you forget it,” she said playfully, and on those words, drew his head down again to kiss her.
Reluctantly,Hope left Max and went to find Faith and Diana. She could not exactly explain why she had stayed in her room for two days once she had recovered from her exhaustion. Nonetheless, it had then taken some time to realize the nightmare was truly over. But she had reflected deeply on what Faith had said about making certain marriage to Rotham was the right decision. Her reflections always returned to the thought that her life would be unimaginable without Rotham by her side. There would be scandal and difficulty, but with him, she would weather the storm.
Hope could not but smile as she walked along the corridors of the house. Whilst there was much to be sorry for, there was so much love and a beautiful future together to look forward to. Nothing would diminish that after what they had been through to be together.
She found Faith and Diana in one of the private family parlours, along with Patience, Grace, Joy, and Lady Claudia.
“Look at that smiling face,” Faith remarked. “I am very happy to see it,” her sister said as she moved forward to embrace her.
“What have you been doing?” Hope asked when she looked around and saw bouquets of flowers, place cards, and even plates of cake scattered about the room. Freddy Tiger was enjoying himself to Joy’s piece.
“You did not imagine that we would not see to everything, surely? You may approve what we have done or you may leave the whole to us,” Faith answered.
“Why not both? I may see what you have done and then leave the whole to you.”
“One would think her Duchess already,” Lady Diana said with a smile.
Hope tasted a bite of a moist, fluffy sponge that tasted of brandy and spices.
“Do you like it? It is Max’s favourite, which we thought to have instead of a traditional bride cake, but we can order one of each if you prefer.”
“No, no. This is divine,” Hope said, and finished the piece given to her.
She could only approve of what the sisters had done for the quickly arranged wedding. Grace had created drawings of beautiful floral arrangements and candles to adorn the chapel, and the ballroom would have a similar design, allowed to flow into the formal gardens on the west lawn. It was more than she had ever dreamed of.
“How many guests do you expect?”
“Who knows, but it is not every day that the heir to Davenmere is married. We have invited everybody who is anybody, of course, but on such short notice I expect maybe half of them to attend,” Lady Diana added casually.
“How many invitations have been sent out?” Hope was afraid to know the number, but asked anyway.
“A few hundred.” She waved her hand in the air, as though it were an average London affair.
“I had hoped for something small and intimate.”
“Becoming a duchess will require a slight shift in your thinking,” Diana said kindly. “Having Max for a husband will be worth it. You will not be a duke and duchess behind closed doors…and he needs that—and you—very much.”
As Hope needed him, she mused, trying not to reveal the direction of her thoughts as she recalled his caresses. She nodded, resolved not to complain. She knew what was expected of her. It would be a small price to pay.
“Excellent,” Diana said cheerfully.
The butler knocked on the open door and addressed Lady Diana. “The Duke’s carriage has been seen on the main drive, my lady.”
“At last! Inform Lord Rotham, if you please.” She stood up and to the room said, “Now we need not concern ourselves about changing the date. We may sample the champagne later.” She winked at Hope’s sisters, then walked over and kissed Hope on each cheek before she and Lady Claudia left the room to greet their father.
“I am glad his Grace has returned. Rotham has been extremely concerned about him.”
“I take it that all is well with him?” Faith asked carefully. “We did wonder if this was a little premature, but Lady Diana insisted on beginning the arrangements.” She waved her hand at all the wedding plans and preparations.
“All is well,” Hope assured her sisters.
“I could have told you that by the smile on her face,” Joy retorted.
Little Freddy was winding his way around her ankles. “No, Freddy, you may not pounce upon my train when I pass down the aisle,” she teased.
