Page 49 of Finding Hope
“Do you think the Duchess is behind them? I gathered the men believed the culprit to be Lady Matilda.”
“Did they say so?” Hope turned with surprise to look directly at Faith.
She could see the indecision on her face. “I was not supposed to say, but yes, they believe it may have been Lady Matilda.”
“What else are you not telling me?”
She held up her hands. “That is all I know. I heard Westwood and Rotham talking about it. He came to our rooms to ask after you and invited Dominic downstairs for a drink. He wanted advice on whether or not to confront her.”
“I do not think that is wise. Would it not provoke her further?” Hope asked.
“I know very little of her. They would cross the room whenever we were near, if you recall. Why Rotham invited them here is beyond me.”
“Lord Wilton is a friend of the Duke’s,” Hope explained.
“It is a pity Rotham feels pressured to marry before the Duke dies.”
Hope agreed completely. “If Lady Matilda is the culprit, do you think she will continue to harass me?”
“Not if they confront her, but I do not think they have enough proof to do so.”
“Then we must catch her in action,” Hope said determinedly.
“You would have to lay a trap and use Rotham as the bait.”
“I could not ask him to risk so much. I think it would be best if I stayed away from him. If I made it clear I was no threat, then she would leave me alone.”
“Who knows with someone that would stoop to these methods,” Faith replied. “I do not think you should yet give up on your chances with Rotham. I know he returns your regard, even if he does not fully realize it. Even Westwood agrees.”
Hope knew it, which was why it hurt so much more. If you cared for someone enough, you would not turn away from them. However, she had not been brought up to think as a Duke. Suddenly realizing something, she sat up from her reclining position against the pillows. “We have her handwriting!” She threw back the covers, climbed down from the bed and hurried over to the small escritoire in her room where she had placed the letters. Once she found them, she turned and held them up. “We must discover a way to have her write something, then we will know for certain if it matches.”
“I imagine she is too clever for me to ask her for a sample,” Faith said wryly.
“I meant to be sly. A parlour game, mayhap?”
“That is not a bad idea. I can suggest it to Rotham. Although she might have had someone write it for her to avoid anyone linking the notes to her.”
“I would never trust another person to keep my secret if I did something clandestinely such as that,” Hope said with disbelief.
“Not even me?” Faith looked hurt.
“Would you allow me to get away with something so wicked?” she countered. Then a yawn overtook her.
“Never. We can talk to Rotham in the morning. Time for bed. I should not have kept you awake so long after your accident.”
“I am glad you did. Your visit has kept me from my thoughts. How I’ve missed you!”
“And I you.” Faith pulled Hope into a hug before turning to the door. “Is this another note?” She bent over and picked up the innocuous-looking piece of paper that had come to mean fear to Hope. “Shall I open it?”
Hope nodded, whilst dreading the words.
Faith gasped then read it to her.
A lucky escape you had. Was it a warning or an accident?
“What a horrible thing to suggest, that the shot might have been intentional!”
Hope did not want to think about that. The note made it very clear it had been. “Do you think they were listening the whole time?”
