Finding Hope (The Virtues Book 2) by Elizabeth Johns

Author:Elizabeth Johns [Johns, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

As she readied for bed that night, Hope felt much more at peace now that Faith and Westwood were there. They had moved into the chambers adjacent to hers, so there was a sense of security in knowing they were so close.

Hope climbed into bed, thinking about her prospects. There was excitement among the young ladies, with a few of their soldiering friends set to arrive the next day, and Hope tried to convince herself to be excited and even look for a potential husband amongst them. Brosner had been very attentive, so she had not given up all for lost as options other than Lord Rotham.

Rotham had been very attentive as well, but his care for her was simply as that of a friend, which only made things worse. Perhaps she could have a good marriage with someone like Brosner.

As she lay in bed, contemplating the posset Jenkins had left for her, there was a light knock on her door.

Hope saw her sister’s face as the panel cracked open. “May I come in? I wasn’t sure if you would still be awake.”

“Yes, of course.”

Faith entered, closing the door behind her, and then climbed on the bed next to Hope, just like old times.

“What are you doing in here? I thought you would be with Westwood.”

“He is visiting with his friends, and I wanted to see how your head was feeling.”

Hope reached up to touch the bandage. “It is sore to the touch, but my head is no longer throbbing, thankfully.”

“I am relieved to hear it. I thought you might need to talk alone. Patience and Grace are worried about you. They said you have not been yourself lately.”

It was true, but Hope did not want to make her sister feel guilty or responsible. “Naturally, I have been missing you.”

“And I, you. But there is also the matter of Lord Rotham. Do you wish to tell me about it? Has something happened?”

“There is not much to tell. The Duchess loathes me and does not think I am a suitable bride for her son.”

“What mother ever thinks someone good enough for their son?”

“The Dowager adores you,” Hope pointed out.

“I am fortunate,” Faith agreed.

“I have decided to consider other suitors. Lord Brosner has been very attentive.”

“Has he indicated a desire to court you?” Faith asked.

“Not in words, no,” Hope conceded.

“I only ask because Westwood says he desperately needs to marry a fortune.”

“Of course he does!” Hope retorted cynically. “I finally meet someone else I think I could muddle along with, and he cannot afford to consider me.”

“Have you given up all hope of Rotham?”

“It is very clear that he has brought all these ladies here to pick a bride. He has been paying each of them marked attention.”

“Any one more than the others?” Faith asked, considering.

“Actually, no. I cannot say he seems to favour any one person. He has even continued to be very civil to me, but there is not the easiness that we had before.” Hope fidgeted with the embroidered edge of the coverlet.

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