Soon, they had pulled off the road where they could be private while the footmen quickly unloaded the feast that had been prepared.
Dominic noticed Miss Whitford walking away from the group—whether to stretch her legs or remove herself from the company, he could not say. Meanwhile, Miss Hope was quickly surrounded by his friends, though just waiting to be adored.
Miss Whitford was going to be a prickly one, and he rather thought he was going to enjoy crossing swords with her.
“May I join you?” He saw her startle and almost laughed.
“Yes, of course. I thought to stretch my legs a bit.”
He almost offered her his arm, but was not quite ready to annoy her further.
They walked a little way in silence. Dominic had little to say, but he suspected there was a great deal she would like to rail at him for. He did not have to wait long.
“You seem amused by all of this, my lord.”
“I can choose either to be amused or annoyed, but it changes nothing. Would you prefer me to be the latter?”
“No, of course not. I would not think you would be pleased by having five females thrust upon you.”
Dominic raised an eyebrow but only smiled.
“We are not used totonways, my lord. Lady Halbury was very odd in her habits.”
“Be that as it may, do you not wish for your sisters to make good matches?”
“Of course I do!” Her eyes flashed and her cheeks pinkened as he had known they would.
“Do you expect to find these matches in Bath?”
“I do not see why not.” Her chin lifted, and her eyes met his. What a fierce little tiger she was. He felt his interest stir but had no intention of succumbing.
“What do you mean to do with us, then, sir?”
“As I said before, I intend to read the will for myself.”
“There was very little to read with regards to us, I am afraid.”
“You have read it yourself?”
“No, but Lady Halbury’s solicitor read it to us. There was only a short portion stating she set aside 5000 pounds for each of us in the funds, and that you were named our guardian. The solution seems simple to me! I have been caring for my sisters alone this past twelvemonth. I am very happy to continue doing so. If you would but release my funds to me, we may set up a household and manage quite comfortably.”
“And you have a great knowledge of what it takes to run such an establishment?”
“Lady Halbury taught me to manage Halbury Hall.”
“Admirable. And how many months remain until you are of age?”
“Six.”
“And do you realize it could very well take longer than that to arrange what you ask?”
He could see that she did not realize. He softened his tone. “Would a short stay in London be so terrible? Your sister could make a great match. She already has the three most eligible bachelors in the palm of her hand.” Quite literally, Dominic noticed, as they looked over to where his friends, who would normally run as far as their feet would take them from an eligible miss, were at her feet fawning over her and handing her food.
“I have little doubt Hope would be a success,” Faith said. “However, the expense of a Season would consume my entire portion. Then where would we be when six months has passed?”
“Where, indeed?” They turned to walk back towards the others. “What of yourself, Miss Whitford? Will you be a martyr for the cause of your sisters?”
“I would hardly call it martyrdom! They are everything to me.”
