“I take it Lord Waverley made his intentions known last night?” Ertugrul asked with a grin. “I could tell he wasn’t happy with me when I handed you off to him for the second waltz.”
The bold question had all the other young women gasping in shock. “Hope?” Patience prompted, her mouth still open.
“He hasn’t asked me to marry him. Not exactly,” Hope blurted. She dipped her head. “I’m only a viscount’s daughter, though, so I really don’t think he will continue to court me.”
“Court you?” several repeated in surprise. “How long has he been courting you?”
Hope winced. “Only a few weeks. We’ve kept quiet about it because... well, it’s been our secret. But after last night...” She sighed. “I’m only a viscount’s daughter,” she repeated.
“Your mother was a countess before she married your father,” Adeline stated, as if that made all the difference.
“He... he said he would speak with his father and send a...”
The sound of a clearing throat had them all turning to discover Elkins standing at the door with a silver salver.
“What is it, Elkins?” Adeline asked.
“A footman delivered this note for Miss Hope. He apologized for its late delivery. He tried first at Stanton House but was told Miss Hope could be found here.”
Another collective gasp had Ertugrul chuckling softly as Hope came to her feet and plucked the white envelope from the salver.
“Who’s it from?” Faith asked in excitement.
“It has the Ariley seal on the back. I can see it from here,” Adeline remarked. She dared not seem too happy in the event the missive brought disappointing news.
Hope stood holding the note as if it might explode. “I don’t think I dare open this,” she murmured, a look of worry replacing her happy expression of only a moment ago.
“My lady, may I offer you any assistance?”
All eyes turned to the sultan’s son, and Hope rushed to stand before him. “Can you read English? A man’s penmanship? Because William’s writing is rot,” she said in a rush, unaware she had used his given name.
Ertugrul took the missive from her, slid a thumbnail beneath the wax so that it lifted cleanly from the parchment, and he gave it to her. “An interesting sigil,” he remarked as he unfolded the paper. “Do you wish me to read it aloud?”
“Oh, please let him,” Lucy begged. “I’m about to die of curiosity.”
Hope nodded and Ertugrul held up the note. “My dearest Faith Hope...” He stopped and glanced up at her in confusion.
“Oh, it’s my full name. I go by Hope since there are so many Faiths,” she explained as she waved at Faith Fulton. “Please, continue.”
He inhaled and read aloud, “Upon our departure from Weatherstone Manor early this morning, I was informed by my father that neither my sister nor I am to marry—”
“Oh!” a collective sound of disappointment filled the salon before Ertugrul held up a finger. Patience was halfway to standing and then looked as if she might faint.
“—for financial or political reasons. His manner was most sober. He ordered that we marry for love.”
A collective gasp of excitement filled the room at the same moment Elizabeth appeared at the door. Standing next to the butler, she gave him a questioning glance.
“A missive for Miss Hope arrived from Ariley Place,” he whispered, his presence at the door long forgotten by those who were listening intently to Ertugrul.
“I heard the ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ and gasping all the way upstairs. I was beginning to think a Peeping Tom was exposing himself in the front window.”
Elkins’ eyes widened. “I would never allow it, my lady,” he claimed.
“And all those roses out there? Who are they for?”
His gray brows furrowing, Elkins looked confused for the first time in his service to Bostwick House. “Roses?” he repeated in a soft whisper. He left her side, apparently to discover what she was talking about.
Elizabeth’s attention returned to Ertugrul, who seemed to take delight in what he was reading.
