“Are you suggesting we set up your cousin sisters with them? I would feel content knowing they would be well cared for by the York family,” he said.
Serenity and Jasmine were left speechless. They were aware that the Hunts had a reputation for being eccentric, but this comment took the cake. Each time they thought the Hunts couldn’t possibly sink lower, they would outdo themselves.
“Old Mr. Hunt, do you really believe just anyone can marry into the York family?” Jasmine interjected, eager to share her sarcastic opinion.
The old man was certainly a dreamer. The idea that he wanted to attach the York name to all his granddaughters was hard for even Jasmine to comprehend.
Old Mr. Hunt spoke plainly, “Serenity is an orphan, yet she could marry into the York family. My other granddaughters have both parents and come from respectable families. They are no less deserving than Serenity, so why can’t they marry into the York family?”
“Serenity, your grandfather is correct. Family should always come first and support one another. Help your cousins find partners in the York family. With them around, your position as the lady of the house will be secure, and no one will have authority over you.”
One of Serenity’s uncles had a daughter who was two years younger than Serenity and still single. The uncle’s eyes sparkled at the prospect of marrying his daughter into wealth.
Historically, the Hunts believed that marrying into affluence was unattainable, as they had never mingled with the elite. However, now that an ordinary girl like Serenity had become the wife of the richest man in the city, they began to think that upward mobility was indeed possible. They envisioned themselves in Serenity’s situation.
Though their niece was married to a wealthy man, they doubted she would assist them, given their strained relationship. However,
If their daughters had wealthy husbands, the situation would be quite different. Surely, those daughters would contribute financially to the family. The Hunts might enter high society in a few years with the York family guiding them. They would boast to others about their connection to Mrs. York, and the envious glances they received from the public only inflated their egos. Unfortunately, the Hunts were too oblivious to distinguish between envy and cynicism.