Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(10)

Merry uncrossed her arms and glanced around at the concerned faces. It had been a week since she’d buried her father and she had to admit she had not exactly been sociable. There had been a lot for her to mull over. But the strange empty feeling had already begun to ease. She was sorry he was dead and sorry they never had the relationship she had hoped for, but she had hers and Daniel’s future to think of now.

“You do not need to worry for me, I promise,” she assured them all. “I am a little numb to it perhaps, but I am well. I am not brooding, I promise.”

Arabella hooked her arm through Merry’s and they started down the main road of the village. Set back from the cliff edges and tucked between two hills, Lulworth consisted of mostly thatched cottages. Several of them were home to shops and at the end of the long road that dissected the village was a sizeable inn. For those who like London or Bath, it had little to offer, but for Merry, it was perfect. Her friends thought so too. Here they could avoid worrying about whether they would run into anyone important and what they would do if they did. None of them enjoyed those sorts of interactions.

“I am determined to be moved into the dower house before Daniel returns,” Merry explained as they strolled down the road in a row. “If he is to be taking on the title, he will have a lot to deal with and he does not need to be worrying about me or whether the dower house is ready.”

Arabella frowned. “There’s so much work to be done, though. Surely you would be better off waiting until he returns? Have you even looked inside the house recently? What if there are...I don’t know...holes in the roof?”

Chuckling, Merry shook her head. “I think it is quite sound, just a little dirty and unloved.”

“That sounds like Bella after she’s been tending to the pigs!” Sophia said.

Bella thrust out her tongue. “I shall have you know the pigs love me very much.”

“They’re the only ones who will,” Sophia teased.

“I did not come out here to be insulted. I thought we were here to support Merry.” Bella gave Sophia a gentle shove, sending her a few steps sideways.

Sophia nudged her back, knocking her into Arabella and then into Merry.

“Careful!!” Arabella exclaimed as she steadied herself.

“Do not forget that we have vowed to go without men,” Merry reminded them.

“Yes, we vowed not to marry them, but that does not mean we cannot ask them for help,” pointed out Arabella.

“Oh look, new bonnets!” Bella pointed toward the drapers.

They headed over and peered into the shop window. An array of new bonnets were indeed displayed. Feathered monstrosities and large brimmed hats filled the display, all in bright gaudy colors. Merry grimaced. “It looks as though Mrs. Bryce has been shopping again.”

Sophia nodded. “She always thinks she has the best taste in fashion.”

“Let us go try some on.” Bella darted into the shop before any of them could protest. Rolls of fabric were laid out on the center table and lined the shelves. Ribbons hung from above. Bella snatched up the biggest, ugliest bonnet she could find and plopped it on her head before posing. “What do you think?”

“Hideous,” Sophia said. “What was Mrs. Bryce thinking?” she murmured. “These are her worst yet.”

Bella picked up a wide-brimmed froth of lace and straw and dunked it on Merry’s head. “This looks like it was made for you.”

Merry almost staggered under the weight of the thing. She blew away a piece of lace that hung in front of her eye and tried to adjust it. She crossed her eyes. “I can hardly see out from underneath it!”

“Oh, but it does suit you so well.” Arabella giggled.

“It really does, my lady.” Mrs. Bryce stepped out from the rear room and Merry winced at her beatific expression. Round and short, Mrs. Bryce always dressed in what she considered to be the most fashionable clothes. Her color choices were never quite right, however, and always clashed with the perpetual ruddiness in her face.

Mrs. Bryce flicked her gaze over Merry. “It does not go so well with your mourning wear, but you should purchase it nonetheless. It will be something to look forward to wearing.”

“Oh, I do not think—” Merry paused, not quite willing to crush the woman’s hopeful expression. “Well, I suppose it would not hurt to own another bonnet. But I do think Bella should purchase hers as well, do you not think, Mrs. Bryce?”

A slight gasp emanated from Bella. Merry gave her a smug look.

The woman’s smile broadened. “I do indeed. You look quite well in that, Miss Bella.” Mrs. Bryce tilted her head “Almost...pretty.”

“Almost pretty,” Bella hissed. “What a compliment. If that bonnet makes me look almost pretty, I must be ugly indeed.”

Merry knew Bella considered herself untraditional. Her strong features were not what was fashionable but that did not make her ugly at all. It didn’t seem to matter how many times they told her that, though. Bella always dismissed their compliments and told them she did not care if she were the ugliest woman in the world. Merry was not so sure that was true.

Once they had paid for their bonnets, Bella snatched Merry’s and shoved it back on her head. “She needs to wear it right now, do you not think, Mrs. Bryce? It will make her feel so much better.”