Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(45)

“She has been with the family for nearly twenty years, Bella,” reminded Arabella.

Bella lifted her chin. “That does not mean she is any good as a cook. I think I could do a better job.” She motioned to Merry. “Remember when you came for afternoon tea and she burnt the cakes and gave us spoiled milk.”

Merry grimaced. “That milk was a little rancid.”

“You sound spoiled, Bella,” Sophia warned.

Bella lifted her nose into the air. “And you sound like Mrs. Hitchens. The woman loathes me, I swear.”

“Because you are spoiled and outrageous,” said Sophia. “Now are you going to help me with this painting or not.”

Bella paused, a glint in her eyes. “Well, I do not know. If I am so spoiled, I am not sure I am the sort to be doing heavy lifting.”

Merry wrapped an arm around Bella’s shoulders. “Whether you are spoiled or not, we love you just the way you are.”

“You are only saying that so that I get on with the work.” Bella grinned.

“Perhaps.” Merry chuckled. Leave it to Bella to help her forget all her frustrations. “Did it work?”

She bent down to pick up the other corner of the painting. “I am an absolute pushover for flattery. Of course it worked!”

Merry and Arabella snatched up a few of the smaller paintings and followed Sophia and Bella downstairs into the drawing room. Orion raced past Merry, excited by all the movement, down the corridor then back into the room. The large painting was propped up against the wall while Merry spread out the smaller ones to study them.

“I was thinking I would have that large one on that wall.” She pointed to the wall opposite the window. “Then the smaller ones here.”

Arabella stepped back to eye the room and nodded. “That sounds perfect.” She looked at Merry. “I confess I am a little jealous of you setting up home on your own.”

“There is something to be said to living alone,” Sophia admitted.

“I would rather not have to gain a horrible husband before doing it, though,” pointed out Bella.

Sophia grimaced. “I like my freedom as a widow, and I am grateful for what I inherited from him. But I would not wish such a miserable match on anyone.”

“Let us just be grateful he dropped dead so quickly!” Bella said. “Just think you could have been stuck with him for another couple of decades.”

Arabella gasped. “Bella, you should not speak ill of the dead.”

Bella’s lips twisted. “I will more than happily speak ill of that beast. He mistreated Sophia.”

Sophia held up her hands. “It is fine. I have made my peace with it all now. But I cannot claim to be sad he passed.”

“If I had known at the time, I’d have killed him myself,” Bella said between gritted teeth.

None of them had been aware Sophia’s husband was mistreating her during their marriage. He made sure they rarely saw her and remained in London most of the time. It was not until after her husband’s death, did Sophia admit how awful he was to her. Two years had passed since then, and for the most part, Sophia seemed utterly at peace with it all. Merry was not convinced those sorts of scars could heal that easily, however, but she was loath to bring it up unless Sophia did.

Merry nodded. “I think we all would have done him some harm, had we known.”

Holding both hands up, Sophia shook her head. “What’s done is done.”

“Now, talking of men. Your mama said she saw Easton riding with the Devine sisters.” Bella nodded toward Sophia and Arabella. “It seems the dowager countess is angling for a match with one of them.”

Merry grimaced. She did not want to hear this. She did not want to think about Harry with other women. Curling her hands at her side, she managed to resist clapping her hands over her ears.

“They shall be lucky to secure him,” Arabella commented. “Everyone knows what a rake he is.”

Bella shrugged. “Your mama said he looked to be enjoying himself.”

Merry’s heart sank further. She’d been right about him, but that did not mean she liked being correct.

Sophia tutted. “I do not know why you listen to our mother. She is always gossiping, and it is rarely correct. Now, are we going to hang these paintings or not?”

“Let us get that big one over and done with,” Bella suggested. “Then perhaps it shall land on no more toes.”

“Yes,” agreed Merry. “Once that one is up, we can see what the room shall look like and then we can figure out where the rest go.”

Bella and Sophia lifted it once more, easing it up while Merry wrangled it over the picture hooks.

“Anyone home?”

Merry’s heart juddered to a stop at the sound of the baritone echoing around the house.

“Oh it’s...” Bella stopped as soon as Merry clapped a hand over her mouth. Bella made a muffled protest against her hand.

“Do not say anything,” hissed Merry. “I do not want to see him.”

“Why ever not?” asked Arabella.

“I...I just do not.” Merry straightened. “I...I’m fed up with him always checking up on me. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.”

Footsteps echoed down the hallway and Orion barked, dashing off in the direction of the sound before Merry could grab him.