Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(61)

Bella flung herself down on the chaise longue by the window, spreading herself out as though she owned the place. She grinned. “Now that you are set to marry Easton, are you going to use this as your little hideaway? An escape from the pressures of the life of a countess perhaps?” She waggled her brows. “Or perhaps a nice little private place for the both of you?”

Merry could feel heat flow into her cheeks. Such was the effect of the thought of time alone with Harry. It was still another month until their wedding, and she had to admit to growing impatient. She shook her head, leaning over to pour tea. “Isabel’s mother is going to move in. She is a little frail and it would not hurt to have her near.”

“That’s kind of you to offer her the house,” Arabella said.

Merry lifted her shoulders. “Well, it is not really mine to offer, though Daniel did give me the option of keeping it. But I will have no need for it after the wedding. It seemed silly to keep it to myself.”

Sophia dropped sugar into her cup and gave it a vigorous stir. “And so he should have offered. You put in most of the work.”

“As did you three,” Merry reminded her.

Bella pressed her lips together. “I think we made things worse, did we not?”

“Well,” Merry glanced at one of the pictures they had hung that was still slightly askew, “not completely worse.”

Sophia chuckled. “I think we had fun doing it.” She paused. “I think. My toes have still not forgiven Bella.”

“I did not even drop it hard.” Bella made a dismissive noise. She leaned back. “Is it true Easton thought you were in danger, Merry?”

Merry gave a little nod.

“Why did you not tell us?” Sophia demanded.

“Because it all sounded preposterous!” She grimaced. “And it was. All coincidence. The house was steadily falling apart with the recent winds we had and I heard tale that there was robbery by knifepoint in Brycesbury the very same day Sophia and I were there. It was just rotten luck.”

“Well, we were not actually robbed,” Sophia pointed out. “Harcourt rescued us if you recall.”

Lifting the plate of biscuits from the table, Merry offered them about. “We were lucky there. Or at least, lucky he was so determined to protect me from a non-existent threat.”

Sighing, Bella pressed the back of a hand to her head dramatically. “If only I had been there. What I would not give to be rescued by a man.”

Sophia gave Bella a jab in the ribs with an elbow.

“What?” Bella straightened. “One is allowed to dream occasionally, is one not? It does not mean I really want a man.”

“Nor do any of us,” Sophia reminded them. “We might be one member down, but the Spinster Club still remains.”

“Oh yes.” Bella nodded. “I have no intention of marrying, even if our founding member has abandoned us.”

Merry opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it when Bella shot her a teasing look.

“Good, nor do I,” said Sophia firmly. “Lord Easton is one of the few good men around, and now that Merry has snapped him up, I see no need for any of us to marry.”

“I do not mind admiring, though.” Bella folded her arms across her chest. “You cannot deny me the odd flirtation, surely?”

Sophia shook her head, lifting her gaze to the skies. “You will scandalize us all, Bella.”

Bella shrugged. “Well, if we are not to marry, what does it matter if we are scandalized?”

“You could be sent away to Ireland like poor Miss Lucy Gable,” Arabella reminded her.

Taking a long, noisy sip of tea, Bella made a dismissive noise. “Father would not notice if I flung myself at the Prince Regent, I suspect.”

Sophia nodded. “Thank goodness I live alone.”

“You are certainly not missing out on anything. As soon as I can decide how to gain my independence, I am leaving them all for good.” Bella pursed her lips. “Perhaps I could become a courtesan.”

Arabella straightened. “Most certainly not!”

Bella grinned. “I was jesting. Though sometimes anything seems better than remaining at home with my awful brothers.” She gave a mock shudder. “This morning they woke me up because there were no sausages for the morning meal. Apparently, it is up to me to ensure we are always well-stocked with sausages.” She shook her head. “It is not like there was not enough food!”

Merry leaned over and gave Bella’s hand a squeeze. Though Bella jested more than most, she knew her brothers were a handful. If not worse. They were spiteful men who looked down upon their sister.

“We shall figure out a way of gaining your independence, but you know we shall all support you in the meantime. You could always come and live with me at Lulworth Castle.”

Shaking her head vigorously, Bella made a horrified expression. “Just as you did not want to be intruding on your brother’s new marriage, I have no wish to become your companion, Merry. You and Easton are far too in love.”

Sophia lifted a brow. “Is there such a thing as far too in love?”

Bella nodded. “There is when one is the only company for the couple. I shall simply have to find some other solution to my situation.”

“You are always welcome to come live with me, Bella, you know that,” said Sophia.