Free Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney Page B

green entered the room. The Duchess of Ashton and her identical twin sister had returned from an expedition. Kiri rose and gave her sister-in-law a hug. “Every time I see you, it’s easier to tell you and Sarah apart.”
    Mariah laughed and patted her swelling abdomen. “I keep looking at Sarah and reminding myself that someday, I might once again look as slim and lovely as she does.”
    “When that day comes, you won’t need to nap as much, either,” Sarah Clarke-Townsend said firmly. “Adam, Mariah was dozing in the carriage on the way home. She needs to go upstairs and rest. ”
    “That’s not necessary!” Mariah said with exasperation. “Everyone fusses so. Bearing children is perfectly natural. Kiri, I need someone to argue on my side!”
    “It won’t be me,” Kiri said with a grin. “Having children is natural, and so is being fatigued by the process. Resign yourself to being pampered, Your Grace.”
    “And if you refuse to be pampered, I shall carry you upstairs against your will,” Adam said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “I’d rather enjoy that.”
    Laughing, Mariah took her husband’s arm and let him escort her from the room. When they were gone, Sarah said with a sigh, “Is it terribly wicked of me to be so envious of my sister for having a wonderful, doting husband?”
    “If so, I’m wicked, too.” Kiri felt a twinge that made her think of the dratted Mackenzie. “There are other good men around. It just takes time to find the right one.”
    Sarah’s eyes shadowed. Kiri remembered that the other girl had been betrothed, and her intended had died before they could marry. Wanting a distraction, Kiri pulled the bell cord. “Let’s have tea. You must also be tired if you’ve been shopping.”
    “Excellent thought.” As Sarah sat on the leather sofa, she glanced curiously at Mackenzie’s cloak, which still lay on the floor.
    Kiri retrieved the garment and folded it over the back of the chair. After ordering a tea tray when a footman entered, she said, “I noticed that the orange notes are starting to dominate in the perfume I made for you. Is it time to go back to the mixing bowl?”
    Sarah sniffed her wrist. “You’re right, it is smelling more orangelike as I wear it longer. You have the most amazing nose. I rather like this, actually, at least for day wear, but if you have the time, would you be willing to come up with a richer, more alluring version for evening?”
    “I’d love to. Every woman should have a wardrobe of perfumes that fit different moods. It’s interesting how this scent is different on you than on Mariah.” Kiri surrendered to curiosity. “Speaking of identical twins—this is an appalling question and feel free to ignore it if you don’t want to answer. But I’ve wondered. Given how much you and Mariah resemble each other, are you a little bit in love with Adam?”
    Sarah looked startled, and certainly distracted from any memories of her lost love. “Not in the least. Or rather, I love him, but as a brother. He’s wonderful, and he and Mariah suit splendidly, but he doesn’t make my heart beat faster.”
    “That’s fortunate.” The tea tray arrived, so Kiri poured for them.
    Sarah sipped her tea thoughtfully. “Mariah and I look very much alike and we have many similarities, including the way we choose the same colors for the same occasions.” Sarah gestured at her light green morning gown, almost exactly the same shade as her sister wore that day.
    “But since we were raised apart, we grew in our own separate ways. Mariah has that bright charm that dazzles everyone who sees her. Since Adam is reserved, they balance each other beautifully.”
    “If balance is your ideal relationship,” Kiri said, intrigued, “what does that mean for the kind of husband you would like?”
    “Mariah was raised rather irregularly and was always having to adapt to new circumstances, so she loves that Adam is so solid and reliable,” Sarah explained. “I,