Free The Langley Sisters Trilogy Boxed Set by Wendy Vella Page B

piece of silk.
    “Blood red, military red, and rose red—there are many shades, Livvy, and that is not the one we want,” Phoebe said, discarding another.  
    “I had not realized that selecting ribbon was an art form, sister.”
    Phoebe merely flashed a blinding smile at her that encompassed Mr. Todd, who instantly flushed and stuttered that all the red ribbon in the shop was on sale today. Of course it was, Livvy thought as her sister continued to flirt with the man.  
    “I do believe you could murder someone and never face the consequences with that smile, Phoebe,” Livvy stated as they left the shop minutes later with more red ribbon than they needed, and a length of blue because Mr. Todd had insisted the blue was beginning to fray and he could no longer sell it.
    “Let us hope we never have to test that theory, Livvy. And now I’m hungry and because I saved you money on the ribbon, I think you should buy me a cinnamon bun.”
    “I concede the blue ribbon will look nice on your dress for the Assembly,” Livvy stated, following her sisters down the street once more. “And I imagine all that manipulating would make a person hungry.”
    “It was not manipulation. It was coercion, sister, there is a subtle difference,” Phoebe said, laughing. “I have been running through our dresses for the Christmas season, sisters, and I believe with a bit of trim here and seam letting there we will once again set everyone back on their heels.”
    “You are a miracle worker, Phoebe!” Bella cried.
    And she was, Livvy thought. Their dresses were designed by Phoebe and Jenny, who had found all their mother’s old gowns and spent hours transforming them into the current styles.  
    “That she is,” Livvy said quietly, as she followed her sisters down the street. She felt a small measure of calm steal over her as she watched them laughing and chatting together. For today, she would push their worries aside and enjoy spending time with Phoebe and Bella. The precious coins she used to pay for ribbons and buns were a small price to pay for a few snatched moment of happiness.  
    “If a man smelled like that,” Livvy loudly sniffed the cinnamon-scented air as they drew near the bakers. “Then I would have no trouble finding love.”
    “I would gladly wear cinnamon cologne, Miss Langley, if the result was you declaring your undying love to me.”
    And suddenly, with those drawled words, Livvy’s small measure of calm fled. Of all the men in Twoaks, why did Lord Ryder have to be the one to hear her say that?  

CHAPTER FIVE

    Will had accompanied Freddy into the village after his man of affairs declared his intentions this morning of purchasing some gloves and a warmer hat. They had taken the carriage because Freddy couldn’t sit a horse and he was not going to walk anywhere in this ‘ bleedin’ weather’ . Directing him to the appropriate shop, Will had then visited Luke and his family. Mrs. Fletcher had at first scowled at him for several seconds before unbending enough at her son’s urging to greet him politely and thank him for returning her boy to her safely.
    “I see where you get your pleasant demeanor from, Luke,” Will said as they left the Fletcher house to stroll down the street so he could reacquaint himself with the village.
    Luke snorted. “Ma’s always been hard on everyone, it’s just her way. She cuffed my ears when I first walked through the door, as if I were still a boy, and then hugged me for a good five minutes all the while sniffling into my collar.”
    “I can understand your mother’s motives. There have been plenty of times I’ve wanted to cuff you but—” The words died in Will’s throat as Olivia and her sisters walked out of a shop ahead of him. Today she was dressed in an elegant, long, dark blue coat that fell to her ankles and there was not a patch in sight. Maybe things were not going badly for the Langleys after all.
    “It’s Bella!”
    Will looked at his friend and saw the