Free Wicked and Wonderful by Valerie King Page A

us?”
    “I believe I should let you both know at the outset, that I have every intention of choosing the next countess of Kelthorne for myself.”
    “And so you shall,” Amy said, her tone placating. She was a year younger than Mary but at least did not treat him in the same officious manner as her sister. She was taller than Mary but had a sweeter countenance.
    “I would even say that Mary has spoken too stridently.” When he barked his laughter, Amy continued hastily, “But even I have hopes that you might find this young woman quite to your taste. She is refined, elegant, in possession of more poise than any young lady ought to be, and very very beautiful.”
    At this, he turned and frowned at Amy. “She sounds like a paragon.”
    Mary’s eyes twinkled. “She might just be. And I should tell you that in this case, I believe she might be too good for you, especially given your wretched reputation.”
    Kelthorne was mollified. “I have no doubt that you are right about that.”
    Laurence folded his newspaper and rose from his seat by the hearth. “I confess that now even I am grown intrigued.”
    Amy turned to smile upon him. “So you should be, Laurence, for not only is she quite the most beautiful lady I have ever laid eyes upon, she is also a considerable heiress. If my brother will not have her, she might just do for you.”
    “What is her name?” he asked.
    “Abigail Currivard.”
    “And why have we not heard of her or seen her in London?” Kelthorne inquired. “We are there quite often as you very well know.”
    The sisters glanced at one another.
    “Oh, ho!” Laurence cried. “Do I apprehend the stench of trade in the air?” He was laughing as he spoke.
    Mary lifted her chin. “The spice trade and you will not call it a stench when you hear that her dowry alone is eighty thousand pounds. Upon the death of her father, she will inherit more.”
    Kelthorne was astonished.
    “Good God,” Laurence said. “I believe I may swoon. And where did you discover this creature?”
    Mary left the small circle they had made and took up a seat on a sofa opposite the chair Laurence had just vacated. “We shall tell you everything you wish to know, but not before you ring for some tea.”
    “Of course.” Kelthorne moved to the wall by the door and gave the bell-pull a sharp tug. He ought to have done so sooner for when she was increasing, she was easily fatigued.
    Mary looked about her. “I approve very much of the changes you have made. Uncle was such a nipcheese but these fabrics—and such a pretty shade of green—are of the first quality. I am so glad that you have inherited Portislow for a finer house one may not find in many counties.” She was puffed up with pleasure. “And it is so fortunate that the house proper is not part of the castle, otherwise, given how cold and damp castles are wont to be, you probably would never be at home.”
    A discussion ensued about some of the changes until the butler appeared and tea requested.
    “I’ll admit that this is a comfortable house. And I did rely entirely upon the expertise of the woman you sent me, Mary. Do I apprehend that since she resided in Bath, you had a hand in choosing and sending the fabrics?”
    Amy laughed. “We both did.”
    His sisters then launched into a detailed explanation of all their searches through various shops, and how they consulted with good friends whose taste they each approved. Kelthorne was happy to let them rattle on and he could even confess, despite the disruption of his plans, he was glad to see his sisters.
    When tea arrived, he set the service before Mary and very soon each held a cup and saucer, leaned back in their chairs and sighed their contentment.
    “Well, you did rightly in all your scheming. The result is very pleasing. Of course, with so much excellent wainscoting, the refitting of the main rooms was done with little inconvenience to myself. But do you think Miss Currivard will approve?”
    Amy set her