The Devil You Know by Holloway Sophia

Author:Holloway, Sophia [Holloway, Sophia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2017-07-25T16:00:00+00:00

13

‘And where are you putting up in London?’ Kitty could not resist asking, as the door shut behind her husband.

‘Oh, Papa has opened our house again this Season. Mama is bringing out my youngest sister, Cassandra. Bidford sees it is eminently suitable.’

Kitty wondered how long he might continue in this belief, but made no comment. Lady Bidford’s eye settled upon a cushion with moth holes in the velvet. It both delighted her to see that her sister-in-law, whilst outranking her, was not elevated to luxury, and worried her natural frugality, since she could foresee wasteful expense upon refurbishments. Kitty read her face like a book.

‘Alas, this house has not been used by the family for some years, and is in sad need of bringing up to date. I was ordering materials but yesterday, for both here and Melling Hall.’ She smiled sweetly. Lady Bidford looked as though she had announced an intention to act upon the stage.

‘You would squander what I have to say must be your dear brother’s excessive largesse?’

‘Oh no,’ responded Kitty, blithely. ‘After all, Ledbury has committed much of it already upon his race horses.’ If it was a lie, then it was at least what her lord would prefer to do with the money.

‘On his race horses.’ Lady Bidford snorted, remarkably like one of them. ‘Shameful. I only hope you have expressed your gratitude to Bidford, for his quite outstanding generosity.’

‘You can be sure that Bidford knows, to an inch, the depths of my “gratitude”.’ There was a spark in Kitty’s eye, but her sister-in-law failed to notice it.

‘Had he consulted me before he made the settlement, I would have said that it far exceeded what was required.’ Lady Bidford’s tone implied that she had spent some considerable time ‘explaining’ to her new spouse that this omission was a major failing on his part. ‘You find yourself the envy of many, no doubt, having caught such a prize as Ledbury, though it is clear you will find yourself fending off creditors from the door in short order. If you will take my advice…’

‘I think, Annabel, you can be sure that I will not. You know, I might even be tempted to do precisely the opposite, so best you keep your recommendations for those inclined to hang upon your words. I am sure Bidford will share your outrage at this, but think of it as a gift from me, cementing your relationship in these early days of wedlock.’

Even one so thick-skinned as the new Lady Bidford could not fail to understand these words. She drew herself very upright, simultaneously looking down her very slightly aquiline nose at Kitty.

‘I see.’

‘Yes, I thought you might.’

‘Well, if you will not listen to wisdom…’

‘Ah, but I will attend to wisdom when I hear it,’ replied Kitty, dulcetly.

Lady Bidford glowered, and turned a most unbecoming shade. Kitty rang the bell, lest, as she later informed her husband with relish, her sister-in- law explode. That lady returned to her parents’ house to give vent to her feelings to her unfortunate sister Cassandra.

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