Whispers of Light: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 1 by Monroe Jennifer

Author:Monroe, Jennifer [Monroe, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2019-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

A week passed, and contrary to the prediction Laurence had made, Harriet still had not returned to her home in Malmsbury, and there was no indication she would be leaving anytime soon. If what the woman was saying at the moment was true, her stay might turn into another month.

Isabel had yet to spend any time to herself, for every waking moment was spent doing whatever Harriet desired. They had returned to town three more times, making more purchases neither needed, and then visited Harriet’s friend Margaret before returning home. Margaret was the exact opposite of Harriet—quiet and unobtrusive—and Isabel wondered how they could have been such good friends.

Isabel was more than happy to suffer through it all in order to please Laurence, but it was the manner in which Harriet spoke to her brother that ruffled her feathers. Even a blind man could have seen how she used him for his money without so much as a lick of respect for his station. Laurence lacked confidence, and it would never build with his sister’s constant ridicule.

“You know,” Harriet was saying, “I was thinking that the ballroom needs redecorating. The styles are changing rather quickly, Laurence, and its current state is an embarrassment to us all.”

“It was decorated not six years ago,” Laurence argued.

Harriet took a bite of her potato and washed it down with a bit of wine. After dabbing at her mouth with a napkin, she replied, “Six years or six hundred, it does not matter.” She snapped her fingers at one of the footmen and tapped on the rim of her glass. “If I am to host a party, I will not allow the guests to sit in such squander.”

Isabel set down her fork with a clink. “Party?” she asked in shock. “No one mentioned to me we were hosting a party.”

“Oh, yes,” Laurence replied as his sister took a drink from her refilled glass of wine. “Harriet mentioned that a party would be a good way to introduce you to a few of our friends.”

Isabel let out a concentrated breath, but before she could respond, Harriet said, “He never hosts anything. It is no wonder the ton believes he is a recluse.”

“Perhaps he prefers to not have people traipsing through his house,” Isabel replied evenly. “There are some who prefer to be left alone and forced to be crowded together with their peers.”

Harriet ignored her. “We shall go into town tomorrow and secure several workers to redecorate the ballroom. As a matter of fact, the drawing room needs attention, as well.”

Isabel, realizing that she would have no say in the matter, turned to Laurence. “And what about you?” she asked. “Would you like to join us tomorrow? Perhaps Harriet and I can shop while you do something on your own.”

She caught the flicker of a twinkle in his eye, but it fizzled at Harriet’s snort. “He does not like to go into town,” she said with a sneer. “Too many people would stare at him because of his limp.

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