The Bride Hunt Read Free Page B

delicacy. I believe that the goats are roasted whole and the meat is considered most succulent.” Jenkins held the steaming dish of shepherd’s pie at her elbow.
    “I’m not sure goat or sheep make much difference to the concept,” Prudence said, helping herself. “This smells delicious . . . thank you, Jenkins.”
    He moved around the table to Chastity. “Mrs. Hudson used grated cheese on the potato. I think you’ll find it nice and crispy.”
    Chastity cut through the crisp crust, and the butler presented a dish of buttered cabbage before filling their wineglasses and quietly removing himself.
    “It is actually very good,” Prudence said after a forkful.
    “Mrs. Hudson does remarkably well with what little she has to work with much of the time,” Chastity said. “Did we manage to pay her this month?”
    “Oh, yes. I had to pawn those little pearl earrings of Mother’s, but we’ll redeem them as soon as we get the
charitable donations
from Lady Lucan and Lady Winthrop.”
    “That’s such an outrageous idea of Con’s,” Chastity said. “To ask them to donate to a charity for indigent spinsters as a means of collecting our Go-Between fee.”
    “Well, they have no idea that they—or rather, their progeny—received the services of the Go-Between,” Prudence reminded her, helping herself to more cabbage. “It’s going to be a most useful way of collecting payment . . . should we find ourselves setting up other couples for their own good.”
    Chastity couldn’t help a grin. “For their own good. How altruistic that sounds, when all we want is their money.” She took a sip of wine and pulled a face. “This is a thin and ungrateful beverage.”
    “I know,” Prudence agreed with a rueful headshake. “Jenkins found some bottles of a burgundy at the back of the cellar that are clearly over the hill. We thought we ought to drink them up, those that Mrs. Hudson isn’t using for cooking.”
    “Don’t let Father get a sniff of them.”
    Prudence shook her head again and took a sip from her own glass. “It’s not too bad with food, but you couldn’t possibly drink it alone.”
    “So, when are we going to receive these charitable donations from
La Lucan
and
La Winthrop
?”
    “They promised to bring checks to the next At Home. I suggested around fifty guineas apiece would be suitable,” Prudence told her blithely.
    Chastity choked on a forkful of potato. “Fifty guineas apiece! That’s outrageous, Prue.”
    “Con thought it was a little much too, but I thought it was worth a try. It isn’t as if they can’t afford it,” her sister declared. “The wedding is to take place in December, and it’ll be the biggest, most lavish Society affair of the year. Hester and David are so absorbed in each other it’s nauseating. And their mothers are pleased as punch. We did them all a great service. Not to mention you,” she added with a grin. “Anything to give David an alternative love interest.”
    “The adoration
was
getting a little tedious,” Chastity admitted. “By the way, were there any other letters for
The Mayfair Lady
? Besides the legal one.”
    “Several. They’re still in my bag. We’ll look at them after dinner.”
    “I wonder what’s for pudding?” Chastity mused.
    “Apple crumble and custard, Miss Chas.” Jenkins answered the question as he reentered the parlor on cue. “Mrs. Hudson was wondering if you’d like her to make some scones for the At Home?” He gathered up their plates.
    “Oh, yes, please,” Prudence said. “We’re collecting money at the next one, so the sweeter the tea, the better.”
    “Yes, Miss Prue. I’ll explain to Mrs. Hudson. I imagine she’ll make another chocolate sponge.” Jenkins was quite matter-of-fact as he bore away their discarded plates. The dubious moneymaking activities of Lord Duncan’s daughters met only with his approval.

Chapter 2

    T he sisters entered the bow-windowed bookshop on Piccadilly within minutes of its opening.