Page 67 of A Misguided Devotion

“Oh dear,” said Charlotte, interrupting her. “I’m sorry if he upset you by overstepping the mark, but I am certain he meant well.”

What a relief! His twin had not turned against him and assumed he had benevolent motives.

“I have to agree,” said Hetta. “He’s rather lazy, and that being the case, he would not have made the effort to interfere if he didn’t care about you. What did he do?”

Kitty hesitated. Would she tell them? If she did, he could persuade his sisters to help her where he could not. There would be no considerations of propriety to contend with if one lady gave a gift to another.

“He prevented me from obtaining the funds I needed.”

“By pawning her mother’s pearls,” William said. “Did you expect me to stand by and let her?”

Two spots of colour appeared in Kitty’s cheeks at his words.

“You must have been quite desperate to attempt such a thing,” said Hetta. There was no disapproval in her voice—just sympathy.

Kitty gave a single nod.

“I’m sorry,” said Charlotte. “I imagine it has left you in some difficulty, or you would not have tried to pawn the pearls in the first place.” She shot him a pained look. “Let me guess—he volunteered to lend you the money, and was surprised when you refused.”

The corners of Kitty’s mouth curled up in response. “To begin with, he suggested paying for the things—and when I declined, he proposed to loan me the money, as if that would be more acceptable.”

Hetta rolled her eyes at William. “Most improper!” She exchanged glances with Charlotte, who nodded. “Would you let us help you instead?”

The tension melted from William’s body as his sisters offered what propriety prevented him from doing. She wouldn’t refuse their aid, would she?

“I couldn’t possibly—”

“Why not?” asked Hetta. “I have more than enough pin money, and I like you. Come on, Charlotte, we need to take our new friend shopping.”

William leaned across and gave each sister a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“We’ll meet you at—?” Hetta raised her brow at him.

“Mrs Fisher’s.”

She turned back to Kitty. “Excellent. I might purchase a bonnet whilst I’m there. Now, would you like me to keep an account of what we spend, or will you let us treat you?”

“I would much prefer you to tot up my expenditure, but as I have no way of ever repaying you—”

Hetta grinned. “How wise. I knew I liked you. That means we may be as extravagant as we wish, and you cannot complain.”

“But I can’t allow you—”

“No arguments,” said Charlotte. “It is more blessed to give than to receive. Please do not deprive us of the chance to be blessed by giving you what we can easily afford.”

William grinned. His twin’s argument was unanswerable, and Kitty knew it.

“When you put it like that, you make it sound as though I am the one doing you a favour.”

“Which you are,” said Hetta.

“Then I submit. I would hate to withhold any blessing which I, with my non-existent resources, can give.”

He let out a satisfied sigh as his sisters walked away with their new friend between them. Everything would be fine. Knowing Hetta, Kitty would return with a great number of items she had not intended to buy—as well as her mother’s pearls.

Chapter 20

By the time Kitty arrived at Mrs Fisher’s shop with Charlotte and Hetta, the footman following them was laden down with parcels. True to their word, William’s sisters had not restrained their extravagance. She had high hopes of surviving on this burst of generosity for months.