Page 9 of A Rogue to Reform

“What is it?” Her mother neared it and looked over her shoulder to Felicity. “Did you bid on something last night?”

“No, Mother, I did not. Perhaps Father?”

Her mother shook her head. “It is doubtful. After walking through, he pronounced every one of them to be horrid.”

“It is addressed to you, Miss,” the butler said.

“Me?” She hurried to it. “I did ask Grant to bid on one for me. I did not tell him which one, however.”

Despite her father stating he preferred she not bring up Grant, Felicity often did.

“Unless things have changed, he hasn’t the resources to purchase such extravagances.” Her mother lifted the card that came with the piece and looked to her. “Ah.”

“Ah? What do you mean ah?” Felicity took the card and her empty stomach turned. “Oh no. We must return it at once.”

“It states on the card that he will not accept it back, but wishes you to enjoy it.” Her mother looked to the large parcel. “Can I see it?”

With care so that she could rewrap it, Felicity untied the string and pulled back the thick brown paper.

Both she and her mother gasped at the same time.

“That is the ugliest thing I’ve seen in a very long time,” her mother said, a giggle escaping. “My goodness, why would he think you would like it?”

Felicity set her face in an attempt to hide the growing annoyance. “Because the hateful Evan Macleod told him I did.”

*

The next afternoon, Felicity held a teacup to her lips, studying her best friend Hannah Kerr’s face over the rim.

She and Hannah often visited in the late morning. They’d done so for years to discuss what they planned for the day and such. Today, they were at Hannah’s home in the small sitting room.

“I am so annoyed with Evan Macleod I could spit.”

Hannah’s pretty face lit up. “I think he has taken notice of you, and you of him.”

“What?” Felicity placed the cup down. “Did you not hear what I said? He is the reason I am the owner of the ugliest painting ever done.”

“I must admit,” Hannah started, “I wish to see it.”

Making a face, she shuddered. “No, you absolutely do not.”

Deciding to change the subject, she smiled widely. “You must accompany me to Sorcha Robertson’s gala. It will be fun.”

“I cannot possibly,” Hannah said with sad sigh. “I haven’t a new dress and have rotated the ones I have so many times, it is impossible to hide the fact.”

Hannah’s father owned a huge establishment that included a tea house on one end and several other businesses. When a fire burned the entire building to ashes, her family’s money, which had been kept sadly in a metal box that proved not to be fire safe, burned along with it. The only thing that remained was a second small tea house that barely brought in any income.

Thankfully, Hannah’s mother’s small inheritance remained. Along with it, the money they had in the bank was enough to live off of, but not enough to rebuild their business or allow for any extravagances.

“I have an idea,” Felicity exclaimed, and jumped to her feet. “We will sell the ugly painting and use the money to buy you a new dress.”

“You cannot possibly. What if Lewiston finds out?” Hannah frowned. “If need be, I can borrow one of yours. I am sure you have one that hasn’t been seen lately.”

Felicity tapped her chin while thinking. “I did not wish to purchase too many new ballgowns. I only had two made, so I find that I will be rotating those I have as well. I do have an older one, a pale blue one, which will suit you.”

Lowering back to her seat, she studied her friend. Hannah not only needed a new ballgown, but she also needed shoes and other accessories. “I really do wish to sell the painting.”

“If you hate it that much, then fine, I will accompany you, but I refuse to take the money.” Hannah looked around the room. “I wonder where my mother is off to.”