Lady in Red Read Online Free PDF Page A

pink and green rosettes and matching ribbons. The entire effect had been fresh and springlike, something Honoria yearned for.
    But now was not the time to be wishing for something as frivolous as a bonnet, not while her brother and sisters were looking at her as if expecting her to produce a sock filled with funds to solve their current difficulties. Gathering herself, Honoria smiled brightly at Olivia. “What else?”
    Olivia consulted the much marked bits of foolscap. “Oh yes! There was one other expense.” A martial light entered her eyes. “Portia bought some white silk for a new gown.”
    All eyes turned on Portia. She was twirling a lock of rich chestnut hair, much like Honoria’s though without the horrid white lock that graced her right temple. Honoria touched her hair. Mother had called it her lucky stripe, which even now made Honoria smile. “Portia, did you take money from our accounts?”
    “A little,” Portia said proudly, not in the least remorseful. “It was more in the way of an investment though.”
    Olivia snorted. “Investment? In what? Your vanity?”
    Portia’s eyes flashed. “No! I plan on using that silk to earn money. We need money for our expenses while Father and Ned are working, don’t we?” She glanced questioningly at Honoria. “Don’t we?”
    “Yes, but… I don’t see how the silk will help.”
    “Neither do I,” Olivia said.
    “I,” Portia said grandly, “am going to begin my own business. Within a year, I shall be extremely wealthy.”
    Honoria opened her mouth, then closed it.
    Olivia snorted. “Portia, you would have to do something useful in order to make money. Or you could get funds the old-fashioned way.”
    Honoria frowned. “The old-fashioned way?”
    Olivia nodded. “By inheriting it. Which is not likely to happen since none of our relations are even sick.” She eyed Portia up and down, her nose curled with disbelief. “Not that any of our relatives would wish to leave their hard earned fortunes to you, lazybones that you are.”
    Portia stiffened, her hazel eyes sparkling. “Aunt Caroline has promised me her pianoforte when she dies! That will be worth a lot.”
    Olivia snorted. “She’s not a day over forty and healthier than you are, I daresay. You’ll be blue before she sticks her spoon in the wall and leaves you so much as one piece of ivory.”
    “Oh! You—You—blockhead!”
    “Barmybrain,” Olivia replied without pause.
    “Clodpolish!”
    “Saphead!”
    “Stop it,” Honoria said sternly, though she was hard pressed not to grin herself.
    Portia flounced in her chair. “Olivia started it.”
    “Yes she did. Olivia, Portia was asked a question and though we appreciate your insight on the matter, we find that the truth would be more useful.” Honoria looked back at Portia. “Well?”
    “I only borrowed a bit because the silk was reduced in price and was so lovely. Have you seen it yet?” She leaned forward eagerly. “White silk with a lace motif and such sheen! I do believe it will be the prettiest gown yet.”
    “But we didn’t have the money for silk.”
    “You wanted us to save, didn’t you?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Well, I saved you almost one whole pound! The silk was on sale, you know.”
    “How could you save us money by spending it?”
    “Because I am going to make a gown with the silk, and then sell it,” Portia said proudly. “Mrs. Vemeer said she’d buy it for fifteen pounds, if it was pretty enough. What’s even better is that I should have enough silk left to turn Cassandra’s gray gown and trim it. It should look almost new.”
    Cassandra beamed. “Oh Portia! How lovely of you! I have been wishing for a new gown.” She caught Honoria’s gaze and colored, then added hastily, “I don’t really need it, of course, though it would be nice.”
    Honoria thought of a thousand things to say, but she hated to disappoint Cassandra. Still, she eyed Portia for a long moment. “I don’t know what Father would say