Page 29 of The Duke's Daring Bride

“Fooking brilliant!” the cockatoo agreed.

Abruptly, Amanda stood and crossed to the bed. “Now that we are clearly best friends, and hopefully will soon be sisters, I have an important question.” She lifted the pair of bloomers Olivia had thrown down, a twinkle in her eyes. “Why are you fondling my underthings?”

“Nonsense!” Amelia refuted, standing and snatching the linen from her sister. “These are mine. I recognize the pink ribbon.”

Amanda snatched them right back. “My bloomers have pink ribbons.”

“Mine do!” Amelia yanked them from her sister.

Olivia stepped between them and snagged the offending bloomers. “Is it possible, ladies, that you both wear bloomers with pink ribbon?”

Amelia snorted. “How would I know? I do not investigate the contents of her underwear drawer.”

Hamish squawked, “Show us yer knickers!”

Olivia fought to keep a straight face. “I think I would’ve enjoyed meeting your grandfather.”

Nodding somberly, Amanda intoned, “Mother has palpitations when she hears Hamish repeat certain words.”

Her sister grinned. “Which is why we encourage him as often as possible.”

“You see, dear possible sister-in-law, Amelia collects animals, and is quite good with them.”

Amelia shook her finger at her sister. “I do not collect them, but thank you. I merely give them a safe place to live.”

Trying to keep up, Olivia nodded, “My father used to have a pair of hounds.”

“Hounds!” declared Amanda dramatically, pressing the back of her wrist to her forehead. “How I wish we were merely dealing with hounds! My sister has a mouse collection.”

“Again, I am not collecting them, merely breeding them for pythonic sustenance.”

“That is not any better.” Amanda snatched back the bloomers and began to fold them. “Ask her to show you her aquarium,” she said under her breath to Olivia.

Olivia leaned closer. “I quite like fish.”

“Too bad for you. Amelia uses hers for sea urchins.”

Sea urchins?

“And do not think I have missed the fact you still did not answer my question.”

Question? Her mind was spinning, and couldn’t recall a question.

“Yes, Olivia.” Amelia stepped up beside her sister and began to help fold. “Why have you stolen our unmentionables?”

Amanda huffed. “They are not unmentionables if you keep mentioning them.”

“Oh look!” Amelia held up a particularly lacy chemise. “I found your next hair net!”

Olivia dived between the two of them once more and scooped up all the linen undergarments, then stepped back. “I’m pawing through your unmentionables, ladies, because one of your maids brought me an entire collection of clothes to choose from, since I’ll be staying here. If you check the wardrobe, I’m certain you’ll find some of your dresses, unless this place has a stash of extra clothing somewhere.”

As Amanda gasped and leapt for the wardrobe, Amelia tsked and placed her hand on Olivia’s arm. “Oh, you poor dear. Destitute as well? You should have told us as much! We would not have teased you for pawing our underthings. You may borrow—no, keep them. I do not really want them back after your bits have touched them.”

Hamish squawked, “Cunny!” but they ignored him, mostly because Olivia wasn’t certain the girls knew what it meant, and didn’t want to have to explain it.

Over by the wardrobe, Amanda yelped, “This is my favorite day dress! And your blue walking gown is here too!”

“Well, the dear is destitute,” her sister called in return. “But that gown is my favorite, and I will insist upon its return, as long as you wear proper underthings.”

---