A Lady in Love by Cynthia Bailey Pratt Read Free Book Online Page A

flame from a nearby sconce. Footsteps approached from the staircase. She blew the candle out once more and faded back into the bedroom. Swallowing down a huge lump she assumed was her heart, Sarah watched until two gentlemen passed. Fortunately, her unwelcome visitor had flopped over onto his side, silencing himself.
    "Damn fine lot of women they have in this backwater. Did you meet the blonde?"
    "Indeed, I did. Lord lumme, what a beauty! I hoped for a dance, but she seemed to have faded away."
    Wondering who they were talking of, Sarah waited until she heard their doors close. Then, once more, she snuck out into the hall to hold the taper to the flame.
    "Miss East?"
    Sarah jumped at the voice and the candle fell to the ground. A man's foot stepped on the wick before the long Axminster carpet caught. “Lord Reyne?” She shot a glance into the bedroom. “I did not hear you."
    "Forgive me for startling you. My sisters complain I walk far too softly. They tell me I should whistle more.” He eyed the candle. “Once again, I am unable to come to your rescue."
    "Oh! Never mind.” Sarah dipped and snatched it up. “I took off ... that is ... good-night.” She wanted to stand there and look at him for an hour. He'd smiled the moment she'd turned. Perhaps that meant that he did not think her as foolish as her escapade tonight had made her feel.
    At that moment, however, the Hallelujah Chorus broke out again with full crescendo. “What in the name of—Miss East, what have you in your room?"
    "I ... that is ... he just ..."
    Alaric's brows drew together as he listened. “The only thing I've ever heard to compare with it is the growling of hungry bears. Miss East, have you a bear in your room?"
    "Oh, I wish I did."
    If having one man in her room made for scandal, Sarah reflected, what on earth did two cause? She couldn't possibly marry them both; that would be illegal. Besides, she did not care for the idea of trapping any man into matrimony, but if she must, she would prefer her husband to be Lord Reyne. But the portly fellow on the floor had come first. She could only hope he was married already.
    "What am I to do with him?” Sarah asked.
    Looking down at the prone Lord Dudley, a smile tugged at the earl's lips. Seeing it, Sarah relaxed. He said, “I don't suppose there's a chance you could simply exchange rooms with him. I doubt, with so many guests, anyone will remember which room originally belonged to which person."
    "That is an excellent plan, except ..."
    "Yes, Miss East?"
    "This is Harmonia's room, and I'm afraid she would know."
    Alaric chuckled. “I suppose she would. Have you tried to rouse him?"
    "I went to light the candle first."
    The amused expression with which he'd been regarding the snoring man now changed to disdain. It did not lessen when the sleeper snorted and began his song anew, though, blessedly, on a. softer note. The earl asked, “You had retired, then?"
    "No, I was reading."
    "Without a candle?"
    "I ... I had put it out."
    Now he frowned at her, as well. His eyes traveled slowly over Sarah, taking in her loosened hair, pouring like melted gold over her shoulders, and her heightened color. He said with a twisted mouth, “Do you often read without light. Miss East? Or did your friend here suggest the two of you would agree better without a candle?"
    "I don't understand. I had put out the candle because the book was ... I couldn't see out the window with it burning. He knocked. I thought it was Jessica or Harmonia and opened the door. Lord Dudley fell in and started making that noise. Can't we do something before anyone else comes?"
    "Well, at any rate, he is of no use to you in his condition. I quite sympathize with your wish to be shut of him. Now, the question is: how to remove him?” Alaric crossed his arms on his chest and prodded the sleeping gentleman with an inquisitive toe. There was no response. “Is there water in that jug?"
    Sarah picked it up. “It's half full."
    "Pitch it over