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

him."
    Swinging it backwards, she paused at the last moment. “I can't. How could I explain such a wet carpet?"
    "Tell them you dropped the jug while washing your face. You won't throw the water over him? After all, he has caused you, if not disappointment, at least some anxiety of mind."
    Sarah shook her head, saddened that she could not bring herself to perform the first action he'd asked of her. But how could she possibly soak Harmonia's carpet?
    "No?” He took the blue-and-white jug from her hands. “Very well. Hop up into bed. Miss East, and pull the curtains close around."
    Though she obeyed him, Sarah could not help peeking through a chink in the hangings. “Are you really going to do it?” she whispered. “How can you?"
    "Oh, I've awakened many an over-due soldier this way, Miss East. One ... two ... three!"
    Like a whale's spout, a wave broke upon the unhappy sleeper. The carpet, if not awash, was at least as damp as the rocks by the surf. Sputtering and coughing, portly Lord Dudley sat up paddling at his face. “I say ... I say!” he said.
    "Wrong room,” Alaric said, in a surprisingly gentle tone, putting the jug down on the dressing table.
    "Eh?"
    "Wrong room."
    "Oh, oh, quite, old man. Quite. Good-night.” He had some trouble steering for the door, but Alaric caught his arm and showed him out. As he himself left, Alaric paused and looked back.
    "You'd better ring for a maid to clear this up."
    "Lord Reyne!"
    "I cannot stay. Miss East. I am not foxed. My presence here would be impossible to explain, with you looking like that."
    "I only wanted to tell you ...” No, she could not tell him what her heart truly felt for him. “Thank you."
    "Good-night, Miss East.” He bowed and left, closing the door to Harmonia's room with a soft snick.
    The maid had the carpet dry, at least to the eye, by the time Harmonia came up. Nevertheless, Sarah apologized for the “accident.” Her friend dismissed it. “Oh, it isn't important. Mother's been wanting to change this room around for a month. What do you suppose the odds are she'll pick blue again? She always declares against it and then chooses it anyway."
    Sarah helped her friend with the laces at the back of her gown. “Is Jessica going to be sleeping with us?"
    "Heavens, I don't know. She's still flirting with that fellow."
    "Which fellow?"
    "He's an officer, I think, out of uniform. I wish they wouldn't come in civilian clothes. How are we to tell them from ordinary men?” Harmonia turned and caught her friend's hands. “What did you think of Harlow?"
    "He seems a very pleasant man,” Sarah said, without any clear idea of who she was approving. Had Sir Arthur and Lady Phelps found themselves another son?
    "Then you forgive him for spilling that punch on you? I told him you never could stay angry very long. You should have seen how you looked when ...” Harmonia laughed.
    "You've already begun to call him ‘Harlow'?"
    With a dismissive gesture, Harmonia stood up. “I don't believe in standing on ceremony. Not when he is only to stay with us two weeks."
    "Two weeks? Will the entire party leave?"
    "I imagine they will. It's not very exciting here, as we both know. Once the hunting's over, they'll be off. Are you ready for sleep?"
    The two girls got into the large soft bed, caps properly on their heads, and laid the blanket over them, tight up to the arms. Harmonia chattered drowsily for a bit about Mr. Atwood. Sarah tried to attend, though her thoughts wandered to Lord Reyne. Eventually, though, as the chimes sounded for two o'clock, Harmonia's voice hushed into sleep. Listening to the deep, low breathing, Sarah tried to let that sound carry her away.
    It was no use. “Two weeks” sounded in her head. The very tick of the clock seemed to repeat the words. He would leave. She had only this time, a brief fortnight, to spend with Lord Reyne. Then, he'd be gone away for the winter. It was doubtful he'd ever come again. He was no great friend of Harvey's to