Felicia by Leonora Blythe Read Free Book Online Page B

door, but in her excitement entered right away. She could not wait another second to tell him her news.
    “Dr. Ross,” she said in a breathless voice, “I have just discovered that I speak French.” Thinking she saw him in the wingback chair near the fireplace, she ran over to him.
    “That, my dear Miss Richards, was something I never doubted from the beginning,” the disturbing voice of Lord Umber drawled.
    “You!” Felicia exclaimed. “Whatever are you doing here?” In her dismay, her tone was sharp.
    “I live here,” he replied slowly, an amused look in his eyes.
    “Where is Dr. Ross?” Felicia demanded. Her heart was pounding and her knees seemed about to give way. She took a deep breath to steady herself. “I am sorry to have intruded, but Dr. Ross is usually here at this time, and anyway,” she continued as her spirit returned, “we are not expecting you until this afternoon.”
    “I am sorry to overset your arrangements then, Miss Richards,” he teased. “I decided to ride down early. Perhaps I should have informed you of my change in plans?”
    “No, not at all,” Felicia replied. “It was just that you took me by surprise.”
    “Not for the first time, my dear,” Lord Umber laughed. “I apologize.”
    “Oh! …you…you despicable trifler. How can you call yourself a gentleman, and then recall that incident. I knew it was a mistake to stay here.” She moved to the door hastily, but her exit was halted by Lord Umber’s voice.
    “Now, wait a minute,” he said, his voice no longer teasing. “I apologized for that. I admit I made a mistake, which I regret. But if you think that I am going to let you leave my mother when your presence has brought about such a miraculous change in her, you are mistaken.”
    “You cannot hold me here against my will,” Felicia snapped. “And your mother knows that I intend to leave as soon as I have word from Mrs. Barton. So to leave a few days earlier will not matter.”
    “Mrs. Barton? Who is she?”
    “The lady in Manchester,” Felicia said in exasperation.
    “Oh! Yes. I had forgotten. But you promised to remain until you heard from her, is that right?”
    “It is what I promised Dr. Ross, yes. But now, I think it best if I leave immediately.”
    “Pray do not let my presence cut short your stay,” Lord Umber replied, his sense of humor overcoming his annoyance at Felicia’s hostility. “If I give you my word, as a gentleman, to behave with utmost propriety, will you agree to do as you originally planned?” His tone was compelling and friendly.
    Felicia hesitated and before she could answer, the door was flung open, grazing her shoulder slightly.
    “Ian, are you coming?” the voice of a young man called impatiently; “I have been waiting an age for you.”
    “Pray come in a moment, David, and meet my mother’s companion.”
    Felicia looked down at her drab dress in dismay. Whatever would Lord Umber’s friend think of such a dowd.
    “Miss Richards,” Lord Umber said languidly, “allow me to present a good friend, Mr. Burton. Mr. David Burton.”
    “Beg pardon, ma’am, didn’t mean to startle you,” Mr. Burton said as he stepped into the library. “Pleased to meet you.” His eyes took in her attire and he wondered silently what such a drab thing was doing as Lady Louisa’s companion. Then, he looked at her face, and realized how very beautiful she was.
    “How do you do, Mr. Burton,” Felicia was saying, her voice unsteady as she stared at his pleasant, open countenance. He shifted his stance uneasily at such close scrutiny, by a young woman.
    “I say, Miss Richard,” he said at last, “is something the matter? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
    Felicia shook her head. “Pray forgive my manners, Mr. Burton. And, no, you didn’t hurt me.” She brushed her shoulder absent-mindedly. “I thought, for a moment, that I had met you before and I was trying to place the connection.” She shook her head, as though trying to clear