Viscount Vagabond by Loretta Chase Read Free Book Online

course not. What are you thinking, Louisa?”
    “If she is not a runaway apprentice, why does she weep? I shall have to consult Edgar, of course, but as I understand, it is runaway apprentices who are subject to legal action. It may be a fine or imprisonment—”
    “She ran away from home because her father’s making her marry some old dotard.” Lord Rand went on to explain about the stolen reticule and the elopement of Miss Fletcher. Catherine was relieved to note (between sobs) that he tactfully left out certain other adventures and described the events as having occurred but a few hours ago.
    When he’d finished his summary and answered one or two of his sister’s questions, that lady directed her gaze to her guest, who had regained a semblance of composure.
    “I see,” said the countess. “Max has brought you here in order that I may enact the role of Cousin Agatha.”
    “Oh, no! I told him I meant to go home. That is—” Catherine’s colour deepened, but she swallowed her pride and went on. “I’m afraid I will need the loan of a few shillings for coach fare.”
    “Now if that ain’t the most cowardly thing—”
    “Max,” Lady Andover said quietly.
    “But she can’t—”
    “If Miss Pettigrew wishes to return, I can hardly keep her prisoner, can I?”
    “Dash it all, Louisa—”
    The countess turned her back upon her brother. “All the same, Miss Pettigrew,” she said, “you are too overset at present for travel. You will pardon my saying so, but your colour is not good. If I were to allow you to depart now, my conscience would plague me so, I would become ill.”
    “Really, I’m quite well,” Catherine protested. “I’ve never had good colour.”
    “My conscience refuses to believe you. I do apologise, my dear, but mine is a very fierce conscience. Molly will convey you to a guest chamber and bring you a fresh cup of tea—you’ve scarcely touched yours and it is grown cold, I’m afraid.” Lady Andover’s tones became commanding. “Tonight you will remain here. We will reserve further discussion until tomorrow when you are rested.”
    “Might as well do as she says,” Lord Rand suggested, taking his cue. “My sister’s got a stubborn conscience. No use arguing.”
    In other circumstances, no amount of cajolery or command would have kept Catherine in Andover House. She was still in London, and every step she’d taken since coming here had hurled her into disaster. She wanted only to flee.
    She knew she should press harder for the small loan that would allow her to go home immediately without having to answer embarrassing questions. By the time she’d met Lady Andover, however, Catherine was on the brink of hysteria. Miss Fletcher’s elopement had been the coup de grace of a series of stunning calamities. A clean, comfortable bed, a maid to look after her, and a hot cup of tea to consume in private was more temptation than Catherine could withstand.
    She made the feeblest of protests, to which Lady Andover proved quite deaf. Moments later, Molly was leading the unexpected guest upstairs.

Chapter Four
    Now that his charge was in capable hands, Max was eager to get away. He was not permitted to do so. Fortunately, Lady Andover not only ordered him to remain where he was, but invited him to sample the contents of the alluring decanters. After filling a glass and taking a long swallow, Max ambled over to the fireplace and commenced a rapt contemplation of the marble.
    His sister studied him for a few moments before she spoke. “Well, dear,” she said, “this is a very interesting homecoming present you’ve brought me. Only I’d thought it would be you welcomed back with fatted calves and such—though she isn’t very fatted, is she?”
    “I didn’t know what else to do with her, damn it. I could hardly send her off in a coach on her own, and I couldn’t go with her—bound to cause trouble with her curst father.”
    “Who is she, Max? Not a schoolmistress, despite that