Birds of a Feather Read Online Free

his ears. He always groveled to females, treating them to none of the questionable temper he inflicted on males. Thus they all adored him.
    “Sweet little dog,” she crooned, finding her voice under the influence of Max’s charm. “You are having a miserable day, aren’t you. That nasty nurse tried to beat you with her umbrella. And a horse nearly stepped on you. You really must be more careful, you know. If that cat had been less of a coward, it would be dining on you at this very minute. And how did you run afoul of those horrid boys? Wicked monsters! Are you all right?”
    Max squirmed with pleasure, licking her fingers.
    “He will be fine,” Sedge assured her, adopting a stern tone to hide his relief.
    She ignored him, prattling as inanely as his aunt and her dotty friends, her focus wholly on the dog, who was now pressed close to her side. She seemed unaware of his own presence, which made his fight to regain control of an unruly body even more irritating.
    “He will be fine,” he repeated sharply, furious at being ignored. “But I can hardly say the same for you. What sort of idiot steps into the street without checking for traffic?”
    That gained her attention. “I didn’t … that’s not…” She inhaled deeply several times, lowering her gaze to his cravat. “Are you sure he is all right?”
    “Of course.” How dare she question his judgment? The woman was more addled than he’d thought. “He merely escaped Lady Barkley’s garden again. As for you, this is London, not a country village. If you wish to survive, think before you act – or stay at home.”
    “Of all the presumptuous—”
    “Thus speaks the woman who threw herself in front of a carriage,” he scoffed, interrupting. “Hen-witted fool. Are you even aware that I just saved your miserable life?” Giving her no chance to respond, he batted her hand aside and scooped Max into his arms. “Come along, Maximillian. Your taste in friends grows worse each day.”
    Max growled, snapping at his chin.
    He tightened his grip, glaring at the scruffy animal.
    “I can carry him,” the woman offered. “He seems to like me.”
    “Which proves his lack of intelligence. Why would I trust an animal to someone incapable of crossing a street unescorted?” he demanded, stifling an urge to wring her neck. He hardly expected instant adulation, but couldn’t she at least thank him for risking his life?
    He nearly grimaced as his body recalled her curves. Even his façade was slipping out of his control. Never had he met anyone who elicited such a debilitating range of emotions.
    Ignoring her reversion to stammered gibberish, he collected his walking stick, noting the chipped head where it had hit the cobbles. Turning his back on the woman, he headed for Barkley House, even more annoyed than before. This was not how he wanted to pass the afternoon.
    “Don’t turn that innocent look on me,” he grumbled at the dog. “Your mistress may fall for that trick, but I know you better. That was a nauseating performance just now. How can you lower yourself to grovel? And to a brainless idiot.”
    Now that he had no female to wheedle, Maximillian squirmed around to lay a paw on Sedge’s chest.
    “No, I won’t forgive you, you beastly little rat. It is bad enough that you’ve ruined my walking stick, my coat, and my newest pantaloons. Must you also destroy my waistcoat and shirt? Turrett will weep,” he added, naming his valet. “He truly loved this outfit.”
    Maximillian yelped in delight.
    “Proud of yourself, aren’t you. Stupid dog. This escapade was not one of your brighter ideas. Adventures are all very well in the country, but sneaking about in London will be the death of you. I cannot be forever available to rescue you from these antics.”
    Maximillian hung his head.
    “As well you should. I must now summon my coach, for I dare not resume my walk. Appearing on the street in so disheveled a state would destroy my reputation.”
    It was