A Certain Want of Reason Read Online Free Page A

his gaze resting at last on Lucia.
    Then he started barking.
    Lord Adrington and his companion looked from the barking gentleman on the floor to Lucia, nodding. “We must get him out of here.”
    “But we cannot very well take him back out among company.”
    “Hmm. Excuse me, Miss…”
    “Wright,” Lucia replied, after she tore her attention away from the barking gentleman and realized that Lord Adrington was speaking to her.
    “Miss Wright, this is most unseemly, but perhaps under the circumstances we might ask you to move to another room?”
    Lucia felt her face flush to the roots of her hair. “I-I am afraid I cannot.”
    The young man on the floor stopped barking.
    “I see.” Lord Adrington nodded slowly. “Hmm. Then we will have to find another place to secrete him. I’ll check for a room upstairs. Mountdale, you try to clear the hallway of any guests until we can get him up the back stairs.”
    Mountdale scratched the side of his head. “Do you think it safe to leave him here?” He nodded toward Lucia.
    The young man on the floor scampered over to the chair opposite Lucia’s and wrapped his paws—that is, his hands—around a chair leg.
    “I am not sure we have much choice at the moment. Get a servant to stay in the room with Miss Wright. I’d better bring some strong-arm assistance.”
    “Excellent idea.” Mountdale leaned out into the hallway. “You, there! Set down that tray and come in here at once.”
    “ Comment, Monsieur ? Je ne parle —”
    “What? Never mind. Just come in here.” Mountdale dragged an older servant in by the arm and planted him next to Lucia’s chair. “Stay with her, do you understand? Do not leave this room.”
    The servant looked uncertainly from one face to the other, then nodded.
    “Good.”
    “We shall return in a moment, Miss Wright.”
    Adrington and Mountdale quit the room in haste, leaving Lucia alone with the nervous servant and the unusual young man, who was now scratching his leg against his elbow. Within a few seconds, he ceased this odd movement and began to sniff at the servant’s legs. Then he growled.
    “ Mon Dieu !” The servant looked helplessly at Lucia.
    “Arf!”
    One bark was sufficient to send the servant scurrying for the door.
    “Wait!” Lucia started to stand, but remembered why she had to remain in the chair. Her reticule tumbled to the floor. “I believe Lord Adrington wished you to remain here.”
    The servant shook his head as he reached for the doorknob with trembling hands.
    “I do not think he will hurt you,” she said.
    Without looking back, the servant wrenched open the door, flung himself into the hallway and yanked the door closed behind him.

Chapter Three
     
    The young man on the floor next to her remained still, once again watching Lucia with the sad-eyed gaze that reminded her of a lost puppy.
    And they were gorgeous eyes. Bright, rich blue framed by thick, dark lashes that fanned the air when he closed them briefly to take another deep breath.
    What a horrid, ghastly shame. This beautiful young man—a gentleman of substance, from the look of his dress and his manners when he first addressed her—had less of his wits about him even than Geoffrey. For Geoffrey had not yet taken up an occupation in the animal kingdom.
    “I’m so sorry,” she murmured softly, barely aware that she’d spoken aloud.
    “Why?” The young man sat up, looking now much more human.
    “Why?” Lucia sat up straighter herself, wondering how to answer. If this gentleman was anything like Geoffrey, he would not be aware that his behavior was anything beyond ordinary. “Because…because your friends have left you.” This was a lame answer indeed, but one that at least should not put the gentleman on the defensive.
    Far from it, in fact. He smiled. It was a friendly, confident smile that warmed the space between them. “I expect they’ll be back rather soon.”
    “Yes, I suppose so.” And then hopefully they’d leave again so that