Devil in My Bed Read Online Free PDF

blessedly and completely free of women.

    Until now.

    Once on Aidan’s floor, which truly was solely Aidan’s but for old Lord Aldrich, whose room lay at the far end of the hall with a view of the street, and who was deaf as a post and nearly as blind, the three made their way to the first doorway in the dim hallway. The flick of a key in the lock and they were safe inside, home free.

    Free to do what, Aidan wasn’t so sure. “Now that we’ve got her inside, O Criminal Mastermind, what do you propose we do with her?”

    Colin let the little girl slide casually from his hip down his extended leg until she landed giggling on small booted feet. “Do it again!” she cried, holding up her arms.

    He absently ruffled her hair. “Later, smidgeon. Go play in Uncle Aidan’s bedchamber. There’s a candy in his bureau somewhere.”

    Aidan watched in consternation as the tiny female person scampered off to violate his privacy with great energy. “I haven’t any sweets in my bureau.”

    Colin shrugged. “Oops. Anyway, she’ll be occupied for half an hour and we can decide her fate out of her hearing.”

    Aidan wasn’t any too thrilled about the sweet safari taking place amongst his collars and cravats, but time to think was essentially a good idea, even if it had come from Colin Lambert.

    “Are there any clues in the bag?” he asked Colin.

    There was pitifully little in the small, worn satchel, which held a pathetic number of small, worn items. A few patched underthings, much-darned stockings, raveled ribbons, and another faded little dress. Colin held up a scrap of muslin. “This is the smallest pinafore I have ever seen.”

    They repacked the bag, discouraged. It seemed that no one knew whose daughter little Melody was, especially not Melody.

    “What is your plan then?”

    Colin opened his hands. “I got her within the hallowed halls, didn’t I? Now it’s your turn to play genius.”

    Aidan frowned at the doorway of his bedchamber. There were thumpings and bumpings going on.
    “Should we check on her?”

    Colin shook his head. “It’s not when they’re noisy that you ought to worry. It’s when they’re quiet.”

    No danger there. The thumps were now punctuated by a lilting monologue he couldn’t quite understand. “I thought you were an only child.”

    Colin leaned one shoulder on the wall. “I had a slew of younger cousins. They spent years crawling all over me.”

    That image gave Aidan a mingled flash of revulsion and envy. He had cousins, but Lady Blankenship had kept them at a distance. He’d once longed for company. Now he felt rather grateful.

    Colin snapped his fingers. “Your cummerbunds will survive. Back to business. What are you going to do with her until Jack gets back?”

    Aidan held up a hand. “When did this become my problem?”

    “When I couldn’t keep her in my rooms on the second floor because I’ve crotchety old gents on all sides.
    Besides, you’ve twice the room in here.”

    He’d been hornswoggled, no doubt about it. Damn it. “We’ll write to Jack. Fetch him home as soon as possible.”

    Colin nodded. “Well enough, but he won’t get the letter before his ship docks at London anyway. All that will ensure is that he comes directly to Brown’s upon disembarking.”

    God, it could be days, possibly even a week. Or longer.

    Colin simply gazed at him. “What are you going to feed her?”

    Aidan drew back. “It requires special food?”

    Colin shook his head. “She requires the same food as you and I, only a bit more simple. Meat without sauce, carrots, bread and butter, et cetera.” He held up a finger. “And milk.”

    Aidan folded his arms. “Wilberforce is supposed to believe I’ve suddenly taken a fancy to milk?”

    Colin clapped him on the shoulder. “There, you’ve got it.” He grinned. “Have a lovely evening with your new playmate, old man.” He turned to leave.

    Aidan panicked. “You’re not leaving me here with that—that