It Takes a Scandal Read Online Free PDF

wood.
    But as she turned to go back, there was a sharp yip—Milo—and then the deep, menacing bark of a much bigger dog. There was another yip, this time higher and sounding pained, before Milo began whimpering. Abigail whirled back around, her pique forgotten. Mama would be devastated if anything happened to the puppy.
    “Milo!” she cried, plunging into the woods. “Where are you?” She warded off branches and vines as best she could, but she could feel her hair snagging and slipping from its pins. She pulled her skirt tight around her and went deeper into the woods. “Milo!” She could hear something—hopefully her mother’s pet—struggling in the leaves and branches up ahead, still whimpering loudly. If he was caught in something, he’d be easier to catch. As to what dog was making that sonorous barking . . . she didn’t want to think about that.
    She almost fell in astonishment when a large black beast appeared in front of her. He lifted his square, jowly head and regarded her with calm eyes, then let out another deep, echoing bark. It sounded like the hound of hell was baying at her, but the animal himself looked peaceful.
    “Don’t mind him,” said a voice. “He won’t hurt you.”
    The sound of someone so near almost sent her leaping out of her skin. It took her a moment to locate the speaker. He wore a brown coat that blended with the trees, but took off his hat as he approached.
    “He startled me,” she managed to say.
    The stranger’s mouth quirked. “He does that sometimes. Sit,” he said to his dog, who obediently sat. “Is that your dog in the bracken?”
    “Yes. I mean, it’s my mother’s dog,” she replied. “Milo. He’s only a puppy, but he ran off and I think he might have a rabbit in his mouth.”
    He looked toward the whimpering sounds. “A terrier?”
    “Yes, a small golden-brown one.”
    He nodded. “I’ll fetch him.” He glanced at her dress. “You aren’t dressed for walking in the woods.”
    She blushed, and realized she was still holding her gown in a death grip, pulling the fabric tightly around her hips and exposing her legs almost to the knee. “I didn’t plan to walk in the woods. The cursed dog ran away, and I was chasing him.” She released her skirts, fluffing them a bit.
    His gaze flicked downward for a moment, following the descent of her skirt. “It looks like a very elegant party you’re attending. I don’t want to keep you from it.” He hung his hat on a branch just over his head and headed into the thicket of bracken and fallen trees, whistling between his teeth as he went. Only when he had to step over a tree branch did she notice he used a cane, pressed tight to his left side.
    “Thank you, sir,” Abigail called after him self-consciously. It was very awkward to be left standing in the middle of the woods with that giant dog watching her, even though the dog hadn’t moved since his master commanded him to sit. She also didn’t know what to make of his comment. Obviously it wasn’t his fault she was late for her parents’ ball; it was Milo’s, and her own, and that flighty maid Marie’s fault, if one was honest about it. She wondered who he was. Her parents had invited every last person in Richmond, it seemed, and most of them had accepted. Clearly he had not, or else he wasn’t from Richmond.
    But he was retrieving Milo for her, which she deeply appreciated. By straining her eyes, she could see him go down on his knees and disappear behind a shrub, only to emerge a few minutes later with Milo in his arm. Slowly he tramped back through the brush toward her, occasionally using his cane to swish some bracken out of his way.
    “Thank you,” she said again as he drew near. “I cannot tell you how little I wanted to go in there myself.” She put her arms out for the puppy.
    He held up the dog by the scruff of his neck and studied him. Milo wiggled and whined, but lapsed into silence at a curt “Shh!” from the man holding him.