Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 08] - Sanguinet's Crown Read Online Free PDF Page A

apologized, casting an
anguished look from Charity to his shirt sleeves. "I am indecent. But
Signor Mish-hell"—he shrugged, a gesture that involved every inch of
him—"have mos' the need-a. You forgive,
si
?"
    Leaning heavily on his arm, Redmond said, "Miss Strand, this
is Antonio diLoretto, my man. Miss Strand, er, cut off my garments,
Tonio. And, ah, tied me up."
    There was a whimsical gleam in his eyes, and the tug at the
beautifully shaped lips enhanced his good looks to a degree that
Charity found deceptively unfair even as she wondered that she'd
thought his mouth thin and cruel. DiLoretto left her little time to
recover. Abandoning his hold on Redmond, he bowed so low that his
pomaded curls all but brushed the carpet. With impassioned voice and
dramatic gestures he came near to sobbing as he exploded into a flood
of mingled English and Italian, his speech so rapid that Charity caught
only the words "art." "life," and "feet." The monologue ended as
abruptly as it had begun. In the midst, or so it seemed, of a death
scene that would have made Edmund Kean envious, this droll little man
spun around, seized his employer once again and said with brisk
authority, "We now uppa go stairs."
    Charity closed her parted lips. "What on earth do you suppose
he said?" she asked Fisher, as the oddly assorted pair disappeared
along the first floor landing.
    "Something to the effect that he is your slave forever. That
his heart will break if you do not allow him to sacrifice his life for
you, and that, meanwhile, his soul is at your feet. I think,'' replied
the butler.
    "Good gracious!" With one hand on the banister, she asked,
"Did you know that Mr. Redmond was coming today?"
    ''I had no idea, miss. But''—he hesitated—"when his man said
they were expected, I assumed Mr. Redmond must be acquainted with Mr.
Justin or the Colonel. I hope it was in order for me to—''
    "Don't be silly, of course it was. And I fancy he must know my
brother-in-law, because of the way he asked for him just now. Where
have you put him?"
    "The green room, miss. In view of Mr. Redmond's injuries, I
fancy his man had best stay with him. Would you wish that I send for
the doctor?"
    "Yes, please do." Charity said uneasily, "I hope this business
will not upset my sister.''
    Fisher's thoughtful gaze drifted down her rumpled gown.
Following his eyes, she exclaimed, "Oh my! I must hurry and change."
    Fisher said with a twinkle, "Yes, miss. I fancy the sight of
you just now would be a
decided
shock for Miss
Rachel.''
    "And we must allow nothing to alarm her at this particular
time, must we, Fisher?"
    They exchanged understanding smiles, then Charity started up
the stairs. She had taken only a few steps, however, when a rapid
pounding from below was followed by a startled exclamation from Fisher.
Charity turned back, having first taken the precaution of clinging to
the rail.
    A tawny tornado galloped full-tilt up the stairs. Tongue
lolling, powerful paws flying, ears back, the large grinning bulldog
tried to jump into her unavailable lap, rebounded down three steps,
gambolled up again, succeeded in wiping his long tongue around her
chin, turned around in midair, landed heavily, and stood stock-still.
He had caught a new scent.
    Charity, who had been angrily adjuring the dog to "behave,"
glanced at Fisher in amazement. "My heavens! I do believe he is obeying
me."
    "Perhaps," suggested Fisher, straightening the cravat that had
become disordered when he was flung against the wall, "he knows that—"
    His words were cut off. With every indication of a dog
defending his mistress against a murderous threat, Brutus hurled his
challenge up the stairs. Charity threw her hands over her ears and
commanded the "bad dog'' to be quiet. Fisher added his own exhortations
to the din, and two downstairs maids joined in the howl for silence.
Brutus quite enjoyed it, but he tended to become bored very rapidly,
and, deciding that enough was as good as a feast, ceased his roars