Late for the Wedding Read Free Page A

stairs,
    she heard a solid thump followed by a muffled groan.
    God's blood."
    The gentleman paused and bent down to feel gingerly about in
    the vicinity of his toes. Then, with a few more muttered oaths, he
    limped up the stairs.
    She waited until she was certain he had disappeared, and then
    she made to move cautiously out from her hiding place.
    At that moment another door opened a short distance down the
    hall.
      Damnation," she whispered under her breath. At this rate she
    would never get to Tobias's bed chamber.
    In the dim glow cast by a wall sconce, she saw two figures emerge
    from the chamber. The woman gave a deep, throaty chuckle.
      Come along with me, sir; ye won't be sorry, that I promise."
    One of the maids, Lavinia realized. Obviously the guests were
    not the only ones who took part in the late-night revelries of a
    country-house party. Suppressing her irritation with an effort, she
    raised the mask again and slipped back into the shadows behind
    the stairs.
      Don't see why we cannot have our sport in my bed chamber," the
    man said. His words were slurred with drink.   I've got a nicely
    warmed bed."
      I'll soon have ye warmed good and proper, sir. No need to fret
    yerself about that."
    The man chuckled hoarsely.   Let's get to it, then. Where's your
    bed chamber?"
      Oh, we cannot use my bed chamber, sir. There's three other maids
    sharing it with me tonight on account of the house is so full. We'll go
    out on the roof. It's a little cool, but I've got some cozy quilts up there
    waiting for us."
      Hell's teeth, you mean to tell me I've got to climb all the way to
    the top of this bloody castle just to enjoy a romp?"
      It'll be worth it, sir. I've got some very special apparatus that is
    sure to amuse a man of the world such as yerself."
      Apparatus, eh?" The gentleman's anticipation and excitement
    were clear even through the fog of drunkenness.   What sort of equip
    ment do you use, my girl? I'm partial to the whip, myself."
    The maid whispered something that Lavinia could not hear.
      Well, now." The man's voice thickened even more with lust.   That
    sounds interesting, indeed. I'll look forward to a demonstration."
      Soon, sir." The maid hurried him toward the staircase.   Just as
    soon as we get to the roof.
    The pair continued toward the foot of the stairs. Lavinia caught
    a glimpse of a portly gentleman who appeared to be in his early
    sixties. He was garbed in a plum-colored velvet coat and old-fashioned breeches. He wore an elaborately tied cravat. His balding
    head gleamed in the light of the wall sconce.
    The maid was dressed in the manner of the rest of the staff at
    Beaumont Castle. She wore a plain, dark gown and an apron. Her
    face was almost entirely hidden beneath the shadows of a large,
    floppy cap.
    The gentleman put one foot on the bottom stair and stumbled
    awkwardly. The misstep made him chortle.   A tribute to Beaumont's
    excellent brandy, eh? Let me try that again."
      No, not this staircase, m'lord." The maid tugged on his arm.   We'll
    use the back stairs. It would cost me my post if the butler or the
    housekeeper saw me with you."
      Oh, very well." The bald man obligingly allowed himself to be led
    on down the hall.
    The maid picked up her skirts, revealing sturdy, sensible shoes
    and stockings. She hurried her companion past the small pool of
    light cast by another wall sconce. Several thick golden-blond
    corkscrew curls bobbed beneath the edge of the large cap.
    The inebriated gentleman allowed himself to be steered around a
    corner into another darkened hall.
    Relieved to find herself alone again in the corridor, Lavinia
    moved briskly out from behind the staircase and hurried toward
    Tobias's bed chamber. At this rate she was going to need a glass of
    sherry to settle her nerves when she arrived at her destination.
    There was a thin edge of light showing beneath Tobias's door. She
    raised her hand and then hesitated. The occupant of the neighbor
    ing bed