The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy by Patricia Veryan

Author:Patricia Veryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466884335
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

11

Elspeth came downstairs early the following morning drawn by the fragrance of freshly baked bread. A weak sun slanted its pale beams through the windows of the dining parlour where Sir Simon, clad in his own garments, had arrived before her. He was bright-eyed and cheerful and wished her a good day. Joel Skye sprang up from the table to pull out her chair, from which Pixie then had to be evicted. The table was laden with various cheeses, little pots of preserves, slices of cold veal and ham, warm bread, rich fresh butter and bowls of apples and pears. The maid came bustling in to pour Elspeth’s coffee and gather her selections. The coffee was excellent and Elspeth was spreading butter on a slice of bread when Valerian came from the stables grumbling because the coach that was to carry his father to Italy should have arrived by this time. He greeted Elspeth with rather forced courtesy and responded to her enquiry with a brusque assurance that he felt very well this morning. Herbert, he announced, was “earning his keep” having ridden out to conduct a reconnaissance of the neighbourhood. With a stern glance at Elspeth he added, “In case more of Miss Clayton’s admirers are lurking about.”

She had learned by now that he disliked being, as he put it, “maudled over,” so she retaliated by commenting sweetly that despite his alleged “recovery” he looked pale and she was sure Madame Bossuet’s cook would gladly prepare him some gruel. Sir Simon looked amused but nodded in agreement. Valerian growled under his breath and, having already helped himself from several of the platters on the table, proceeded to convey an additional slice of cheese to his plate while eyeing Elspeth defiantly.

She said with a sigh, “Why must men be such naughty little boys?”

He grinned at that, but before he could comment Herbert ran in to announce cheerfully that he’d seen no sign of their former antagonists, so they could breakfast in peace.

His optimism proved justified and the meal was almost over when the rumble of wheels outside announced the arrival of a coach. Sir Simon sprang to his feet, but Valerian, hurrying to the window, said a frowning, “Wait, sir!” and his father sat down again. A moment later Valerian reported that both the expected coaches were here.

Through a sudden silence Valerian and Sir Simon gazed at each other and scarcely noticed when the others quietly left them alone.

* * *

Soon afterwards, they gathered to bid Sir Simon farewell. He thanked them profusely for their help, but clearly he was reluctant to part from his son and he lingered, worrying for his injury until Valerian laughed at him and said he knew very well his father would forget all about him the moment he saw his beloved wife again. He gave Sir Simon a letter he’d written to his mother, the two men embraced, and having caressed Pixie and made Valerian promise to restore her to him at the earliest

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