These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer

Author:Georgette Heyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical, Short Stories (Single Author), General, Romance, Historical fiction, England - Social Life and Customs - 18th Century, Fiction, Love stories
ISBN: 9781402219474
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 1926-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

“I am come here to find Lord Rupert Alastair! I demand speech with him! I want an explanation of him!”

“My dear sir,” said Avon. “Pray join our ranks! We all want that.”

“Who the devil are you?” cried the exasperated little man.

“Sir,” bowed his Grace. “I believe I am the devil. So they say.”

Merivale was shaken with silent laughter. Mr. Manvers turned to him.

“Is this a mad-house?” he asked. “Who is he?”

“He is the Duke of Avon,” said Merivale unsteadily.

Mr. Manvers pounced on Avon again.

“Ah! Then you are Lord Rupert’s brother!” he said vindictively.

“My misfortune, sir, believe me.”

“What I demand to know is this!” said Mr. Manvers. “Where is my roan?”

“I haven’t the least idea,” said his Grace placidly. “I am not even sure that I know what you are talking about.”

“Faith, I’m sure I don’t!” chuckled Merivale.

“My roan horse, sir! Where is it? Answer me that!”

“I fear you will have to hold me excused,” said the Duke. “I know nothing about your horse. In fact, I am not, at the moment, interested in your horse—roan or otherwise.”

Mr. Manvers raised his fists heavenwards.

“Interested in it!” he spluttered. “My horse has been stolen!”

“You have all my sympathy,” yawned his Grace. “But I fail to see what concern it is of mine.”

Mr. Manvers thumped the table.

“Stolen, sir, by your brother, Lord Rupert Alastair, this very day!”

His words brought about a sudden silence.

“Continue!” requested his Grace. “You interest us now exceedingly. Where, when, how, and why did Lord Rupert steal your horse?”

“He stole it in the village, sir, this morning! And I may say, sir, that I consider it a gross impertinence! a piece of insolence that infuriates me! I am a calm man, sir, but when I receive such a message from a man of birth, of title——”

“Oh, he left a message, did he?” interposed Merivale.

“With the blacksmith, sir! My groom rode over on the roan to the village, and, the horse casting a shoe, he took him to the smith, very properly! While Coggjn was shoeing the animal my fellow walked on to Fawley to execute my commands.” He breathed heavily. “When he returned, the horse was gone! The smith—damn him for a fool! —tells me that Lord Rupert insisted on taking the horse—my horse, sir!—and left his compliments for me, and his—his thanks for the loan of my horse!”

“Very proper,” said his Grace.

“Damme, sir, it’s monstrous!”

A gurgling laugh came from Jennifer.

“Oh, was there ever such a boy?” she cried. “What in the world should he want with your horse, sir?”

Mr. Manvers scowled at her.

“Exactly, madam! Exactly! What did he want with my horse? The man’s mad, and should be clapped up! Coggins tells he came running into the village like one demented, with no hat on his head! And not one of those gaping fools had the sense to stop him from seizing my horse! A set of idiots, sir!”

“I can well believe it,” said Avon. “But I do not yet see how your information can help us.”

Mr. Manvers fought with himself.

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