Yvonne Goes to York by M. C. Beaton

Author:M. C. Beaton
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781849019163
Publisher: Constable & Robinson
Published: 2011-10-25T20:00:00+00:00

It was two in the morning in London as Sir George Clarence walked slowly back from his club. In his pocket was Benjamin’s letter. His first reaction on reading it had been disgust and distaste. But being a meticulous and fastidious man who knew that the target of any piece of gossip is usually the last to know, he had set out for his club with the express purpose of finding out what was being said.

He had, he realized at first, called at a bad time to find out anything, for all the gamblers, which meant, as far as he could see, all the present members of White’s, were engrossed in gaming. He watched the play, waiting to see if some society gossip would give up and drop out, but it was not until after midnight when his patience was rewarded. Sir Paul Disley, a foppish and waspish baronet, rose from the table in disgust. Sir George waylaid him. ‘What about joining me in a bottle of port, Disley?’

‘As long as it goes on your bill,’ said the baronet. ‘Deuced bunch of card sharks. I swear the cards are marked. Did ever a fellow have such monumental bad luck!’

Soon they were settled with a bottle of port between them. For the first time, Sir Paul seemed to realize the identity of his host. Sir George usually shunned types such as the fops and fribbles of society and was therefore damned as a ‘dry old stick’. Sir Paul reflected that the company of such as Sir George Clarence was a fitting end to a disastrous evening.

‘What have you been doin’ with yourself?’ he asked Sir George languidly and then his eyes sharpened as he remembered that delicious piece of gossip he had heard about the old diplomat.

Sir George leaned back in his chair. ‘I am here to find out about a certain rumour which has been circulating society about me and a certain lady.’

Sir Paul looked as uncomfortable as if his companion had just been able to read his thoughts. ‘Lots of rumours,’ he said evasively. ‘Pay ’em no heed. I never do.’

‘Ah, but you see, the lady is not in town to defend herself. Pray tell me what you have heard.’

Sir Paul wriggled in his chair and his eyes roved around the room looking for help. He had never come across a situation like this before and felt Sir George was behaving in a highly indecent manner. Everyone knew you talked about people behind their backs. It was flying in the face of good ton to ask them direct – or so went his rather incoherent thoughts.

‘Oh, well, don’t you know,’ he said helplessly.

‘No, I do not know.’ Sir George’s voice was clear and incisive. ‘I am waiting for you to tell me.’

Sir Paul leaned forward. ‘They’re saying as how you’ve got a certain Miss Pym in keeping, and that she used to be your brother’s housekeeper.’

‘Ah,’ Sir George leaned back in his chair. Behind him in the other room,

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.