Allerdale: Confirmed Bachelors Book 1 by Jenny Hambly

Author:Jenny Hambly [Hambly, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2021-01-14T18:00:00+00:00

Unfortunately, Miss Edgcott was unaware that Lord Allerdale did not reside in Berkeley Square, and the footman into whose hands her letter was delivered did not so much as glance at it before laying it on the tray in the hall. He had only been hired for the season and was still rather green, although he hoped his current employment would lead to greater things. He received a severe trimming down the following morning from the butler when he enquired as to the hour of its delivery, and was then sent immediately to Duke Street, with instructions to explain his dereliction of duty to Lord Allerdale.

Miles had followed his own advice and enjoyed a relatively early night. He continued to be a little concerned for Charles, however. When they had parted company after the play, his cousin had shaken his hand and clapped him on the back saying, with what Miles had considered rather forced cheerfulness, “Sorry if I’ve been a bit of a rum ‘un, this evening, old fellow. I’m sure I’ll be back to my old self tomorrow. Come and see me then, but not before ten; I think I’ll enjoy the last lazy morning I may have for some time.”

He had every intention of visiting Charles this morning, and if he did not appear to be his usual cheery self, he would prise from him whatever was truly bothering him. He intended to enjoy a good gallop in the park first, and as this could only be achieved at an ungodly hour of the morning, he had given Tibbs instructions to bring his horse to him at five thirty sharp. He had risen with the light and was just draining his cup of coffee when the white-faced footman was shown into the room.

“Good morning,” he said, rising to his feet. “What on earth brings you here at such an early hour?”

“S-sir,” he stammered. “I have two letters for you.” He held one up. “This was delivered to Berkeley Square last evening, and I b-beg your pardon, but I didn’t think anything of it and laid it on the tray in the hall. It wasn’t until this morning that I discovered it was marked urgent.”

Miles was suddenly filled with a sense of foreboding. He strode across the room and plucked it from the shrinking footman’s hand. He tore it open and knew a moment’s relief when he saw that it was not written in Charles’ lazy scrawl. He shook his head as if to clear it; Charles would have known where to reach him.

He rapidly scanned its contents. “You fool,” he said softly. “You complete and utter idiot!”

“I’m s-sorry, sir,” the footman said.

“Not you,” Miles snapped, his eyes flying to the clock on the mantle.

It had just turned half past five.

“Is Tibbs outside?”

“Yes, my lord,” Michael said. “He was here before me.”

Miles grabbed his riding crop, jammed on his hat, and hurried into the street. He nodded at his groom, swiftly swung himself into the saddle, and raced off.

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