The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online Page A

George!' said Louisa, quelling him with a look so terrible that he quailed under it. 'Tell me, Porson,' she resumed, turning again to the butler, 'has my brother gone in his post-chaise, or is he driving himself?'
    'None of Sir Richard's vehicles, my lady, sporting or otherwise, is missing from the stables,' said Porson, relishing the cumulative effect of his disclosures.
    'He is riding, then!'
    'I have ascertained from the head groom, my lady, that none of Sir Richard's horses has been abstracted. The head groom has not seen Sir Richard since yesterday morning.'
    'Good Gad!' muttered George, his eyes starting with dismay at the hideous thought which presented itself to him. 'No, no, he would not do that!'
    'Be quiet, George! For heaven's sake, be quiet!' Louisa cried sharply. 'Why, what nonsensical notion have you taken into your head? I am sure it is most provoking of Richard to slip off like this, but as for—I won't have you say such things! Ten to one, he has gone off to watch some odious sporting event: prize-fighting, I dare say! He will be home presently.'
    'But he didn't sleep at home!' George reminded her. 'And I'm bound to say he wasn't cold stone sober when he left Almack's last night. I don't mean he was badly foxed, but you know what he's like when he's—'
    'I am thankful to say that I know nothing of the kind!' retorted Louisa. 'If he was not sober, it would account for his erratic behaviour.'
    'Erratic behaviour! I must say, Louisa, that is a fine way to talk when poor Ricky may be at the bottom of the river,' exclaimed George, roused to noble courage.
    She changed colour, but said faintly: 'How can you be so absurd? Don't say such things, I beg of you!'
    The butler coughed. 'I beg your lordship's pardon, but if I might say so, Sir Richard would hardly change his raiment for the execution of—of what I apprehend your lordship means.'
    'No. No, very true! He would not, of course!' agreed George, relieved.
    'Moreover, my lord, Biddle reports that Sir Richard's drawers and wardrobe have been ransacked, and various articles of clothing abstracted. Upon going to rouse Sir Richard this morning, Biddle found his room in the greatest disorder, as though Sir Richard had made his preparations for a journey in haste. Furthermore, my lord, Biddle informed me that a portmanteau and a small cloak-bag are missing from the cupboard in which they are customarily kept.'
    George gave a sudden croak of laughter. 'Bolted, by Gad! Yoicks! gone awa-ayl'
    'George!'
    'I don't care!' said George defiantly. 'I'm devilish glad he has bolted!'
    'But there was no need!' Louisa said, forgetting that Porson was in the room. 'No one was constraining him to marry—' she caught Porson's eye, and stopped short.
    'I should inform your ladyship,' said Porson, apparently deaf to her indiscreet utterance, 'that there were several other Peculiar Circumstances attached to Sir Richard's disappearance.'
    'Good heavens, you talk as though he has been spirited away by magic!' said Louisa impatiently. 'What circumstances, my good man?'
    'If your ladyship will excuse me, I will fetch them for your inspection,' said Porson, and bowed himself out.
    Husband and wife were left to stare at one another in perplexity.
    'Well!' said George, not without satisfaction, 'you see now what comes of plaguing a man out of his mind!'
    'I didn't! George, it is unjust of you to say so! Pray, how could I force him to offer for Melissa if he did not wish to? I am persuaded his flight has nothing whatever to do with that affair.'
    'No man will bear being teased to do something he don't want to do,' said George.
    'Then all I have to say is that Richard is a bigger coward than I would have believed possible! I am sure, if only he had told me frankly that he did not wish to marry Melissa I should not have said another word about it.'
    'Ha!' ejaculated George, achieving a sardonic laugh.
    He escaped reproof by Porson's coming back into the room, bearing certain articles which he