The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy by Patricia Veryan Read Free Book Online Page A

Lieutenant said could only be a grateful grin.
    Elspeth was amused by him and by Joel’s comments on his antics and the Colonel’s reaction to “the blasted mongrel,” but her thoughts kept returning to Vance and the knowledge that this was the second day since Nicholas had broken the dread news of his peril. Two days, and what had she accomplished save to run up against a brick wall? Perhaps in leaving the house she had been unwise … Perhaps the message she so anxiously awaited would arrive during her absence …
    Skye began to look at her uneasily, and when they had crossed into Hyde Park he took a ball from his pocket and invited her to throw it for the puppy, who had become wildly excited at the sight of it. “He won’t jump up,” he promised.
    Elspeth saw the concern in his face. She made an effort to be more cheerful for the sake of this dear friend and said laughingly that she would hold him to his word.
    Brightening, Skye apologized for the lateness of the hour. “Had we only been here at six or seven o’clock,” he said blithely, “you might have been treated to a real spectacle.” He leant closer and said in a dramatically low-pitched voice, “There are often duels fought here, you know.”
    â€œGood gracious!” she exclaimed. “How came you to be so remiss, Joel? If there is one thing I have ever yearned to see, ’tis a duel!”
    Knowing her aversion to such violence, he chuckled and a moment later gave a gasp of dismay as Busy, who had waited with little patience for the next toss of the ball, began to jump up and down, his muddy paws leaving their mark on Elspeth’s cloak.
    â€œOh, you naughty little beast,” she scolded, and involuntarily dropped the ball. Busy plunged for it, but Skye was faster. He retrieved the ball and tossed it back to Elspeth, who caught it before either of them realized it was now covered with mud.
    â€œUgh!” she exclaimed, and attempting to avoid the prancing dog who clearly did not believe he was in the least naughty, she threw the ball with all her strength towards a nearby clump of trees.
    Ears flapping, Busy tore after it.
    â€œI’m sorry, Ellie,” began Skye repentantly.
    â€œHell and the devil confound you, sir!” roared the tall exquisite who had caught the ball squarely in the eye as he emerged from the trees.
    Skye moaned faintly.
    Elspeth’s shocked gasp died away as she recognized the extremely irate gentleman whose tricorne now resided in the mud and who was wiping more mud from his face. “Dear me,” she exclaimed. “’Tis the same nasty creature who was being so unkind to his servant yesterday!”
    Skye hurried to take up the tricorne and offer it to its fuming owner. “My apologies, Valerian,” he said, failing to look at all remorseful.
    The Dandy snatched his hat and slammed it upon his head. “So it’s you again,” he snarled, dabbing a handkerchief at one eye while the other flickered over Elspeth. “One might suppose you and Madam Disaster live in the park!”
    The tall young clergyman who accompanied him today murmured, “Just an accident, Gervaise. I’m sure Skye did not intend—”
    Busy interrupted this well-meant remark by barking shrilly while bouncing up and down on Valerian’s shoes and sending splashes of mud onto his once spotless hose.
    â€œGet away, damn you!” shouted the Dandy, the handkerchief held to his streaming eye.
    â€œControl your temper,” snapped Skye. “There is a lady present.”
    â€œControl your blasted mongrel,” snarled Valerian, taking an abortive swipe at the exuberant Busy.
    â€œDo not hurt the poor puppy,” cried Elspeth in alarm.
    â€œHe’s taken a liking to you, is all,” said the cleric soothingly.
    â€œIt ain’t mutual,” snorted the much-tried Dandy.
    â€œAnd it ain’t true,” said