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

Skye. “He merely wants you to give back his ball.”
    â€œI haven’t got his bl—his stupid ball,” declared Valerian.
    â€œYes you have,” argued Elspeth. “It’s in your hat.”
    Glowering at her, he wrenched off his tricorne. The muddy ball rolled down his forehead and fell from the end of his nose.
    Momentarily speechless, he blinked down at Busy, who snatched up his prize and pranced off in triumph.
    Skye’s ready sense of humour could not be stifled and he gave a shout of laughter.
    Viewing the unlovely trail the ball had left down the slim nose of this much-admired Dandy, and his almost pathetic bewilderment, Elspeth could not restrain herself and joined in.
    Regaining his voice, Valerian howled, “You’ll pay for this, Skye! Curse you, only look at my new tricorne! And my stockings! Thought it amusing to hurl that filthy ball in my eye, did you? Well, devil take it, you’ll not be laughing when I’ve done with you!”
    â€œOh, for goodness sake stop fussing so,” said Elspeth, losing patience with him. “Lieutenant Skye didn’t throw the ball. I did. I’m sorry if your eye smarts, but—”
    â€œSmarts!” he cried indignantly, still mopping his handkerchief at the damaged article. “You’ll be sorrier if I am blinded, madam, I promise you!”
    â€œCome now, Gervaise,” put in the clergyman soothingly. “It don’t look that bad to me. I’ll take you to my rooms and—”
    â€œOh, no you don’t,” exclaimed his ungrateful friend. “I’ll not have your duchess maudling over me!” Starting away, still holding his eye, he turned back. “As for you, Skye. You’ve not heard the last of this!”
    Watching the fiery individual and his friend march towards Tyburn Lane, Elspeth said uncertainly, “He would not really call you out over so trifling a thing, would he, Joel? Is he dangerous?”
    â€œI’ve heard he’s a fellow to be reckoned with. Of late his temper’s a bit more hasty than usual, but I think his bark’s worse than his bite.”
    â€œLike Busy,” said Elspeth with a giggle. “Oh, Joel! Did ever you see a man so astonished as when that ball rolled down his nose?”
    â€œFairly conflummerated, wasn’t he?” Laughing, Skye said, “I doubt Valerian is well acquainted with mud!”
    â€œHis clergyman friend is apparently acquainted with a duchess. Or is he wed to the lady? He seemed a likeable enough gentleman.”
    â€œOh, yes. I’m sorry I had no chance to present him to you. His name is FitzWilliam Boudreaux. He is related to Lord Boudreaux and he’s Chaplain to the Duchess of Waterbury. Salt of the earth is old Fitz.”
    â€œPerhaps he’ll manage to calm his volcanic friend.” She asked with a smile, “Do you think I should have offered to replace his tricorne?”
    â€œWe certainly didn’t improve it, did we?”
    â€œOr his nose,” she said, hilarious. “Did you see that glob of mud that hung off the end?”
    They were still chuckling over the incident when they returned to South Audley Street. Skye pleaded the call of duty and, refusing an offer of refreshment, allowed Busy to propel him homeward.
    From the morning room windows Elspeth watched his erratic progress, smiling fondly as he turned to wave and was jerked away. Such a good man was Joel Skye. It was always a pleasure to be in his company, even if she had been unable to ask his help this time. She allowed the footman to take her cloak before she climbed the stairs to the withdrawing room. The walk in the fresh air and the episode with the muddy Dandy had lightened her spirits. There would surely be a message from Drew today, she thought. Thank heaven she still had his strength to lean on!
    Her godmother was not in the big room but came hurrying in as Elspeth prepared to return to her own