Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 10] - Lanterns Read Free Page A

since she lost her husband,
you know…"
    "Married some Spanish fella, didn't she?"
    He had spoken with no more than mild curiosity, but she was at
once defensive. "It was a very happy marriage, but he went back to
fight against Bonaparte and was killed at the Battle of Salamanca.
Aunty has never quite recovered from the shock."
    Coville slanted a glance to where his father was now talking
earnestly to Sir Lionel. "Is that when the poor lady started making
these—er, effigies?"
    Marietta shook her head. "It only began after we moved down
here. Aunty Dova is very warm-hearted, and she misses her friends
terribly. So she decided to pretend she can still chat with them, just
as if—"
    A cry of anguish interrupted her, and she was dismayed to see
Sir Gavin bow forward in an attitude of despair.
    As swiftly as she started up, Blake was before her, bending
over his father and patting his shoulder comfortingly. "Now, sir, you
must not upset yourself so. I thought we had agreed not to speak of the
matter."
    Sir Gavin groped for a handkerchief, and dabbing at his eyes
gulped, "I—I know. But—the lady seemed to… That is, she said she knew…
something, but Sir Lionel says…" He shook his head, unable to finish
the sentence.
    Sir Lionel hurried to the sideboard and poured a glass of
brandy for the distraught man.
    Shocked by such a display of emotion, Fanny crept to take her
sister's hand and said nervously, "Dearest, perhaps we should allow the
gentlemen to be private."
    "No, no. Pray do not let me frighten you away." Sir Gavin
sipped his brandy and set the glass down. "I do most humbly apologize
for… for that disgraceful outburst. But—" His voice shredded. "You had
as well know the whole. It is my—my dear wife, you see. She has
been—stolen!"
    After the initial outburst of dismay and sympathy, Sir Lionel
exclaimed, "I can scarce credit that so dreadful a thing should take
place! How did it happen?"
    Blake said sombrely, "We know very little. Three weeks ago at
some time during the night Lady Pamela vanished from our London house."
    Incredulous, Marietta said, "But surely someone must have seen
or heard
something!
Did no one notice a—a
carriage pull up, or a door close, or something of the sort?"
    Sir Gavin shook his head. "Alas. Nothing."
    "In the heart of
London?"
exclaimed Sir
Lionel. "I'd have said such a crime could not go unnoticed!"
    "True," said Blake harshly. "Unless the criminal chances to be
an expert in such matters."
    Marietta searched his grim face. "Has there been a demand for
ransom, then? Do you say you suspect someone?"
    "We've not been approached for a ransom. But we know—"
    His father raised a silencing hand. "It is one thing to
suspect, Miss Warrington. But as to proving it…" He shrugged. "We
cannot be sure."
    "Cannot be sure?" cried Blake impatiently. "What other
explanation is there? Who else could get into the house, know where to
find her, and spirit her away? Who else had a motive?"
    "Who, indeed?" Sir Gavin said with a sigh. "We have kept the
matter very much in the family till now, but I will confide in you, my
friends, and hope your aunt may be able to help us." He took a deep
breath, as though nerving himself. "It is, you see, that my dear wife's
mama had settled a considerable sum upon her grandson—my step-son, that
is to say. But it was left in trust. Young Paisley was not—er, pleased
when I married his mother. I tried, but"—he shrugged helplessly—"I
failed, alas. The boy took me in dislike and wished to live elsewhere.
He demanded his inheritance. My wife loves him devotedly, but she was
forbidden to hand over the monies until he reached the age of five and
twenty. He stalked out of the house in a rage fifteen years ago, when
he was but eighteen years of age."
    Mrs. Cordova sang softly, "But he's come home again… home
again."
    They all stared at her.
    Sir Lionel pursed his lips and murmured, "Jupiter, but Paisley
stayed away more than a day or two, didn't he! Fifteen years?