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

Why, he
must be—let's see…"
    "Three and thirty," supplied Blake. "But he's lived hard, and
looks older."
    "Which has nothing to say to the matter," said his father in
another sudden burst of irritation. "The point is that his attitude
was—was quite unacceptable. He insulted me, which was not important
save that it upset my dear wife. Lady Pamela has been ill for some
years and her nerves are not— Well, at all events, she became
hysterical and said she would not sign over his inheritance until he
apologized. Paisley is a man of—of a most violent nature. He demanded
his rights, and so bullied my wife that I was forced to have him
ejected from the house."
    "Pretty behaviour!" exclaimed Fanny, her romantic heart moved
by the dramatic tale. "What manner of man could treat his mama in such
a fashion?"
    "My step-brother," muttered Blake, frowning, "is capable of
any villainy!"
    Sir Gavin said wearily, "Now, Blake. We do not know that."
    "We know that Lady Pamela disappeared the very next day! And
that she's not been seen since!" Blake sprang up and paced to the
fireplace agitatedly. "He has taken her, I tell you! And means to force
her to sign over the monies."
    Marietta said haltingly, "But—surely, he is by now of an age
to claim his inheritance?"
    "Exactly so," said Sir Gavin. "But the thing is, you see, that
there was a condition to the bequest. His grandmama, knowing how wild
and undisciplined was his character, stipulated that in the event he
should behave in such a way as to bring disgrace down upon the family
name, then my wife was to use the money to establish a home for
orphaned children."
    His eyes very wide, Sir Lionel asked, "And
has
Paisley disgraced the family name? Oh, your pardon! I should not pry
into your affairs!"
    "You do not pry, sir. Have I not asked for your aid?" Sir
Gavin said. "Paisley is, alas, of a revolutionary turn of mind. Heaven
only knows the type of men with whom he has associated these fifteen
years. He has been involved in some very dark doings: the kidnapping of
a young lady a few years back, a prominent and wealthy French nobleman
who was hounded to his death, an ugly scandal in Brittany—to name but a
few disgraceful incidents."
    "Well! If that don't beat the Dutch!" muttered Sir Lionel,
flabbergasted.
    Her eyes very round, Fanny breathed, "He must be a monster
veritable!"
    Marietta asked, "Then you believe Mr. Paisley, or I should say
Lord Temple and Cloud, has kidnapped the lady so as to force her to
make over his inheritance."
    Sir Gavin nodded miserably. "It would seem so, Miss
Warrington."
    "Why, it's wicked!" declared Sir Lionel. "It's more than
wicked! Be dashed if it ain't downright evil! You must find your wife,
sir!"
    "We have tried, heaven knows," said Blake. "We've had men
searching. We've scoured Lanterns from roof-tiles to cellars, but—"
    "Lanterns!" Alarmed, Marietta cried, "Oh, no! Do you think he
has his mama here, then?"
    "We'll not be safe in our beds with such a man in the
neighbourhood," exclaimed Fanny, turning pale.
    "Pray do not be worried, ma'am," said Blake reassuringly. "He
is not there. Nor is my poor step-mama. After her disappearance, as my
father said, we fairly turned the wretched old ruin inside out."
    Sir Lionel asked, "What do the authorities have to say? I
fancy you've Bow Street and the local constables searching for the
rogue?"
    Blake looked sternly at his father. "As they should."
    "No!" Sir Gavin's response was vehement. "I'll
not
have my wife's name bandied about the newspapers! I'll not have a
whisper of scandal touch our family! I have hired men privately. We
shall find Lady Coville, I promise you!"
    "Perhaps," muttered Blake. "Assuming my brutish stepbrother
ain't frightened the poor creature into her grave!"
    Fanny gave a squeal of horror.
    Sir Gavin said remorsefully, "Alas, we are alarming the
ladies. I should have known better than to confide such a terrible
story. But—" He rose and turned to Mrs. Cordova, who was