Free The Riddle of the Lost Lover by Patricia Veryan

that he chanced to be there.” He said with a wry smile, “I try, you see, not to let my imagination run riot.”
    â€œWell, I think it all most odd. And your surgeon claimed to have seen Hasty— I mean, Colonel Adair, in a hospital in Spain only three days ago?”
    â€œYes.” Very aware of the quick correction, Vespa said, “Not that I believe a word of it.”
    At this point Manning returned with a laden tray. Lady Francesca poured coffee and when the maid had gone asked shrewdly, “What are you believing, Captain?”
    Vespa accepted a slice of seed cake, and replied, “That Colonel Adair is most definitely back in England. I didn’t imagine our violent encounters. Nor do I think my activities are his major concern.”
    Consuela said, “But he warned you to stop your search. So, surely, whatever he’s about must be in some way linked to what you—we—are doing.”
    â€œShall you stop—as the colonel he demand?” asked Lady Francesca.
    â€œBy George, but I won’t! I did what I could for Adair and met a brick wall. I’m not on active service now, and barring a straight command from his lordship, I’ll keep on.”
    Consuela nodded. “What about Sir Kendrick’s man of business? Might he be able to help?”
    â€œVery likely. But Felton’s slippery as an eel. Every time I call at his offices he is very much ‘out.’ It’s clear he doesn’t want to see me, and if I did trap him he would likely talk in meaningless circles as those lawyer fellows love to do, so I see no point in wasting my time on him. Toby and Paige have gone off to Bow Street to try and see Adair. I mean to drive down to Richmond and see if any letters have arrived from my mother.”
    â€œGood.” Consuela slipped a biscuit to the hopeful Corporal. “We have plans for this afternoon also, Jack. Grandmama and me.”
    He looked at her uncertainly. “You have both been so very good, but—”
    â€œI know. We must not run into danger. You told me that once before.”
    â€œYes, I did.” His eyes darkened at the memory. “And had you paid me heed you might not have nigh got yourself killed!”
    â€œDon’t go into the boughs. Nonna and I mean to—”
    â€œShe calls me Nonna when she is trying to turn me up sweetly,” interrupted Lady Francesca looking far from sweet.
    In a stage whisper Consuela told Vespa, “It is merely the Italian version of Grandmama, and I use it because it pleases her. How unkind I should be not to want to please my dear little duchess!”
    â€œYou are a conniving minx!” declared Lady Francesca, but she could not keep the twinkle from her eye, and Consuela laughed, and went on: “We mean to do nothing more dangerous than to visit the biggest gossip in the southland. But, I had hoped…” She glanced rather wistfully at the window.
    He said, “You had hoped to see more of London, instead of which you’re spending all your time trying to help me.”
    Lady Francesca said, “You gave up a great deal more than time when you helped us, Captain Jack.”
    He smiled at her gratefully. “If you don’t mean to call on your gossip till this afternoon, may I now take you both for a drive?”
    â€œIn the rain?” Lady Francesca shook her head. “For me, this is not!”
    Consuela’s blue eyes glowed. “Oh, I should so like to see some more of the city, dearest Grandmama. May I please go?”
    â€œI’ll take great care of her, ma’am,” Vespa pleaded.
    â€œIt is unwise, this,” said the duchess meeting his eyes sternly. “There must be no talkings of troths and promisings, you understand? No interest fixings. I will have your word, Captain.”
    He gave her his word, and said that he was in no position to make such ‘talkings,’ but his heart sank and he was reminded