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

freedom, and she could only trust that Lord Boudreaux did have this knowledge. Faith, but it all sounded frighteningly vague and a far from well-conceived plan! Her fervent prayer was that the clergyman would be able to advise her. How she was to explain her actions to Godmama was another problem, but that could be worked out on the return journey to London … somehow …
    The coach jolted, and she awoke, surprised to realize that despite all the distractions and worries of this endless journey she had fallen into a doze. “Good gracious!” she exclaimed. “The sun is going down already! Do you know where we are, Freda?”
    The abigail imparted plaintively that she knew they had passed Shoreham. “And tired I am of all this rocking and jolting about! It’s almost dark, and Abraham Coachman says—”
    Elspeth was never to know what her coachman had to say. There arose sudden shouts, the shrill neighing of frightened horses, and a splintering crash. Elspeth was tossed to one side and Freda screamed as the coach rocked wildly, then lurched to a halt.
    Outside, Abraham Coachman was in full cry, and an impassioned voice was accusing him of being a stupid dolt and a blockhead.
    Struggling to sit up straight, Elspeth pushed back the hood that had fallen over her eyes and asked anxiously, “Are you all right, Freda?”
    â€œNo, I bean’t all right, miss,” wailed Freda, picking herself up from the floor and rubbing her hip. “Scared witless, I do be, and that’s a fact! Whatever happened is what I should like to know?”
    â€œAs would I!” Elspeth reached for the door, only to have it swung open.
    She was less than astonished to be confronted by Gervaise Valerian’s flashing grey eyes. “Nobody seriously damaged, I trust,” he snapped brusquely.
    Wondering if he ever was amiable, she replied, “Not that you would give a button if we were! I might have known that you were the cause of the collision!”
    â€œNonsense. And it’s more than a collision, ma’am. A full-fledged disaster, more like!”
    Abraham Coachman peered over the shoulder of the Dandy’s peerlessly tailored driving coat. “The gentleman’s coach were trying to pass, Miss Clayton. There weren’t room, as I tried to tell—”
    â€œWater under the bridge,” interrupted Valerian impatiently. “And I’ve no time to waste. Be so good as to alight, ma’am.”
    Elspeth stared at him. “Get out? Why? Is our coach out of commission, Abraham?”
    â€œNo,” said Valerian. “But mine is. I must borrow yours. I’ll send another carriage for you as soon as I—”
    Outraged, she argued, “No such thing! Faith, but you bear off the palm for arrogance, sir! I am already late for an appointment, and since this accident was your doing—” She drew back with a little squeal of alarm as his gauntletted hand made a grab for her arm.
    Freda shrieked.
    Valerian snapped, “Have done! Regardless of where the fault lies, my coach wheel is smashed. The lady who was to have—” He paused, then went on, “My friend has, I fear, sprained her ankle and is quite unable to walk. I must convey her to a physician at once.” He frowned and muttered, “Lord knows how I am to find someone to take her place!”
    â€˜The wretched libertine can scarce wait to provide himself with a substitute for the poor jade,’ thought Elspeth, and offered scornfully, “By all means bring the unfortunate woman here. We will take her as far as the village at least, and since you are so desperate to find a replacement, there may be—”
    â€œHere,” he interrupted, his narrowed gaze searching her face. “What village? Where are you bound, ma’am?”
    â€œThat is no concern of yours. But I am in a hurry and it’s getting dark. Carry your—er, friend over here, and we