These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

Merivale started; so also did Jennifer.

‘Frenchman?’ Merivale echoed. ‘But what did Rupert –’

His Grace was smiling grimly.

‘The mystery,’ he said, ‘is solved. Lord Rupert, Mr Manvers, borrowed your horse to go in pursuit of M. le Comte de Saint-Vire.’

Merivale gasped.

‘You knew he was here, then?’

‘I did not.’

‘Then how a’ God’s name – ?’

Again the Duke took snuff.

‘Shall we say – intuition, my dear Anthony?’

‘But – but why did Rupert pursue Saint-Vire? And – and what was Saint-Vire doing on the road to Portsmouth? He told me he was journeying north to visit a friend! This goes beyond me!’

‘What I want to know,’ Jennifer said, ‘is, where is Léonie?’

‘Ay, that’s the question,’ nodded Merivale.

‘Yo

ur pardon, sir,’ interjected Mr Manvers, ‘but the question is, where is my horse?’

They turned to the Duke for enlightenment.

‘Léonie,’ said the Duke, ‘is by now on the way to France, in company with the Comte de Saint-Vire. Rupert, I imagine, is also on his way to France, for I do not suppose he was in time to intercept them. Mr Manvers’ horse is in all probability at Portsmouth. Unless, of course, Rupert has taken it to France with him.’

Mr Manvers collapsed into the nearest chair.

‘Taken – taken my horse to France, sir? Oh, it’s monstrous! It’s monstrous!’

‘For God’s sake, Avon, be more explicit!’ begged Merivale. ‘Why has Saint-Vire run off with Léonie? He had not even seen her!’

‘On the contrary,’ said Avon, ‘he has seen her many times.’

Jennifer rose to her feet.

‘Oh sir, he will not harm her?’

‘No, he will not harm her, my lady,’ Avon replied, and there was a glint in his eyes. ‘You see, there will be no time for that. He has Rupert hard on his heels – and me.’

‘You’ll go?’

‘Of course I shall go. Follow my example, and place your trust in Rupert. It seems I shall live to be grateful to him yet.’

‘Alastair, what in God’s name does all this mean?’ demanded Merivale. ‘Rupert himself swore there was a mystery as soon as he saw Léonie’s likeness to Saint-Vire.’

‘So Rupert saw that? I appear to have underrated Rupert’s intelligence. I believe I can satisfy your curiosity. Come with me into the library, my dear Merivale.’

Past enmity was forgotten. Anthony went to the door. Mr Manvers sprang up.

‘But all this doesn’t help me to my horse!’ he said bitterly.