The pistol was pressed to his Grace’s heart. He removed it from Léonie’s clutch, and pocketed it. He looked down at the curly head with a curious smile, and presently stroked it.

‘My dear infant, you must not cry. Come, it is in very truth Monseigneur! There is nothing to frighten you.’

‘Oh, I am n-not frightened !’ said Léonie. ‘I am so very glad!’

‘Then I beg you will signify your gladness in a more becoming manner. May I ask what you are doing in those clothes?’

Leonie kissed his hand, and mopped her eyes.

‘I like them, Monseigneur,’ she said, with a twinkle.

‘I doubt it not.’ Avon went past her to the bed, and bent over it, laying a cool white hand over Rupert’s galloping pulse. ‘You are hurt, boy?’

Rupert managed to smile.

‘It’s naught. A hole in my shoulder, plague take it!’

His Grace produced a flask from one pocket, and put it to Rupert’s lips. Rupert drank, and the blue shade went from about his mouth.

‘I believe I have to thank you,’ said the Duke, and removed a pillow. ‘You did well, my child. In fact, you have surprised me. I am in your debt.’

Rupert flushed.

‘Pooh, ’twas nothing! I did precious little. ’Twas Léonie got us off. ’Fore Gad, I’m devilish pleased to see you, Justin!’

‘Yes, so you remarked.’ His Grace put up his quizzing glass and eyed the coins that lay scattered over the bed. ‘What, may I ask, is all this wealth?’

‘Oh, that’s our money, Monseigneur!’ said Léonie. ‘We were counting it when you came.’

‘Our money!’ ejaculated Rupert. ‘That’s rich, ’pon my soul it is! There’s some on the floor still.’

‘And what,’ said his Grace, turning to the broken bowl, ‘is this?’

‘Rupert did it,’ said Léonie. ‘It is his broth, but when we heard you coming he threw it on the floor.’

‘My appearance seems to have produced a strange effect upon you,’ remarked his Grace. ‘Can either of you tell me where is my very dear friend Saint-Vire?’

Rupert struggled up on his elbow.

‘Tare an’ ouns, how did you know ’twas he?’

His Grace put him back on his pillows.

‘It is my business always to know, Rupert.’

‘Well, I always swore you were at the bottom of it! But how the deuce did you find out that he’d got Léonie? Where were you? How did you guess I was after them?’

‘Yes, and how did you know where to find us?’ asked Léonie. ‘Why did he take me?’

The Duke took off his great-coat, and smoothed a wrinkle from the velvet sleeve beneath.

‘You bewilder me, my children. One question at a time, I beg of you.’

‘How did you know who had run off with Léonie?’

The Duke sat down by the bed, and snapped his fingers to Léonie, who came at once to sit at his feet.

‘It was really quite simple,’ he said.

Tags: Georgette Heyer Alastair-Audley Tetralogy Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net