Read The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake for Free Online

right, sir?”
    He nodded. “But don’t start crying again, please.”
    Burslem’s already tearful eyes had brimmed over. She bobbed a curtsy, mumbled, “Thank ye, sir. Oh— thank yer! An’—an’—Gawd bless yer, sir.”
    He called to her when she reached the door, and she swung around, watching him fearfully. “Will you try to believe I didn’t do it?” he asked.
    She nodded, beaming through her tears, then, dashing them away with her apron, was gone.
    Adair turned to the housekeeper. “Will you try to believe it also, Reddy?”
    â€œCertainly not, Master Hastings! Since I never believed any of it in the first place! In fact—” Mrs. Redditch’s words ended in a faint scream as she was swept up and whirled around and a smacking kiss was pressed on her blushing cheek.

3
    â€œThe thing is,” said Toby Broderick, handing Adair a glass of Cognac and peering at him uneasily, “how could anyone have known you were coming here?”
    It had been late afternoon by the time Adair’s immediate necessities were packed and loaded into a hackney coach. He’d said his farewells to the tearful housekeeper and those members of the staff who had gathered to wish him well, and he’d started down the front steps, determined not to slink away via the back door. A last look at the great house that had been “home” all his life had revealed his brother Hudson watching from a drawing-room window. There had been a frown on the handsome features, but to his astonishment this man who had probably suffered the most because of his notoriety and disgrace, had raised a hand—not quite in a wave perhaps, but more than he’d hoped for. He’d gone then to the livery stables to retrieve his horse. Despite his name, Toreador was too gentle a creature to be exposed to the battlefield, so he’d been left in England to be exercised by Nigel during his owner’s military absences. The big dapple-grey greeted Adair with affection and after a mutually fond reunion Adair had ridden him beside the coach. There had been no trouble until they’d approached Vespa House, where Broderick was staying. As they’d turned the corner onto the quiet London square, Toreador had given a snort of fright and danced sideways, and in that same instant a brick had come flying at Adair’s head. He’d managed to keep his seat when the brick had struck him a glancing blow, and luckily, he had sustained nothing worse than a painful lump, but, as the outraged jarvey had said, if it had landed squarely he’d never have met up with his friend—not in this world, anyway!
    Pondering, he answered slowly, “Nobody knew I was coming here. I hadn’t really decided to take advantage of your kind offer until I left my father’s house.”
    â€œThen you must have been followed.” Broderick settled himself into one of the fireside chairs in the luxurious drawing room and leaned back comfortably. “London’s a mad place, but people don’t trot about heaving bricks at all and sundry on the spur of the moment. Did you see the lout?”
    Adair shook his head, then regretted it. “I caught a glimpse of a shabby fellow running like the wind. Only saw his back. But I’ll go bail I wasn’t followed. I was prepared for a possible display of public anger against me, and kept my eyes open. There was no one within fifty yards of me when I turned the corner.”
    Broderick eyed him sceptically and thought he looked too exhausted to have been able to see for five yards, much less fifty. He said, “In that case, you were recognized hereabouts by some nasty tempered rabble-rouser who hid in the trees or down some area steps. Only answer, dear boy.”
    â€œI was recognized by some rabble-rouser who didn’t expect to see me,” said Adair ironically, “but who chanced to have a brick tucked into his