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FIFTY THREE
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2021-09-06 10:00:00The Earl drew out a chair in the opposite side of the table and sat down. From under the shade of his curly brimmed hat, which he wore rather tilted over his face, his eyes mocked unpleasantly. "You think I might be weary of being seen in your company? Very true, but I believe my credit with the world to be fairly good. My reputation might yet survive. You may sit down".
"I have every intention of doing so", retorted Ferdinand, suiting the action to the word and tossing off what remained of his second glass of daffy. "I am sure I am highly honored to have your lordship's company!" "Make the most of it then", advised the Earl, "for it is not an honor that is likely to befall you again". Ferdinand's hand fidgeted with his empty glass, he was watching the Earl covertly. "Indeed! And what may your lordship mean?" "Merely that I shall have no further need of your company after tonight, Ferdinand. Circumstance has caused our path to cross, but tRelated chapters
DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY FOUR
Clements was sitting very still in his chair, his glance never wavering from Ferdinand's face. "Go on, Mr Ferdinand", he said. "I am waiting to hear what it is you will say"."Nothing!" Ferdinand said quickly."Not even the name of the man who hired you?" said the Earl softly."Nothing, I tell you! No one hired me!"The Earl shut his snuff box. "No doubt you are wise", he said. "He might - who knows? - take steps to put you out of the way, might he not? And I am afraid that even if you had the courage to divulge his name it would not be of very much use. It would be your word against his, Ferdinand, and to be honest with you I hardly think yours would be heeded. You see, I have considered all that"."No need!" Ferdinand said, glaring at him. "I've told you I shall divulge nothing!""I am glad to find that you have such a wholesome regard for your skin", murmured Clements. "I hope that I may prompt you to keep away fro
Last Updated : 2021-09-07DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY FIVE
Mr Tellaro's hands clenched involuntarily. "I am grateful to you for showing me your hand so plainly, sir", he said. "In my turn I would remind you that your jurisdiction over Miss Tellaro expires within a year. It did not need this conversation to convince me that you are nursing designs which are as unscrupulous as they are shameless. Understand, if you please, that I am not to be cowed into standing out of your way"."As to that, Mr Tellaro, you will do as seems best to you", said the Earl. "But you will bear in mind, I trust, that when I find an obstacle in my way I am apt to remove it". This was said without heat, even blandly, and the Earl, not waiting to see how it was received, bowed slightly and walked away toward the parlor door.* * *Not very long after the episode of his frustrated duel Patrick went off to stay in Latina with the Mamalas, who traveled from Rome early in December with the intention of spending some weeks in the country. The
Last Updated : 2021-09-08DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY SIX
Miss Tellaro had had time to reflect while Clements was engaged with Miss Crews that he had not shown any surprise on meeting her. When Miss Crews had walked off she asked him in her abrupt way whether he had expected to find her at Belview."Why, yes", he replied. "I believe I was informed of it". The gleam in his eyes made her suspect him strongly of having had some say in her being invited. She said, "Oh! I, on the other hand, had not the least notion of finding you here"."If you had you would not have come, I daresay".She raised her brows. "I hope I am not so prejudiced that I cannot be staying in the same house with you"."That is very encouraging", said the Earl. "Do you know, I was presumptuous enough to think that you were quite glad to see me when I came in?"She hesitated, and then said with a rueful smile, "well, perhaps I was a little glad. I have been feeling rather strange amongst a set of company I don't know. T
Last Updated : 2021-09-09DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY SEVEN
He drew out a chair for her beside his own. "I know", he said understandably, "but it has a good appearance, and one need not go beyond the second field"."Not go beyond the second field!" she echoed. "Why, won't you go farther, Mr Alexandra?""No, I don't think so", he replied very gravely. "There is sure to be a farmhouse where I can get some bread and cheese, and you must know there is nothing I like better than that"."Bread and cheese instead of hunting!" she said. "I cannot allow it to be a choice!""Yes, but you see, if I went very far I should get my tops and leathers splashed by all the greasy, galloping farmers", he replied softly.But even her partiality for him couldn't induce Miss Tellaro to smile at such a speech as that. She looked reproachful, and could only say, "I am persuaded you do not mean it".She was to discover later that he had for once spoken in all sincerity. He abandoned the hunt after the
Last Updated : 2021-09-10DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY EIGHT
The second piece being at an end, and Miss Crews properly complimented and thanked, Lady Jersey leaned forward impulsively and addressed Miss Tellaro. "Miss Tellaro, surely I am not mistaken in thinking that you play, and ain't too?"Elizabeth looked up. "Very indifferently, ma'am. I have no skill on the harp"."But the pianoforte! I am persuaded you could give us all great pleasure if you would!"The Duchess at once added her entreaties to Lady Jersey's, and Lord Alvana, deserting Miss Crews, went across to her, and said in his cheerful way, "now, do pray sing for us, Miss Tellaro! We can never be brought to believe that you don't sing, you know! Do you not give us all the lead in everything?"Elizabeth colored, and shook her head. "No, indeed, you put me quite out of countenance. My performance on the pianoforte is nothing at all out of the common, I assure you".The Duchess said kindly. "Do not be doing anything you would rather not, M
Last Updated : 2021-09-11DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY NINE
He shook his head. "No, Miss Tellaro. That I will not do. I cannot imagine what possessed me to countenance the betrothal at all".She was a little startled, and turned in her chair to look at him more fully. "Why should you not? What is this change of face?"He returned her gaze in a considering way, but after a slight pause, he merely said, "he is too young".She felt that he had not told her the real reason. She was annoyed, but tried not to show it. "Perhaps he is too young, I do not deny that I thought so at first. But now I feel that marriage would be the very thing for him. Miss Mamala does not like Rome, and I believe she would wish to reside the most of the year in Tellaro. And it would be best for Parte, after all. He gets into dangerous scrapes in town. Only the other day... " she stopped, looked a little confused, and said after a moment, "Well, that is nothing. It is over now, and I should not have spoken. But I have been in some alarm about h
Last Updated : 2021-09-12DELICIA - DELIGHT - SIXTY
Meanwhile, Miss Tellaro's days continued to be so fully occupied that she had little leisure for missing her brother. She received two more offers of marriage, both of which she civilly declined; sat to have her portrait taken by Hopper at the earnest solicitation of her cousin, and twice went to the play in the company of her guardian. He said nothing to annoy her on either of these occasions, but on the contrary talked so much like a sensible man, and saw to her comfort in such a practiced manner, that she was quite in charity with him, and could thank him for two pleasant evenings with perfect sincerity."You have nothing to thank me for", he returned. "Do you think I have not had a great deal of pleasure in your company?"She smiled. "I have not been used to hear you say things so prettily, Lord Clements"."No, nor have I been used to fine my ward so amiable", he replied.She held up her finger. "Do not let us be recalling past differences, if
Last Updated : 2021-09-13DELICIA - DELIGHT - SIXTY ONE
"Oh yes, I believe it may be, but a bad road. No chance of springing your horses on it. Clements told me as much, advised that north Road at the outset, but I thought I would try the other. However, that's neither there nor here. We ran a dingdong race to Latina, and drew level at Bell Boo, the turnpike man being deaf, as I suppose, and keeping me waiting a good three minutes before he would open the gate. But it may have been that new man of mine I had with me. He carried the yard of tin, you know, but he has no notion how to sound it - put me out of all patience. I daresay the pike keeper might not hear it at first. So Tim drew level with me there, and we had a famous race of it to Bosdo. His nags were blowing by that time, and he changed them at the Green Man. Mine had got their second wind some way back, so I pushed on to Winston, had a fresh team harnessed up there - small quick steppers, capital for a flat stage - and was away before Tim came in sight. Well, as you remember, L
Last Updated : 2021-09-14
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DELICIA - DELIGHT - THE END
"Now do you know why I am glad to be rid of my ward?" demanded the Earl."Oh", said Miss Tellaro foolishly, "I was afraid you meant me to marry your brother!""Were you indeed? And was all the determined flirting I have been watching between you merely to show me how willing you were to oblige me? Nonsensical child! I have been in love with you almost from the first moment of setting eyes on you"."Oh, this is dreadful!" said Miss Tellaro, shaken by remorse. "I disliked you amazingly for weeks!"The Earl kissed her again. "You are wholly adorable", he said."No, I am not", replied Miss Tellaro, a soon as she was able. "I am as disagreeable as you are. You would like to beat me. You said you would once, and I believe you meant it!""If I only said it once I am astonished at my own forbearance. I have wanted to beat you at least a dozen times, and came very near to doing it once - at Cockfield. But I still think you ado
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-TWENTY
"You can have a dozen yachts", replied the Earl, "if only you will go away!" "I was sure you would agree!" declared Patrick radiantly. "I could not conceive of any reason why you should not! And do you think Evans' cousin..." "Yes", said the Earl. "I am persuaded Evans' cousin will be the very man for you. You had better go and talk it over with Evans before he leaves Romanina". Patrick was a good deal struck by this suggestion. "Upon my word, that is a capital notion! I believe I will do it at once, if you don't mind my leaving you?" "I can bear it", said the Earl. "Let me advice you not to lose any time in setting out". "Well, I think I had best be off at once", said Patrick. "And when I have talked it over with Evans I will come and tell you all about it". "Thank you very much", said the Earl gravely. "I shall be on the watch for you, I assure you". Miss Tellaro turned away to hide a
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-NINETEEN
The Earl had knocked on the door by this time, and in a few moments his step was heard on the stairs. Patrick went out to meet him. "Come up, sir! We are both here!" he said. "How do you do? You are the most complete have indeed, you know! My head, when I awoke! My mouth too! There was never anything like it!""Was it very bad?" inquired the Earl, leisurely mounting the last three stairs."Oh, beyond anything! But I don't mean to complain. I have had a famous time of it! But come into the drawing room! My sister is there, and I have something very particular to say to you. Liz, here is Lord Clements".Miss Tellaro, who for reasons best known to herself, has suddenly become absorbed in her embroidery, laid aside the frame and got up. She shook hands with the Earl, but before she could speak Patrick was off again."I wish you would tell me, sir, what you call that way of tying your cravat! It is devilish natty!""I don't call it anythin
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-EIGHTEEN
"I am very sensible of it. To be sure, we were completely taken in by my cousin. And to drug me, and put me aboard his yacht - Lord, I thought he was going to murder me when he forced that stuff down my throat! - was the neatest piece of work! I had no notion I should like being upon the sea so much! Evans was in a great pucker lest I should be angry at it, but, 'Lord', I said, 'you need not think I shall try to swim to shore! This is beyond anything great!' "Miss Tellaro sighed and have up the struggle. Patrick continued to talk of his experiences at sea until it was time to go to bed. Miss Tellaro could only be glad that since he had formed the intention of driving to Clements' Resort upon the following day any further description of grounds swells, squalls, wearing, luffing, squaring the yards, or reefing the sails must fall to Miss Mamala's lot instead of hers.It was a melancholy reflection that although she would have been ready to swear, a day before, tha
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-SEVENTEEN
She looked up at him doubtfully. "You are not going to come with me?" she asked."I must ask you to excuse me, Miss Tellaro. I have still something to do here".She let him lead her to the door, but as he opened it, and would have bowed her out, she laid her hand on his arm, and said under her breathe, "I don't want him dead!""You may safely leave everything to me, Miss Tellaro. There will be no scandal".She cast a glance at her cousin, and looked up again at the Earl. "Very well. I - I will go. But I - I don't want you to be hurt, Lord Clements!"He smiled rather grimly. "You need not be alarmed, my child. I shan't be"."But...""Go, Miss Tellaro", he said quietly.Miss Tellaro, recognizing the note of finality in his voice, obeyed him.She found that a chaise and four, with the Earl's crest on the panels, was waiting for her outside the cottage. She got into it, a
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-SIXTEEN
Bartholomew Tellaro's eyes were fixed on the Earl's face. He swallowed once, but said nothing.The Earl took a pinch of snuff." On the whole ", he said reflectively, "I believe Harry enjoyed the task. It was a little beneath his divinity, but he is extremely attached to me, Mr Tellaro - a far more reliable tool, I assure you, than any of your not very efficient hirelings - and he obeyed me implicitly in not letting you out of his sight. You would be surprised at his resourcefulness.When you drove your gig over to New Shahar to strike a bargain with that seafaring friend of yours you took Harry with you, curled up in the boot. His description out that mode of travel is profane but very graphic.I am anticipating, however. Your first action was to introduce a creature of your own into Patrick's household - a somewhat foolhardy proceeding, if I may say so. It would have been wiser to have risked coming into the foreground at that juncture, my dea
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-FIFTEEN
"Almost immediately. You may perhaps remember bringing me word once of Patrick's being got into a bad set of company. You mentioned Ferdinand's name, and it crossed my mind that I had seen Ferdinand in your cousin's company once or twice.At the time my only suspicion was that there might conceivably be a plot on hand to bleed Patrick of his fortune at cards. I dealt with that by frightening Patrick with a threat to send him back to Tellaro if I found he had contracted debts of honor above what his allowance would cover.I thought also that a discreet inquiry into the state of Mr Tellaro's finances might not be inopportune. I admit, however, that I was so far from suspecting the truth that I committed the impudence of sanctioning Patrick's betrothal to Miss Vivian Mamala. In doing that I undoubtedly placed him in jeopardy of his life. While Patrick remained single there was no pressing need to be rid of him.I imagine that before he arranged for the boy's death
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-FOURTEEN
The beast looked down at her, and as the expression that had frightened her died out of his eyes, he transformed gradually back into the Clements Elizabeth knew. "I beg your pardon, Deliciae", he said tiredly. "I was rather forgetting your presence. You may get up, Mr Tellaro. We will finish this when Miss Tellaro is not present".Bartholomew Tellaro had also gradually transformed back into his original self and had struggled on to his elbow. He dragged himself to his feet, and stood leaning heavily against the wall, trying to regain full possession of his senses.The Earl picked up the only surviving chair and handed Miss Tellaro to it. "I owe you an apology", he said. "You have had an uncomfortable sort of a morning, and I am afraid that was my doing. The world is not as you see it every day, Miss Tellaro! There are terrible things in this world and you have just witnessed one"."Patrick - he said it was you who kidnapped Patrick!" she blurted.&nbs
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-THIRTEEN
"Elizabeth, I swear to you I know no more than you do what has become of him! I had no hand in that. What do I care for Patrick, or his fortune? Have I proved myself so false that you can believe that of me? It is you I want, have wanted from the day I first saw you! I never meant it to be like this, but what could I do, what other course was open to me? Nothing I could have said would have prevented you from going to Rome with Richard, and once you were in his and Clements' hands, what hope had I of saving you from that iniquitous marriage? Again and again I have warned you not to trust Clements, but you have not heeded me! Then came Patrick's disappearance, and once more you would not listen to me. When so, I should have shrunk from taking this step had I not seen the marriage license in Richard's possession. But I knew then that is I was to save you from being the victim of Clements' fiendish schemes. I must act drastically - treacherously, if you will! - but yet because I love y
