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2021-10-08 18:00:00The Earl drew a chair forward." Yes, I think there might be several explanations", he said. "Will you not be seated? Richard, pour out a glass of wine for Miss Tellaro".
She made a gesture of refusal. "Thank you, thank you, I do not want anything. What explanation can there be? All I can think is that some accident has befallen him, but even that will not do, for how is it possible that I should not have heard of it by now? He was not alone, his groom was with him. Lord Clements, what has happened to Parte?""I am afraid I can scarcely answer that question", replied the Earl. "But since he was accompanied by his groom, it seems safe to assume that he has not met with an accident. The more probable explanation is that he has gone off to see a cock fight, or something is that sort, and did not wish you to know of it". "Oh", she said eagerly, "do you think that might be so? It is quite true that he would not wish me to know. But the Mamalas - oh no, he wouldRelated chapters
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-SEVEN
"But I have known you for eighteen years", objected Alexandra. "And it does seem to me that I have seen another determined suitor - a very civil gentleman who is, I think, a cousin"."Admiral Tellaro's son", said the Earl briefly.Alexandra nodded. "Yes, I met the Admiral in Spear Street once. He is a fellow, now, who would send his plate up twice for soup. I am perfectly willing to suspect any son of his"."Yes", said the Earl, "I rather fancy that if nothing is heard of Patrick, suspicion will point to Mr Bartholomew Tellaro. That would be unfortunate for Mr Bartholomew Tellaro"."I collect", remarked Alexandra, "that the gentleman in question is no friend of yours"."So little my friend", replied the Earl, "that I shall own myself surprised if he does not presently set it about that it was I who caused Patrick, and his groom, his tilbury, and his horses to disappear"."Which is absurd", said Alexandra."Which", agreed
Last Updated : 2021-10-09DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-EIGHT
"What do you mean to do in Rome?" asked Mrs Andromeda. "Do you think Parte can have gone there?""I have no idea", answered the Earl. "I am hoping that the Bow Street Runners will be able to help me to find out". He held out his hand, and Miss Tellaro put hers into it. "Goodbye", he said curtly. "Keep a stout heart, Deliciae". He bowed, and in another minute was gone."What was that he called you?" asked Mrs Andromeda, momentarily diverted."Nothing", replied Miss Tellaro, flushing. "A stupid jest, that is all".* * *She saw her cousin on the following morning, when he called to inquire whether any news had been heard of Patrick. She informed him of Clements' having gone to Rome, and requested him not to mention Patrick's absence to anyone. He said quickly, "I should certainly not speak of your affairs without your consent, but why do you particularly wish me to be silent? Is this Lord Clements' doing?""He thinks it b
Last Updated : 2021-10-09DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-NINE
He was on his way to Rome, to seek out Lord Clements, but he would not go without first visiting Elizabeth, and learning from her whether any tidings of Patrick had been received. She was grateful indeed. If he were to make it his business to join in the search for Patrick she might be assured of everything possible being done. She told him what she knew as collectedly as she could, and had the comfort of knowing that, although he considered the case to be extraordinary, he did not feel to be desperate. His judgment was calm, his opinion so much of a man of sense and experience, that he had to be attended to. He was able to soothe the more violent of her fears, and when he presently went away, he left her tolerably composed, and even hopeful of a hhappy issue.A visit from Captain Richard helped still further to restore her to some degree of tranquility. He came in shortly after Mrs Andromeda's return, and bore Miss Tellaro off for a drive. She at first declined it, but a
Last Updated : 2021-10-10DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-TEN
Mr Tellaro assented, and walked with him in silence to the inn. They went into the tap room. The Captain called for a bottle of wine, and led the way to one of the tables against the wall. "I can really tell you nothing that you do not already know", he said. "It is a most uncomfortably business, but if there has been foul play I will back Clements to bring it home to the proper quarters"."Lord Clements suspects there has been foul play, then?""Well, what can one think?" said Captain Richard. "Does it not bear all the appearance of it?""Yes", replied Mr Tellaro. "I think it does, Captain Richard"."Do not breathe as much to Miss Tellaro, however. She is already suffering great anxiety, you know"."It is not to be wondered at. Her situation is wretched indeed!"The Captain glanced at him under dropping eyelids. "You must not think that she is forgotten because Clements has left Romanina", he said. "I have the intent
Last Updated : 2021-10-10DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-ELEVEN
Monday brought her a letter from Sir Maxwell Mamala. He wrote from Radish Hotel, in St John's Street. He had seen Clements, and although he was not able to give her any news of Patrick, he was confident that a very few days must put them in possession of all the facts. He wrote in haste, and meant to carry his letter to the Post Office, that there might be no delay in its despatch. He could only counsel her not to lose hope, and assure her that her guardian was doing all that lay in his power to bring about a happy issue.With this brief note she had to be satisfied. Her dependence was now on Captain Richard's promise to escort her to Rome. Everyday spent in wretched suspense at Romanina was harder to bear than the last.Mrs Andromeda's attempts to keep up her spirits, alternating as they did with fits of the gloomiest foreboding, could only make matters worse. She so obviously gave Patrick up for lost, that Elizabeth could not feel her company to be any suppor
Last Updated : 2021-10-11DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-TWELVE
"What can that signify?" she said. "Oh, it will not do, cousin! Captain Richard is a man of honor, incapable of such business!""Money can drive a man to measures more desperate than you have any notion of", he said, a hard note in his voice. "Clements has made attempt after attempt on Parte's life. You know it to be true!""No", she said faintly, "I do not know it to be true. I cannot think - my head feels empty! I must wait until I have seen Parte. How far do we have to travel?""You would not know the place. It is some miles west of Cockfield. I was led to it by a series of circumstances - but I will not weary you with all the miserable details".She did not speak, her senses were almost overpowered, she could only lean back in her corner, trying to conjure up every recollection that should prove or disprove his accusations. He looked at her compassionately, but seemed to understand her need of silence. Once he said, as though impelled, "if I could
Last Updated : 2021-10-11DELICIA - 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
Last Updated : 2021-10-12DELICIA - 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
Last Updated : 2021-10-12
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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
