The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake Read Online Free Page B

desired support, he called on Willoughby.
    The Reverend Mr. Taylor Chatteris, learned, handsome and soft-hearted, now fixed his gentle blue gaze on his nephew and said sadly, “Whatever were you thinking of, Hasty?”
    Several of the assembled gentlemen immediately informed the clergyman exactly what Hastings had been “thinking of”; Mr. Fergus Adair, a very stout man of small means, questionable ethics, and a large thirst became so ribald, in fact, that the Viscount was obliged to remind him there were ladies present.
    â€œHave you come here to confess your guilt?”
    The querulous voice was that of his mother, and Hastings turned to her at once. In his youth Lady Esterwood had seemed an omnipotent being; seldom seen, but always gracious and awesomely beautiful. Vanity decreed that she eat sparingly, which the General often declared had caused her to be “scratchy,” and her perpetually haughty expression had given her mouth a permanent disdainful droop. But at five and fifty she was one of the foremost ton hostesses, and still a remarkably handsome woman, blessed with a pair of dark blue eyes, beautiful white hands, and a fine soprano voice. She had been proud of her soldier son’s rapid rise to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and overjoyed when he’d been “mentioned in despatches.” He had been her “darling boy” then. Today, striking in a gown of powder blue velvet, with a blue and white shawl draped across her shoulders, she leaned back in her chair and regarded him as she might have viewed a slug that had crawled across her slipper.
    Adair said, “I came only to remove my things, Mama, and to make my apologies to you all for—”
    â€œFor making me the target of every gossip-monger in Town?” she interposed shrilly. “I dare not venture out on the streets! Do you realize I had planned a ball in honour of your brother’s Cabinet appointment? Even had I the courage to hold it, no one would come!”
    â€œYou couldn’t hold it now at all events, ma’am,” drawled Hudson Adair, his bitter gaze on his brother. “Any hopes I entertained along those lines were dashed, thanks to our gallant Colonel! Ten years of work! Ten years of guarding my tongue and catering to the powerful ministers whose backing I needed! And they were ready to back me! I had the appointment! Or as good as. But you bowled me out, didn’t you, Hastings? I hope—”
    â€œYou, you, you!” interposed Lady Caroline fiercely. “All you ever think of is your precious career, Hudson! What of Shand, I ask you? What of me? The Dowager had at long last agreed to remove to the dower house and give us the mansion on Grosvenor Street. Now, she won’t even let us in the front door for fear we should be recognized by some of her cronies! You’re not the only one to be hurt, brother dear!”
    And so it went, one family member after another, all voicing their fury and frustration, while Adair stood pale and silent, letting the storm break over him until a new voice rang out:
    â€œIf you are all done with bemoaning your fates, perhaps we may hear what Hastings has to say.”
    Through the immediate silence every eye turned to the white-haired old gentleman who stood tall and proud in the open doorway, the epitome of a British General of the Army. The men who were seated rose at once, and the Viscount hurried to welcome his father-in-law.
    General Chatteris gripped his hand, then turned to Hastings. “Well?”
    â€œI’d not intended to intrude on my father, but he summoned me. I am sorrier than I can say to have caused you all such distress and humiliation, but I had hoped—” Hastings paused, then said rather wistfully, “I had hoped someone might have asked me—whether I was guilty, and—”
    Lady Esterwood leaned forward. “Do you deny it, then?”
    â€œI believe I am innocent, Mama. I cannot