Read Online The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake by Patricia Veryan - Free Book Online

promised that they’d search for a few more minutes and then he’d find a likely tree and start collecting branches. Toreador nuzzled at his neck and blew small clouds of steam to mingle with the snowflakes. “Never doubt my ability,” said Adair. “I’ve built a shelter often enough in Spain. We’ll have a roof over our heads one way or—”
    â€œYou will need no roof, Colonel!” The feminine voice came clear and contemptuous through the gloom. “A shroud, more like!”
    Adair whipped around.
    Miss Cecily stepped closer, the reins of a fine chestnut mare in one gloved hand, a long-barrelled duelling pistol in the other, and snowflakes on the hood of her pelisse and collecting on her brows.
    â€œWell, well,” said Adair mockingly. “Come to play executioner, have you? I wonder you found me in this blizzard.”
    â€œYour tracks were easy enough to follow.”
    â€œThey’ll be gone when you turn back. I wish you joy of finding your way home after you’ve murdered me.”
    â€œI don’t have to murder you now, Adair. A ball through one of your knees and the storm will do the rest.”
    He stared at her. “Lord, but you’re a cold-blooded chit!”
    â€œI’ve no doubt you are an expert on cold-bloodedness, whereas Alice Prior is the most gentle, kind-hearted, truly good person I have ever known. She was—” Her voice shredded slightly and Adair stepped back a pace as she waved the pistol to emphasize her remarks. “She was my dearest friend from our childhood days. The one person I could always turn to when—” The sentence went unfinished, then she said harshly, “And you— you, a man trained to kill, and with a reputation as—as, what do they call creatures like you? a Bond Street Beau?”
    â€œThe devil! That’s not so! I’m seldom in England and—”
    â€œYou dared—you dared to lure away and—and violate that pure angel, and—”
    â€œAgain—untrue! I never even met the girl until that night!”
    â€œLiar!” she hissed. “Did you think she would confide in no one? She told me she was deep in love with you!”
    Adair gasped, “She named me?”
    â€œShe loved and trusted you. And you destroyed her—just as I shall now avenge her!”
    Watching her narrowly, he asked, “Am I your first victim?”
    â€œMy last, I pray.” She aimed the pistol carefully. “I might grant you a quicker death if you tell me what you have done with Alice.”
    â€œIf I am to die, madam, I’ve a right to be told the truth first. No need for you to persist in this rubbishing stuff about Miss Prior being lost. At least allow me to know what this is all about, and why you are preparing to kill a man who you must be aware is innocent of any wrongdoing.”
    There came the sound of the hammer being drawn back. Adair tensed. This crazy woman really meant to shoot him!
    â€œI will count to three,” she said, her voice steady and merciless. “One … Where is Alice?”
    â€œDo you really think I would come here seeking her if I knew?”
    â€œTwo … She’s dead, isn’t she? You evil, evil man—you killed her so that she could not speak against you!”
    â€œBut of course. And then I came here, risking your righteous indignation—”
    â€œIndignation!”
    â€œâ€”to enquire after the poor lady I had already buried.”
    â€œThree … God forgive me, but—”
    Adair flung himself to the side but there was no pistol shot. Instead the girl stood there, fumbling with the trigger and half-weeping with frustration.
    He sprang to seize the pistol. “Couldn’t bring yourself to shoot an unarmed man, eh? Give it here!”
    â€œHow may I give it to you,” she demanded furiously, “when the wretched thing is caught on my glove?”
    He peered