Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 10] - Lanterns by Patricia Veryan Page B

you call him Orpheus, if you please."
    "Like his namesake, he is a music lover."
    Marietta patted the glossy shoulder of the big horse. "He
sings, no doubt?"
    "Not really. Cannot follow a tune for the life of him. But— in
a sense he does follow a tune."
    "You are going to have to explain that, Major."
    Greatly daring, he said, "If you will come to Lanterns and
visit me, I'll show you. One picture is worth a thousand words, so they
say."
    "The picture of you putting Mr. Williard to flight was worth
many thousand words." Her smile faded into a troubled look. "I am sure
you… heard."
    "I'd not intended to eavesdrop, ma'am. But his voice carries,
and I thought you might—er—"
    "Be grateful for some interference? I was, indeed. Your rescue
was very well timed. Had my brother Eric been there, he would have done
exactly the same."
    "He is abroad, Miss Warrington?"
    "No. At Cambridge. We'd hoped he would come home for the
summer, but he took on two students cramming for Responsions, and was
unable to break away. Arthur adores him, and was terribly cast down.
But Eric tries to—to help with expenses, you see."
    "He must be a fine fellow."
    "Yes, he is, and full of high spirits; always ready for any
escapade, the more reckless the better. I am very sure his friends had
some jolly scheme for the Long Vacation that he would far rather have
shared than spending the summer days tutoring."
    They had reached the barnyard, and a small army of chickens
came rushing to meet them with much squawking and a flurry of dust and
feathers.
    "If you will be so good as to tether Orpheus," said Marietta,
"I'll divide up the mash and you will see how impolite are the table
manners of our flock."
    Five minutes later, Diccon retreated from the yard and leaned
against the fence brushing straw and feathers from his breeches.
"They're savages," he said breathlessly.
    "And carnivorous," she agreed.
    He inspected the back of his hand. "I thought that great red
brute would go for my throat!"
    She could not restrain a chuckle. "That was Gentleman
Jackson." And recalling how Diccon had dodged about, trying to put down
the smaller bowls while the flock surged about him, she said, "I'm
sorry he pecked you, but I think he grew impatient."
    "Impatient! He was downright murderous! I'm very sure Jackson
would never behave in such a way!"
    She closed the gate and asked, "Do you know the great man?
Eric yearns to meet him."
    "Most young bucks do. He's a grand fellow. And considering I
did exactly as you bade me, I fail to see why your rooster became so
hostile."
    She thought triumphantly that she'd found one more piece of
the puzzle that was this enigmatic gentleman. He might be a humble
free-trader, but he knew the much-sought-after boxing champion. She
explained, "He became hostile because he was— er, baffled by your
terminology." Diccon raised an eyebrow enquiringly, and she said, "As I
told you, sir, one does not summon fowls by calling 'Chicken, chicken.'
"
    He grinned and untied Orpheus. "No, but when I called, "Here,
coop, coop, coop," following orders, they came at me like Ney's
cavalry. Now, will you tell me what I'm to do with my friend, here?"
    Before she could respond Mr. Fox came plodding towards them,
with Arthur mounted on his back. The boy, red-faced and out of breath,
wheezed, "I must… talk with… Sir G'waine! P-private!"
    "Ar-thur… !" said Marietta, recognizing the signs.
    "Oh,
do
go 'way, Etta! It's… it's men
talks!"
    "Now that's a sure way to make the ladies curious," advised
Diccon gravely. "Besides, it's not quite polite. What we have to do,
Sir Lancelot, is to beg your sister's pardon, and ask if we may be
excused." With a hopeful glance at Marietta, he added, "Just for a
little while."

Chapter VI
    "Disgraceful, sir!" trumpeted Lord Ignatius Dale, his dark
eyes protruding alarmingly and his whiskers vibrating. "I say it
again—dis-grace-ful!"
    As cool as the short, round peer was inflamed, Diccon faced
him on the terrace of the vast