The Mandarin of Mayfair by Patricia Veryan Page A

interested in the people. They say many of the old superstitions still flourish down there. Do you know aught of them, Gideon?"
    "Very little. Tio does, though. He has quite an interest in that sort of mumbo-jumbo. If you really want to know about it, you should probably talk to Jennifer Armitage when Johnny next brings her to Town. Now tell me about yourself." He touched her cheek. "You look a trifle wan. Too many late nights, naughty girl? Perhaps I should take you home!"
    "Foolish boy. You know I seldom go to ton parties. Must I come home? Mrs. Dudley chaperones us, you know." He granted and looked dubious, and she went on quickly, "Katrina is very kind and presses me to stay here. She misses Naomi, I think, since you bewitched her into marrying you. And how thoughtless I am! How is my new sister?"
    His gray eyes brightened. "Much better, thank goodness, and able to eat breakfast! I'd hoped to move her to Emerald Farm, but—well, the fire put an end to that, for now, at least. Still, I mean to get her out of London after you become an aunt, m'dear."
    She said with real enthusiasm, "I can hardly wait!"
    They both stood, and, hugging her, he said fondly, "Don't stay away too long, little Gwen. We miss you."
    "And I you, dearest. Why are you cross?"
    He was seething, but said blandly, "I had thought I was at my charming best. Alas, there is no pleasing—"
    "There is no hoaxing me where you are concerned. You are properly into the boughs. Pray do not call him out for whatever he has done!"
    He looked searchingly into her sweet face. "Would it distress you if I did, Gwen?"
    "You know it would," she said pertly, but with an odd twist of the heart. "I value my brother."
    "Oho! So you fancy me no match for him, do you? A fine family loyalty!"
    Abruptly grave, she said, "You are more than a match for August Falcon on every suit but one, Gideon. If rumour speaks truly, he is one of the finest swordsmen in England. And you, my dearest, have a beautiful lady and a new little life to live for."
    "And one or two other people I chance to care about," he said, laughingly. "But never fret, I've no intention to challenge the mighty warrior."
    "Good," said Gwendolyn, walking to the door with him. "Then be so kind as to detain him for as long as you can."
    He turned back, eyebrows raised. "Why? Gwen? I know that pixie look! What—"And with sudden suspicion, "Where is Katrina?"
    "At the moment? I have no notion." She added with a twinkle, "Save that she is out riding. With Jamie."
    "Lord save us all," muttered Gideon, and went up the stairs.
     
    Tummet was gathering up newspapers in Falcon's private parlour, and when he saw Rossiter walk in, he said with a grin, " 'Morning, yer Guv-ship! I was just—er…" He knew that set to the firm jaw, and left the sentence unfinished.
    Rossiter smiled, but jerked his head to the door, and Tummet said under his breath, "What a fright! Goodnight!" and took himself off.
    Still wearing a dressing gown of quilted purple satin, Falcon sat at the mahogany desk in his great bedchamber, busily engaged in cleaning a fine holster pistol. He set the gun down and stood, smiling a welcome. "Just the man I need."
    "What the devil d'you think you're doing?" demanded Rossiter, his voice clipped and angry.
    Falcon's chin lifted and his eyes became bleak. He leaned back against the desk and folded his arms. "Is your eyesight failing? My occupation, I would think perfectly obvious."
    "And your memory abominably short." Rossiter stamped to a chair and straddled it, glaring at Falcon over the back. "You gave me your word, August!"
    "Ah," said Falcon softly. "So you heard."
    "I heard you went to The Madrigal last evening in search of a quarrel—"
    "As is my wont? I feel sure that was added to the recital of my sins."
    "—and that having failed to provoke Eckington into fighting you—"
    "Well, but he is a dreadfully cautious fellow, you know."
    "—you made such a fool of Rafe Green, although you must have seen he was