The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy by Patricia Veryan

Deplorable Dandy loathes cats! Which has nothing to say to the fact that my Geraldine loves the little yowlers. When we enter France she will be cuddling Pixie (its name is Pixie) in her lap—”
    â€œIn the Bath chair.”
    â€œIn the Bath chair.”
    â€œWhile sitting on all her worldly and illicit gains.”
    He snarled softly. “Do you want me to hasten or are you going to enter a caveat to everything I say?”
    Elspeth sighed and was silent.
    The Reverend Mr. Boudreaux said soothingly, “The thing is that when we arrive in France, you will be guiding the chair, Miss Clayton, with the—lady and the—er, little black kitty, do you see? And when we have conveyed Georgiana—”
    â€œGeraldine!” corrected Valerian, with a long-suffering look at Elspeth.
    â€œRighto!” resumed the clergyman, uttering an embarrassed laugh. “Once the lady is safe—”
    â€œWe will proceed to untangle your brother from whatever foolish scrape he has fallen into,” interjected Valerian impatiently, “and whisk him to the coast. You, Madam Nurse, will guide the same chair, complete with lady and black kitten. Therefore, should we be recognized by the authorities, no one will suspect we have switched ‘ladies’ for the return journey.”
    Her eyes very wide, Elspeth said an awed, “You mean to disguise Vance as—as a lady? You’re mad! My brother is tall and—and muscular, and—”
    â€œIf he’s been in the hands of the French military for very long, he might not be so muscular as you remember,” said Valerian bluntly. “But pray tell if you’ve a better scheme, ma’am.”
    Elspeth whitened and closed her eyes.
    Turning to the quiet clergyman, Valerian asked, “What’s the fellow done, Fitz? I take it your uncle is aware?”
    â€œHe is aware because Nicholas Drew was with Clayton at the time of his arrest. It was Drew who asked for my great-uncle’s aid in the business.”
    â€œDrew … Hmm … Why didn’t he appeal to the Horse Guards?”
    â€œCouldn’t in this matter, Ger. Vance Clayton served as courier for La Pompadour. Got himself fairly caught.”
    â€œBy?”
    Boudreaux shrugged. “No telling who’s at the root of it. The woman is ambitious. She has made enemies in high places and there are those who fear she now means to encourage an alliance with Austria.”
    Valerian whistled softly. “Which would not please many messieurs in—as you say, Fitz—‘high places.’ So our British gentlemen in their own high places ain’t likely to step in to save Clayton’s hide, I take it?”
    â€œWhitehall don’t fancy that kind of sticky wicket at this particular time, dear boy.”
    â€œSo my brother, who sought only to provide for Mama and me, is to be abandoned to Madame Guillotine.” Elspeth turned suddenly tear-wet eyes on Valerian. “Vance is wounded and at their mercy, sir. Mr. Drew said they would wait only for him to recover sufficiently to be—to be…” Her voice a thread, she whispered, “… questioned.”
    She had, noted Valerian inconsequently, quite lovely eyes. He said thoughtfully, “Is Drew planning to take a hand in this business, Fitz?”
    â€œIf he were, he would be handling all this for me,” said Elspeth, dabbing a tiny handkerchief at her eyes. “Two nights since he was attacked by Mohocks and badly injured.”
    â€œYou surprise me,” drawled Valerian, frowning. “I should have supposed a fellow like Drew well able to take care of himself. You’re—ah, sure it was Mohocks attacked him?”
    She stared at him. “How can I be sure who…? Oh! My goodness! You think it was the people who hold Vance prisoner?”
    â€œI’ve no least idea, save that it seems the greatest coincidence that your brother’s closest