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Read Ebook: Love Insurance by Biggers Earl Derr
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Ebook has 2402 lines and 68475 words, and 49 pages
"Richard," he ordered, "go to San Marco. Go to San Marco and see to it that Miss Cynthia Meyrick does not change her mind."
A gone feeling shot through Mr. Minot in the vicinity of his stomach. It was possible that he really needed that lunch.
"Yes, sir," he said faintly. "Of course, it's up to me to do anything you say. If you insist, I'll go, but--"
"But what, Richard?"
"Isn't it a rather big order? Women--aren't they like an--er--April afternoon--or something of that sort? It seems to me I've read they were--in books."
"Humph," snorted Mr. Thacker. "Is your knowledge of the ways of women confined to books?"
A close observer might have noted the ghost of a smile in Mr. Minot's clear blue eyes.
"In part, it is," he admitted. "And then again--in part, it isn't."
"Well, put away your books, my boy," said Mr. Thacker. "A nice, instructive little vacation has fallen on you from heaven. Mad old Jephson here must be saved from himself. That wedding must take place--positively, rain or shine. I trust you to see that it does, Richard."
Mr. Minot rose and stepped over to his hat and coat.
"I'm off for San Marco," he announced blithely. His lips were firm but smiling. "The land of sunshine and flowers--and orange blossoms or I know the reason why."
"Jephson trusts Harrowby," said Mr. Thacker. "All very well. But just the same if I were you I'd be aboard that yacht to-night when it leaves New York harbor. Invited or uninvited."
"I must ask," put in Mr. Jephson hurriedly, "that you do nothing to embarrass Lord Harrowby in any way."
"No," said Thacker. "But keep an eye on him, my boy. A keen and busy eye."
"I will," agreed Mr. Minot. "Do I look like Cupid, gentlemen? No? Ah--it's the overcoat. Well, I'll get rid of that in Florida. I'll say good-by--"
He shook hands with Jephson and with Thacker.
"Good-by, Richard," said the latter. "I'm really fond of old Jephson here. He's been my friend in need--he mustn't lose. I trust you, my boy."
"I won't disappoint you," Dick Minot promised. A look of seriousness flashed across his face. "Miss Cynthia Meyrick changes her mind only over my dead body."
He paused for a second at the door, and his eyes grew suddenly thoughtful.
"I wonder what she's like?" he murmured.
Then, with a smile toward the two men left behind, he went out and down that stenographer-bordered land to San Marco.
AN EVENING IN THE RIVER
Though San Marco is a particularly gaudy tassel on the fringe of the tourist's South, it was to the north that Mr. Richard Minot first turned. One hour later he made his appearance amid the gold braid and dignity of the Plaza lobby.
The young man behind the desk--an exquisite creature done in Charles Dana Gibson's best manner--knew when to be affable. He also knew when not to be affable. Upon Mr. Minot he turned the cold fishy stare he kept for such as were not guests under his charge.
"What is your business with Lord Harrowby?" he inquired suspiciously.
"Since when," asked Mr. Minot brightly, "have you been in his lordship's confidence?"
This was the young man's cue to wince. But hotel clerks are notoriously poor wincers.
"It is customary--" he began with perfect poise.
"I know," said Mr. Minot. "But then, I'm a sort of a friend of his lordship."
"A sort of a friend?" How well he lifted his eyebrows!
"Something like that. I believe I'm to be best man at his wedding."
Ah, yes; that splendid young man knew when to be affable. Affability swamped him now.
"Boy!" he cried. "Take this gentleman's card to Lord Harrowby."
A bell-boy in a Zenda uniform accepted the card, laid it upon a silver tray, glued it down with a large New York thumb, and strayed off down gilded corridors shouting, "Lord Harrowby."
Whereat all the pretty little debutantes who happened to be decorating the scene at the moment felt their pampered hearts go pit-a-pat and, closing their eyes, saw visions and dreamed dreams.
Lord Harrowby was at luncheon, and sent word for Mr. Minot to join him. Entering the gay dining-room, Minot saw at the far end the blond and noble head he sought. He threaded his way between the tables. Although he was an unusually attractive young man, he had never experienced anything like the array of stares turned upon him ere he had gone ten feet. "What the devil's the matter?" he asked himself. "I seem to be the cynosure of neighboring eyes, and then some." He did not dream that it was because he was passing through a dining-room of democrats to grasp the hand of a lord.
"My dear fellow, I'm delighted, I assure you--" Really, Lord Harrowby's face should have paid closer attention to his words. Just now it failed ignominiously in the matter of backing them up.
"Thank you," Mr. Minot replied. "Your lordship is no doubt surprised at seeing me so soon--"
"Well--er--not at all. Shall I order luncheon?"
"No, thanks. I had a bite on the way up." And Mr. Minot dropped into the chair which an eager waiter held ready. "Lord Harrowby, I trust you are not going to be annoyed by what I have to tell you."
His lordship's face clouded, and worry entered the mild blue eyes.
"I hope there's nothing wrong about the policy."
"Nothing whatever. Lord Harrowby, Mr. Jephson trusts you--implicitly."
"So I perceived this morning. I was deeply touched."
"It was--er--touching." Minot smiled a bit cynically. "Understanding as you do how Mr. Jephson feels toward you, you will realize that it is in no sense a reflection on you that our office, viewing this matter in a purely business light, has decided that some one must go to San Marco with you. Some one who will protect Mr. Jephson's interests."
"Your office," said his lordship, reflecting. "You mean Mr. Thacker, don't you?"
Could it be that the fellow was not so slow as he seemed?
"Mr. Thacker is the head of our office," smiled Mr. Minot. "It has been thought best that some one go with you, Lord Harrowby. Some one who will work night and day to see to it that Miss Meyrick does not change her mind. I--I am the some one. I hope you are not annoyed."
"My dear chap! Not in the least. When I said this morning that I was quite set on this marriage, I was frightfully sincere." And now his lordship's face, frank and boyish, in nowise belied his words. "I shall be deeply grateful for any aid Lloyds can give me. And I am already grateful that Lloyds has selected you to be my ally."
Really, very decent of him. Dick Minot bowed.
"You go south to-night?" he ventured.
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