Page 20 of The Lyon Deception

Sinclair’s heart jumped. Someone here knew him! He looked about wildly, trying to pin down the culprit.

Cat was also looking about, saying, “Is he here? Is that man here somewhere?” She pulled away from Sinclair. “I must find him!”

As she started away in the direction of the voice, Sinclair went the other way, through the crowd and out through a side door. He was in a panic, but he couldn’t stay and have her discover the truth, not like this. He needed time to gather his thoughts and work on how he was going to tell her. Because if she was going to find out the truth, and she would, he must make it as painless as possible for them both.

His hand was on the front door, ready to leave and escape out into the night, when a voice spoke behind him.

“Where on earth are you going?”

It was Christopher, of course it was. Sinclair took a deep breath and turned to face him. His friend’s face was startled and a little hurt.

“Are you really going already? I thought you were enjoying yourself.”

Sinclair’s shoulders sagged. He could lie again or change the subject, but suddenly he had had enough. He had to tell him. It was the fair thing to do. He looked Christopher in the eye.

“Is there somewhere we can talk?” he said. “Privately?”

Christopher paused, and then a smile flickered on his lips. “What have you done, Sinclair?”

Chapter Eleven

Cat didn’t find the Master. If he had been there, then he seemed to have vanished. Frustrated, she stood in a small space and tried to breathe, while all around her people laughed and chattered and pressed in. It came to her that perhaps she was made for open spaces and the cool Scottish air, not this busy, noisy London. By the time she had finished looking for the Master, Mr. Sutherland had disappeared too, which made her spirits dive even further.

Someone clutched her arm, and Aunt Jennie appeared at her side. She took one look at Cat’s woebegone face and declared that it was time to go home.

“How was your first London ball?” her aunt asked as they set off for home in their coach.

Cat tried to be positive, but all she could come up with was, “Interesting.”

Jennie gave a snorting laugh, and then said in a musing voice, “I remember Callum wasn’t much enamored of London society. Donal was the same, although he had Agatha to keep him company. Rory didna let anything bother him; he dived right into it.”

“I miss Bonnyrigg,” she said, the words spilling from her lips. “I canna bear the thought of losing my home.”

Jennie reached across the space between them and clasped her hand. “My dear, you mustn’t think of it.”

How was she to do that? She had hoped this ball would take her mind off her troubles, and Mr. Sutherland had been there, which had certainly helped. She admitted that dancing with him had been the best part of her evening. For a moment, she had wondered if he was trying to persuade her to marry the Master when what she had really wanted was for him to show her he didn’t want her to marry another man. That he wanted her for himself.

It was silly to feel like that, she knew. They were barely acquainted, and yet she had a sense that they could be closer if she weren’t beholden to her family to save them. Because that was what she had come down to London to do, and she had to see it through, or what would happen to Bonnyrigg and the MacKenzies? No, despite how much she felt herself light up every time she saw Mr. Sutherland, she couldn’t be selfish. She must follow the path she had chosen.

Marriage.

She shivered at the thought. Aunt Jennie, who was now chatting about someone or other she had met at the ball, stopped and stared at her in the dark confines of their coach.

“Cat, whatever is the matter with you? I know you miss Bonnyrigg, but I think it is more than that. I am becoming seriously worried about you.”

Cat wanted to tell her the secret she was keeping from her, she really did, but if she did, then Aunt Jennie would send her home immediately. She had no choice but to force a smile and try to sound as if everything were fine.

“I just . . . I enjoy Mr. Sutherland’s company, and I think he enjoys mine. I just wish . . .” She stammered to a halt. I just wish I weren’t having to consider marrying the Master!

Aunt Jennie was staring at her, and then she laughed. “Good heavens, my dear, you have caught feelings for him! Well, let me tell you, he has definitely caught them for you. And such a handsome and polite young gentleman, although I know nothing about him.” She tapped her finger against her chin. “We need to discover more about him, his family and so on, before this goes further. Your father would never forgive me if he were a bounder.”

Cat had wondered about Mr. Sutherland too. He was rather a mystery. He didn’t seem to have any family or friends, apart from Lord Harcourt. Or perhaps he did, and he just wasn’t keen to talk about them. Good heaven, she didn’t even know his address! It could be he was just a very private person, but that had not stopped him asking an awful lot of questions about her.

The coach drew up in front of the Strathmore house, and as Hocking opened the door to them, Uncle James appeared in the doorway to his study. Even though he was smiling, his eyes were serious as he exchanged a look with his wife. One of those looks that seemed to say a great deal without them actually speaking a word.

“What is it?” Cat asked sharply, suddenly afraid that someone she loved was ill. “Uncle James? I know there is something wrong. Tell me.”

Her uncle grimaced. “I suppose you will find out anyway, my dear. I received a letter from your father. He has written to say our court case against Lord Armytage will not go ahead. It has been decided we do not have enough evidence to show the man isn’t entitled to payment of the loan in any way he feels fit. The law is not interested in fairness, just cold, hard facts.”