Page 22 of The Lyon Deception

“Poor Cat,” Harriet said, “and poor Grace! What will happen to her and Rory if they lose Bonnyrigg?”

Prudence sighed. “Someone so beautiful and clever and kind as Cat would be wasted on that man. Do you think she has given up on persuading the Master to her way of thinking? I wanted to ask her, but the countess was listening.”

“Perhaps she has. But that doesn’t mean we should,” Harriet said with resolve. “Why don’t we speak to him on her behalf?”

Their eyes met and sparkled at the delightful thought. “Let’s do that!” Prudence agreed, “and let’s not waste any more time!”

Harriet was in full agreeance, and they set off in their carriage immediately. It wasn’t far from Mayfair to Marylebone, and Harriet had the address and was able to direct their driver. It was the same coachman who had been with them when they had their accident, and he didn’t seem to mind this diversion.

“The same place as last time?” he said, with a grin. “Don’t worry, ladies, me lips are sealed.”

When they arrived, the girls looked uncertainly at the row of houses with their porticos and iron railings. The area wasn’t quite to the standard of the countess’s square but still well-to-do.

“Are you sure this is it?” Prudence looked at Harriet for confirmation.

“Yes, this is what my sources told me.” Harriet sounded for all the world as if she were some species of Bow Street Runner. She must have thought it herself because she added, “A pity I was born a girl. I think I would have made a very good spy.”

Prudence ignored her, swallowing her nerves. “Then we had better go up and knock at his door. Do you know what we are going to say to him?”

“I have a speech prepared.”

Of course she did!

“What if he won’t let us in?” Prudence was chewing on her thumbnail. “He could refuse to see us.”

Harriet took her arm as they made their way to the correct house. “He could, and if Cat knew we were doing this without her permission, then she would probably say it would serve us right. But I think he will see us. I think he will be curious enough to ask us what we’re doing in his house.”

They both went bravely up to the front door and Harriet rattled the knocker loudly, making them jump. After a moment, a man in a footman’s uniform opened it and asked their business with raised eyebrows. He seemed amused by the sight of two young ladies standing nervously on the doorstep.

“Lord Armytage has asked us to speak to his grandson,” Harriet announced importantly. “We are his cousins. Hmm, distant cousins.”

The footman’s amusement fled and he looked at them askance. “Lord Armytage?” he repeated. “Distant cousins?”

“That’s correct,” Harriet assured him with a smile that seemed to be praising him for his comprehension. “Shall we come in?”

The footman didn’t believe them, they could read it in his face, but he must still have had doubts. And perhaps he felt he couldn’t refuse two respectable young ladies entry. After hesitating a nerve-rackingly long moment he stepped back and widened the door and grudgingly closed it behind them.

“I will inform the Master his cousins are here,” he said drolly, showing them into a small room where a small fire was burning.

When he closed the door, Harriet wrinkled her nose. The weather outside was chilly, and inside wasn’t much better. “This is rather frugal,” she said. “Either the Master is hard up, or he is too mean to warm his house properly.”

Prudence held her hands toward the flames. “Let’s hope he isn’t hard up, Harriet. If he is, then he won’t want to give up the prospect of a windfall like Bonnyrigg.”

“Then we’ll just have to convince him,” Harriet said, plopping down on the sofa. “I wonder if they’ll bring us something to eat while we wait? I’m starved.”

Prudence gave her an amused look, shot through with irritation. Silence fell, and they waited. Prudence paced a few times, but the room really wasn’t big enough for that. She kept asking herself if they should have come. Cat wouldn’t be happy, probably, but then she reminded herself that their sister Grace was affected by this just as much as Cat was. And they had to do something!

Harriet was staring into the weak flames as if she were reciting her speech in her head, which she probably was. Prudence was glad her sister was here with her. Harriet may have her faults but she could always relied upon when it came to a crisis, and it was quite likely they were about to face one now.

It took a while, but eventually they heard footsteps outside their little room, accompanied by voices. “Who are they?” one of them said, sounding strangely familiar. “Cousins? What cousins?” Before the girls could think about that, the door opened.

A gentleman entered, well dressed, his hair a little wild and curly, and stood there staring at them. Their jaws dropped in shock. Harriet leapt to her feet and Prudence came to her side.

“Mr. Sutherland!” she cried. “Surely this is a mistake? Harriet, did you get the address wrong?”

Harriet was shaking her head. “No. This is the right address. And this is the Master!” she added with a half screech.

Mr. Sutherland was obviously as astonished as they were and just as dismayed. His gaze went from one to the other, as if he thought he might be able to escape, but there was no escape. He closed the door on the interested footman and his shoulders slumped. He ran a hand over his face.