A Stranger at Castonbury - By Amanda McCabe Page 0,64

if she did what would she say? Lecture him about leaving parties early?

She shook her head. It was only Jamie telling her that it was Hugh Webster behind Alicia’s scheme, and the bad memories that awoke, making her think she saw him. Hugh Webster.

Yet there had been that man she saw at the Assembly Rooms as well...

‘Mrs Moreno?’ she heard Lydia say. She turned to see the girl walking towards her, the Chinese lanterns bright on her filmy white costume. ‘Are you all right?’

Catalina smiled. ‘Very well. I was just getting a breath of air. You were splendid in the play, Lydia.’

‘Oh, Mrs Moreno, I had so much fun!’ Lydia cried happily. ‘I wish there could be a party like this every night.’

‘You would soon tire of it if there was.’

‘I never could.’ Lydia’s smile suddenly faded and she bit her lip uncertainly. ‘But did you see that strange man?’

A bolt of alarm shot through Catalina. ‘Strange man?’

‘Yes, it was the oddest thing. He wasn’t dressed up for the party or anything. He was just standing there alone, just beyond the stage.’ Lydia gestured towards the corner of the stage where the musicians now played. It was half hidden by a drapery. ‘He seemed to be watching Lord Hatherton, and he looked almost...angry.’

‘You didn’t speak to him, did you?’ Catalina said urgently.

‘Certainly not. He looked too fearsome, so glowering. I pointed him out to Mr Hale, but by then he was gone.’

‘Could you tell what he looked like?’

‘Not really. It was too dark there. But he was rather tall, and had an unusual red beard.’ Lydia’s eyes widened. ‘Who do you think he is, Mrs Moreno? A criminal escaped from gaol or something like that?’

Catalina tried to laugh to reassure Lydia. It would never do to frighten the girl, yet it did sound rather like Hugh Webster. He surely wasn’t as safely far away as Jamie seemed to think. ‘No, of course not. Probably just an uninvited guest. But if you do see someone like that again, be sure and let me know at once.’

‘Of course, Mrs Moreno.’

Catalina led Lydia back to the bright lights of the party, and soon the girl was dancing with Phaedra’s handsome husband, Bram. Once she was sure Lydia was safely occupied, she went in search of Jamie.

Fortunately she found him alone, watching the dancers. He gave her a smile as she joined him. ‘Having a good time?’ he said.

‘Yes, quite,’ Catalina answered in a soft voice. ‘Your family does know how to give a good party. Yet I fear there was an interloper here earlier.’

Jamie’s expression didn’t change, but she saw his jaw tighten. ‘An interloper?’

‘Yes. I saw him run off through the gardens, and Lydia glimpsed him over by the stage. She said he had a red beard. Could it be Webster?’

‘Neither of you approached him, did you?’ Jamie asked sharply.

‘No, not at all. I didn’t even see him very clearly.’

‘Good. Stay right here for a moment, Catalina.’

He turned away and she caught his arm. ‘You can’t go chasing after him! He is probably long gone by now. And...’ And she couldn’t bear to see him hurt again.

‘I won’t be gone long.’

Then he left her there. Catalina waited anxiously, watching the party, wondering what Jamie was doing, where he had gone. She scanned each face, making sure none of them were Webster. After what felt like hours, but was probably only about fifteen minutes, he reappeared at her side.

‘I have sent some of the footmen to search the grounds,’ he said, ‘but I am sure you are right. If it is Webster, he is long gone. If it wasn’t for the party he could never have got on Castonbury property. I should have been more vigilant.’

‘Not in such a crowd as this,’ Catalina protested. ‘But why would he be here instead of fleeing abroad somewhere? Surely he knows he has been discovered.’

Jamie shrugged, but she could see his tension in the set of his shoulders, the sharp watchfulness in his eyes as he scanned the dancers. ‘I will find out soon enough. He can’t hide for ever.’

Catalina was sure he could not, not from Jamie. But Webster had to be underhanded and unscrupulous to come up with such a scheme, and she didn’t want to see Jamie hurt again. ‘You will be careful?’

He smiled down at her. ‘I am always careful, Catalina.’

She doubtfully studied the scar on his cheek. ‘I want to help you.’

‘I won’t put you in danger,’ he said.

‘I won’t be,’