Chapter 13

 

Hastily raising his head, Catto turned, swung one arm over the back of his chair and called out the command to come in.

Archie Liddell stepped into the room. Skinny-malinky-long-legs. He should have guessed who Sergeant Crichton and the other guard had been talking about. Like Alice Smart and the young maids at Infirmary Street, someone else who was scared of him. From the look on his face, determined all the same to beard the lion in his den. He waited as Liddell’s gaze swept over him, a frown settling between the younger man’s dark brows. ‘Are you all right, Mr Catto?’

‘Not entirely,’ he replied, caught off-guard both by the question and the concern evident in Liddell’s expression.

‘Can I do anything for you?’

Catto stood up. ‘You can come into the room and close the door behind you. Here. Sit down on the chair and I’ll take the bed. I expect you’d like to know what happened the night before last. How much did Mr Charles Paterson the lawyer tell you when he came here looking for me?’

‘Enough,’ Archie said, his mouth tightening. He lowered his lanky body into the chair Catto had turned to face the room. ‘Just when I think my cousins can’t behave any more badly than they already do, they prove me wrong.’

‘It gets worse, Lieutenant,’ Catto said wearily, sitting down on the edge of his bed. ‘Sure you want to know?’

‘I’m sure, Captain.’

 

Ten minutes later, the expression on Archie Liddell’s face was one of disgust. ‘What Cosmo and Arthur did to Geordie’s sister was wicked,’ he said, his voice not quite steady. ‘Cruel in the extreme—’ He broke off, swallowing hard.

‘It’s all right, Lieutenant. Give yourself a moment.’

Liddell drew in a deep breath. ‘I’m fine, Captain. As for flogging Geordie—’ Words once again failing him, he shot Catto a look from under his brows. ‘You do know I would have come with you and Sergeant Livingstone to rescue them from Eastfield?’

‘Aye. But I did not want to make life any more difficult for you. Or anyone else. As it stands, ’tis only I who has broken the law.’

‘And Sergeant Livingstone.’

‘I’m going to leave him out of it.’

‘He may not let you.’

‘We’ll see about that.’ Catto leant forward, waiting for the next question.

‘How is Geordie?’

‘In good hands.’

‘What of Miss Rankeillor, Captain? Her situation?’

‘I’m going to do my utmost to protect her from any consequences of her much to be regretted actions.’ Catto pulled a face. ‘If she’ll let me.’

‘Aye, Kirsty can be real stubborn.’

‘You know her well?’

‘She and I have been friends since childhood. Jamie, too.’ His face clouded. ‘I can scarce believe what he did to that other girl.’

‘Men with a cause, Liddell. It makes them hold not only their own lives cheap but also the lives of everyone around them.’

The younger man shook his head. ‘I cannot believe that of Professor Rankeillor, Captain. You’re sure he was involved in the plot to get the Jacobite agent out of Edinburgh?’

‘I’m sure.’

‘What will you do when the professor returns to Edinburgh?’

‘He’s already here. Got back yesterday. That’s why I’m sure he was involved. I’ve conducted a preliminary interrogation and now have him under house arrest at Infirmary Street.’

‘Geordie is there too, I would jalouse.’

‘Would you indeed?’ Catto laid his hands on his knees under the leather coat, readying himself to stand up. Liddell had something else to say. Judging by the steely look in his eyes, he was as determined on saying it as he had been to have this conversation.

‘He must have been in want of medical care after what was done to him. Kirsty would have been all too ready to supply it. Hers will be the good hands you mentioned. I expect Geordie’s sister is also at Infirmary Street. And young Joshua.’

‘You seem to know all my secrets, Liddell.’

‘I’m sure I don’t. And as I’ve told you before, you can rely on my discretion about any I do know. You can rely absolutely on that, Captain.’

They looked at each other, both knowing which particular secret Liddell meant. He had been at the Assembly Rooms when Catto and John Roy Stuart had come face to face with each other. However much Catto might seek to deny the relationship, there had been no room for doubt the two were father and son.

‘Thank you, Lieutenant,’ he said gravely. ‘I appreciate your discretion. I hope I may ask for your help too.’

‘Anything I can do, sir.’ The lieutenant laid his hand on his heart. ‘Anything at all.’

‘One is in your own field, as a student of the law. I believe Mr Charles Paterson would appreciate your assistance with some papers he is drawing up.’

He explained what those papers were, told Liddell he had discussed with Paterson the possibility of Liddell acting as his confidential clerk. ‘Mr Paterson tells me he’s had his eye on you for some time, would be very happy for you to take articles with him after you graduate from the university.’

Archie Liddell’s face lit up in an expression of pure joy. ‘That would be wonderful, my mother would be so happy!’

‘You too, Liddell, I hope.’

‘Oh aye, Captain, especially after what Charlotte said on Daft Friday—’ He stopped short.

‘I know what Miss Liddell said. Sergeant Livingstone told me. How she threatened to ruin your legal career before it had even started. What did you do to deserve such detestable relatives, Lieutenant?’

‘According to Charlotte, it’s because my father was stupid enough to marry a poor woman for love.’ His voice was very flat. Then, in a lower voice but one filled with emotion. ‘My parents were so happy together, Captain. So very happy. We all were, just the three of us, in our wee cottage out at Colinton.’

‘Your father’s dead?’

Liddell nodded. ‘Five years ago. It’s been a struggle for my mother, Captain. I’d love to be able to repay all the sacrifices she’s made for me.’

‘Well,’ Catto said briskly, rising to his feet, ‘working for Mr Charles Paterson will be an excellent start. Who already knew enough about your detestable cousins which was not to their credit. He knows even more now. So he’ll be calling the tune, not them. I shall also give you a letter, telling him he can trust you implicitly.’

Flushed with pleasure, Liddell too stood up. ‘Is there aught else I can do for you, Captain?’

‘You know Edinburgh better than I do. Can you think where we might find a different hiding place for our three charges? Their current one is too easily guessed. As you have just done. I’m sure Sergeant Livingstone and his wife would be only too willing to help but the nature of their business precludes it.’

Liddell nodded. ‘Too many eyes to see and too many ears to hear at The White Horse.’

‘Exactly. It needs to be somewhere quiet. Where few would notice the arrival of three young people. Even though Joshua is rather noticeable. Also well-known from people having seen him escort Miss Liddell around Edinburgh.’

‘He is that. A weel-kent face as well as a distinctive one.’

‘Therefore we’re looking for a place where people say little to outsiders and are disinclined to gossip about their neighbours. Yet not too far from Edinburgh so we might continue to keep a close eye on them until their position is safely and happily resolved.’ He pulled a face. ‘A tall order, I think.’

Archie Liddell was looking thoughtful. ‘I might just have a suggestion for you, Captain.’