A Stranger at Castonbury(58)

She found a quiet place to stand under a tree at the edge of the gathering where she could watch everyone. Couples were finding their way to the dance; Lydia was sipping punch with Mr Hale, giggling and blushing at something he said to her. Catalina hated to take her away from him just yet, not on such a night. The girl couldn’t get into much trouble with the crowds around her.

Catalina drifted around the party, letting the lively music wash over her. The dancers were spinning and twirling, laughing with the sheer joy of the exercise, of dancing under the rising moon of a fine summer’s night.

The garden folly, so silent and solitary as it watched over the gathering, glowed a pure white in the night. Catalina leaned her head against the trunk of a tree and looked at it, letting the memory of her kiss there with Jamie wash over her. That was what she was doing here—building up a store of memories to carry forward with her. She could take them out like beautiful tiny jewels on cold nights to come and they would sustain her.

Suddenly the serene scene was broken by a figure running across the meadow. It was a tall man clad in dark clothes, and surely could be anyone at the party. But something about the way he moved, so quick and furtive, made her frown as she watched him. Who would flee from the festivities like that?

Just before he reached the folly, his hat tumbled from his head. He paused for a moment to retrieve it, and as he bent down the moonlight caught on his bright-coloured hair. Then he was gone.

Catalina started to run after him, but one step reminded her she only wore thin evening slippers. She could never catch him, and even 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.