Page 79 of A Scandal at Stonecliffe

“The imposter was the right height and had blond hair and blue eyes, but he wouldn’t have been able to fool someone that knew you, even at a distance. He stayed well hidden and played a convincing Scotsman.” Verity paused, then added, “Though now that I’ve met you, I have to say his accent was a bit too thick for someone raised as you were.”

Malcolm looked at Verity, faintly puzzled. “And who are you now? Another Dunbridge?”

“No,” Nathan said somewhat sourly.

Verity shot Nathan a repressive glance and replied, “I am a detective, and I am helping Nathan with his inquiries. Now to get back to the subject, this man obviously knew about at least some of the, um, circumstances of your birth. Who would know that?”

“No one.” Malcolm shook his head. “It’s certainly not common knowledge. It would be a terrible scandal. We are a very small family. I don’t have any cousins, my sibling—well, Margaret—died when I was a baby, and Uncle Robert is my father’s only brother. My parents’ social circle is quite small, as well. They were always very private, especially after I was born.”

“Obviously someone knew,” Nathan pointed out.

“Most likely it came from the Dunbridge side.”

“That’s impossible. I’d never heard any of the story until this chap came along. And basically, I am the Dunbridge side. Our father is dead, and he didn’t produce any children other than the two of us.”

“I told you, I’m not a member of your family.” Malcolm’s scowl returned.

“That’s clear. My family is actually pleasant,” Nathan shot back.

Verity rolled her eyes. “That’s more than enough of the fraternal squabbling. I want to ascertain who kidnapped you. You or your parents or a servant must have told someone.”

Douglas set his jaw stubbornly, but finally, as one tended to do under Verity’s gaze, he went on, “I suppose it might have been that chap at the inn.”

“What chap? What inn? The one where you were kidnapped?”

“Yes, the night before they knocked me over the head. I’m afraid I don’t remember it all that well.” His forehead knotted in thought.

“Getting hit on the head can affect your memory,” Nathan said.

“Yes, and I do remember that we had a good bit to drink. He was an amiable fellow. He was blond and had light-colored eyes—I guess they were blue, as you said. About my age. We talked a great deal. He was very interested in Edinburgh and so on. I don’t remember exactly what I said—we had more brandy than I am accustomed to drinking. I believe we talked about where I went to school and my parents and such.” He sent Nathan and Verity a fierce look. “But I wouldn’t have told him that. Not a casual stranger.”

“Do you remember what his name was?” Verity asked.

“Um...Tidwell? No, that’s not quite it. His first name was Will. Topper? Tolliver!” he exclaimed. “That’s it.”

“Of course, there’s no assurance that was his real name,” Verity added.

“Speaking of—” Nathan reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the locket Flora had given him “—your mother didn’t want to part with this, but did in the hopes that it would help us find you.”

“Thanks.” Malcolm looked at it a moment before tucking the locket away.

They arrived at Robert Douglas’s house, and the servant who answered the door inspected them warily—not an unreasonable reaction, given the way the three of them appeared.

Nathan thought the man was about to send them on their way, but at that moment Malcolm’s uncle came out of a nearby room. “Ridley, who—” He stopped and stared in astonishment.

“Hello, Uncle Robert.”

Robert opened his mouth and closed it, then managed to say, “Malcolm? My heavens, lad, what happened to you? You look—” He floundered, apparently finding nothing adequate to express his nephew’s condition.

“I was kidnapped before I got to London. These two found me and let me out,” Malcolm summarized succinctly.

“I—I—don’t know what to say. Goodness.” Robert came forward. “Well...do come inside, Malcolm.” He shook his nephew’s hand, then Nathan’s. “Thank you, Mr. Dunbridge, for returning our lad to the bosom of his family. And the lovely Mrs. Billingham.” He nodded graciously at Verity, then returned to Malcolm. “I do hope that you will provide me with a somewhat more detailed story.”

“Yes, of course. But I’d very much like to clean up first. And eat.”

“Of course. I’ll pour you a wee dram of whiskey, as well.”

Malcolm turned to Verity and Nathan. “Thank you seems inadequate. But I am truly most grateful.”