Page 44 of Enlightened

David stared at him, unsure what to say to that, but Murdo saved him the bother of replying.

“Go to your chamber and get shaved,” he said gently. “And put your best clothes on. I’m not sure where we’ll end up going, and we can’t have you being stopped at the door because your coat doesn’t pass muster.”

Less than an hour later, they were back in the drawing room. Murdo was dressed in his finest, an exquisitely pressed dark-blue coat stretched over his broad shoulders and a sapphire pin glittering in the folds of his cravat. And if David didn’t look quite so splendid, he still looked very fine in his black-and-white evening clothes.

The tray of food that had been brought for Euan sat on an occasional table, barely touched. The man’s stomach must be in knots as he contemplated what was happening to Elizabeth. All three of them were on edge as they waited for Liddle to bring news.

At last, the butler returned.

“Happily, Sir Alasdair’s coachman was able to provide a good deal of information as regards his master’s habits,” the butler reported. “Apparently, he accompanies Sir Alasdair almost everywhere he goes, as Sir Alasdair dislikes riding.”

“What of Lady Kinnell?” Euan said. “Any news?”

Liddle’s habitually cool expression softened a little at Euan’s desperation. “Very little, I’m afraid, sir. The coachman said she was being kept inside. I asked him to find out more from the indoor servants and hope to get more news later tonight.”

Euan nodded stiffly.

“Tell us about Kinnell, then,” Murdo said.

The butler proceeded to relay the information the coachman had given him, a rehearsal of Kinnell’s days in London. Breakfast at home with the morning post, a portion of each day with his secretary, visits to his tailor and afternoon calls. And in the evenings, visits to his club—Culzeans near St. James.

“Apparently he dines at Culzeans most evenings,” Liddle concluded.

“Culzeans,” Murdo murmured. “I might’ve known.”

“What do you mean?” Euan asked, looking up, his interest piqued.

“Culzeans is a private club for Scots peers and men of influence,” Murdo said. “Its members collectively own most of Scotland. My father is one of the leading members. It’s where all the big decisions are made, where the marriages of the great and the good are brokered.”

David wondered if Murdo’s own engagement had been brokered there, then tamped down that thought, asking instead, “Are you a member?”

Murdo frowned. “I used to be. I haven’t crossed the threshold in over ten years, but hopefully they won’t have struck me from their list. We’ll soon find out.” He turned to the butler again. “Mr. Liddle, have the carriage brought round. Mr. Lauriston and I are going to Culzeans.”

“Very good, my lord,” the butler murmured, withdrawing.

“Do you really think he’ll be there tonight?” Euan asked when Liddle was gone. “He’s only just got Elizabeth back today, after all.”

“I don’t know,” Murdo said. “But what choice do we have? We have to try.”

Chapter Fifteen

Culzeans, which occupied a large townhouse at the edge of St. James, oozed money. From the opulent drapes at the windows to the liveried footman standing guard at the front door, it was the very picture of a wealthy gentlemen’s club.

“It’s not so popular as White’s or Brooks’s,” Murdo told David, “but a lot of eminent Scots are members—though many of them will also be members of other clubs.”

“Like your father?”

Murdo nodded. “My father probably spends more time at White’s. But he comes here to catch up with his Scottish connections.”

On seeing them approach, the footman rapped the front door. It was opened by a tall, older man in butler’s garb who invited them into the vestibule, apologised obsequiously for not recognising them and asked for their names.

“I am Lord Murdo Balfour,” Murdo said, “and this is my guest, Mr. Lauriston.”

“Forgive me for asking, my lord, but are you a member?”

“I am,” Murdo said easily. “Though it is some years since I last visited.”

The butler bade them take a seat while he checked the membership records. It didn’t take long. The membership ledger showed that Lord Murdo was indeed a member and had been for the last twelve years. Having thus been granted entry, Murdo was also permitted to sign David in as his guest.