Chapter Seven: Mystery and Excitement

When she stepped off the train at Waterloo Station, Catherine couldn't help herself. She just had to close her eyes and inhale deeply for a moment. She just had to breathe in the scent of London. London! It was the stink of coal smoke, mingled with a thousand other odors, sweat, dirt, savory meat pies, and flowers. It was the cry of the street vendors, and a hum of feverish activity. London was adventure and noise and excitement. After being buried for weeks in the boring country, Catherine was ready for London. She wanted some excitement!

"There she is, Percival. Catherine, darling, we're over here!"

"Lady Cleveland!" Catherine's long-lashed blue eyes flew open and she rushed into the arms of Lady Anne Cleveland. The two women hugged and Lady Cleveland laughed and cried and kissed Catherine on both cheeks. Then they both began talking at once.

"Is everything all right? I'm so glad you sent for me! Life in the country is such a bore. I don't like Culpepper at all! I'm always doing sums and he scolds me and treats me like a baby."

"Catherine, darling, the country life has done wonders for you! Your cheeks are full of roses and those blue eyes are sparkling. Is it simply the country air? Perhaps it's that young Mr. Culpepper! What is he like? Is he married? Does he have a sweetheart?"

"I don't . . . we haven't . . . he doesn't . . ." Catherine's cheeks flooded with heat. She couldn't think of Culpepper without reliving that kiss on the beach. To block it out she said the first thing that popped into her head. "You said we have a mystery to solve. When do we start? Aren't we going to get something to eat?"

"We'll go to Wilton's," Lady Cleveland said, taking Catherine's arm as though she were reclaiming a dear friend or a long-lost sister. "We'll have dinner, and catch up on all your latest adventures. And then Percival and I will tell you everything."

Percival Atherton was the Dean of St. Paul's Church. He was a respected clergyman from an old and distinguished family. Catherine knew that Lady Cleveland had very warm feelings for the slim, silver-haired man with the quiet manners and shy smile. But the poor man didn't seem very confident in himself. All through dinner he seemed terribly worried about something.

"Won't you have a little more wine, Percy dear?" An elegant, uniformed waiter was already pouring Lady Cleveland a second glass, and he refilled Catherine's glass as well.

"No thank you, my dear. I really couldn't. It's the strangest thing, each time someone enters the room I can't help thinking it's him!"

"Are you looking for someone?" Catherine sipped her wine, wondering why the poor clergyman was so nervous. All through dinner he'd been fidgeting and squirming. Wilton's was one of London's oldest restaurants, but Catherine hadn't noticed anything unusual. The room was quiet. Most of the diners were wealthy lords and ladies, dining quietly and talking in low voices. The only young people were the boys serving the food and drink. They were all dressed up in fancy uniforms that showed off their very fine physiques. Some of them were really quite good-looking.

"Percival's nephew Paul has gone missing," Lady Cleveland explained. "But there's nothing to worry about. He'll turn up soon, I have no doubt. You know how young men are, Percival."

"But Paul's never been like this before," the clergyman said. "He was always so helpful, so eager to make his family proud. To run off without a word to anyone, that's not like him. He's always been so quiet, so thoughtful. Why would he steal from me? And when I think of all the money I've spent on his education!"

"He stole from you? Have you reported him to the police?" Catherine quickly realized why poor Percival was in such a state. A thief in the family was a disgrace for any clergyman. Even if the thief was caught the scandal would be enough to destroy his reputation as the Dean of St. Paul!

"I can't do that, not to my own flesh and blood," Percival Atherton said miserably. "I'm just praying every hour that he'll return!"

"Don't despair, darling," Lady Cleveland told him. "Catherine and I are here to help. Now do try to eat a little, and have a glass of wine. All is not lost yet, my dear. We won't let you down!"

"We're on your side, sir. You can count on us! Won't you tell us a little about your nephew?" Catherine felt a bit cheeky, playing detective and interrogating such a distinguished man, but her words seemed to have the right effect. Thanks to her coaxing, the poor clergyman finally began to talk about his brilliant young nephew. Soon he was telling stories about the many precious Anglo-Saxon artefacts they'd collected over the years.

"Some things have gone missing," Lady Cleveland explained, yawning as she took Catherin home in her sleek and comfortably furnished carriage late that night. "They're missing from Percival's study. But we shan't alert the authorities just yet. First we'll make a thorough search, and chat with some of Paul's friends. He left school not long ago and apparently he's gotten mixed up with some very peculiar people here in London."

"Anything can happen in London!" Catherine's mood of excitement had not faded, even though it was very late. She closed her rather droopy blue eyes and began picturing herself hot on the trail of whoever was behind all this. This was going to be a challenge. London was full of mystery and excitement!