# Malcolm Cromarty — Simon character guide > Malcolm Cromarty in Simon by J. Storer Clouston. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sir Malcolm, Malcolm, Mr. Malcolm Cromarty, Mr. Malcolm **First appearance:** 0010-xi-news ## Snapshot The new young baronet of Keldale, a condescending literary hopeful whose debts and dread of exposure make him flinch at every steady gaze. ## Who they are Malcolm inherits the title and the estate but not the money or the nerve to manage either, and his cousin's death has left him heir to a baronetcy he can barely afford. He borrows from Simon Rattar, dodges Sir Reginald's lectures on a conventional career, and grows visibly agitated whenever Cicely or the lawyer looks at him too closely. His jumpy evasions and half-finished confessions make him the story's most obvious suspect and its most pitiable one. ## Relationships ### [F. T. Carrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/f_t_carrington) _professional_ Carrington and Malcolm have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates with mutual respect. ### [Simon Rattar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/simon_rattar) _rivalry_ Malcolm and Rattar are enemies, with Malcolm distrusting Rattar and working to counter his influence. ### [Cicely Farmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/cicely_farmond) _family_ Cicely and Malcolm are siblings, with a bond that is affectionate but occasionally strained by differing loyalties. ### [F. T. Carrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/f_t_carrington) _professional_ Carrington and Malcolm have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates with mutual respect. ### [Simon Rattar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/simon_rattar) _rivalry_ Malcolm and Rattar are enemies, with Malcolm distrusting Rattar and working to counter his influence. ### [Simon Rattar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/simon_rattar) _rivalry_ Malcolm and Rattar are enemies, with Malcolm distrusting Rattar and working to counter his influence. ### [Cicely Farmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/cicely_farmond) _family_ Cicely and Malcolm are siblings, with a bond that is affectionate but occasionally strained by differing loyalties. ### [Cicely Farmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/cicely_farmond) _family_ Cicely and Malcolm are siblings, with a bond that is affectionate but occasionally strained by differing loyalties. ### [F. T. Carrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/f_t_carrington) _professional_ Carrington and Malcolm have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates with mutual respect. ## In the story ### [III: The Heir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/iii-the-heir) The heir to the baronetcy, a young man with literary pretensions, visits Rattar to discuss his debts and expresses apprehension about Sir Reginald's reaction. ### [VII: The Drive Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/vii-the-drive-home) Lilian hints that Cicely may be involved with him, discouraging Ned's interest. ### [VIII: Sir Reginald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/viii-sir-reginald) Seeks Cicely's sympathy and hints at financial troubles; reveals his emotional dependence on her. ### [A Philosopher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/ix-a-philosopher) Suggests a game of billiards after lunch, but the invitation is refused. ### [X: The Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/x-the-letter) Plays billiards, retires to his room, and later attempts to speak privately with Cicely. ### [XII: Cicely](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xii-cicely) Now the new baronet, he appears pale and disturbed, briefly greets Ned then withdraws solemnly. ### [XIV: The Question of Motive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xiv-the-question-of-motive) Beneficiary of £1,000 a year and eventual heir; secretly engaged to Cicely Farmond. ### [XV: Two Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xv-two-women) Moody and agitated, he tries to persuade Cicely to leave but fails; leaves for London the next morning, his confidence unshared. ### [XVI: Rumour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xvi-rumour) Mentioned as the subject of the rumor that he was secretly engaged to Cicely and involved in Sir Reginald's murder. ### [XVIII: £1,200](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xviii-1-200) Malcolm is described by Lilian as a conceited jackanapes deeply in debt, and she implies he is capable of the murder. Ned is shocked to learn of his debts. ### [Mr. Carrington's Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxi-mr-carrington-s-walk) Mentioned as the subject of a false arrest rumor spread by Carrington; Cicely insists he could not have committed murder. ### [XXIII: Simon's Views](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxiii-simon-s-views) Discussed as a prime suspect due to his debts and secret engagement to Cicely; Rattar notes he sat up late on the night of the murder. ### [Mr. Bisset's Assistant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxiv-mr-bisset-s-assistant) Mentioned as being in London; Carrington learns he is engaged and obtains his address. ### [XXV: A Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxv-a-telegram) Target of Carrington's request; a telegram is sent to him under false pretenses. ### [At Stanesland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxvi-at-stanesland) Discussed as a suspect; Ned calls him 'a bit of a young squirt' but refuses to believe he is a murderer without proof. ### [The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxviii-the-return) Mentioned as falsely suspected of murder and engagement to Cicely; cleared by Ned. ### [Brother and Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxix-brother-and-sister) Mentioned as the subject of the false engagement rumor that linked him to Cicely in a murder conspiracy. ### [XXX: A Marked Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxx-a-marked-man) Sir Malcolm confides in Carrington about his fear of suspicion, his confession to Cicely, and his man of business's advice to flee. He is relieved to be declared innocent but chagrined that public talk may cease. ### [XXXIV: A Confidential Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-confidential-conversation) Interviewed by Carrington; Rattar advised him to go abroad. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/malcolm_cromarty - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters