 The British pretense that their troops were merely supporting Shah Shujah's small army in retaking what was once his throne fooled no one.
<clarity>  The British pretense that their troops were merely supporting Shah Shujah's small army in retaking what was once his throne fooled no one.
 The British claim that their troops were merely supporting Shah Shujah's small army in retaking what was once his throne fooled no one.