The Captain's Kidnapped Beauty. Mary Nichols

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      ‘I have concluded it is a very complicated business,’ he answered. ‘I have been watching the men put the coach on its cradle. They make it look easy.’

      ‘They are all experienced men, Captain, though we shall miss Joe Smithson until he is well again. I collect I did not thank you properly for your help in getting him up. He is a big strong man, but you lifted him with ease.’

      He bowed towards her. ‘My pleasure, Miss Gilpin.’

      ‘Your carriage will be ready tomorrow. My father will personally inspect it for defects before he allows it to be delivered, and of course the horses and licence have to be obtained so we cannot do it any sooner. I hope that is convenient for you.’

      ‘Entirely,’ he said, bowing. If he had hired a chaise instead of buying one, he might have been on his way before that, but Miss Gilpin had been right; he would need to travel back and forth frequently on society business, so it made sense to buy. ‘But I will fetch it from here. I mean to begin my journey immediately. Shall we say noon?’

      She looked at her father. ‘Will you have the horses and harness by then, Papa?’

      Mr Gilpin was only half-listening to their exchange, being more concerned with inspecting the half-finished coach and giving instruction to the carpenters who were to fix the moulding along the edge of its roof. ‘Yes, yes, I shall go to Tattersalls this afternoon.’

      ‘How will you pay?’ Charlotte turned back to Alex. ‘Credit terms can be arranged, if you wish.’

      Alex resented the inference that he could not pay for anything he ordered. Just because he elected to dress simply, did not mean he was without funds. Even before inheriting his uncle’s estate he had been a wealthy man. He had earned good prize money as a sea captain and his father had left a fortune as a result of his captaincy of an East India merchantman. Each captain was allowed to carry a certain tonnage on their own account, for which privilege they paid five hundred pounds. It was money well spent; both Alex’s father and his uncle, the Marquis of Foxlees, had become exceedingly wealthy with this trade. ‘There is no need for that,’ he said, his tone conveying his annoyance. ‘It may be considered eccentric, but it is my strict rule to pay my dues on demand. I shall bring a money order on my bank when I come tomorrow.’

      ‘Thank you, Captain. Then the price is as we agreed.’

      He took his leave and went on his way, first to his bank to arrange the draft then to his club where he intended to dine. He had barely sat down and ordered a capon and a couple of pork chops, when he was joined by Jonathan Leinster. ‘What, not gone home to the delectable Louise?’ he asked him.

      ‘No she has taken the baby and gone to visit her parents. I decided an evening in town would be more congenial than going back to an empty house. I am promised to Lady Milgrove’s soirée, later. What about you? I had thought you on your way to Norfolk.’

      ‘I needed a coach to convey me there and decided to buy one, so I have been at Gilpin’s.’

      ‘You can’t go wrong there. They have a reputation for the best, but not cheap, by no means cheap.’

      ‘That I discovered.’

      Jonathan turned to give his order to the waiter before continuing the conversation. ‘Did you meet Miss Gilpin?’

      ‘Indeed I did. She seems to think she runs the business.’

      Jonathan laughed. ‘Not quite, but her father does not disabuse her of the idea. No doubt she will learn the difference when she comes to wed.’

      ‘Is she engaged, then?’

      ‘No, but her papa has been putting it around that he is looking for a title for her.’

      ‘And no doubt she will marry whoever Papa picks out for her.’

      Jonathan shrugged. ‘Who’s to say? I am glad I am married and not in the running. I think she will be a veritable harridan and hard to handle.’

      ‘Do you say so?’

      ‘Yes. You saw her. Do you not agree she is something of an antidote?’

      ‘No, I can’t say that I do,’ Alex said slowly. ‘She could hardly work in the business dressed in the height of fashion with hips a mile wide and coiffeur a foot tall.’

      ‘I don’t see why she has to work in the business at all. Gilpin is prodigiously wealthy and can indulge her in whatever she wants.’

      ‘So he intends to buy her a title, does he?’

      ‘So it seems.’

      ‘Then I hope she has the good sense to resist.’

      Jonathan looked sharply at his friend, a look that was not lost on Alex, who quickly changed the subject. ‘I did not fancy riding to Norfolk by stage and was going to hire a conveyance, but decided to buy one, after all. I shall need it if I am to come up to town for our regular meetings at Trentham House.’

      ‘That’s true, and neither can you shut yourself away in the country away from society. You will have to start looking for a wife now you are a marquis.’

      ‘Oh, I shall, shall I?’

      ‘Of course. You will need an heir.’

      ‘There is plenty of time for that.’

      ‘How old are you, Alex?’

      ‘I am thirty-four.’

      ‘Good heavens, there is not a moment to lose! You will be an old man before you know it.’ It was said with mock dismay which made Alex laugh. And then, after a pause, ‘Come with me to Lady Milgrove’s.’

      ‘I will hardly find a wife there,’ Alex said, still laughing.

      ‘Perhaps not, but more to the point the evening is in aid of the Foundling Hospital, a charity close to Louise’s heart and I promised her I would go. You do not leave town tonight, do you?’

      ‘No, I am to take delivery of the chaise tomorrow at noon, but I shall be on my way directly after that.’

      ‘So, you’ll come? I will enjoy it the more if I have company.’

      ‘Very well, I will come.’

      Their food arrived and they set to tackling it with hearty appetites.

      ‘No sign of those two escapees, then?’ Alex asked.

      ‘No. I am persuaded someone is sheltering them. I sent Sam Roker into the rookeries where they might seek refuge, to see if he could discover any news of them, but so far nothing.’

      Sam was the only one of the society who could not be called a gentleman. Officially James’s servant, he came and went according to the needs of its members, being a great one for disguise and able to speak the cant of the ruffians who inhabited the seedier parts of the city.

      ‘No doubt they will turn up when you least expect it,’ Alex said. ‘If you need any help, call on me.’

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