“So, these beautiful greys are all ours.” Beth got a beatific grin as she patted each one and told them how lovely they are. “And the carriage looks very nice. Is it well sprung?”
“Very. All leather interiors. Quite comfortable. There was this viscount who lost a lot of money at cards and needed to sell it quick. I basically bought the horses, and the carriage just came with them. Gardiner is quite a businessman.”
“Hmmm…do you think we could locate a bottle of fine French brandy as a thank you? Maybe some cigars? I know that’s what Ethan would appreciate the most.”
“Darcy and Fitzwilliam are taking me to their club this evening. I’ll get to wear my new suit. I’ll ask them. They’ll know where we can get a gift for a man who has everything.”
“Oooo…going to the club! How grand! Moving right up in the world my friend. Maybe you should order another dinner jacket and some dancing shoes for those enormous feet.”
“Don’t be silly, Beth.”
“I am not. I am serious. Even a pretend brother should be dressed as well as I am. Go see that tailor and put a rush on it. Oh! Did the carriage driver come with this rig too?”
“Ha! Actually, he did! The viscount couldn’t pay his salary anymore, so he became available at the same time. He says to just call him Coachman Jack, although his name is Smithers.”
Beth turned to face the driver and looked up at him. “Nice to meet you Smithers. Are you sure you prefer Jack?”
“It’s the way a things, but if a pretty lady wants ta call me by me real name, I ain’t complainin’.”
“Very well! Smithers it is! Other coachman can be Jacks and Johns, but you’re a Darcy coachman! Your livery looks quite nice, but doyou require something right now? We will, of course, provide you with all your needs while we remain in the country.”
“All’s well mam. Mr. Smith there took care of everything. I’m well set. We just needs ta find a footman and a tiger ta ride on back. Think I knows someone.”
“It would be best to have someone you trust, but Mr. Smith will talk with the colonel tonight. I understand there are a lot of out of work soldiers haunting the city looking for work. Do you know a boy who would ride tiger?”
“My sister’s boy is the right age an size. I wouldn’t mind startin’ to train him up.”
“John?”
“Sounds good to me. I want to see about hiring a soldier for that footman spot though. I’m pretty good protection, but it wouldn’t hurt to have someone else who knows how to shoot and fight, if need be.”
“Very good sir, mam. Let me know if ya change yur mind. The man I was thinkin’ of would have livery ta match mine. Haha!”
~~~~~
“John! Good to see you. Did you walk here? I could have sent my carriage.” Darcy hailed as he got out of his carriage at the curb.
“No. We bought a carriage today and it dropped me off. I sent it back to the hotel. Figured I could hitch a ride later with you or just walk. It’s not so far.”
“I will be happy to take you back to your hotel this evening. Have you seen Fitzwilliam? His father called him over to Matlock House this afternoon. Some kind of family issue.”
“No. Haven’t seen him.”
“Well, come then. Let us go in. He knows how to find us.”
The men had just sat down and ordered their drinks when Richard came stomping into the private room they were sharing. “My idiot bother has done it again! He lost so much at cards the other night, he had to sell his carriage! Do you know how hard it was for me to find four matched carriage horses! They were beautiful! You saw them, Darcy. Ugh. My father has banished Theo to Rosemont. Father’s coachman is to drop him off at the door and leave him there without transportation. He’ll have his horse, I suppose, but no carriage to go haring off in.”
John looked very uncomfortable for a minute then asked, “Those horses…they would not be a matched set of greys, would they? And the carriage…deep green with gold trim and all leather interiors?”
“Yes. Have you seen it? Is it already up for auction? The shame of this.” Richard had his head in his hands when the waiter came in with their drinks and asked if they were ready to order.
“Just bring us whatever is cooks special tonight, and a bottle of brandy.” Darcy instructed.
“Umm…colonel…I bought that rig today. I hope it doesn’t cause problems for your family. I can sell it back for what I got it for if your family wants it. I’m sure Beth won’t mind. It’ll just put our trip off until I can locate another one.”
“You? You bought it? Ha! Hahahaha!” Richard started to laugh uproariously. When he finally got ahold of himself, “No. You keep it. If you want to sell it back to him when you’re done with it, charge him double what you paid. Serves him right! Ha! Did his coachman come with it?”
“He did. He’s going to hire his nephew as our tiger, but I was going to ask you about finding a soldier as a footman. I could use somebody else to protect the ladies as we travel.”
