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“We need to find a goose in Bath that we can pluck. The whole Ton escapes London in the summer, and half of them end up here in Bath. With a little patience we will find a heavy purse.”

Danny nodded.

“The good thing is the Army is all based round Bristol, not out here. We should not run into anyone that knows of our having left Brighton.”

“You are right, we are free and clear. Let us into Bath tomorrow and start our enquiries the usual way. The daughters of the shopkeepers know all the gossip. We can listen to all they have to say, while getting a tumble at the same time.”

--

Elizabeth quietly read, sat on her and Peter’s favourite bench, just allowed the memories of Napier Hall, and the time with her husband, to repair her spirit. She felt that she had made the effort during the Season, an action that had not been reciprocated. That it took a week for her to overcome her sense of ennui was telling. Finally she sat in her study with Harriet.

“We need a different plan for next year. I have come to understand the importance of the role of family when in society. I needed a father, an uncle, a brother, to send the impecunious on their way. Sadly I was unable to take Mr. Jones with me when attending events.”

Harriet Underwood was unsure what to say.

“You do not have to say anything Harriet. Much of this discussion will be nothing more than me thinking out loud. Stating the obvious first, I do not have any such member of family. I need to find someone who can perform that role, without any tawdry connotations, real or imaginary. There is my first task for you. Consult your Debrett’s and present me with a list of those who meet the following criteria.

“Firstly they must meet one of the following criteria; have no children, that is the most preferable; if they do have children the best scenario is that they are all married; and lastly if they have very young children then that would be acceptable. There can be no child older than 10 and younger than 40. That is the first requirement, trying to thread that needle. Secondly, they have to be socially active. Use Lady Matlock as a guide. She is utterly unsuitable as she has two unmarried sons in their early thirties. I have met and spoken to the younger. In fact I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Colonel. We were just unable to further our acquaintance. I have all met the older son, the heir, but he did not impress me”

“Can I ask you why?”

“Socially deaf. He presented well, he is moderately handsome, and I am indebted to his mother. But he came across as a typical insensitive tone-deaf oaf, surprised that I was less than impressed after being hounded by the poorest and most desperate of so-called society. Golddiggers and fortune hunters the lot of them, yet it was my reputation that was questioned not theirs. Another example of the different treatment of men and women.”

Elizabeth shook her head. Andrew Fitzwilliam had dug himself a deep hole.

“Where was I? Socially active, no annoying males or jealous females, what else? Once you have the list send it to Mr. Lawrence and have him comment on it. Who comes to Bath for the summer? Who is just a little tight for cash right now, and would be happy to accept an honorarium, however disguised? My hope is that at some point during the next three or four months I will meet someone who will stand with me and thin the herd of fortune hunters. Maybe a retired military man.”

It seemed a long shot to Harriet, but she had her instructions.

--

“Mr. Jones, tell me of the estate, not the productivity but the security.”

Elizabeth was on horseback, riding with Mr. Jones and two other guards.

“Matthews did not slack off in the slightest while we were in London. Now there were only the two of them but he obeyed his orders. The first thing is that the whole neighbourhood knows that Lady Napier takes her security seriously. We are all known, not by name or even by sight, but recognised as your guards due to our missing arm. We are on excellent horses and in a smart uniform.”

“Forgive me for speaking candidly my Lady, but the local buzz, at least that Matthews has heard, is that you are a soft touch. Why do you have six guards, all missing an arm, when you only need one or two? And those guards should have all their limbs. No one is going to dare to say anything to your face but they are all thinking it.”

Of course Elizabeth was seen as wasting her income as they only knew of the ‘public’ amount.

“Do you think anyone has wondered whether I have more income than is popularly thought, and that is the reason for so many of you?”

She was encouraged by the crafty smile on Jones’ face.

“You will recall I asked for some funds to distribute in the area?”

“I do.”

“First of all there are two men, neither of whom have ever been in the Army and have both their arms, therefore they cannot possibly be Lady Napier’s men. After all, she only hires Army veterans missing a limb. The spend time in all the local inns, visiting the various taprooms and quietly listening to all the local gossip. There are also four young lads on the estate who regularly drink in Bath. They get their beer money from me and a shilling or two in addition and they too sit in different taverns and listen. They are nothing but simple hinds out for a drink and nobody questions them.”

Jones looked embarrassed, but continued.

“The general consensus is that you are living proof that women cannot handle an estate. You are wasting too much of your income on us and that, excuse me My Lady, you need to get married so that a man can control the estate and stop frittering away the income.”

Rather than be annoyed Elizabeth was pleased. Not at the comments but the lack of perception of the locals.

“All eight of you are retainers for life, and will be pensioned off when you can no longer perform your duties. It is in my will which is on file with Mr. Lawrence. I do not just feel secure here, I know I am secure. Thank Mr. Jones.”