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“It is easy for me to assign several guards, additional footmen, make a big production out of the trip. But it is a double-edged sword. With so many guards it invites scrutiny, and even if they have no knowledge they will be tempted to find out why you have so much security. A single carriage, nothing out of the ordinary would allow you to hide in plain sight, just as you did during your mourning period.”

“Blast, you make a good point. I will travel in the carriage with just the coachman, one footman and two guards. Ingrid or Daisy will accompany Harriet and myself. In the meantime, keep sending the men out to travel the neighbourhood and keep a close eye on the goings on in Bath. We both know the value of accurate intelligence.”

Thomas Jones always was entertained at Elizabeth’s use of military terms, learned through his teachings. But their plan for the next month was set.

Chapter 26

Bath had less places to remain unseen, or to hide in plain sight. There were none of the rookeries of the East End of London. There were areas that were poorer, where those that were servants and in trade lived, but there was none with the desperate poverty of the capital. For the citizens and visitors to Bath this was a good thing, for Wickham and Denny it was more of an issue.

It was only an issue for Denny because he was with Wickham. For more than a decade, ever since he went up to Cambridge, Wickham had been around people many of whom moved within society. That was ten years of using these people, bilking these people, but also for his misdeeds to become known and remembered. He had not joined the Militia just to see the delights of rural Hertfordshire. He had been hiding, once again. Everywhere he went, eventually he burned the bridge, unable to return. His time in Brighton had been the same.

Bath had far too many people who knew who he was. Maybe not his name, but without doubt his face and reputation.

Which of course, made spotting and tailing a potential mark extremely difficult. Now they were clean and well-fed, courtesy of the hospitality of the estate. Initially he had been livid that he did not receive the readies for his rare victory. But it turned out that having a place to lay low out of town was a real blessing. It didn’t solve their main problem but it allowed them to be patient.

Wickham was still confident in his own charm, they would find a mark soon.

--

“Fitzwilliam!”

Richard eased up on the reins of his charger and looked to see had hailed him. He broke into a huge smile when he spotted a former commanding officer.

“General, sir.”

He snapped of a sharp salute. The General returned it.

“It is good to see you.”

He paused.

“I was about to say Lieutenant Colonel, but I see you are a full Colonel now. Congratulations.”

“Thank you sir.”

General Anton van Grant, descended from a family that came over with Dutch William, was extremely pleased. They made small talk for a few minutes before he disclosed why he was in Bath.

“I am to be married in the middle of September, to a lovely young lady, Miss Sophie Manners. She is a distant relation to the Duke of Rutland. Unfortunately, the man who had agreed to stand up with me recently perished from a fever. I wonder if you would do me the honour of standing up with me.”

“While I would be honoured sir, I have leave only until the end of July. What is the date of the wedding?”

“Not until the second half of September. That should not be a problem though. I will have you assigned to my staff for the months of August and September.”

Richard had to keep his face impassive. van Grant, as a senior General, was used to getting his own way, and was going to demolish any objections.

“In that case sir, I will be delighted to stand with you.”

He bowed from the saddle.

“What have you been up to?”

Richard told him about escorting the latest recruits across to Bristol, the easier for them to sail to the Continent.

“You will not have heard the news. The War is over. After Toulouse, the fight went out of the French. Napoleon has been exiled to Elba as a result of the Treaty. There is no doubt that Horseguards will be happy to assign you to my staff. All officers need to start considering where they are going to be posted now that this endless war with France is finally over.”

Richard was able to stay in the Mess at the small barracks at the edge of the town. There was a small garrison of regulars not just to keep order, but also to protect the many figures of society that visited or lived in the town year round.

He smiled. One month of freedom, liberty and idleness had become close to three.