Page 14 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

‘Yes, sir, I can be of assistance in that matter. There is an excellent hotel in Haydon Square, which is no more than a brisk ten-minute walk from the Tower. Would you like me to send word to them and reserve your accommodation?’

‘That would be excellent. I am going to pen a second note to Lady Fenchurch and this must be delivered at the same time as your letter is sent to the hotel.’

He quickly scribbled the address he had been given and the location of the hotel he would be residing in and then handed the folded square to the waiting butler.

Now there was no necessity for him to wait until he had heard from Viola.

She could contact him at the hotel when eventually she arrived in London.

He instructed Bishop to pack what he would need for a short stay.

As he intended to travel by post-chaise he could not take a large trunk anyway.

‘There is no necessity to put in my evening clothes. I could manage perfectly well without you, but if you would like to accompany me then I should be glad to have you.’

At Silchester he would never have asked his valet’s opinion – was this change in his character permanent or just part of his play-acting?

‘I should be delighted to come with you, sir. I have family residing in that area. Perhaps I might have an hour free to visit them whilst we are there?’

‘Take as much time as you need. I shall be spending most of my time at Longman and Heron, a piano emporium in Cheapside. I hardly think you will be required there.’

His man beamed. ‘I thank you, sir, you are a most generous employer.’

Something occurred to Beau as he was leaving his apartment. ‘Foster is familiar with this area – were you acquainted before you came here to work?’

‘We are cousins, sir, and both found work here through the same agency.’

‘We will be leaving at first light. Arrange for a carriage to be waiting to convey us to the coaching inn. I have already sent a groom to reserve our passage.’

Unless his valet sat on the box with the coachman for the short journey to the coaching inn, he would have to travel inside with him.

The Duke of Silchester would not have contemplated such a thing but Edward Sheldon, his new persona, was quite content to travel with Bishop.

His mouth twitched. There was no box on a post-chaise so, whether he liked it or not, his valet would be inside with him on the long journey to London.

* * *

Viola received the first note from Mr Sheldon and, after the initial irritation at his presumption, understood that what he said made sense. Mama might have had experience of this part of Town as Papa had shipping interests and was frequently at the docks, which were close by.

‘We can hardly set out with no destination in mind, Mama. Do you have any suggestions as to where we might stay for a few nights?’

‘I cannot help you, my love, because I rarely travelled with your father. He preferred to do his business without the encumbrance of his wife. Richard is the person to ask. What a pity you already sent his letter by express as you could have asked him.’

‘Another thing has occurred to me – where will the carriage, horses and coachmen go? I doubt that any hotels in that area will have accommodation for them.’

‘If Mr Sheldon has decided to travel post-chaise then we can do the same. Or, we could catch the common stage if you are unwilling to pay the exorbitant cost of travelling in this way.’

‘I shall do no such thing. It is all very inconvenient not being able to use the London house. I cannot see how we can take a nursemaid for the children or our own abigails unless we go in our vehicle.’

‘Then, use the house in Grosvenor Square. It is yours by right to use and your son is the Earl of Fenchurch. He should be staying in his own property in the most prestigious part of London, not in some side street in Cheapside.’

‘You have convinced me. We will do this visit in style, as is fitting for our station. I shall send someone immediately to have the house prepared for us. The luggage and servants can set off tomorrow first thing and we shall leave later in the morning. I think we will have to overnight somewhere twice, but I am sure that will not be too difficult for them to arrange.’

When a second note arrived from Elveden she also had her plans in place.

When they arrived in Town she would send word to him.

Hopefully, he would have already visited the places where pianos were to be bought and would know which the best shop was to buy one for Thomas.

She rather thought it might cost her in the region of one hundred pounds to acquire what she wanted and that was without the added expense of having it delivered to Fenchurch Manor.

The children were beside themselves with excitement the following day. This would be their first excursion that required an overnight stay. Indeed, it would be their first time away from their ancestral home.

‘Mama, if Mr Sheldon has already left why has Brutus not come home?’ Thomas asked as he pressed his nose against the carriage window.

‘Mr Sheldon will have made arrangements for our pet to remain at Elveden. He is well aware that we too will be absent from home for the next few days,’ Elizabeth said.

Viola exchanged an amused glance with her mother. Her daughter often talked like an adult, but she had no notion why this might be.

‘As long as he is safe and does not venture to the kennels again that is all that matters, children,’ she said and they were satisfied with her answer.

The journey was going to be tedious; Viola had never enjoyed travelling.

The thought of being cooped up in so small a space for several hours at a time did not appeal to her.

Listening to the little ones exclaiming in delight at everything they saw, laughing uproariously when the carriage lurched into a pothole, soon made her forget her reservations and she began to enjoy the journey as much as they were.