He would get none of that, if he had his way.
A life with Lady Rosalind was likely to be akin to a wild ride through a fog-filled forest, never knowing what would come next and always surprised at what was around the bend.
It was also likely to be full of laughter, as he had not laughed so much in the whole of his life.
She would just have to say yes, and she would hopefully not be too disturbed over his occasional forays into the night, in service to the queen.
However she viewed it, he would not take the queen’s advice and lock Lady Rosalind away on his estate. Not unless he was locked up with her.
*
Shrimps dreaded histrips into the back garden at night. He never knew exactly when Barney would turn up again.
Barney had already been to demand proof that Shrimps was in fact Jimmy Black, which of course he had none. He had not proof he was anybody! A fellow like him didn’t go round carrying proof of who he was. He did not even know what the proof was supposed to be.
Of course, there was the letter sewn into his coat, but he did not know what that said. He would never know, as he could not read and he would never allow anybody else to see his mother’s words to him. They were personal words, just between them, even if he never knew what they were.
To distract Barney from his lack of proof, he’d told Barney of the new venture for twenty pounds. A carriage, a coachman, and a footman. A pretend-kidnapping for Lady Rosalind.
Barney had been skeptical over it, as he said nobody, not even a swell, wanted to be kidnapped. Shrimps had done his best to explain that it was all about the duke declaring his passion, though he personally didn’t understand it himself.
Barney had finally said he’d talk to somebody knowledgeable about those sorts of arrangements.
Who the somebody was or how that somebody would be knowledgeable on the subject, Shrimps did not have the first idea. Maybe it was a coachman down on his luck who might take the job?
He was hoping not. He was hoping that what Lady Rosalind wished for was not possible. He could say he tried, but it could not be done. He might even hint to her that there were faster ways to get married than pretending to be kidnapped. As far as he could see, people did it every day with very little trouble.
Oyster was doing his usual surveil of the garden, though Shrimps never knew what he was looking for. Whatever it was, Oyster must confirm it was either there or not there before doing his business.
“Hey, mate,” Barney said from behind him.
Shrimps jumped. He had not expected that Barney would be back so soon!
“Why do you always have to sneak up on me?” he said.
“I’m a creature of the night,” Barney said, “I move in the shadows.”
“It’s scary.”
“I don’t care. Now, listen up. I talked to my associate what knows these matters and he says a feint of a kidnappin’ is very common among the swells.”
Common? Cook was right—these lords and ladies really did have too much money for their own good.
“So, I’m gonna do you the favor of comin’ up with a coachman and a carriage for Lady Rosalind’s stab at the thing. I’ll go as the groom myself. And guess who else is going? You!”
Shrimps felt a trickle of ice slip down his spine. It was frightening enough to arrange these odd things Lady Rosalind wanted done. But to be there!
“Me? Why? I don’t need to go,” he said. “What use would I be? I’m terrible under pressure and everybody knows it!”
“Yeah, we all know it, but my associate who’s arranging the carriage wants a little insurance that it ain’t some sort of trap.”
“Lady Rosalind doesn’t set up traps,” Shrimps said. “Not for you, anyway. The whole thing is for the duke. What would she want with you?”
“I’m tellin’ ya how it’s gonna be. At nine o’clock on the night, you’re gonna go to the end of this street and get in the carriage, then we go forward and take in Lady Rosalind.”
“And Miss Mayton,” Shrimps said resignedly.
“Who is Miss Mayton?” Barney asked, grabbing him by the collar. “You didn’t say there was another lady involved.”
