Page 89 of Love Wasn’t Built in a Day

Ludlow laughed, rubbing a hand through his hair. “Aye, Sir. I’ve been in this trade, man and boy, I have, and I know it well. If I might say so, too, it’s your triumph. I’ve worked with a lot of architects in my time, and I know a good one from a bad one. You’re one of the best, if I might remark it, and that ain’t no pretty lie to endear myself, for you know I don’t hold with that. I’ll look forward to continuing to work with you and that’s the truth.”

Gideon blinked, rather stunned by such praise from a man who was never shy about complaining or telling him he was talking out of his arse. “Thank you, Mr Ludlow, that’s… well, that’s a fine compliment and I appreciate it.”

Ludlow grinned and shook his hand. “That being the case, Sir, mind if we knock off now. It’s almost close of day and the boys are fair gasping for a pint.”

Gideon laughed, slapping Ludlow on the back. “Indeed. Away with you and have the first one on me. You may get the proprietress to send me the bill.”

Ludlow grinned at him. “Very decent of you. I will do.”

Gideon nodded and returned to contemplating the great space as Ludlow’s footsteps faded, only to be replaced a moment later.

“It’s everything you promised it would be.” The deep voice reverberated around the room and Gideon turned with a relieved smile.

“Good afternoon, Mr King,” he said, hurrying to shake his employer’s hand.

King nodded, his grip firm as they shook, but not overly so. This man was perfectly confident of his own power and his reputation preceded him. He did not need to make his point with a bruising handshake.

“You’re pleased, then?”

Mr King laughed. “More to the point, my wife is delighted, so yes. I am extremely pleased. Though seeing this only makes me increasingly impatient to see the rest of the building complete, and the worker’s village too.”

Gideon let out a huff of amusement. “Can we just enjoy this moment of success for a few seconds longer?”

King slanted him a wicked grin that Gideon suspected had caused many a man nightmares in years past. “For a few seconds,” he allowed.

They walked around the space in silence for a little while before Gideon decided he needed to know what fate had in mind for their thieves. “What have you decided to do, about Ridley and Mark?”

“Why have them tossed into the sea, tied and bound to a large rock,” he said lightly, and then snorted at the look in Gideon’s eyes, which must have been one of profound horror.

Gideon swallowed an oath as he realised the devil was winding him up. “Funny, Mr King. Most amusing,” he said dryly.

King chuckled. “Forgive me. I could not resist, and I believe you may call me Jasper. For your information, Mr Ridley had been handed over to the authorities. Mark, however, shows signs that he is not a complete pillock, only an arrogant young devil who made some wrong decisions. I have put him in the hands of men I believe will teach him that stealing from me is not advisable—don’t look so shocked, they’ll not hurt him. They will also continue to teach him his trade, however, and he will be the better for it. You’ll see him again one of these days, have no fear.”

Gideon let out a breath. “That’s very decent of you. I’m glad.”

King nodded. “The hotel is my wife’s dream, but I wanted to do something for those people who no one else seems to give a damn about, to give them opportunities, chances to thrive, not just survive. I’d be a bloody hypocrite to condemn Mark when I was far worse at his age. Ridley, however, is a man grown, a liar and conniving little shit, and moreover, I didn’t like him.”

“Neither did I,” Gideon replied with a shrug.

King nodded.

“Mr King—Jasper, the men are all going to the Dog and Duck for a pint? Do you fancy—”

Jasper grinned, his eyes glinting. “I thought you’d never ask.”

The Mermaid Hotel, Little Valentine, East Sussex, 3rd September 1816

Hetty looked around the beautiful terrace with delight before turning to Mrs King.

“Oh, what a lovely surprise!” she said, regarding the tables laid with plates of delectable food and champagne chilling in ice buckets.

“I thought we had all earned a little celebration of our own before the grand ball. There’s a lot of work still to do but everyone is ready to go, so I thought an evening to catch our breaths was just the thing. Supposing that my husband remembers he is supposed to bring Mr Bramwell back here before seven.”

“You might be lucky. I saw them over an hour ago, went into the Dog and Duck, they did,” Mrs Fairway said with a sniff of disapproval.

Hetty had discovered that while Mrs Fairway often remarked that The Dog and Duck wasn’t fit to be considered competition to The Mermaid, she was still fiercely jealous of any patrons who dared to frequent it.

Hetty exchanged a glance with Mrs King, who smiled placidly. “Oh, they’ll be back in time. As if Jasper would miss one of your delicious cakes?”