Page 41

“Goodness. I had not realised it was so bad.”

“Unfortunately it is. Are all men as bad as I have painted them? Of course not. But the wolves are very skilled in hiding their nature.”

Harriet had another thought.

“Is that why Ingrid and Daisy accompany you when you venture out?”

“Yes. I will have two large maids, both of them armed, beside me. Then I will have at least four obviously armed guards as well.”

“They will all carry firearms?”

“Yes. You look worried, have I scared you?”

“Not scared Lady Napier, but given me a lot to think about. Part of it is that there is nothing that I can immediately say to refute anything you have spoken of.”

She looked at Elizabeth carefully.

“Would you wish me to be armed as well?”

“I will not force you to be armed, but I will purchase a gun for you if it is your wish. Mr. Jones organised lessons for Ingrid and Daisy, and will train you so that you are safe. Well at least for our own party. You will be dangerous to everyone else.”

That night Harriet Underwood considered the turn her life had taken. As she lay in her very comfortable bed, the candle blown out, she had to chuckle to herself. It was a long way from teaching French verbs and social etiquette. She rather liked the thought of being part of Lady Napier’s household. No one was going to prey upon any of its members. She fell asleep wondering what it would be like to shoot a pistol.

--

“Aunt. Look over there.”

“What am I looking for Georgiana?”

“See that carriage? It is the same one that I spoke of last year.”

The Countess of Matlock understood at once.

“You are sure?”

“Yes. It is the same team, the same livery.”

“Of what are you talking?”

“Not right now Andrew. We will talk of this when we are back at the house.”

Her son nodded, that it was not to be talked of in the street meant it was important. And was likely to be juicy gossip. Five minutes later the carriage drew away and took the road heading south out of Bath. A few more minutes later he and his cousin watched his mother at work.

“I saw a carriage that looked familiar. But it was already leaving town. Can you tell me if the young lady had favoured your shop?”

The proprietors of the shops knew exactly who was in town, and the Countess of Matlock was well known and an identifiable figure. Unlike the silent Baroness who it had taken him more than ten months to finally learn her identity.

“Yes she did, my Lady. The person whose coach left five minutes ago is Lady Napier. Her estate is to the south of the city, at Combe Hay”

The Countess nodded her head.

“Thank you.”

Georgiana was allowed half an hour to select three books as an indirect reward to the purveyor of information. That her son also abused his mother’s largesse meant it was a profitable morning for the shop owner.

--

When they returned to their home, after freshening up, they reconvened in the Countess’ sitting room.