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“The two men came from the direction of Saltford.”

“Excellent work lads. That is two and a half miles, maybe closer to three to get to the centre of the town. A fair distance to walk regularly.”

It was about the same distance west of Bath as Napier Hall was to the south. Jones turned back to Elizabeth.

“Two things immediately spring to mind. The first is that funds are tight, they cannot afford the prices in Bath. The more troubling one is that they are being careful as they may be known to some of the people residing there at present. Were you spotted?”

This last was to the two grooms.

“No Mr. Jones. Charlie was hidden by the horse and I was with my back to them checking the wheel, the reason we had stopped.”

“Good. A week of drinking in Saltford for the two of you. See if you can narrow down their lair.”

“Yes Mr. Jones.”

Even Elizabeth realised that the men were happy to perform this duty. It was amazing what the prospect of free beer would do! That left the final two pairs of grooms.

“Every town has a smattering of those looking to make, or take, a quick fortune. London due to its size has more than anywhere else. But there were a lot of people, that we did not know, who were trying to act too innocent. There is an edge to the town, unnoticed by the gentry, but you could see that the wide awake footmen were on guard. I saw at least two coachmen not sitting on their seat but close to it.”

“I do not understand what you mean.”

“There will be a musket and perhaps two pistols in that space. Not sitting on the lid means they were easier to access.”

“Oh, I see.”

She turned to look at Mr. Jones.

“Two muskets and four pistols, in addition to our personal weapons, as well as your own.”

Elizabeth, Lady Napier travelled with a coachman, a footman and two guards. There were also two pistols in the interior panelling of her coach. And she and Harriet also had a small pistol in their reticules. She added them all up. Two muskets, ten large pistols, and two small lady’s pistols.

The thing was, she did not consider it to be excessive in the slightest. It was why her lack of a male protector in society was so jarring. During the season she had not taken her pocket pistol to any of the balls or dances. That was going to change going forward.

“Thank you all. I want to consider this and think about my plans for the summer. Mr. Jones, 4.00 in my study if you please.”

--

“I am not going to participate in society for the first month of the summer. I am going to remain here other than one trip every two weeks to Arbuthnot’s.”

“Forgive my impertinence my Lady, but is there a reason?”

“You know my concerns about the end of the season. I was unable to attract the attention of honourable gentlemen because I was besieged by the impecunious. I am considering how to retain a social protector, perhaps a military gentleman. It would allow me to keep the riffraff at bay.”

“Will that make such a big difference?”

“In truth I do not know, but I have to do something. Unmarried women, and as a widow I am classed as such, normally have a father, a brother, an uncle, that stands with them, almost stands guard over them. The female can then use the person as a buffer, a barrier to the rest of the world.”

“I see.”

“I am also going to ensure that I have my pocket pistol with me at these events. And I will ask Harriet to carry hers as well.”

“You are that worried?”

“In a word, yes. You can tell the grooms, the other guards, the gamekeepers, that they all will be out several times a week. I have an unsettled feeling and am in the fortunate position of being able to do something about it.”

“What about your trips to Bath?”

“I do not catch your meaning.”