Richard left Robert and headed to St. John’s Wood to his friend Davingdale’s
home. Davingdale and William had begun trading business at Tattersall’s and
housed their animals at Davingdale’s estate, Merrit
 |
| Captain Richard Gaines |
Richard
found Davingdale in the barn. “What ho, Thomas?”
Thomas
Merrit, Earl of Davingdale, labored in a stall mucking manure. He straightened
and leaned against his pitchfork. “Richard, what brings you to my humble abode?
Have you finally come to your senses and allowed us the privilege of Morpheus’
stud services?”
Richard
smiled. “Of a sort. I must away and have no desire to keep Morpheus in the
mews. If he has a care to impregnate your mares whilst here, I’m sure there is
nothing I could do to stop him.”
 |
| Thomas Merritt, Earl of Davingdale |
Thomas
leaned his fork against the wall and came out of the stall. “Where are you
headed?”
“Runcorn to
pick up cargo for Robert. He’s invested in a cotton mill in Manchester
and has piece goods he wishes to London .”
Richard followed Davingdale to the small office at the back of the barn.
“I do not
understand,” Thomas said. He proffered a well-worn chair to Richard and then
sat in the other. “If you are traveling to Runcorn, surely you shall need a
decent mount.”
“I am
traveling by ship, Thomas. Robert has asked me to captain his vessel, the Lady Joanna.”
“This is a
surprise. I thought you had sworn off the sea.”
Richard
grinned. “You have not seen the Joanna.
I do not think a landlubber like yourself could appreciate her.” Richard rubbed
his hands together. “I fear I feel like a lover with my first virgin.” His strong,
positive feelings about this new enterprise surprised him.
“Well, I
must say old man, if a pretty new ship is all it will take to put a smile on
your face, then have at her. I declare, in all the years I’ve known you, I have
never seen you thus.”
Richard
laughed. “And you may very well never again. A virgin vessel is something that
only comes around once in a lifetime. I could not refuse.” But there was so
much more to this trip than just the sailing aspect. He would find Amanda Wood.
“Thomas?” a
voice called from the depths of the barn.
“Back here.”
William
Smith, Earl of Westerly, now the newly titled Duke of Caymore stepped into the
office. “Richard? I thought that was your Brabant in the field. What are you doing here?”
“He is
begging us to house Morpheus while he travels to Runcorn for Robert,” Thomas
said.
 |
| William Smith, Earl of Westerly |
“Runcorn?
What the devil has my cousin going in Runcorn of all places?” William leaned
against the door casing.
“Cotton
stuffs from Manchester ,”
Richard said. “He’s invested in a mill up there and needs someone to captain
his ketch.”
“Ketch?”
As Richard
explained what the late Duke of Cantin had done for his wife, William let out a
low whistle.
“And now,
Robert wants to use it to ship his piece goods to London ,” Richard finished.
“And you
are going to captain her.” William looked at his friend.
“He’s as
giddy as a goat with his first virgin,” Thomas said.
Richard
laughed. “Your use of the metaphor is highly entertaining.” He looked at
William. “Yes, I am as giddy as a goat. However, there is another, rather
serious reason for me to embark on the trip.” He lowered his voice. “I met a
woman.”
William
whistled again. “First a return to the sea and now a woman. What is to become
of you?”
“I do not
know. I cannot explain it. I only know she is in Manchester and I must find her.”
“Find her?”
Thomas asked. “Is she lost?”
“Of a sort.
She is married…”
“Married?
Are you daft?” William asked. “What are you doing chasing after a married
woman?”
“It is not
like that,” Richard said. “I met her in front of the Lamb and Lion one night.
Her despicable husband left her alone on the street to deal with the trunks and
sleeping child after he departed the hired hack. We spoke very briefly, but it
seems the woman is a witch. She’s cast a spell over me and I cannot seem to get
her out of my mind. Therefore, I will travel to Manchester to find her and break the spell.”
Thomas and
William exchanged glances.
“Does this
sorceress have a name?” Thomas asked.
“Amanda
Wood.”
“What did
you say?” William asked.
“Amanda
Wood,” Richard repeated.
“I heard you
the first time.” William raked a hand through his hair. “I think there may be
something to your spell-weaving after all. Penny has just received a letter
from her long-time friend Amanda Wood who has just returned from…”
“America ,”
Richard said. William and Penny’s wedding had been where he had heard Amanda
Wood’s name mentioned. Lady Pen was saddened that her friend could not attend.
Lady Pen must have been the person that Amanda wished to see in London .
“Yes, America .”
William shook his head. “Penny is overset that we remained in Trilling. Mrs.
Wood was only in London a day before she headed
to Manchester . Penny
begged me to take her up country. It seems Mr. Wood is somewhat of a cad and
Pen fears for her friend’s well-being. She wishes to reassure herself her
worries are groundless.” He stared at Richard.
“Truthfully,
Will, that is also one of the reasons I am taking on this job for Robert. In
only the span of three seconds, I could see Mrs. Wood was afraid of the man. There
is more than enough room on the Lady
Joanna if you should like to travel with me.”
William put
up his hand. “Do not put the notion into Penny’s head. As much as an adventure
as this might be, we were on our way to Westerly
to continue our honeymoon. One I do not wish to share with you or Mrs. Wood.”
“Westerly?”
Richard asked.
“Yes, the
estate my grandparents left to Ellis and me. Formerly known as Easterly, but as
Ellis gave it to us as a wedding gift, I decided to change its name to Westerly .”
“Why do you
not change it to Caymore? Better suits your title.”
“The title
is only mine until I have a son. I have no wish to be a duke. To get back to
the other matter, I dare say when Penny finds you will be sailing to Runcorn, I’m
sure she will ask you to take Mrs. Wood a letter or two. Would you care to stop
at Caymore House? She would be most distressed if you do not.”
Richard
nodded. “Of course. One would not wish to have Lady Pen angry.”
Thomas
laughed. “No. Especially not at us.” The three men were great friends of
longstanding.
“Very
well,” Richard said. “I must away to the Seamen’s home for my crew and then I
shall stop at Caymore House.” He shook Thomas’ hand. “And if your mares refuse
Morpheus, do not say I did not warn you. His reputation precedes him.”
Thomas
smiled. “I’m sure there will be a contented filly in the meadow before too
long.”
