"Twenty-seven Charlotte Street?" he asked reading the note scrawled obviously in haste upon the back of one of Miss Bingley's elegant calling cards. "And she said not a word of what it was she wished for me to collect?"

"None sir. The mistress only instructed for me to bring the carriage to you and giv' you the note. That is all I know; that and I am to come ta' Yorkshire with you. Said I was to watch over you so she did."

"Did she really," Montague mused, unable to stop himself from grinning as his amusement creased the corners of his mouth into a full on smile. "Your mistress is all generosity. A travelling chariot no less, we shall not even need to stop en route if we are so desirous. Who would have thought such an item in their possession; though I am never one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Simon will you liaise with my valet and have my trunk secured. I shall be ready to leave shortly. I have a few letters of correspondence I am afraid I must see to before I am ready to depart. Please make your way down to the kitchen, Miss Brown will see to you in the meanwhile. May as well fill your boots before we depart. I wish to be on the road no later than one."

Montague left the young lad and made towards his study, securing the door firmly behind him.

"I am terribly sorry to have kept you waiting. You say you have located the whereabouts of the warden? And what of the records?"

"I was a former Bow Street Runner, of course I found him. The previous warden, a Mr Benjamin Turnpike, been retired these last six years. I was surprised to see it is his son Frank who now rules the place with an iron fist."

"Did you speak with them? Are the records still present?"

"I did not speak to either man in person, that was not part of our arrangement. As for the records I did try but they would not let me near them. I hazard a guess they would for a fancy man of the law such as yourself."

"Anything further of interest I should be aware of?"

"Nothing to raise any alarm. Would appear Alfred Bingley to be a man well respected, no funny business that I could find. Fond of the bottle and a loyal denizen of Mrs Yates boarding house. But for this I cannot judge him too harshly for all men must have at least one avocation."

Montague looked across his desk at the gentleman before him. How very conflicting their views on such a pastime were; he scowled slightly, voicing none of his censure. He took note of the various addresses and names within his pocket book before standing, giving indication that their exchange was now over. He slid several notes towards the gentleman across the table. "Your fee."

"Always a pleasure doing business with you, Mr Montague. Had never been to Scarborough, but you now have the name of my contacts in the area if you are in need of any further assistance during your visit."

"Thank you Mr Michaels. As always, I shall be in touch."

He watched the gentleman depart before resuming his seat. Taking paper from his drawer he began to feverishly respond to urgent matters. He had other clients to be manage, alongside various obligations at the Inn, for he had taken several young students of the law under his tutelage; yet at present all his attention must rest with Caroline and her family. He was determined to eradicate Alfred Bingley from his cousin's lives, the rest would simply need to wait until his return to London.


Stepping down from the carriage he looked up and down the street with much curiosity. It was a modest neighbourhood, nothing particularly of merit; the pavement was relatively clean, the windows with their white lace curtains appearing all but proper. What on earth could Caroline have left him to collect from such an address? He strode purposely up to the door of twenty-seven and wrapped hard upon the door knocker. He could hear movement and hushed voices from within. He felt slightly uneasy, taking a step backwards towards the street.

Momentarily the door opened and a dark haired woman stood before him; adorned in a plain black dress, her hair piled high upon her head. She beamed as her eyes settled upon him.

"You mus' be Mr Montague," she spoke in a thick East London accent; "I hav' been expecting you this last two hours so I have. Quickly now quickly, come inside. Miss Bingley was adamant that I only give the item to you." He noted although her accent was decidingly working-class, she held herself well and moved most elegantly aside to allow him entry. Although her dress was plain, it was fringed in what appeared to be Italian lace. He followed her into the hallway, glancing over his shoulder at young Simon standing guard by the carriage, before closing the door.

"Just in the parlour so it is. Bleedin 'eavy so it was. Had to get my neighbours lad to help me drag it indoors. Caro never does nuffin' by halves I can tell you. You might need that young carriage lad of yours ter give you a 'elp."

Montague looked at the woman with much curiosity. Caro? Who exactly was this woman? He was just about to enquire to whom he was addressing, when she pointed to the heavy offending item.

"A trunk?" He exclaimed upon seeing the large chest sitting alone in the middle of the room. He noted the room décor was rather pleasant, with ornate furniture and decorative furnishings. Perhaps the woman was simply the house keeper.

He moved towards the item, ready to undo the fastening in order to enquire to its contents.

"She told me to tell you that it was to remain unopened until you reach Yorkshire. Most adamant she was too. Said I was to be firm with you. Do not make me break my promise."

He looked at the trunk with increased curiosity, nodding his compliance. He would open the blasted thing anyway as soon as he was within the privacy of his carriage.

Moving to lift the item, he staggered under its weight. Retrieving Simon, both eventually manoeuvred the item out to the pavement. He turned to address the woman, leaving Simon and the driver to place the trunk within the carriage compartment.

"I must beg your forgiveness, for I am afraid although you know my name I still do not know to whom I owe thanks."

"Miss Taylor," she replied, eyeing the large travelling carriage with much curiosity. Meeting his gaze she laughed; "as I said Caro is never one to do anything by halves."

He tipped his hat to her, waiting until she had once again returned indoors before entering the awaiting carriage. He had barely got inside before the carriage pulled away sharply, causing him to practically fall into the empty seat opposite him.

"Whatever took you so long? Honestly, if I thought for a moment I was going to be left this long I would have brought something in which to keep myself occupied!"

"What the devil are you doing here?" he cried his temper instantly flaring.

"What in the devil do you think I am doing here? Did you really believe I would allow you to venture off to Scarborough on your own?"

"That is exactly what I expected. It is exactly what was discussed!"

"Do not raise your voice at me Cedric. It was not discussed, it was merely what you stated as your intent. Do not chastise me for your own foolish mistake."

"Mistake! My foolish mistake! How difficult is it Caroline for you, for once in your life, to do what you are told. To do what is thought best for you. What do you intend to achieve by coming with me? Regardless of the impropriety of the situation, I shall hardly remain inconspicuous arriving with a female companion in tow!"

"Well you were hardly likely to remain inconspicuous when one arrives in a European traveling chariot. Makes rather a bold statement does it not? But of course with that you have no issue!"

"I should have known a woman such as you would be in possession of something so grossly ostentatious. At least a carriage can be ordered to be left somewhere inconspicuous at ones direction, you on the other hand it would appear cannot!"

"And what would you have me do? Simply sit at home in order to await my fate? I rather think not." She could not help herself, with her temper mounting she barked at him rather ungraciously; "remember to whom you are employed and the importance of the task in hand!"

"Are we to find ourselves back here again?" he cried in exasperation. "Are we not past this Caroline? We are far more than merely a man and his employer. What more can I say to prove this to you? It would appear nothing I can say will convince you that I am only thinking of your best interests. I promised I would protect you. I am doing all of this for you!"

"Then we are in agreement it is my reputation, my life; why should I not be allowed to have some control of the matter?"

"It is not safe."

"You would not allow anything untoward to happen to me. I am safe as long as I am with you." Her composure softened as she spoke these words, realising that although she believed she did indeed need to see what was going on first hand, she really did only feel truly safe when in the presence of Cedric. "I need to be with you. Please do not leave me in London. I promise I shall not be in your way."

He looked at her, still utterly fuming. How could she be so utterly stupid, so entirely selfish? He reached up and hit the roof of the carriage with his fist, a signal for the driver to stop.

"If you think you are about to remove me from this carriage, I think not. I shall scream."

"I have no intention of taking you with me and that is final. Caroline, the people I wish to see, the information I intend to uncover; these are not things suitable for the eyes and ears of a young woman. Even more so if they are then linked to your family. It may be very distressing."

"And you think conversing over the dining room table with the very gentleman who wishes to ruin my life, or quite simply my virtue, is not distressing? Do you honestly think I find any pleasure in listening to him tell me how he wishes to own me? That my giving myself to him willingly is the only way to secure my brother's future? To have him look at me like a hungry dog upon a bone? I am sure I would not be privy to hearing anything more distasteful in Scarborough than is already being addressed to me in my very own home."

He leaned forward, taking her hands in his. "What sort of man addresses a woman in such a manner." The anger in his voice was evident. "But it has all been arranged. Colville will invite him to stay with him, failing that Miss de Bourgh will have you come visit at Grosvenor Square."

"It would never have worked. He instantly suspected there was more to Lord Colville's offer. I had to convince him it was my plan, that I wished him to elevate his standing. I told him securing such an advantageous association would please me. I..." She let go of his hands and crossed her arms over her chest. "I told him he has three months to recommend himself to my brother until I am of age. Charles can never be allowed to suspect anything untoward."

"Whatever do you mean," Montague asked, slight panic rising in his voice. "What in the devil does that have to do with anything?"

She lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "If whatever you have planned does not work, that there is no way to secure my family from the wrath of our cousin; I have agreed to marry cousin Alfred in exchange for his silence. Once I turn one and twenty I shall inherit and can marry whom of my choosing." She paused, reading the pain in his expression. "What else could I do? I possess the power to stop all of this. It seemed the safest of options."

"You cannot be serious," he all but whispered, his eyes still searching hers. "Why would you agree to such a thing"

"I have been a selfish creature all my life. I have been unkind and I have been callous in my own ambition. But I would do anything to protect Charles and Louisa. I have worked too hard for it to be all for nothing. Surely you of all people can understand that?"

"I can not allow you to condemn yourself to such a future. I have every intention to fix this."

"I was rather hoping you would say that." She smiled at him weakly in an attempt to lighten the mood. "So you see Mr Montague, this is why I must in fact travel with you to Scarborurgh. It is rather imperative that you carry out this plan of yours to its full extent. For I have no desire to ever be known as Mrs Bingley."

"Is that so," he said as he moved to sit next her upon the opposite seat.

"Most definitely."

"And pray what would be your preference?" He enquired with growing amusement.

"Oh, that is a very good question indeed;" she replied turning her body slightly in order to lean gently against his shoulder. "It is a difficult answer to call, though I am always open to suggestions?"

"You are the most infuriating woman of my acquaintance," he replied moving his arm around her back to pull her closer into the crook of his shoulder.

"Oh hush, you find it one of my most charismatic traits. I would hedge all my pin money it is the very basis of your ever growing fondness with regards to my person."

"No my dear," he replied with a bemused smile, using his free hand to hit upon the roof of the carriage. As the horses began to move forward once more, he placed a kiss lightly upon the top of her forehead; "I think you will find it is one of the many reasons that in spite of such a maddening trait, I love you."