Two or three improvements in the first month, as well as picking up on the general running of the place - that would show the master that he was worth keeping.
John Youle, a skilled man but none too fast on his feet, was coughing, the dust getting to his lungs; he was more than forty and would not get better. Get rid of him and put a youngster on in his place. Keep an eye out all round - they could not afford to carry the sick and unhealthy, and it was unfair on the other hands to make them work next to a man who might have something catching.
He would be busy, and he would make money and the master would never regret choosing him to go up in the world.
"Luke is determined to go overseas again, Elizabeth. Should I try to deter him, do you think?"
She had thought long on the question, had concluded that their erratic brother might become an embarrassment.
"No, Thomas, I think he would be better at far from us for a few years. There is a wildness in him, perhaps because he was so determinedly good as a young man. Even his mama has commented that she can hardly recognise in him the boy that he was. Let him go to the wild islands of the east, and if he comes back, his pockets full of gold dust, then he will be very welcome, as goes without saying. If he does not come back at all, well, that will be a shame, sir. I do not believe he will choose to come back poor."
Lord Star was inclined to agree.
"Heroes of the Greek war are all very well, but a little too Byronic for my taste! I have no doubt that he has had more than one mistress in keeping in these last years - he has mentioned names in passing in his stories of the combat - and I would not wish to see him set up a harem in St Helens. It would not be at all the thing, you know!"
She gravely agreed that it might put local backs up.
"Mr Joseph Andrews is sufficiently raffish for the while, we do not wish to set up a Star in competition with him."
Joseph would have been upset to hear himself described as 'raffish' - he had merely attracted a little of undesired public attention. He had had no intention of causing a furore, and was still not quite sure why he had. In any case, it was not his fault - the dear girl had offered herself to him, and just at the time when his peculiar had become a little too grasping and he had found it necessary to send her on her way.
Joseph was sure that he had been a generous keeper to the previous young... 'lady' was not perhaps the word he was seeking, 'miss' perhaps. She had received at least two hundred pounds in cash in a little less than a year, and a gold bracelet and a necklace with a small diamond; then she had suggested that she would be more comfortable in a bigger house, and with a carriage of her own, and staff, of course. He had given her one hundred sovereigns instead, and invited her to return to her previous place of employment.
With clothes and everything she had made at least as much as she could have in twenty years as a housemaid. She had no grounds for complaint.
No sooner was he feeling the lack of company than Hephzibah had come upon the scene, at first flaunting her education and intelligence, both of which were above average. They had worked together on his designs for parts of steam engines and then one thing had led to another and she had determined, he suspected, to show just how liberated a female she was. She still worked in his office with him and displayed a beautifully precise hand in her drawings - he would miss her draughtsmanship.
Unfortunately, she did seem to have taken pregnant, which was to be regretted, and was feeling somewhat less of an advanced, modern-thinking young woman than had previously been the case. As he certainly was not going to marry her, this was a difficulty - but under no circumstances would he wed with some trollop who did not come virgin to her nuptial bed - the very idea!
That did not mean he would abdicate any of his responsibilities, that would be a very wrong, ungentlemanly thing to do. She would have a cottage and an income sufficient to live respectably, exactly as he understood his father to have done. What was good enough for Papa was good enough for his son. He missed the Old Man, he had been a good father; when he married again, which he was obliged to do - his wealth demanding an heir - his own children would benefit from my lord's example. The bastard would be taken care of, too, just as the man in Dorsetshire had been; he would have riches enough to meet that sort of charge.
“Are you are quite sure you are in the family way, Hephzibah?"
She was, would soon be showing, dared not go into town where her mother or neighbours might see her without a ring on her finger.
"Then you must go elsewhere, my girl. A cottage, with a pair of maids and a cook, of your own, and an income sufficient to live in comfort. You can be a widow-woman, perhaps meet up with a gentleman in a year or two. Your income will be yours irrespective."
"Where am I to go, Joseph? Will you still see me?"
"Best you should show respectable - your neighbours will not wish to see a gentleman visiting you. Would you prefer the sea-coast or rather go inland? North or south?"
She stared in amaze, unbelieving, slowly realised he was serious, was clearing up an untidy piece of business.
"My father told me I would regret ever meeting a gentleman-born! I will go to the coast, sir, and a long way from here!"
Joseph had spent many hours poring over maps, sketching out where railways might one day run, knew all of those parts which would remain remote for many years.
"In West Wales, there is the town of Cardigan, said to be a handsome spot, and healthy. I will arrange for you to go there, ma'am."
Money could achieve a great deal in very short time and his house was very soon his own again. He made a mental note to avoid foolish entanglements in future - these folk from the middle orders were more trouble than they were worth! He sent a letter to his brother James, enquiring whether he might not pay him an extended visit in April or May coming; he did not mention the Season, but his intent was quite obvious.
"Robert! I have a letter from Joseph."
"A rarity indeed, brother, he finds it a labour indeed to write."
"He wishes to make a visit during the Season, a long one."
"Good! I must speak to my lady wife and determine whether we shall show ourselves. I believe your lady will be able to establish just who is eligible amongst her acquaintance and perhaps prepare the ground?"
"Already in hand, brother - much to her delight!"
Book Nine: A Poor Man
at the Gate Series
Chapter Three
Henry Star swept into his own restaurant, trailing an entourage of one bodyguard and four favour-seekers, made his way to the table that was reserved for him every evening, whether he came in or not. It was one of the most expensive and fashionable places in New Orleans, well furnished, heavily staffed and serving the best of food and wines - it made a small profit and gave a little extra lustre to his reputation, countered some of the darker rumours. He acknowledged greetings as he went, smiling faintly at the leading figures of Louisiana Society, many of whom stood as he passed.
The head-waiter held his chair for him, bowing low. The manager arrived at a trot, bowing even lower.
"Good evening, Ti Henry, how are you today, sir?"
"Well indeed, Charles. What have we tonight?"
"Whatever you wish, sir, but I can recommend the crayfish, while the beef is particularly good. A new delivery of wines, sir, fresh from the ship and travelled well."
"Excellent. Crayfish, if you would be so good."
The bodyguard had stepped back into the shadows of the heavy drapes at the back of the room; he would not eat. The four supplicants smiled smarmily and all plumped for crayfish before discovering that the waiter was not interested in their preferences - they would get what Henry ordered.
The wine waiter appeared, filled their glasses and stepped back; Henry drank very little and the others would have no choice in the matter.
Henry glanced around the room, caught the eye of Mr Flamand, indicated that he should come across. Flamand, a merchant in the firearms trade, obeyed ins
tantly.
"The consignment of fifty long rifles, Mr Flamand - I believe they were to have been delivered yesterday?"
Henry was a reasonable man - he would always allow twenty-four hours leeway.
"Storm winds to the east, Ti Henry. The word is that every small coastal vessel has been forced to seek shelter."
"Understandable. How did you come by your information, Mr Flamand?"
If the merchantmen had taken cover then there was no obvious source of news.
"British Navy, Ti Henry, made port this morning, storm-battered - hurricane force out at sea they said - had to run and was forced into the Gulf. Bound for Jamaica, or so I was told."
Henry nodded - that was acceptable, he was probably telling the truth.
"One cannot legislate for Acts of God, Mr Flamand. Inform me as soon as you have knowledge, if you would be so good."
"On the instant, Ti Henry."
Flamand was an old acquaintance in the trade, allowed to use Henry's nickname, doing so frequently so that others might know he was one of the elite.
'Petit', shortened to 'Ti', was of Creole origin, used only for the biggest of men, those best known and worthy of great respect. It was a statement in itself.
The crayfish arrived and the table settled to eat, Henry watching, assessing all four.
The Englishman, Bates, had appeared with a letter of general recommendation from his banker, Hoares of London. What he wanted was not yet disclosed. He was eating with pleasure but no great greed, sipping appreciatively at his wine.
A Northerner, Mr Jedediah Horner, who came from New York and 'rather thought they had mutual acquaintance', and was gobbling his meal with no sign at all that he cared for its flavour or quality. His glass was empty.
A local planter, Patey, rake-thin and dyspeptic, eating a penance to him and wine out of the question, poor chap!
Herr Schultz, recently arrived from Hamburg and with an interest, he said, in sugar. He was pecking at his food, not what he was used to, it seemed.
Henry thought one could tell much about a man from observing him at table, and had developed a reputation for courtesy as a result. Any man who came to him could generally expect a good meal if nothing else.
"What is this I hear from Greece, Mr Bates? The Navy thrashing the Turks in battle, though not actually at war with them?"
"We are at war now, Mr Star, though only temporarily and with no land action expected. The rights and wrongs will be debated for this many a year, I suspect, and it does seem that Admiral Codrington may have overstepped the mark - but the Egyptian fleet has been effectively destroyed and the army it supported is no more as a result. Greece is free of the Ottoman yoke, sir, and the world is a cleaner place."
"Will the Russians and Austrians acquiesce, Mr Bates?"
"The Russians very certainly - a squadron of theirs took part in the battle. The Austrians are less than happy, wanting a greater influence in the new Greece than now seems likely. The French government, who had trained and equipped the Egyptians, are most displeased, and may well court-martial their admiral for his part in the battle, but will do nothing to him other than smacking his wrist because their King Charles is enmeshed in domestic difficulties. The French Navy is determined to wipe out the remaining Barbary corsairs and simply ignores the policy of the Army and the politicians who wish to make alliance with the Ottoman Empire."
"I had not heard - though perhaps I should have done."
"As well, Charles is attempting to restore the absolute power of the pre-revolutionary monarchy and is surrounding himself with the most appalling of petty tyrants. There will be an uprising within a very few years and he is already trying to commit the Austrians and Russians and Prussians to march to his aid in such case."
"Will they? And will they march back home again afterwards if they do?"
"England is anxious that they should not intervene in any disorder that may arise. There are those who believe that our government will support any rebellion against King Charles that is led by moderates, not wanting another set of revolutionary wars."
There would no European war then, Henry thought. The power of England was such that the other nations would acquiesce, and Charles of France would discover his days on the throne to be numbered. Besides that, he seemed to remember that Charles had, in his youth, been a trimmer in the Revolution and had actually voted for the death of King Louis – which suggested that he would be short of European allies when his own time came.
Bates was familiar with the political scene - what was he?
"And what is opinion in the Germanies on the matter, Herr Schultz?"
"It is not for merchants to have an opinion on the doings of government, Mr Star."
Henry dismissed him as a crawler - a typical Prussian.
Horner spoke up, unasked, gave it as his opinion that the English were too big for their boots, trying to set the whole world to rights as they were.
"Interfering in South America again, as well, Mr Star, and as everyone knows, that is America's part of the world."
"I had thought the Spanish had an interest there, in fact, Mr Horner."
"Their day is done, sir, and they must soon come to realise that reality."
Another one! There had been an expedition mounted only two years before to expel the Spanish from the lands that were obviously American. That one had barely left New Orleans before it was forced to return, the ship the leaders had bought at considerable expense being unseaworthy, but it was never-ending, an adventurer appearing every second week it seemed. He would get nothing from Henry.
Patey said nothing, could not be drawn into conversation; Henry begged him to drop by his office next morning.
"I wish to sell up, Mr Star, to get out of the plantation entirely. I have no wife, no children, and wish to go north and retire in a cooler clime. I believe that my doctor would prefer me to sell quickly by private treaty and that you, even if you are not interested yourself, could point me in the right direction - for a fee, of course."
Henry had no use for a second plantation - he was investing elsewhere than in the South, being unable to see a future in the slave states. He knew of three hopefuls, New Orleans merchants or bankers who wanted to establish themselves on land of their own, to join the gentry.
"I can certainly put you into contact with gentlemen who might well be interested, Mr Patey. As for a fee, sir - no such thing! Between one gentleman and another, sir! Give me three days, sir, come back on Friday, if you would be so good!"
The word would get out of Ti Henry's kindness to a fellow gentleman in poor health; it would do no harm at all. The eventual purchaser would feel obligated to him as well, so there would be no loss for the hour or two of effort it would cost him.
He sat to his work for a while longer - he was still in charge of the Militia Office, and had an interest in Roads and Bridges now and was a member of several committees - all unpaid, it went without saying. There was a move to greatly expand the docks and to build a series of levees to control flooding, both proposals costing into the millions. Henry had achieved a measure of popularity by cutting those costs massively - the bulk of the labour would be provided by convicts in chain gangs, following the example set by the British on the Gibraltar docks. In part because of this, Henry had recently become one of the Prison Commissioners for the State, mostly in charge of finding work for the prisoners.
Mr Horner came to his appointment later in the morning, effusively thanking Henry for his time.
"The Red River, Mr Star, opens much of the western plains, giving access to the hills of the north as well as to the open prairies. Shooters working the Great Herd could use it to move buffalo hides east; prospectors would be able to penetrate the inland more easily; ranchers could establish themselves in safer parts. The essential requirement would be a steam boat, shallow draught and more powerful than the general run, because she can be a fast river and rough in parts. Four boats, in fact, initially."
Henry knew very li
ttle of the Red River.
"Indian country, is it not Mr Horner?"
"It is, Mr Star, so a pair of cannon in the bows would make sense, as would a couple of small field guns, galloper guns, that could be run ashore. I can find the men, ex-soldiers and sailors, without too much difficulty. I have the money as well, sir, being backed by a New York consortium. What I need is the willing and enthusiastic cooperation of a good river ship-builder, sir."
"You have drawings?"
Horner opened a portfolio he had brought with him, spread a dozen professionally produced engineering drawings on the desk.
"Not my field, Mr Horner - I am no technical man, but I can recognise a thorough job of work when I see one! My yard is over on the Algiers side, Mr Horner. If you would go across tomorrow morning then my people will be awaiting you. If they agree that your proposals are good then they will price the job and give you a time for their completion. If you come to an outline agreement with them, then return to me and we will finalise the contract. You will need a dock and depot on the Big River, I would imagine, and you may want local workers - all can be provided, sir."
A pleasant surprise - he had fully expected to have his ear bent by another wild visionary prospect of conquest of the Spanish or Mexicans. This could well be a practical and profitable venture.
He took a bite of lunch at his desk, as was his habit, and then prepared himself for the Englishman who called himself Bates. He had had an upstairs man, a professional hotel thief, pay a visit to Mr Bates' hotel room while he was at breakfast - not to steal but to take a look at his background. He was evidently in the habit of travelling, had his initials sewn into his shirts for the benefit of hotel laundries - 'JHF', which did not seem to be those expected of a Mr Bates.
A professional conman? A fraudster? Not an assassin, too open, visible to too many people. An employee of some branch of the British government was not impossible. A confidential emissary of a British firm, checking out the prospects of the market for some goods, or seeking investments?
A Parade Of Virtue (A Poor Man At The Gate Series Book 9) Page 6