"Here we are your ladyship" Mrs. Wilson smiled as she unlocked the door and pushed it open. Walking inside Liz smiled at the sight of the large four-poster bed. There were rich burgundy drapes tied to the posts and a matching bedspread. The fireplace in the corner wasn't lit but there was a large armchair in front of it with a thick fur rug. A divider was in the other corner with a large tub hidden behind it to provide privacy. It was a wealthy room and Liz could only guess who would take up residence.
"Thank you Mrs. Wilson" She smiled looking at the bed fondly.
"I will have Angelica prepare the bath and bring up a warm meal for you your ladyship" She curtsied as Liz sudden felt the temperature in the room grow warmer. Glancing over at the fireplace she hadn't even noticed that Angelica had lit a fire. She had been so quick and quiet like a mouse as she scurried out the door to do her mistress's bidding.
"Thank you" Liz appreciated again before she was left to the privacy of her room. Sinking into the large armchair Liz let herself sigh in relief. The roaring fire was hypnotising, as Liz couldn't tear her eyes away from it.
"My lady?" A timid voice whispered as Liz felt a nudge on her arm. Jumping Liz hadn't even realised she had fallen asleep as she gazed upon the young maid before her.
"I'm sorry I startled you your ladyship" She apologised her voice shaking, as she had never been in the presence of nobility before.
"I must have fallen asleep. Thank you Angelica" Liz smiled trying to ease the anxiety of the young woman before her. Liz noticed a tray had been brought up with a bowl of steaming soup, fresh bread and sliced chicken. She could also smell the faint scent of roses as she could see the steam rising from behind the divider. Angelica kindly assisted in undoing Liz's dress before she curtsied and left her to her privacy. Letting the dress drop from her body, Liz was happy to peel off her boots and breeches. She pulled out the dagger from her boot and tucked it under her pillow for safekeeping before she turned towards the bath.
Sinking into the warm tub that was filled with rose petals Liz couldn't help but groan in pleasure. Her aching muscles began to relax as she lay back. How she had missed having a bath. Dipping her head back she began to scrub every inch of dirt from her body and hair. Closing her eyes she allowed herself to wash away all her worries for the night. Just for tonight she wasn't the Duchess in the year 1760, she was just plain Liz, enjoying a rose petal bath.
Meanwhile downstairs in the tavern next door the men were silently sitting at a table, drink in hand as they toasted to their fallen brothers. It was a sombre corner of the lively tavern but everyone around them was too drunk to take notice. Or most likely they didn't care. Silently they drank as a barmaid came around and refilled their empty goblets.
"Where's Higgs?" Pablo asked as the men all looked towards Pierre.
"He's settling business before he sets out to Madam Lafontaine" He informed them as they all nodded in understanding and went back to their drinking.
Up in the privacy of his own room Higgs was hunched over his desk with his quill in hand. As he signed the letter he sealed it in wax just as a knock came to the door. Calling them in a young head poked around the door as Higgs waved him inside. Pulling out several coins from his pouch that he had collected from Mr. Wilson he placed them in the boys hands. He gave him strict and precise instructions before he nodded and disappeared out of his room. Higgs watched him from his window as he mounted his horse and disappeared into the night.
Chewing down a few bites of bread, Higgs wiped the exhaustion from his face before he set out. It was well into the night, lampposts were lit as the only source of the light as Higgs walked down the familiar streets. None of the local prostitutes bothered to flirt with Higgs. He never payed them any attention during this time off let alone when he walked like a man on a mission. He finally reached his destination as he knocked on the closed door. He repeatedly knocked against the door as a pair of feet came running downstairs in anger.
"Nom de dieu!" A voice cursed out before the door was swung open.
"Madam Lafontaine" Higgs smiled at the grumpy French woman before him.
"Monsieur Higgs, do you realise what time it is" She grumped before she let him into her shop and shut the door behind him. She fastened her nightgown around her and touched her hair in her attempts to make herself look presentable.
"I was expecting you last week." She grumbled. Her thick French accent was alluring and sweet even though she was annoyed from being woken up in the middle of the night. Madam Kathleen Lafontaine was a respectable seamstress and ran one of the most successful shops in Hastings. Woman of nobility would come flocking to her door for one of her dresses. She was a curvaceous woman in her mid forties. She had left Paris and travelled to England after the death of her husband nearly fifteen years ago.
"I have been hearing that statement a lot in the last few hours. We had a few setbacks." Higgs muttered uncomfortably as he hands trailed across a variety of fabrics that were sitting on the front counter.
"I take it you are not here to deliver my fabric." She huffed as she saw his hands were empty. Madam Lafontaine had an agreement with the Captain of the Golden Empress and his employer. She helped provide certain service (nothing of the lateral kind) and in return the men delivered silks, satins and rich fabrics from their travels as payment. She wasn't desperate for money or fabrics but having a little bit extra at no extra cost on the side didn't hurt. In return she kept documents, money and possessions hidden for them. She also kept her ears open for anything worthwhile reporting; you would be amazed what gossiping wives relieved in her dress shop as though they forgot she was even there.
"Unfortunately no." Higgs whispered sadly as any annoyance that was in her body vanished. She looked up at the man before her slowly. He was exhausted and worn out; his shoulders were sagged as though he held the weight of the world.
"Monsieur Higgs? Has something happened?" She asked as he gave her a brave smile but it didn't reach his eyes.
"What makes you think that?" He chuckled.
"Call it female intuition. Tea?" She flirted as she embraced him from behind. He gave her hand a tight comforting squeeze as her fingers brushed against his forehead. She leant her head on his shoulder and gazed up at the man before her. Madam Lafontaine and Higgs had a special kind of relationship. They were deeply attracted to each other and enjoyed their playful banter and endless flirting but there was one thing they agreed on. They were business partners and they never dared cross into an unprofessional relationship. What they had was too much fun to potentially ruin.
"I may need something stronger before I get into the details." He told her tiredly as she gave him a soft smile and placed a tender kiss on the hand that covered hers.
"I have the perfect thing." She whispered before she disappeared behind a couple of doors. Hearing a rustle of glasses, Higgs made himself comfortable on the plush sofa in the corner.
"We had a run in with Jennings." He called out.
"Horrible man." She snarled as she re-entered with two glasses and a bottle under her armpit. She handed one glass to Higgs before she uncorked the bottle. It was one of the whiskey bottles that the men had asked her to 'look after' several months ago. She thought now would be a perfect time to open it. Higgs hardly touched his glass as he slowly began to tell her what had happened over the past weeks. He didn't spare any details as he started from beginning.
"The poor thing." She whispered after he finished telling her about Liz losing her nephew. He glanced down at his glass before he downed the drink quickly.
"The Captain? Roy?" She asked him hopefully as he shook his head.
"They didn't make it." Higgs knew that Lafontaine had a soft spot for young Roy. He had reminded her of her son that she had lost at a young age from small pox. She had tried desperately to take the boy in under her wing but he was determined not to be mothered and be man and travel the seas.
"Dieu bénisse leur âmes" She sent up prayers as she closed her eyes in sorrow.
"I'm sorry Kathleen" Higgs comforted her as he held her tightly. They stayed in that position for almost an hour as the clock chimed in the distance. It was getting later into the night as Higgs pulled away and placed the glasses on the side table.
"The trunk?" He asked softly breaking her from her thoughts. Sitting up she grabbed her handkerchief and delicately wiped away the tears from her eyes.
"It's safely in the back where you left it." She nodded towards the back door. Higgs knew his way around the place as he disappeared to her back storeroom. Weaving through the shelves of fabric he found the side door he was looking for. It was already unlocked from when Madam Lafontaine had opened it to get the whiskey. In the corner there were several trunks and there were shelves stacked with bottles, small locked chests of money etc.
"Now first thing in the morning you come back here and you bring that poor girl with you." Madam Lafontaine instructed.
"Pardon?" Higgs shouted from within the private room, as he was busy getting himself presentable.
"If what you have told me is true then she will need a new wardrobe." She instructed as Higgs reappeared. One of the trunks that she kept for them held several pairs of suitable clothes for each man. They were highly respectable men of society and they needed the wardrobe to match. Higgs was now dressed in a suit suitable of his position as the Duke's steward. His blue coat was slightly crushed from being folded for so long but Higgs didn't care.
"Is fashion the only thing you can think about?" He teased her as she gave him a grin.
"Of course. Now what is her size?" She asked, her mind buzzing with ideas of what would suit a young Duchess.
"Uhhh?" Higgs answered unintelligibly. He motioned with his hands the size of her waist and a rough guide for her height.
"Men. So useless." She rolled her eyes.
"You wound me." He teased placing a hand over his heart as though she had shot him.
"I need my beauty sleep, get out." She encouraged as she opened the door for him desperately wanting to return to bed.
"But you are a work of art." He caressed her cheek with a naughty grin before she shoved his chest, pushing him out of her shop.
"Out!"