Working Man, Society Bride. Mary Nichols

it was Gorridge had to say.

      ‘I believe I owe you the price of a barrel of ale,’ Edward said. ‘It has been left in cash with the publican at the Golden Lion. Let it not be said Edward Gorridge does not honour his debts.’

      ‘It is of no account. A barrel of ale was a small price to pay for an evening’s entertainment.’

      ‘No doubt.’ Edward’s voice was clipped. ‘But a debt is a debt. On the other hand, there was no call to extend it beyond the hostelry and humiliate me when I was too ill to protest.’

      ‘Ill?’ Myles smiled, knowing exactly what he meant. ‘I would have done the same for any man.’

      ‘No doubt you would, having no pretension to the manners of a gentleman.’

      ‘I say,’ Joe protested. ‘That was uncalled for.’

      ‘Hush, Joe,’ Myles said. ‘Mr Gorridge is right and I should apologise.’

      It was more than Edward had expected. ‘Apology accepted. But that doesn’t mean the other matter is forgotten.’

      ‘Other matter?’

      ‘To shift twenty tons of rubble in a day.’

      ‘When the line goes through.’

      ‘When do you think that will be?’

      ‘As soon as the surveying is done and the rest of the finance raised. I believe Viscount Gorridge is one of the principals, so I do not envisage any problems. Except, of course, the Earl is holding back.’

      ‘He will come round. He and my father were discussing it only yesterday. I am sure, when the advantages are pointed out to him, he will let you have his piece of land. He might even be persuaded to invest some of his own money and you will need to look no further for your finance.’

      ‘That would certainly hurry things up.’

      ‘What are the advantages?’ Lucy asked, determined not to be left out of the discussion, though what she could contribute she did not know. It was simply that she did not like being ignored and she wanted the navvy to notice her.

      ‘Why, with our own railway station we can hop on a train any time we like, go wherever we like,’ Edward answered. ‘Once the line from London to York is completed, I can reach our house in Yorkshire inside a day.’