Page 164 of A Winter By the Sea
Then came two more mourning coaches pulled by six horses each, which carried the duke’s attendants. A file of soldiers marched alongside, and officers brought up the rear.
The procession came to an abrupt halt not far from Sea View. A group of men lined up to form a cordon across Glen Lane, preventing the cortège from moving forward.
“What are they doing?” Georgiana exclaimed.
Mr. Thomson muttered, “I warned Conroy something like this might happen. He said they would not dare.”
“What is happening?” Mr. Hornbeam asked, eyebrows high behind his dark glasses.
Emily said, “Some men are blocking the road.”
“I recognize most of them,” Sarah said. “The barber, Mr. Turner. The poultryman, butcher, and greengrocer. Even Mr. Farrant.”
Mr. Thomson nodded. “Tradesmen and shopkeepers who supplied the party’s needs and have not been paid.”
Captain Conroy leapt from the third carriage, pistol drawn.
“No!” James sprang forward and sprinted up the lane, moving quickly to put himself between the captain and the line of people who were simply demanding what they were owed.
“James, no ...” Emily protested, hands to her mouth. He was not even armed.
The captain growled, “Out of my way, Thomson!”
Nearby, the soldiers stiffened to attention.
At that moment, General Wetherall, the comptroller, alighted from the attendants’ carriage. He shouted Conroy’s name and raised a staying hand. Then, with humble solicitude, he apologized and thanked the tradesmen for their forbearance. He handed James a ledger and leather pouch and assured the men Mr. Thomson would pay them what they were due.
Georgiana quietly narrated the events to Mr. Hornbeam while those watching—especially Emily—sighed in collective relief.
James waited until the captain returned to his carriage and then began paying the tradesmen. The soldiers, horses, and coaches began to move again.
A short while later, James rejoined the others, handing Sarah an envelope. “What we owe Sea View.”
“Thank you.”
The procession continued toward the beach and then throughthe town, where the streets were lined by silent, grieving folk there to witness the melancholy parade.
After departing Sidmouth, and after three overnight stops on the way, the cortège would continue to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, where Prince Edward would be laid to rest.
———
When the procession had disappeared from view, everyone returned to the house. Georgiana’s friend Hannah joined them, and the two younger girls went up to Georgie’s room. Mamma went to her own room, Mr. Hornbeam to his, and Sarah went belowstairs with the servants to prepare a belated breakfast.
Finding herself alone in the parlour with Mr. Thomson, Emily said, “Captain Conroy is certainly ill-tempered.”
“Yes. He is also unfailingly attentive to the duchess. And the truth is, the duke left her with little more than debts, and she has yet to receive permission to return to Kensington Palace. She will need a great deal of help. For all his faults, Conroy is a skilled administrator.”
“It was brave of you to stand up to him again today.”
“I learned from you.”
“Ha ha. No, I am serious. It was good of you. And when I think of you giving Mr. During your wages!”
He shrugged. “Bernardi did as well.”
“Yes, and I was impressed with you both. But mostly you, truth be told. As I said before, you, James Thomson, Esquire, are a gentleman in the best sense of that word. You are strong and honorable, gentle and brave. And that is enough for me.”
His eyes kindled, and he stepped closer. Voice low, he said, “Is it?”
