Governor Eldridge's Estate

Sir Edward arrived in a carriage drawn by two men. The elder and much paler of the pair was a Scotsman called Mister Cox. Though his Christian name was known to be Abraham, no one in the New World ever employed it. He was, forever and simply, Mister Cox. He had served as Sir Edward's manservant for almost twenty years now, having met early in the civil war. Sir Edward trusted no man, and possibly any woman, half so much as Mister Cox.

The other escort also bore a Christian name, but it was his lone connection to that faith. Clarence had been born Kondo, and remained Kondo in the slave quarters of the Bliss plantation. His English was excellent. His grooming was impeccable. He could brook the harshest of terms a guest might employ on him. Truly, a model house slave and well worth the money his owner had employed.

It should be noted to the unfamiliar reader that Sir Edward, despite his many horrifying characteristics, thought himself an abolitionist in his heart. After ten years of loyal and faithful service, he declared privately to his living chattel inside the walls of his complex, each slave would be provided papers declaring them free. Sir Edward hoped that they might be so inclined to remain behind of their volition and continue to work the land on his behalf, but if not, then fresh flesh was cheap. Or free, should their prior employers be inclined to negotiate in Spanish.

Messrs Cox and Clarence halted the carriage before the governor's mansion. Mister Cox descended from the driver's seat and opened his master's door.

As his wife and subordinates could attest, Sir Edward kept his hair tightly shorn in military fashion. But as he was not currently strutting across the deck of a warship, his features were adorned with the great brunette wigs common at court. It was thrice as long as he had ever worn his actual hair, and it draped itself across some truly fine clothes.

"Mister Clarence." Said the privateer to the property. "Remain with the carriage. Mister Cox shall make an effort to smuggle you some dinner from the governor's kitchen once the opportunity presents itself. If any man harasses you, then employ my name. If he harasses you once more upon hearing it, then mark his features and relay them to me afterwards. If he has a Spanish accent, then relay them to Mister Cox promptly."

He looked at the other carriages with unmasked disdain. "If gossip proves faithful, I prophesy this to be a short dinner."

"Thank you for your kind wishes. Though I fear this foreign air remains a pestilence in her lungs." He began walking with the younger man. "I would return her to England, but I fear for her condition during such a journey. Speaking of journeys... You are more your father's son every time I see you. Tell me, have you already considered a profession abroad? Or will you remain in this new Eden and tend your family's fortunes?"

Edward beamed at the younger man's words. Military service was something he thought highly of, despite the fact that he had never technically served in an officially recognized capacity. "I have tremendous respect for your family. If you should find yourself in Hertfordshire, do feel free to visit my estate. I will fashion letters to that effect. It would be a shame if you were not able to see more of the homeland. This..." He gestured to the Americas in a wide, sweeping motion. "...may be the future of England. But it is not England."

He gave a bow to the governor, before turning to study the stranger. "They know of it, but they do not appreciate it, I think. I have turned down... How many commissions so far, Mister Cox? Three or four? At least three or four commissions in exchange for relinquishing my letter of marque. I, of course, refuse every time."

He raised a hand as though warding off a curse. "Not out of scorn, mind you. But I am always thinking I will retire after this expedition, or the next expedition, or the next. But of course, I don't. And for the good of the empire,I should think."

Edward took the hand. "We'll converse again before night's end, Mister Nelson. You may count on it." He looked about the room. "Speaking of lurking threats... Have you perchance seen the Spanish governor in person?"

Edward chuckled. "More gold than love, certainly. I would love nothing more than to provoke the man further, but I have enough troubles with the Spanish at present. I had intended... And still do... To make another expedition south. Past the West Indies and Spanish warships. However..." He looked past Nelson as though surveying the horizon. "It occurs to me we should have that conversation sooner than later, if you're so inclined."

The privateer looked about. "I'm sure the governor won't mind us suborning a quiet room for our purposes."

Edward took a seat, poured wine for both men, and then began his tale. "As you're perfectly aware, England has little to no military presence south of Florida. We have Port Royal, but no steady means of defending our shipping routes, leaving it exposed to pirates and Governor Domingo's brethren. God save King Charles, but he has no legitimate children. His brother James is a pawn of the Pope. And Parliament is content to suck on the twin teats of Jamestown and Charlestown. In short, Britain is weak where our enemies are making vast fortunes. Unfortunately, I lack the resources to simply do something about it. My service for the English crown has made me perhaps the most hated man in Spanish waters, despite the fact that I am, pardon my bluntness, one of the few men with the experience to get the job done. In addition, I will need more ships and men."