Chapter Three #3
Norville smiled. “You are the kind of man who makes your own luck, David. Not many men could have done the intelligence work you did for so many years without being captured. You are a clever man. You will find the right situation for yourself. Of that I am certain. Luck will have nothing to do with it.”
He supposed the duke was right. It was up to him to carve out his own destiny. Leaving the study, he ventured down to the stables, where he found Henry waiting for him.
“I knew you were to ride into the village this morning. Elinor told me so. I would like to accompany you if I may.” He signaled, holding up two fingers, and a groom hurried away to saddle their horses.
“It is not a social call I am paying, Henry. I will be looking for gainful employment.”
Henry smiled. “Then it couldn’t hurt to have the future local duke with you now, would it?”
His friend laughed easily, and David joined in. “You are not to tell others they must hire me,” he warned. “But you are welcome to come along.”
They mounted their horses and rode the two miles into Kidsgrove, where they left their mounts at the local blacksmith, who also rented horses and small vehicles. He inquired about any openings, and the owner said he had nothing available, but he would keep David in mind.
The village was on the smaller side, but it had everything the locals needed.
An inn, which also served as the pub. A bakery, which also had tables and chairs and served as the local tea shop.
A tailor, where he’d had a small wardrobe made up once they had arrived, since he needed civilian clothes.
A dressmaker and milliner. A jeweler and shoemaker.
They called at each of these establishments, making pleasant conversation, and David ascertained that none of the owners would be engaging help anytime soon.
Disappointed, they made their way to Mr. Shaft’s shop, which was the largest in Kidsgrove, and carried a variety of goods, including food and sundries.
The proprietor greeted them with a smile as they entered. “Lord Marbury, Mr. Rochester, how good it is to see the both of you on this fine day.”
“How are you doing, Mr. Shaft?” inquired Henry.
“Funny you should ask that of me, my lord. I will be leaving Kidsgrove soon.”
“Leaving?” David asked quickly. “Where might you be off to, Mr. Shaft?”
“Things haven’t been the same since I lost Mrs. Shaft two years ago. I am looking to sell my shop and move to the northern side of Keswick. My brother has a farm there, and he is in need of help, as well as company.”
He exchanged a look with Henry, who nodded encouragingly at him.
“Have you found a buyer?”
“No, not yet. In fact, I was working on an advertisement just now when you came in.”
“What price will you ask?” David asked, knowing if he could buy Mr. Shaft’s shop, he would be able to live in the area he loved, with Henry and his family nearby.
Mr. Shaft named a price, and David nodded thoughtfully. “Might you give me a tour of the place? I am very much interested in remaining in this community. Owning this shop would be a good start.”
The shopkeeper looked taken aback. “You are interested in purchasing my shop, Mr. Rochester?”
“I recently left the army. I would prefer to stay in this area. Please show me around, Mr. Shaft. It would give me a better idea if this is the place for me.”
They moved through the various goods on display, from barrels of basic items such as flour, sugar, coffee, and tea, to farm tools and fishing poles. Mr. Shaft also stocked a variety of items, such as fabrics, ribbons, and combs, as well as children’s toys and a few books.
That stirred an idea within him.
“Are your living quarters located above your shop?”
“Yes. Let me take you upstairs to view them,” Mr. Shaft offered.
As they took in the rooms upstairs, an idea began to blossom in his mind.
Turning to the older man, he said, “I will take it.”
Flabbergasted, Mr. Shaft said, “You are not pulling my leg now, are you?”
“No leg pulling is involved,” he replied. “It is a serious offer, sir. I hope you will accept it.”
The shopkeeper’s smile grew wide. “Then we have ourselves a deal, Mr. Rochester.”
They shook hands and made arrangements to travel to Keswick together the next morning.
It was the closest city which held a bank.
They would also need to see a solicitor while they were there and have him draw up papers for the sale.
Henry offered his father’s carriage, saying the duke would most likely be interested in accompanying them.
Mr. Shaft seemed more in awe of riding in a ducal carriage with a duke than at having sold his livelihood.
After they left the shop and began walking along the main street of the village to retrieve their horses, Henry said, “David Rochester. Shopkeeper.”
He smiled. “Oh, I will be more than a shopkeeper. Your father offered me the use of a cottage on his estate, and I will be living there.”
Henry frowned. “Then if you are not going to live above the shop, what will you do with that space?”
“What I feel I was meant to pursue. Something which I always yearned to do from the time I was a boy, but I pushed aside all thoughts of it when I committed to serve the crown.” David paused. “I am going to bring a bookshop and lending library to Kidsgrove.”