Ten days later, the Albions took them on a journey to the west. James came too, and young Grey Albion. It was a pleasant party, all the more so as Mercy had the chance to observe her son and the Albion boy. Young Grey had a very sweet nature, and it was clear that James quite enjoyed acting the elder brother to him. They went down to the New Forest, where the Albion family came from, and across to Sarum and Stonehenge. They enjoyed the ancient intimacy of the forest, and admired the huge agricultural estates around Sarum. Albion also told them much about the improved farming methods and machinery that were bringing England an ever increasing prosperity. From Stonehenge they had gone to Bath, and spent several delightful days in the fashionable Roman spa.

It was here, in the pump room one morning, that Albion encountered a friend. Captain Stanton Rivers came from an important family. The captain was a slim, graceful man in his late thirties, and his father was a lord. But it was his older brother who would inherit the title and estate, and so the captain had to make his way in the world. “Any officer in the British Navy longs for war,” he told them with a pleasant smile, “for it brings the hope of prize money. We navy men are just glorified privateers, you know. And here at Bath,” he added frankly, “there are always plenty of officers like myself hoping to find an heiress or a rich widow. But at present,” he announced, “I have another prospect in mind. I’m thinking of going to America.”

“And what do you mean to do there?” Albion asked with some amusement.

“I’ve received word, Arthur, from a friend in Carolina that there’s a widow there, without heirs but of childbearing age, who possesses two excellent plantations, and who hopes to marry again. She wants a gentleman of good family. He sent me a miniature of her, and assures me that despite telling her every fault in my character that he can think of, he has not been able to deter the lady from considering me.”

“You mean to go to Carolina?”

“I have already discovered what I can about plantations. I believe I could learn to manage one. I intend to make a tour of the colonies, and visit New York as well,” he said. “Carolina widow or not, I mean to learn as much about our American colonies as I can.”

A glance from Albion indicated to John Master that his host would like him to oblige his friend. He needed no further hint.

“Then I hope you’ll do me the honor of staying with us in New York,” he said. “I should be delighted to be of service to you.”