"How long do you plan to stay in London?"

Samuel pulled on his riding coat and turned to face Haliford. "I'm not sure, Father."

Two weeks had been enough for Samuel. He couldn't stand to be near Caroline or George and his father had barely spoken to him since their discussion. Any time they had, had together was always disturbed by one or the other of the siblings. The thought of the pair made the constant heat, he'd carried, since coming home, boil in his gut. "I should like to get to know the world a little more before I decide what to do with my life." Sam pushed his large hand into a glove.

"Yes." Haliford chuckled. "A young man needs to sow some wild oats before he marries."

"Marries?" Samuel shook his head. "I'll leave that up to other men." He glanced over Haliford's shoulder to look at where the insipid Caroline stood with her overbearing brother beside her. Sam couldn't help but feel they were glad he was going to stay with Frederick. He had often caught them looking in his direction to then whisper to each other. "You seem to have made a fine job of marriage, father. If your example is anything to go by, I think I'll give marriage a wide berth."

"Samuel?" Haliford pleaded. "I know things have been strained but you need to respect my decisions."

"As you need to respect mine, father. I am no longer a child that you can send away to boarding school, because my questions are too hard to answer. I'm sorry, but what is happening here is so blindingly obvious and I'm am frustrated and disappointed that you insist on brushing my opinions aside."

Haliford gripped his arm. "Samuel." He leaned in closer. "I have heard you, son, and your words have not been ignored."

A moment of silence passed between the two men before Samuel gripped his father's hand. "Thank you. I bid you farewell, sir. I will try very hard to erase the feelings I have but I'm afraid they have left my mind in a shadow."

Nodding his acceptance of his son's words, Haliford stepped back. "Ride safe, Samuel. I hope your time in London will bring you happiness."

"I hope so too, father. I beg you to watch your back." Samuel glanced over at the pair again. Though he had watched them carefully, and had Anderson spying, no evidence had been gathered to prove they weren't brother and sister. He'd left instructions with Anderson to continue to keep an eye on them while he was away.

*

The horse was as eager as Samuel to get moving. It jittered back and forth as he settled himself in the saddle. Sam leaned forward and ran his hand down the Arabian's neck. He was beautiful. Jet black with a white tail and mane. "Well, Cole, shall we do this?" Sam let the stallion have his head. The horse leapt forward and went straight into a gallop. Once they rode out through the gates of Denbury Hall, Sam slowed the stallion into a canter until he could no longer see the spires of the manor. He sucked in a breath of fresh air. For some reason he felt completely free. The atmosphere within the hall was stifling. Let his father deal with the choices he had made. It was time for Samuel to make decisions of his own.

He set the animal to a walk, and then ran his hand down its neck once more. "What should I do first, Cole?" Samuel mused. What did he want from life? His father talked of marriage. Not something he had ever thought about before and not something he planned to do in the near future. The thought of going to balls and parties just to select a young woman to breed with did not appeal to him. That was Fred's job. He was the first born. It was up to him to provide an heir.

So, Samuel thought, how would he spend his life? He looked down at the beautiful animal he was riding. Thomas Lytton came to mind. Breed Arabians. This was something he could do. Denbury Hall had large stables and plenty of land. The only problem was his stepmother and her bloody brother. They would always be a problem. Especially while Haliford was alive, because Sam knew his father would never kick George Somersby out unless Samuel could get proof that the man and woman were not brother and sister, but instead lovers. He would speak to Frederick about his concerns. For now, he had to force the pair from his mind.

One day, in a year or two, he would visit Lytton House again in the hope of acquiring some good quality horses. First, he would go to London and sow those wild oats.

Frederick had often talked of his favourite gaming hells and brothels. Money wasn't a problem. Perhaps he would even go to Paris. Haliford had been generous with his allowance. Samuel always felt it was to make up for his lack of parental affection. He kicked the stallion into a canter and tried to push any thoughts of his father's choices aside. "Let's do this, Cole!"

The term Gaming Hell was used in this era for a gambling establishment/gambling den that was generally not very elegant. They were often kept secret and were disreputable due to the business that went on within their walls. Men of the 'ton' frequented them often.

I wonder what Sam will do with his life.

Any ideas?

Hopefully we'll find out next week.

Photo taken from Pinterest.