The Price of Pleasure by Connie Mason

London this time. We’re putting you ashore at Portsmouth and then we’re off on another mission,” Skilling said.
    Reed found a seat on a coil of ropes and watched the water rush by as the sails were unfurled and caught the wind. He was going home. It was difficult to believe that not too long ago he had wished for death, had been as close to death as a man could get without being in the grave.
    And then Fleur had arrived, whisking him away and nursing him back to health. But despite Fleur’s best efforts, she couldn’t cure the darkness that dwelt deep within him.
    Night turned into dawn. With the light of day, it became evident that the
Mary Ann
had successfully evaded the French ships guarding the coast and was well on her way to Portsmouth. Reed leaned against the mast, turned his face up to the rising sun and promptly fell asleep.
    Two days later, they reached Portsmouth. Captain Skilling placed a purse filled with gold coins, compliments of Lord Porter, in Reed’s hands, wished him a safe journey and sent him ashore in the rowboat.
    Reed Harwood, the new Earl of Hunthurst, was home.

Chapter Six
     
    Reed approached the town aware of his lack of proper attire. The rough clothing he wore was better suited for a peasant than an earl. Since Portsmouth was a good-sized city and he knew the town well, he headed for the shop of a tailor he had done business with before. He didn’t want to show up at Hunthurst Park looking like a poor relation.
    “Lord Harwood, welcome,” Mr. Sidley the tailor greeted him. “It’s been a while since you stopped into my shop to make a purchase. What can I do for you, sir?”
    Reed held out his arms and made a slow turn. “Take a good look at me, Sidley. Don’t I look like I need a new set of clothing?”
    Sidley adjusted his spectacles. “You look . . . my word, what happened to you? You’re thinner than I remember, and paler. And you’re wearing peasants’ garb. Have you been ill?”
    “You might say that,” Reed said, declining to elaborate. “How soon can you make up something for me? I can’t stay in town long. My brother has passed to his reward, and I am the new Earl of Hunthurst. I wish to return home looking halfway decent.”
    Sidley stared at Reed and obviously came to his own conclusion about Reed’s disreputable appearance, pale face and weight loss. Combined with his sudden appearance in a port town, it didn’t take a genius to put two and two together and figure out where Reed had been and why.
    “My lord, forgive me for being unaware of your new station. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your brother. I can have a suit of clothing ready for you the day after tomorrow. I shall take your measurements now and set my employees to work immediately. Do you have any preferences?”
    “A proper riding costume, I think. I intend to buy a horse and ride to my estate in Kent. I should like a blue jacket, a white shirt and buckskin riding breeches. I’ll need riding gloves and boots, of course, but I’m hoping they can be purchased easily in a town this size.”
    Sidley nodded. “I have sufficient material on hand for you to choose from. Shall we get on with the measuring?”
    Reed spent a few minutes picking out material, then stood impatiently while Sidley measured him. He would order an entire new wardrobe once he returned to London. He had clothing at Hunthurst Park that would suffice until new garments could be custom-made. Reed told the tailor to put the bill on his account, instructed him to deliver the clothing to the Red Fox Inn and left.
    Reed next visited a men’s emporium where he purchased gloves, a scarf and underclothing. He didn’t bother with a hat, for he didn’t like wearing one. He found boots that fit reasonably well at the shoemaker’s. They had been made for a customer who couldn’t pay, and the shoemaker was eager to find a buyer. Reed paid the man and wore them out of the shop.
    A meal and a room for the night was Reed’s