It was another day in Crawley and Ella was already in the market with Mrs Tucker and the twins who were both holding Ella's hands. Campbell wore an adorable white sailor's cloth and Dorice wore a pink dress that had a white collar. Last night Mrs Tucker didn't let Ella and her colleagues lodge in a hotel. She insisted that they stayed in her house since she had over ten rooms for them to choose from.

The end of her cane made its usual thud as they walked around the long narrow spaces the stalls in the market created. Vendors were selling everything you could think of, ranging from iron-made items brought from the Wealden iron factory to luscious fruits. The vendors yelled at the top of their voices, motioning for passersby to patronise them.

"You know, my late husband was a boxer," Mrs Tucker said peering over her shoulder.

"That's wonderful. I didn't know." Ella's eyes widened with true awe.

"Yes, he was phenomenal. There was a huge bet he made, worth five hundred thousand pounds. He won the fight and that was how we became rich." Her eyes were shrouded with a haze of sadness. "Now, I can't even afford to pay a bloody butler or a maid."

Ella smiled. "Well, Howard is helping with that."

"Thanks to money Lord Stark provided. I didn't even know he was a Marquess when he came. I'm glad he is a humble man. They're rare to find these days," She said and winked at Ella. A bloody wink! "You're a lucky lady."

"We're not-"

"Hush girl," she said, waving her off. "I've spent enough days on this earth to know when two people love each other."

"You think he loves me?" Ella asked, her heart thudding.

"What do you think?" Mrs Tucker chuckled. "You're a silly girl for not seeing the subtle signs."

Trust me, I've seen more than subtle signs. But she was still unwilling to let him know how she felt. She didn't want to ruin what they had now. It was magical.

"Yesterday when those men came, you were the first person he protected. Not even the children."

Ella's eyes widened with realization and the old woman added, "He cares for you, Ella. He's a good man."

Mrs Tucker didn't say anything else as they continued walking through the market. She had insisted they needed to go to the market to get some fruits and white meat which Captain Asher would need while he trained. She said it was a good diet for boxers.

Robert and the Captain on the other hand had left to go make the deal with Mr Pittsburry. Ella hoped things were going well with their visit. But Howard, dear Howard...

Ella chuckled to herself. He was given fifty pounds to hire a butler and two maids before the day would come to an end. He was not happy about it. He claimed it was boring.

Soon they bought the essential fruits and some chicken meat. While they were going back, Campbell dragged her by the skirt and pointed to a shop, saying, "Fine. Fine!"

She took a close look at the shop and notice it had "Savile Rowe at the top." It was the best tailoring company in England and the cloth he was pointing out was an opulent black coat which looked different from a tailcoat. It was dressed into a mannequin and was showcased behind the wide glass that showed the interior of the shop.

"It's pretty isn't it?" Mrs Tucker asked.

Ella nodded. "It looks quite different from a tailcoat."

"That's because it is. It's a frock coat and most of the rich folk here are wearing them. It's the new trend for most gentlemen. Only the rich can afford it now."

Ella imagined Robert in it and instantly, her mouth watered. She needed to get this for him. Surely it couldn't be that expensive.

"How much is it?" Ella asked, still gazing at the beautiful piece.

"I think about fifty pounds."

Ella took a mental calculation. After her seventy per cent raise from Robert, she had more than enough to pay for it. Talk more of the bonus he gave her for entering a coma. He was such a sweetheart, wasn't he? That was why she was going to reward him today.

"Let's go in," she said smiling. "I think can afford it."

"I know I said earlier that he's a good man. But you're like him too, a good woman. Good people deserve good people."

Ella grinned inwardly. They truly did deserve each other.

********

The bar had a golden exterior with w

double doors that were mostly made of glass. Two men wearing black coats stood siding the entrance, muskets in their hands. This was where Mrs Tucker said they would find Mr Pittsbury.

Robert was dressed in a black tailcoat and a waistcoat hiding the shoulder holster he wore. Captain Asher didn't bother hiding his holster that was dangling down his waist. Not to draw much attention, he wore a casual white shirt and black trousers. Wearing his uniform would turn eyes.

"We're here to see Mr Pittsburry," Robert said.

"Mr Pittsbury is not taking any visitors," one of the guards said.

"We're not ordinary visitors. Robert showed them a suitcase and opened it, displaying the bands of pounds note inside them. "I'm here to fix a match with him. Thirty thousand fucking pounds. I don't think you're going to turn that down, would you?"

The two guards looked at each other and one with a shaved head nodded his head, gesturing for Robert and Captain Asher to join them. Inside the bar, stools and round tables were plated in gold, and behind the wooden counter week drinks of all kinds. It was quite the sight.

"Spread out your arms," The guard said, pointing his rifle at the both of them.

Robert sighed and did as he asked. The Captain did the same. Two men walked up to them and one took off the golden pistol in Captain Asher's holster. He searched him, making sure he had no other weapon on him.

The other one took off Robert's tailcoat and waistcoat. They removed his shoulder holster, his guns gleaming in the blond lights coming in from the window. When they cleared them, the man who had brought them in gestured for them to follow.

He steered them into a small corridor with wooden walls. As they moved, a familiar voice racketed through the building with a thunderous yell.

"I've told you, get me my fucking or they'll be gone by tomorrow!"

The guard knocked on the door and the voice came again. "Come in."

He opened the door for them and Robert and Captain Asher walked into the lion's den, unarmed. Not truly, there was a knife hidden in Robert's boots. It was a surprise they didn't check there.

Inside the small office were bookshelves on the right and a small bar shelf hanging on the wall. Mr Pittsbury sat behind his wooden desk, smoking his cigar, his ashtray next to his telephone. Robert assumed that was what he was yelling into. Bloody psychopath.

He narrowed his brown eyes. "Oh, it's you two. She sent you with my money?"

"On the contrary, no," Robert said and sat on one of the visitor chairs and Captain Asher sat on the other.

"So why the fuck are you here?" Pittsbury asked, glaring daggers at Robert.

"To make you a deal."

He leaned back. "I always love deals. I'm listening."

"Good." Robert dropped the suitcase on the desk with a thud and opened it. Captain Asher's eyes widened at the large sum before his eyes. "Here's the deal. We make a bet. I drop thirty thousand pounds and you drop the same amount. We fix a boxing match. If I win, I get the sixty thousand pounds and you leave the Tuckers alone."

"And if I win?"

"You get the money and I pay you the fifty grand the Tuckers owe you."

Pittsbury took off his monocles and wiped them with a white kerchief. "Who are you? Because I'm sure protection wouldn't be able to afford this kind of money."

"Who I am is none of your concern, Mr Pittsbury. So, do we have a deal?"

He sighed and wore back his monocles. Popping off some smoke, he reached out into his wardrobe and brought out a gun, aiming it at Robert's forehead. He felt his heart drop to his stomach. He had never been held at gunpoint before. But he wasn't going to appear weak before this man.

To hide back his fear, he clenched his jaw hard, trying to remind himself that Mr Pittsbury wouldn't dare shoot him. Not when he knew he could make money from winning him.

"I've got a better deal in mind," Pittbury said, smiling evilly, clouds of smoke leaving his mouth. "How about you give me this fucking money and you leave here before I blow your fucking brains off."

Robert's side glanced at Captain Asher. It was his cue to speak. Clearing his throat, he reclined in his seat and spoke.

"You see that's where the problem is." Captain Asher crossed his leg casually over the other. "I made a few calls to the police yesterday about you. My friends were more than glad to do a bit of digging into your personal info. Two years ago you were arrested for theft of over eighty grand for illegal horse racing gambling. But because of your connections there, they died down the matter." He smirked. "Imagine how business would be for you if I brought back your case. Your customers would even be scared to bet on your horses. No one would want to be associated with a thief of that degree."

Mr Pittsbury pursed his lips and retreated the gun, Robert's heartbeat normalising. That was a close one. Good thing they planned this before they came here.

"What do you want?" Pittsbury asked, putting his gun back into his drawer.

"For you to take the deal."

"And who is going to fight for you?"

"I will."

Mr Pittsbury sized him up and laughed. You could see Captain Asher took offence. But he dissolved it by tightening his hand into a fist so taut that Robert was scared that he may bleed.

"You're the fighter?" He laughed. "Now I'm more than willing to take the deal."

"Do we have a deal, Mr Pittsbury?" The Captain asked, his brown eyes cold.

"Aye, we do." Pittbury locked his hands over the desk. "The match would be in four days. I hope you lot will be ready by then."

*****

By the time Robert's carriage pulled up to the front of Mrs Tucker's home, they saw a man in a fine tailcoat and a bow tie standing on the front porch. He had a receding hairline and a dark moustache. Howard had already gotten a butler; that was quick. It was only three in the afternoon.

After their visit to Mr Pittsbury, Robert had gone to buy some boxing equipment which was loaded onto the top of his carriage. He and the Captain proceeded to the door and that was when Howard walked out.

He gestured at the butler. "This is the new butler my lord." He then motioned at Robert. "Mr Pennyworth this is Lord Stark."

"A pleasure to be at your service, My Lord," Pennyworth said, bowing.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr Pennyworth. But you answer to Mrs Tucker now, she's your employer." Robert pointed at the pieces of equipment at the top of the carriage. "Please find a safe place to keep those. Away from the children too."

"Okay, My Lord."

Robert thanked him and entered the house with Howard and the Captain.

"How were you able to get a butler under such short notice?" Robert asked, walking down the corridor.

"The money was good money," Howard answered.

They all introduced themselves into the living room. Ella, Mrs Tucker and the lad were seated having tea that was being served by a maid. She had dark hair that was packed into a red kerchief.

"Even a maid too?" Robert asked, impressed with Howard's workmanship.

"Aye." Howard nodded and introduced the maid to his employer. Her name was Alice. When the twins saw the Captain, they patted their grandmother on the thigh.

"Mama, Captain back," Dorice said and Campbell was already running to him giggling. Robert found it amazing how easily the Captain was with the lads. He would make an amazing father. He caught Campbell and twirled him in the air, tapping a finger on his button nose and making him laugh louder. Dorice ran to him with uneven steps, her hands spread out wide. "Carry me."

"Sure love," the Captain bent down and picked her up with his other arm.

Robert settled next to Ella, letting out a huge sigh. It was a long day. He needed some rest. Ella lowered her teacup to a coffee table and put her attention on him.

"How did the visit go?"

Everyone that didn't go to Pittsbury's was listening seriously. "It went well. He took the deal."

"That's lovely," Mrs Tucker said.

"But we have four days to prepare Captain Asher."

There was silence in the room. Four days wasn't enough and they knew it. Whoever was fighting for Pittsbury was probably training every day. Whereas the Captain, they couldn't say the same in his case.

"Well I better get your diet ready, Captain," Mrs Tucker said, getting up and gesturing for the maid to follow her.

"I have a training schedule already planned for you Captain. His Lordship and I would be instrumental to the routine. Follow me, let me show it to you," Howard said getting up and leaving the room. The Captain did a curt to Robert before he left, leaving him alone with Ella.

"I have a surprise for you," Ella told him smiling. A surprise? What could it be? He couldn't possibly think of anything she could surprise him with. She reached out to a white bag and brought out a neatly ironed tail-no, it wasn't a tailcoat. It looked like one but was far different. It looked like something Savile Rowe would make.

"Who has it?" He asked.

"I bought it for you."

"F-for me?"

"Yes," Ella said slowly, probably trying to make it sink in. "For you."

"I-I don't know what to say."

"Thank you is a good start."

He laughed and tried to hold back the tears. No one had ever thought of buying anything for him for a while now. The last time he was gifted something was the day before he went to university. It was a tail-coat his mother gave him. Since then, most things he got, he bought himself.

"This is really wonderful, Ella," he said taking the coat from her. "I've not gotten a gift in over eight years."

"That's going to change now I'm here." She patted his buttocks and he froze. That was unusual. He was used to being the one doing it. She brought one more item from the bag. It was a black vest to match the coat. He had been seeing some men wear it. But due to how busy he was, he couldn't make out time to get one. "The frock coat also came with a vest. Courtesy of Savile Rowe."

"A Frock coat? What-" He then remembered she said Savile Rowe. They made the finest and most expensive coats. "How much did you spend on this Ella?"

She frowned. "I'm not poor, you know? Just say thank you and we'll both be happy."

What was wrong with him? Someone was showering him with gifts and all he could think about was how much she spent. It was her choice to buy this for him. The least he could do was say thank you. Ella was truly a sweet soul and she kept on giving him reasons why falling in love with her was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time. He wasn't going to rest till he found her a good gift too.

"Thank you, Ella. I truly appreciate what you did."