Mr Forster's Fortune Read Online Free Page A

type.’
    Mr Springfield seemed singularly unabashed.
    ‘Yes, but she’s devilish pretty, and quite a friendly sort, as I’m sure you can tell. I’m developing quite a liking for the company of pretty wenches – especially the friendly ones. I’ve probably met half of them already. Just ask me if you want any further introductions, cousin. I’m sure I could set you up with anyone you choose.’

Chapter 4
    Despite his cousin’s apparent rejection of the friendly lady in the pump room, Mr Springfield was sufficiently encouraged by Mr Forster’s reception of his offer that the two young gentlemen agreed to meet up again later that same evening in order to effect a voyage of discovery amongst the less reputable female residents of Bath. He was aware, he had assured his cousin, of a very salubrious establishment at which a selection of said damsels might at any time be discovered – an establishment where they would be guaranteed a warm and extremely friendly reception from the young ladies who called the place their home. And so, the evening being cold, but fine, and the gentlemen’s courage well shored up by a large number of brandies in the Sydney Tavern beforehand, they set out in high spirits and a not-inconsiderable sense of adventure towards the maze of alleyways and narrow streets which together formed the heart of the city’s notorious ‘Lower Town’.
    They ventured out of the confines of the Walls and into a roadway known as St James’ Parade before branching out in a westerly direction along a somewhat less savoury-looking alleyway which Mr Springfield assured his cousin was the very best way of reaching their goal. But before they knew it they found themselves in a veritable labyrinth of streets and alleyways - streets which crowded in on each other so closely that the midday sun, even in summer, scarcely penetrated their topmost storeys, streets which housed the most vicious, most degraded, most hopeless individuals that the city of Bath had to offer. And as the alleyways grew darker and grimier, and their shadowy inhabitants grew noisier and increasingly menacing Mr Springfield’s earlier confidence began quickly to desert him. He had thought to have conned the route to perfection, he assured his cousin, as Mr Forster demanded – not for the first time – to know whether he knew what he was at. He had thought he had not miscounted the streets. But, then, of course, things always looked somewhat different in the dark, and he could not be entirely certain that they had come down the road he had expected, and, when all was said and done his courage was now so far evaporated that he was heartily wishing that he had decided to stay at home.
    Mr Forster groaned loudly.
    ‘So you are saying that we are lost. Is that it, Tom?’ he enquired.
    Mr Springfield acknowledged that this was, indeed, a distinct possibility.
    ‘Then perhaps we should turn back?’ Mr Forster was obviously no more convinced than his cousin was that the idea was as good as they had first thought it. ‘I can’t say that I’m all that impressed by the surroundings around here and I do wonder whether the establishment – even were we fortunate enough to locate it, which I doubt – will prove quite as salubrious as perhaps you were led to believe.’
    Mr Springfield was inclined to agree. But just as they were in the process of turning round and star ting to retrace their steps an elegant-looking young lady in a pale muslin robe materialised as if from nowhere next to them and took Mr Springfield, who happened to be closest, most tenderly by the arm.
    ‘’ ello mah dearies,’ she greeted them, effusively. ‘’ave yer come in search uv somethin’ in partic’lar?’
    ‘Well, as a ma tter of...’ Mr Springfield began, hopefully. He had obviously recovered his spirits no end.
    Mr Forster, however, was now feeling less than keen. A glimmer of light from an opening door had just revealed a couple of extremely dubious-looking