Like everyone in the regiment I was acquainted with Colonel C and his family, his unceasing efforts to sire a son had resulted in at least eight daughters and now many of them had reached marriageable age his attempts to marry them off were the thing of regimental legend.

My own service had come to an end and I desired to return home to take up the reins of the family estate as father’s health was ailing.

Thus it was shortly after I was discharged from the army Col C contacted me by courier asking for my help.

It was a serious matter, two of his daughters had eloped with persons of unsuitable character, without any parental permission what so ever.

“Can you assist?” he asked after explaining the situation. “I know I have no authority in this.”

He wasn’t a bad chap, “Yes, but short of marrying them, I will do what I can short of that.” I promised.

Thing is I had no clear notion of what the girls looked like, This was 1855, Late April or early May. so we had no photographs like we have today. So on visiting the Colonels family it was decided his eldest daughter Charlotte should accompany me to Chichester where we believed the girls to be.

Before we departed we were told they had been seen in Brigton and parading along the promenade like peacocks in their finery, having taken no such finery with them.

Charlotte and I went down to Brighton on the morning train, we booked into the Grosvenor Hotel and my senses were alerted when I ordered two rooms and Charlotte joked we might make do with one.

Usually a lady of quality would never joke about such things.

We settled in and went to the promenade, poor Charlotte looked very out of place in her Sunday best, a veritable Pheasant among Peacocks.

We stood out like a sore thumb so reluctantly I took Charlotte shopping for something more ostentatious, admittedly while being somewhat parsimonious with my spending.

I also found her some nice jewelry while insisting they were not gifts and I should have them back, she did however greatly like a pair of emerald ear rings which matched her eyes and I am sure I would have gifted them to her in due course.

Obviously it took a few days to have Charlotte’s new attire made up and I perforce had to venture out alone my uniform, which technically I was no longer entitled to wear, being entirely acceptable in poite society, Fortunately Charlotte found she had a friend living in the town with whom she went to stay for a few days saving me the cost of her hotel room.

However I did notice a couple of young ladies who had a passing resemblance to Charlotte, I saw a chap in Hussars uniform with one and subsequently managed to speak to him, “Excuse my impertinence but did I perchance see you with Miss C earlier?”

“I am afraid you have the advantage of me Sir,” he said, “I am not with any young lady, but I was engaged in conversation by a working girl, a Belle de Nuit, earlier, I declined, I am sorry if you believed me to be making improper advancs but I assure you she made advances to me not myself to her.”

“My dear chap I make no assertions, I do believe I am mistaken.” I apologised.

“I don’t wish to speak out of turn,” the officer explained, “But the young lady wh approached me informed me that she resides at the Hotel Mont Marche and welcomes Gentleman callers.”

“Oh, I do hope I am mistaken,” I apologised, “May I buy you a beer as an apology?”

“Indeed you may sir, I’ll have a Rowbothams Pale Ale,” he agreed.

Three hours later we were best friends as we staggered drunkenly back to our respective lodgings.

I went to the Mont Marche next afternoon.