Chapter 32

Only the wealthiest of London ladies possessed their carriages and horses, as it cost a fortune to maintain such a convenience. Women without their stables, or those who lived alone, were compelled to "job" the horses, brougham, and coachman, hiring it all from a livery service or jobmaster whenever they needed to knock about London.

Harry had insisted that Poppy must have her carriage and pair, and had sent for a designer from a carriage works to come to the hotel. After consulting with Poppy, the carriage maker was commissioned to build a vehicle specifically to her taste. Poppy was left rather bemused by the process, and even a bit nettled because her insistence on asking the prices of materials had caused a tiff. "You're not here to question how much any of this costs," Harry had told her. "Your only task is to choose what you like."