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    To Be Beside.
    To Be Beside.
    To Be Beside.
    Ebook109 pages1 hour

    To Be Beside.

    By Chris Cook

    ()

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    About this ebook

    To Be Beside. Is the first story in the Sylvanus Kent series. It's 1841 and Sylvanus takes his first trip to the seaside on the steam railway. He arrives in Brighton and discovers a whole new exciting life, career and future.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherChris Cook
    Release dateDec 31, 2016
    ISBN9781370108428
    To Be Beside.

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      Book preview

      To Be Beside. - Chris Cook

      To Be Beside

      The First Sylvanus Kent Story

      By Chris Cook

      Copyright

      Copyright © Chris Cook 2017 All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author.

      Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Reviews

      Bibliography – Also by

      Biography

      To Be Beside

      Chapter 1 – Friday October 29th 1841 London Victoria Railway station

      The damp autumnal air hung heavy with coal smoke as the lengthening orange rays of the sun sliced through the haze above the newly completed terminus.

      Outside; another handsome carriage turned the corner of Buckingham Palace Road to join the excited throng outside the concourse of Victoria station. There was an air of great expectation at the prospect of being one of the first to travel at break neck speed on one of the new locomotives of the London and South coast line.

      A distinguished figure in full length mackintosh descended from the steps with the assistance of a servant.

      Another servant carried two cases and the three hurried toward the platforms amongst the steam, hustle and bustle.

      ‘This will do Giddings. The railway porter will help me aboard from here I am sure.’

      ‘Certainly you lordship,’ replied the servant placing the luggage at the feet of the porter.

      His lordships servants watched enviously as he disappeared into the dense exhalation of steam from the engine snorting at the buffers.

      The place was like a vast iron and glass cathedral to the mighty god of steam. The porter continued with his lordships luggage to the guards van and then escorted him to his seat in the first class carriage compartments.

      ‘This is your seat Sir.’

      ‘And this is for you my good man.’ said his lordship handing him some coins which he seemed really pleased with.

      The First Class compartment interior was cosy and luxurious and a welcome relief from the smoky hustle of the platform. Inside was not too dissimilar from the most comfortable of horse drawn carriages but offered so much more speed and excitement, cutting the fifty mile journey from six hours to just over one.

      ‘Hello Benson my good chap.’ said his lordship to his neighbour as he sat down.

      ‘Hello Edward you old scoundrel.’

      There was no Lordship from this gentleman – he was of the same social class as Lord Edward Lytton in fact they were at school together at Eton College.

      ‘So are you looking forward to your exciting weekend of fun and debauchery in beautiful bohemian Brighton?

      ‘Yes very much and also to help you find a new abode by the fashionable seaside which I can purloin from time to time.’

      ‘Yes I too old chum, me too. But of course you must have some free time you know. I have things to do and I would not wish to take all your time with my wild dreams.

      John Benson nodded. He knew his place. After all they had shared the formative years of their lives like brothers. Even now they were rarely parted at social events and functions.

      Lord Edward was seeking an alternative lifestyle away from his banking hierarchy, where he could truly unwind without the attentive glare of London. Brighton with its new travel links and Bohemian lifestyle seemed the perfect place and less than half a day’s journey.

      Two ladies dressed in very fashionable attire joined them on the other seats which faced back towards the end of the train. They also seemed excited too and rather giggly at the prospect of the journey.

      ‘They do say that the human body cannot survive the speeds that these locomotives are capable of.’ said John rather loudly so the ladies could hear.

      ‘I do hope they are wrong. I feel that I am too young and have not experienced enough of life.’ said one of the ladies fluttering her fan in front of her pretty face.

      ‘Are you ladies continuing to Brighton?’ Enquired John although he felt that Edward would rather him not ask.

      ‘Yes Sir and you?’ replied one of the ladies.

      ‘Yes I am accompanying my friend Lord Lytton here to locate seaside accommodation for him.’

      The two ladies nodded as their gazes fell on Lord Lytton who oozed quiet confidence from centuries of aristocratic blood and breeding.

      ‘Allow me to introduce myself. I am John Benson and this is Lord Edward Lytton.

      The ladies looked suitably impressed

      ‘In that case I am Elizabeth Gaunt and this is Lady Isabella Russell, we too are going to Brighton to discover and partake in its charm.’

      Just then the compartment door opened and in dashed a rather breathless gentleman who sat down beside Elizabeth.

      He was confident in his manner and handsome in a humorous smile provoking way.

      He said nothing simply placed his carpet bag on the overhead rack as the train whistle blew accompanied by excited shouts from the guard in the next carriage and suddenly the train lurched forward and began to trundle out of the station.

      As they picked up speed they soon crossed the river bridge and could see the bridges of the Thames to the West silhouetted in front of the watery orange setting sun.

      ‘Tickets please. As the door slid open the collector stood with his clip to authorize their journey.

      The late arrival was first to offer his ticket.

      ‘I am afraid you are only second class Sir and this is first class. You will

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