The Right-Hand Man is a young adult historical novel by K. M. Peyton, first published in 1977. The book is set in 1818 in Essex and London, during the Georgian era. It tells the story of Ned Rowlands, a talented stagecoach driver who meets the three creatures he loves best on the same day: a horse, a woman, and the man who will become his employer, (Lord Ironminster).
Lord Ironminster was a renowned and daring dragsman until he lost his right arm and his father in an accident. He is sick with consumption (tuberculosis) and under pressure from his mother to marry a suitable wife, settle down and produce an heir. Lord Ironminster is more interested in winning a wager of 5,000 pounds to race from his home to Whitechapel Church in less than 75 minutes. His cousins (who will inherit on his death) are also keen to win the wager.
The story details how Lord Ironminster tricks Ned Rowlands into coming to work for him as his coachman (his right-hand man), their efforts to win the wager, and the friendship that develops between them.