MARINE (Agent of Time Book 1)

by Tanya Allan

  Katie became very bossy, wanting to know whether I was giving her a sister or a brother.

  However, the real surprise was yet to come.

  I was sewing in the small sitting room, one rainy afternoon in late April. I heard sounds at the front door, but paid little heed, as the house was like the Piccadilly Circus most days. If it were anyone important, then Groves would deal.

  It was Roger, and he came bounding into the room, with a huge grin on his face. He was so obviously pleased with himself, that I was instantly wary.

  “You will never guess who I bumped into this morning!”

  “You are quite correct, my dear, I will never guess,” I said, and he waved to someone to enter.

  A tall man, in his late twenties, entered. He was clean-shaven and was dressed in a naval uniform, with the rank of Lieutenant.

  “Your cousin James, James Chauncey!” said Roger.

  I stared at this complete stranger, and froze with a smile on my face. My heart was beating, while my brain was in a whirl.

  “Jane, how wonderful to see you after so long. My goodness you have changed,” the man said, walking over and kissing me on the cheek.

  “James. My goodness, I can’t remember when I last saw you,” I said, trying to work out how I would sort this out.

  “I was about ten, so you must have been about four or five. How old are you now?”

  “I am twenty-four, and you?”

  “Twenty-nine. I heard about your father at Trafalgar, and then the news of your mother and sisters. I was truly sorry, but I was in the Americas and quite unable to get away. I returned home to England last month having read of your marriage in the Times, and then heard that you were in Paris. It is prodigiously good to see you looking so well. Your husband tells me that you are with child?”

  “So it seems, either that or I am eating far too much,” I said, starting to relax.

  “We are the last of the Chaunceys,” he said.

  “Sir, you are, for I am a de Lambert now.”

  “Of course, but it is sad that we have dwindled thus.”

  “Your parents, how are they, for I have had no news?”

  “My parents died three years back, and my younger brother, Peter, lies in a grave in Spain. He was an Infantry officer at Vittoria.”

  “I am sorry, I am afraid that I never knew your family well. We have been through such hard times.”

  “Indeed. But I am pleased to see you in better sorts now.”

  I smiled at Roger.

  “Thank you, you have my dear husband to thank.”

  “Nonsense. She is an angel, and I owe her so much. Tell me James, are you in Paris for long?” Roger said.

  “A week, sir. My ship is undertaking urgent repairs at Brest. So I am to enjoy a week’s leave in Paris, with very little money in my pocket.”

  “Then you shall stay here. One more will make no difference, and it will be so nice for my dear Jane to have family here,” Roger said, and turned and shouted for Groves to have a bedroom prepared, he walked out as Groves was not within earshot.

  I smiled at James, but felt very uncomfortable with the strange young man.

  “Always a soldier. There is a perfectly good bell system, but he does so love shouting,” I said.

  “Michael sends his regards,” he said very quietly.

  I stared at him, hardly believing my ears.

  “You did a wonderful job, so I have been sent to pass on the word, and also to enquire after the baby!”

  Two possibilities entered my mind. One, he was genuine, and two, he was the enemy.

  If he was genuine, then he would not object if I pretended not to understand, but if he was the enemy, then he would be frustrated and become angry.

  “I am sorry. Michael, who is Michael? Was not your father called Michael?”

  “Ah, that was a different Michael. My word, you have a lovely view of the park from here,” he said, walking over to the window.

  “Yes, it is so peaceful. One can forget that there is a war on,” I said.

  He looked sideways at me, with a curious smile on his face.

  “We were very interested to hear that you were with child. It came as a real surprise.”

  “I was somewhat surprised as well. But I am highly pleased,” I said, and he nodded.

  “Michael thought you might be. You are unique; history is being made. However, some extra research has been undertaken, and well…,” he said, but at that moment, Roger returned.

  “That’s all arranged. You will join us for dinner this evening, of course?” he asked our guest.

  “I shall be delighted. I shall collect my few bags from the Admiralty office, and return for dinner,” he said, and then turned to me.

  “Cousin, it has been so nice to see you again. I look forward to catching up with family news over the next week.”

  I smiled at him, but then Roger escorted him to the door, returning a few moments later.

  “Now, tell me that wasn’t a surprise,” he said.

  “You certainly surprised me. How did you meet him?” I asked.

  “He sought me out, and came and introduced himself to me. I knew at once, he must be a relative of yours. Chauncey is hardly a common name. Good fortune, what?”

  “Definitely. You were so clever.”

  “Pah, it wasn’t me. He was determined to find you. Now, how are you today? You were asleep still when I left this morning.”

  “I felt nauseous again in the night; but not badly. I felt the baby kick this morning.”

  Roger came and knelt beside me, placing his hand on my belly. He had that soft tender look on his face.

  “Boy or girl?” he said.

  “I don’t care as long as he or she is healthy,” I said. Besides, scans would not be available for nearly two hundred years.

  James returned and joined us for dinner. There were twelve for dinner that evening, and Roger had seated James on my immediate right. I was wary of the newcomer, with good reason, as I still was unaware of his loyalties.

  It was a pleasant meal, but at no time did my ‘cousin’ mention Michael or any other mutual point of interest. The men stood to let the ladies retire, so we went to the drawing room, while the men no doubt told off-colour tales and drank too much port. I adored the hot chocolate for which Paris was famous, preferring it to the rather bitter coffee. Thus, we were in the habit of serving cups of hot chocolate instead.

  Finally, the gentlemen rejoined us, and Roger persuaded me to play the guitar again.

  “Any requests?” I asked.

  “How about, ‘Jumping Jack Flash’?” asked James, and I stared at him. The Rolling Stones were a long time in the future.

  “They aren’t ready for that yet,” I said, selecting instead a more contemporary Spanish Flamenco.

  I played two or three pieces, and then played a number from the Shadows greatest hits. It was not quite the same without an electric guitar, but I liked it, and James chuckled as he sat by the window.

  They were very kind and applauded, but I suddenly felt very tired. I made my excuses and went up to bed. Being pregnant was not all roses, that’s for sure.

  I was asleep when Roger came to bed. I woke up as he kissed my temple.

  “Hi honey,” I said, and realised in horror that my American accent came out.

  “Jane?”

  I giggled. It was just so silly.

  “Hello, honey bunch.” I said, in my English accent, this time. It was awfully hard pretending to be someone you aren’t.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. But I am beginning to wish that our baby hurries up and arrives.”

  “It is nice having your cousin here. Are you pleased?”

  “Oh yes, it is wonderful,” I said, and actually in a funny sort of way I was pleased. I had almost convinced myself that James was one of the good guys, and it would be nice to talk to someone from my own era.

  I was asleep in no time, and felt safe with Roger’s ar
m around me.

  The next week was quite fun. Roger had work to do regarding his regiment, so James would escort me around Paris. Roger still rode, but took his daughter on her beloved Snowflake. I was in no condition to ride, so we walked or took a carriage. James managed to convince me that he was one of the good guys. He told me that Michael had sent him from the Centre, with a message for me to re-direct my focus towards America.

  “But why?”

  “Because you have almost finished in Europe, and the American nation is in serious doubt. Their situation is tentative to say the least, and it would take only small effort by the British to retake the colony and alter history completely.”

  “But the Declaration of Independence was in 1776, how can this be?” I asked.

  “The fledgling States are weak, but determined. Britain has only given the army over there half a mind, because of events closer to home. Imagine the result if the Duke of Wellington, with his full army, was assigned America to take back.”

  “It would be a massacre.”

  “They would have no chance. The British burned the White House and much of Washington only a couple of years ago, and that was all over a squabble about the British rights to search the American vessels. Think how the future would look if America was under British rule into the twentieth century.”

  “What about you?”

  “My task was to find you, instruct you to try to get to America, while I have to go to India. Much is happening there. After that, I go on to Australia. We are but few, Jane, and there is much to do.”

  “May I ask you some personal questions?” I asked.

  “Of course.”

  “When are you from?”

  “1990s, Australia, and you?”

  “You weren’t told?”

  “No. Only your current identity.”

  “1990s, USA.”

  “I guessed you were around the same time as I. How long have you been here?” he asked.

  “Since November 1813. You?”

  “Really? We heard about the baby, it caused quite a stir.”

  I smiled.

  “Am I allowed to know whether everything goes all right?” I asked.

  He looked at me.

  “Michael dug out an old newspaper, he asked me to commit the passage to memory, just in case you should ask.”

  “Oh?”

  “It is dated the 14th September 1816: Abingdon, 8th September 1816. A daughter, Emily Jane, was born to Lady Jane Lambert, who together with her husband, Sir Roger, is sailing with the family for the Americas next month. Lady Jane, who has already one son, Edward, is looking forward to their adventure. Sir Roger’s children from his previous marriage, Katherine and William are travelling with them, as they join Sir Roger’s brother in Virginia.”

  “Two children?”

  “So far.”

  “Oh my God. How?”

  “No one knows. You’re the first. Michael played this one close to his chest. You see, when he checked your history, he discovered the children, but decided against telling Harry. Harry Horsefall is pulling his hair out, as he was convinced that it was impossible.”

  “So, Michael knew when he recruited me?”

  “He must have done.”

  “Why the hell didn’t he warn me?”

  “Would it have made any difference?”

  “Yes, damn it, I wouldn’t have had sex with the man until after we were married. Shit, there could have been a catastrophe.”

  “But there wasn’t.”

  Now I knew that James was genuine.

  “Lady Jane?” I asked, re-reading the article.

  “It seems that your little exploit in the park warrants a knighthood for Roger. Your part in the matter is put in the shade by the cutlass waving colonel.”

  “It was a sabre.”

  “Sabre then.”

  “Good. I don’t want to shine out too much.”

  “Don’t put yourself down, as his Grace knows that a knighthood rewards both of you.”

  “Oh.”

  We arrived back at the house, so the conversation ended. I returned the scrap of paper, watching as he destroyed it by using a match. However, over the week, we had many similar conversations, and had fun talking about music and cars.

  “How I wish I could have met you in the twentieth century. I could have taken you dancing by moonlight on a Caribbean cruise.” he said, with a smile.

  I smiled back.

  “I don’t think we will make a very well matched couple. And perhaps it is as well that we shall never meet,” I said.

  “Oh, don’t say that, I was hoping to get your phone number before I leave.”

  I simply smiled and shook my head.

  “Believe me, you wouldn’t be interested.”

  He looked at me and shrugged.

  I was sad when James left, but we promised to try to keep in touch. It was odd, but he actually felt like family.

  You can’t escape history, for Napoleon escaped from Elba and rallied his troops once more. Marshal Ney, sent to confront him, instead handed him command of the old Imperial Guard. He was on the march, and rapidly at that. He tried to out-fox Wellington whilst Blucher was otherwise occupied, forcing the British to fight at Waterloo.

  Roger went off with his regiment, leaving me helpless at home. I fretted and worried, but kept remembering the newspaper article that said he survived.

  It was a close thing, as the early advances were made by the French, who over-ran the British positions. The British Infantry held, the cavalry rallied, and the Austrians arrived in time to assist the defeat of Napoleon. The day was won, so my beloved husband came home to me. That must be the shortest account of the battle of Waterloo.

  Life went on, I became larger and Roger became more concerned for me. He was convinced that if I grew any more then I would explode. My back ached, my boobs ached, I had sore legs, and my bladder was compressed so much that I had to go to the bathroom every half hour. Yet through it all, I revelled in being a complete woman.

  Finally, at 8 o’clock in the morning, on the 4th July 1815, after a six-hour labour, with Cook and Nanny in attendance, Edward Ryan Charles de Lambert made his vociferous way into the world. In my time, I have been wounded in battle, maimed in parachuting accidents and otherwise hurt in so many ways, that I thought I understood pain.

  I didn’t!

  Nothing prepared me for the experience of giving birth.

  On the one hand, I was so relieved to be finally ridding myself of the cursed bump. However, on the other, the passage of that nine pound (yes, he was big!) boy through a channel that was clearly only just big enough, was the most painful experience I have ever gone through in my life, either life!

  It was the first time I actually regretted pushing that damned button marked Female.

  However, as I lay back exhausted, with the little boy sucking eagerly at my breast, I eased the pain to the back of my mind, and cried with happiness. The regret faded, and I knew a new joy, and one that would remain with me forever. Roger cried with me, as baby Edward held tightly to his extended finger.

  I was blessed with Nanny, as she made life so much easier. I insisted on breast-feeding my child, which was unusual in polite circles, as wet nurses were employed so ladies of quality did not have to put up with such mundane activities.

  However, she took him and allowed me to sleep, so I did, for several hours. I had thought the moment that Roger had first made love to me had been the most profound and fulfilling moment for me. No longer. I was now a mother, and I was utterly content.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Beyond the battle.

  We returned to England shortly after the birth of Edward, so we christened him in St. Helen’s church in Abingdon. Katie adored her new brother, and even William, now three, seemed fond of him.

  They both called me ‘Mama’ now, and it seemed perfectly natural. Roger’s investment in the cannery had paid dividends, so for the first time we had a very healthy income comin
g in. He made some further sensible investments, and we found ourselves very comfortable. He contemplated resigning his commission, but I begged him to wait a little while longer.

  Not long after our arrival back home, a letter arrived from the Palace. It was a Royal Invitation to go up to the Palace so Roger could be invested as a Knight of the Order of Bath for services rendered to the crown.

  It was a wonderful occasion, but we reluctantly had to leave the children at home. Katie was furious and was in a mood for ages, but her curiosity would force her to ask us all about it.

  H.R.H. George III did the deed, with his Grace the Duke of Wellington and the current Prime Minister, the Earl of Liverpool, also observing. In a private ceremony, HRH presented me with a small medallion, for services rendered.

  Roger was resplendent in his uniform as a Colonel of Dragoons, and I wore the finest gown I could afford. My hair I had specially curled and set, and I felt a million bucks.

  As we stood together outside the palace, my husband kissed me and held me close.

  “I am so proud of you. You make me so happy,” he said.

  “Ditto,” I said, and he stared at me.

  “What?”

  “Ditto – it means, the same to you,” I said, and laughed.

  We returned to provincial Abingdon in the late afternoon and eventually Katie spoke to us. I went and took off my gorgeous dress, and she followed me with a scowl. Eventually she thawed, and instructed me to pass on every little detail, including what everyone was wearing.

  As I hung my dress up, I noticed a small pile of discarded clothing in the bottom of the wardrobe. The clothes I had ‘borrowed’ from young Oliver.

  I picked them up and placed them on the bed. I then dressed in a more practical dress, still stunning in rose and white, but less fussy than my palace dress.

  With a bonnet and a cloak, I went down and asked George, the groom, to prepare the small carriage.

  Roger heard me, and came out of his study.

  “My dear, are you off somewhere?”

  “I have to return some clothes I borrowed. I won’t be long.”