“Lydia,” he said, tossing down his book, “I must have a word with you.”
Lydia threw her father a rebellious glance. “I am a married woman now, Papa. You cannot treat me as a child any more.”
“I will treat you as a child if you behave like one,” said Mr Bennet. “Now come or I will not hesitate to drag you away.”
Lydia rose and followed her father sullenly.
Captain Trewson watched this exchange with astonishment. “I do not understand why everyone has become so serious. We were simply exchanging pleasantries.”
It was not up to Caroline to inform him that Lydia had ran away with Wickham before their marriage, and that the marriage had only taken place after Wickham had been paid to marry her. The Bennet sisters had been mere days away from total ruin. Eliza was quite right: It was no laughing matter.
“It is wrong for Lydia to exchange pleasantries when her husband has just left her,” said Mary. “She should stay alone in her room, pondering her folly.”
“Kitty,” said Mrs Bennet, “I have told you many times not to cough like that.”
“I am not coughing, Mama, I am clearing my throat.”
“Well, stop whatever you are doing. Have some compassion for my nerves. I do not like loud noises.”
Louisa put her hand on Trewson’s arm and said something to him. He laughed, and the awkwardness of the moment disappeared.
Dinner was announced. To Caroline’s surprise, Trewson came to her and offered to take her in. Instinctively, she glanced towards Mr Robert, but he was bearing Mrs Miles on his arm, and they were moving towards the dining hall, laughing playfully.
“Thank you, Captain Trewson. I would be delighted.”
She regretted it a moment later, however, when she passed Louisa, who sent her an angry look that spoke volumes.
***
Lydia and Mr Bennet rejoined the party presently. Whatever her father had told her seemed to have had some effect, for Lydia remained subdued throughout dinner and made no attempt to draw Trewson’s attention. Caroline doubted he even noticed. He was much in demand, as the young ladies, including Georgiana, plied him with questions about his time campaigning with Wellesley.
“I was wounded, unfortunately, at Porto. We managed to defeat Soult at the Battle of Grijo, after fighting two days, and then marched to Oporto under Hill.”
“You are far too modest. I am sure such a dry account does not do credit to your bravery.” said Louisa. “Do tell us what happened.”
Captain Trewson protested, saying that he did not want to bore everyone, for it was a very long time ago and not interesting in the least. So much had happened since that it was not worth recounting.
A number of voices pressed him to continue and he surrendered with laughter and good grace.
“If you must hear it, I will tell you. But do not blame me if you start nodding into your plates!” General hilarity met his remark. “There is really very little to recount that you do not already know. Soult blew up the bridges on the Douro river, and we could not cross without being fired on by the French, but then someone conceived of using the wine barges downstream, which took Soult completely by surprise, and he was soundly defeated. Word is we reached Soult’s lodgings in time for Wellesley to eat the supper intended for Soult. I know they have accused Wellesley of not making an effort to rout the French, but if they had been there, they would not have said so. A number of us were sent after the French stragglers, in fact. But without knowing the terrain, it was an impossible task.”
He paused, a pained expression on his face. “That is where I was shot—in the mountains. You can imagine what it was like, to be lying wounded, cold, wet, hungry, and completely alone, expecting a Frenchman or a Portuguese peasant to come looking for loot and put an end to me.”
His audience held onto his every word, rapt with attention.
“Finally, however, I heard the welcome sound of English voices. ‘Help me!’ I managed to say. Until this day I still marvel that they were able to hear me, for my voice was quite faint with hunger. I tell you, I have never been happier to see their red coats in my life.”
An animated buzz of excitement rose around the table. Captain Trewson waited until it died down to continue. “I did not know the two soldiers who helped me. I would not have blamed them if they abandoned me to my fate. But they prepared a makeshift litter and climbed down the mountain with me. They slipped more than once on the rocks, even dropped me on one occasion. But they did not abandon me. By the time we reached the main camp I was in a fever and unaware of my surroundings. And do you know, I never found out the names of those two men who sacrificed so much to bring me back? Were it not for them, I would have been left as carrion for the vultures in Portuguese mountains.”
There were shudders and sighs from all the ladies at the table.
Robert Darcy, who was far more interested in whatever Mrs Miles had to say, remarked that Wellesley had gone on to other victories since then. “And a good thing, too. Eating Soult’s supper was hardly enough to send Napoleon quaking in his shoes!”
There were wide protests at Mr Robert Darcy’s heartless reaction.
“I should have liked to be a soldier,” said Charles, wistfully. “It seems far more appealing than our humdrum existence here. Even if it meant being lost in the mountains and fearing for one’s life.”
“And I say it would have been a great deal less interesting for us if you had gone missing in the mountains. What then would have become of Jane?” said Mrs Bennet, quite put out by the idea.
Mrs Bennet had inadvertently lightened the atmosphere, and they were able to move on to less serious reflections.
But it was not long before Trewson became the centre of attention once more.
“If it were up to me,” he said firmly, in response to some remark, “I would never have outlawed duelling. It is, after all, the only way a gentleman can repair a slight to his honour. Besides, banishing duelling has not put a stop to it at all. Far from it. I myself have fought two duels, and I know men who have fought as many as four.”
“Really?” said Lydia, her eyes shining. She had quite forgotten that she was not supposed to draw Captain Trewson’s attention. “You must tell us about it.”
“It is hardly a topic one should discuss over the dinner table,” said Mr Darcy, attempting to put a stop to a subject unsuitable for young ladies.
“Duelling, in my opinion, is just as much a sin as murder,” said Mary.
“Come, Captain Trewson. Can you not tell us?” said Louisa.
“Well, I would not want to go against the opinion of my host.”
“I for one,” said Mrs Bennet, “would not object to hearing about a duel. As long as it did not involve Mr Bennet, of course, for he came very close to fighting one when my dear L—”
“Mama,” interrupted Jane, quietly, distracting her mother from referring to that embarrassing event, “perhaps we should let Captain Trewson tell us his tale.”
Mrs Bennet turned to him expectantly. “Yes, please do, Captain Trewson.”
Mr Darcy, his opinion completely discarded, looked displeased.
‚ÄúWell, if you insist. It was over a card game‚Äîa man I suspected of cheating. As the game continued, I grew certain that the same cards were making an appearance. Finally, I could stand it no more. ‚ÄòI would like this pack looked at,‚Äô I said. But he refused and grew very angry, demanding that his honour be satisfied. Even then, I tried to find a way out. ‚ÄòPerhaps there is some explanation, then?‚Äô I said, giving him a chance to bow out of the situation. But he was hot blooded and refused to mend the matter. ‚ÄúYou have insulted me, sir,‚Äô he said. ‚�
�òAnd I will not be satisfied until I draw blood.‚Äô‚Äù
Lydia gave a little gasp. “How perfectly monstrous of him! I hope you gave him a good hiding, sir.”
“I did indeed. But it was not easy. He was a good swordsman. One of the best. There was a time during the fight when I thought myself done for. It was the worst moment of my life. But then, just when I was ready to give up all hope of emerging from the duel alive, I was given an opening. I did not hesitate. I lunged immediately and managed to wound him. I could have killed him, in fact, but I restrained myself. Just as I was about to walk away, he attacked me from behind.”
“What villainy!” cried Louisa.
“I hope you taught him a lesson, for he certainly needed one,” said Mrs Bennet.
“It was all I could to fend off his attack,” said Captain Trewson. “I was taken by surprise. But fortunately I was able to rally round, and fight him off. He realized he had done something unpardonable, and when he saw I could not be brought down that way, he made his escape. I have not seen him since.”
“It is often the case, I have noticed,” remarked Mary, “that villains escape unscathed.”
“I for one wish you had killed him while you had a chance,” said Mrs Bennet.
Fortunately, it was time for the ladies to withdraw. Caroline had had enough of Trewson’s gruesome tales, and she could not help agreeing with Mr Darcy that it was not an acceptable conversation over dinner.
But she soon found herself in the minority. The ladies’ conversation focused on Trewson’s adventures, and she was forced to hear the whole of his tales again when they were recounted to Eliza, who had remained in the drawing room, too fatigued to join the company at the table.
Eliza appeared much struck by the account, which was suitably embellished by Louisa, Kitty, Lydia, Georgiana, and Mrs Bennet. When they had finished, Caroline drew close to Eliza and sat on the edge of her armchair.
“I hope we are not tiring you,” she said.
“No, on the contrary, I am vastly entertained,” answered Eliza cheerfully. “It is rare that one gets to hear of such adventures as this.”
Caroline sighed. “I find they are not much to my taste.”
“That is because, Caroline, you are not inclined to be romantic. Those of us who are, however, delight in picturing such events.”
She did not want to argue with Eliza, so she shrugged, and wandered off to amuse herself elsewhere. As soon as Louisa saw her on her own, she came to grasp her arm. “I am surprised Captain Trewson took you in to dinner, Caroline,” she said. “Right under the eye of your Robert Darcy, too. I do not think it quite right.”
“Nonsense, Louisa. One cannot be so strict about these things when not in public. This is a small family gathering, after all.”
“But Captain Trewson knows that you are engaged,” she said.
“I need not ask who told him,” said Caroline drily. “Louisa, did we not agree that we would not reveal the engagement to strangers?”
Louisa dismissed her words with a gesture. “That is beside the point. What I wished to say was that it should not have happened.”
“Are you censoring my behaviour,” said Caroline, “or his?”
Louisa looked confused. “I am not censoring anyone.” She stood listening to the others for a moment. They were all gushing over the handsome captain.
“He is charming, is he not, Caroline?”
Caroline looked at her sister in surprise. “He is, indeed. I cannot dispute that.”
“And so very gallant,” she said.
Once again, Caroline agreed.
“He has been paying me quite particular notice, you know. Did you see how he snubbed Lydia and came to sit by me?”
Caroline had noticed, and she agreed.
“And he addressed many of his remarks to me at dinner.”
Since Caroline would not go so far, she refrained from saying anything.
“And his sister, Mrs Miles. Is she not the very image of fashion?”
“They are both perfection itself,” said Caroline. “But may we speak of something else? I am quickly growing tired of singing their praises.”
“Perhaps,” said Louisa, “you are piqued because he did not pay you enough attention.”
“He took me in to dinner,” retorted Caroline, then wondered why she allowed herself to be drawn into this little game. She was indifferent to Captain Trewson. She was initially flattered when he had taken her in to dinner, but quickly lost interest in him. He was too accustomed to being the centre of attention. Charming as he was, and despite his flawless face, she preferred the company of someone who delighted less in attracting the ladies.
***
When the gentlemen rejoined the ladies, a table was set up for a game of loo. Robert and Mrs Miles declined, preferring to play whist, and Mrs Bennet, saying that she found loo too noisy, made to join them.
The play had hardly begun, however, when she withdrew. “I like a good game as much as anyone,” said Mrs Bennet. “But I do not play for such high stakes.” She turned to the group playing loo. “I hope you are not playing unlimited loo.”
“Have no fear, Mrs Bennet,” said Charles. “We are playing a very sedate game. Come, you must join us.”
“I advise you to look sharp with my sister, Mr Robert,” said Captain Trewson, who was playing loo. “She is a very good whist player. She never forgets a card. In fact, you would be well warned not to play with her at all.”
“Not fair!” said Mrs Miles. “You should not have warned him. Then he would have been caught off guard, for he would not expect a lady to play so well.”
“I am considered a fair player myself, so I believe I will rise to the challenge,” said Robert Darcy. “And if I lose, then I will be delighted to lose to the better player, and to one, moreover, who is so beautiful.”
“Do not say I did not warn you,” said Captain Trewson. Louisa, who was his partner, tittered at his side.
By the end of the evening Captain Trewson’s advice proved true, for Robert Darcy lost a considerable sum. But to judge from his laughter, he was taking great pleasure in the game, and regarded the loss well worth it.
Mr Darcy did not participate in any games and spent the evening writing letters and reading.
“I have never known such a fellow as you for writing letters,” said Charles. “I do not understand who you can be writing to, now that Georgiana is with you. You were always writing to her, last year.”
“I have many business matters I conduct by post when I am at Pemberley,” replied Mr Darcy. “And I correspond with a number of my relations as well as friends. In fact, there is never enough time to write all the letters I ought.”
Louisa let out a loud shout and collected her winnings. “Do not tell me you wish to split our winnings, Captain Trewson,” said Louisa, “for although you are my partner, it was I who held the best cards.”
“I would not dream of depriving you of your winnings, Mrs Hurst. As long as I can continue to partner you, that is more than enough of a prize for me.”
Mrs Bennet implored him to stop wasting time and concentrate on the game. “For I intend to make up my losses, you shall see,” she said. “And you need not look at me down your nose, Mr Bennet, for you know I have done it on many occasions.”
“If I look down my nose, Mrs Bennet,” said Mr Bennet, “it is because my eyeglasses are in danger of falling off.”
The evening passed pleasantly, though Mrs Bennet seemed quite shocked at how much Robert Darcy had lost.
“Five hundred pounds s
eems an excessive amount,” remarked Mrs Bennet to Caroline as they walked down the passageway to their rooms. “I do not think it quite right, do you?”
“Five hundred pounds? Surely he could not have lost so much in one sitting? And he does not even look perturbed.”
“I suppose money is no object, when you have plenty of it,” remarked Mrs Bennet.
But Caroline, though accustomed to the high stakes used for playing in London, could not help but feel that Mr Robert had been more reckless than she would have expected.
Chapter 13
Caroline had occasion to mention the losses to Robert Darcy the next morning, when she met him at breakfast.
“I am surprised to see you down so early,” said Caroline. “I expected you to have a late night of it, since you were well and truly trounced when I left. Did you not attempt to win back your money?” she asked.
His mouth twisted wryly. “I was unlucky with my cards.”
“It is more likely that you were too distracted by the lady.” She had meant it as a joke, but when she spoke there was a touch of pique in her voice. “I am glad I did not play,” she added quickly, before he noticed, “you were not the only one to lose.”
“It is the nature of wagering,” said Robert. “You can only win some of the time.”
“Which means you are certain to lose most of the time.”
He grinned. “Now there, I don’t agree. It depends on your luck.”
“I see you have the soul of a gambler.”
He shook his head. “You are mistaken. At any rate, I am not devoted to betting and card games. I generally dislike gambling. And with business matters I never take a chance.” He spoke earnestly.
Caroline smiled. “I am relieved to hear it,” she said.
“Come, Miss Bingley, you need not look so worried. I will not be dragged off to debtor’s prison for losing to Mrs Miles.”
She was at the point of asking if it was worth it, simply to gain Mrs Miles’s attention, but she held back. She did not want to appear peevish, and such a question might be misinterpreted.
“My cousin has proposed that we go trout fishing this morning,” said Robert Darcy, “since the weather has been holding well, though it is late in the season. Perhaps we shall have fish for dinner.”
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