by Liese Anning
'I am a teacher in a school. I came over with Miss Jones in October,' she said, confidently, looking up at his face.
'I hope she does not mind walking with Captain Richardson.'
'I do not think she cares,' she said smiling.
They walked several more paces in silence before he spoke again. 'Did you know your brother was stationed here?'
'No,' she said, shaking her head, 'I have not seen him, or even been in contact with him, since my father's funeral. I thought he was still at school.'
'How old is he?' he asked curiously.
'Fifteen,' she replied, almost in a whisper, 'he will turn sixteen on the 17th of June.'
James did not respond immediately. There was nothing he could say to comfort her. War was a foregone conclusion. The only uncertainty was where and when. Her brother would have to fight, and there was very little anyone could do to alter the inevitable chain of events. 'Yes, he is,' he said, with a sigh, 'too young.' He had always been grateful that his father had refused to buy him a commission just after school and insisted he go to Cambridge instead. It had seemed unfair at the time, but he grew to understand, and be grateful for, his decision. 'I am afraid there is little I can do to help him,' he said softly, 'but I will look out for your brother and keep an eye on him from a distance.'
'Thank you,' she said, smiling at him, 'it looks like I will be in your debt once more.'
It was the first time either of them had acknowledged their past acquaintance. It may have been eighteen months since they had last met, but meeting her again had reawakened something inside him. Something he had not felt for a long time. 'Verity,' he said, softly, using her given name, 'please believe me, but you were never in my debt.'
They walked on again in silence. 'I thought you had a position in Bath or was it, Bristol?'
'Bristol,' she answered.
'So, what has brought you all the way to Brussels?' He asked curiously.
'The headmistress of the school, I was teaching in, suggested I came here. Mrs DuPont, the lady who runs the school here in Brussels, was once a pupil from my old school.' She looked at him and smiled, 'would you believe that I have been here nearly six months, and this is the first time I have ventured out to explore the city.'
'And what do you think of Brussels?' he asked smiling at her.
'It is beautiful but very crowded.'
'Yes,' he replied, with a sigh, 'it seems that half of London, including most of my family, is here. My brother and his wife came over last month when they thought London society had become a little flat. But, I wish they had not bothered.'
'Why not?' she questioned inquiringly.
'These are uncertain times,' he replied gravely. 'It is only a matter of time before we fight the French.'
They walked a few more paces. Only the sound of Maisie laughing broke the silence on that warm afternoon. 'But the Duke's still in Vienna. Surely, we are safe here so far away from France.'
'He will come to Brussels very soon,' James replied. 'Anyway,' he said, changing the subject, 'I could cope with their presence if it was just the impending war, but my sister-in-law is trying to matchmake me with every suitable unmarried female of her acquaintance. I would rather face a whole garrison of elite French troops, than cross swords with her. She is a force to be reckoned with.'
Verity laughed and looked at him. 'Oh, how absurd you are,' she said still laughing, 'I am certain, that you are more than able to take care of yourself.'
‘Believe me,' he said, laughing with her, 'my sister-in-law is persistent.'
He took her to one of the benches at the side of the promenade, and they both sat down. 'Do not be fooled by how peaceful the city looks. The political situation is very uncertain. You should make plans to leave. I think you should...' However, James did not get the opportunity to finish his sentence.
'James,' a woman call out, interrupting him, 'James,' the voice called out again, a little louder.
Verity noticed his countenance immediately change. A woman, not much older than herself, dressed in the latest London fashion, walked over to them. Walking by her side was a younger woman, with golden blond hair and vivid green eyes, who looked as though she was fresh from the schoolroom. Like her companion, she too was impeccably dressed in the latest styles. The accessories, of her light cream muslin dress and straw bonnet, were the same shade of green as her eyes. As they walked towards them, Verity saw the younger of the two, look coyly at Colonel Mitford. A blush crept into her cheek as she caught his eye.
As the two women approached, James and Verity stood up. 'James,' the older woman said again, in the same shrill voice, 'I am glad I caught up with you. There is someone I would like you to meet.' She turned to her companion and began the introduction, ignoring Verity. 'James,' she said, with a flourish, 'this is Lady Caroline, the only daughter of The Duke of Hittesleigh. He was one of your father's closest friends.' Before he could answer, she then introduced him to her companion, 'this, my dear Caro, is my dear, dear brother-in-law, Colonel James Mitford. Do you remember him?'
Lady Caroline curtsied, 'Colonel Mitford, I have been looking forward to meeting you. Last time we met, I was only seven years old, but I distinctly remember you. You were just twenty and about to join the military, I do believe.' She paused to look up at him through her eyelashes. 'Lady Wrexham has been telling me all about you and your brave exploits on the battlefield.'
'What an incredible coincidence it is, meeting you here,' Lady Wrexham said, in a loud voice. 'Will you not walk with us,' she said, taking his arm.
Throughout the following conversation, Lady Wrexham continued to ignore Verity, making no attempt even to acknowledge her existence. Verity took a step back, from the Colonel's side, when she heard him say in a commanding voice. 'Charlotte, I am also glad I met you today. I would like to introduce you to Miss Stanford and her friend, Miss Jones.' By now, Captain Richardson and Maisie had caught up with them and were now standing opposite them, next to Lady Caroline. 'Of course,' he said, with an added flourish, 'you are already acquainted with Captain Richardson.'
Lady Wrexham nodded and looked at Verity with, what could only be described, as a look of disdain. 'Of course, I know Captain Richardson. I went to school with your sister, Margaret. She wrote to me recently about your betrothal.' Lady Wrexham turned around to her companion, Lady Caro, and said, 'Captain Richardson is going to marry Miss Underhill,' she then added artlessly, 'I do believe she is an heiress.'
'Miss Stanford and Miss Jones are in Brussels teaching,' James said, ignoring his sister-in-law's rude comments.
'Teaching? Indeed,' she said, in a shrill voice, 'how quaint,' she then added, in a patronising tone, before turning her attention back to her brother-in-law, 'I was just telling Caro how the Duke would not be able to function without you. She was very impressed, were you not, my dear.'
The girl smiled demurely, putting her chin down and lifting her eyes to look at him, 'you are indeed incredibly brave.'
James sighed, as he instantly recognised the flirtatious look in the young woman's eyes. He had neither the time or the inclination, to engage in his sister-in-law's matchmaking plans. He bowed politely. 'I am afraid; I must go,' he said, looking at his sister-in-law, his face expressionless, 'I must escort Miss Stanford and her friend back home.'
'Oh, but cannot Captain Richardson do that,' she said as she pulled at his arm for him to come with her, 'I am sure he will not mind.' She then turned to the Captain, 'Captain Richardson, you will surely not mind escorting these ladies home?'
James was taken aback by his sister-in-law's request. Not only had she ignored Verity, but she had also introduced him to a very young woman of her acquaintance. This was not the first-time Lady Charlotte had tried to persuade James to form an attachment with one of her close friends. He had asked his brother to have a word with his wife, regarding her interference in his personal affairs. He desperately wanted to give his sister-in-law a set down. But, James, still annoyed by her meddling in his
private affairs, did not want to shame her publicly.
He was aware that he had stiffened as his sister-in-law spoke. 'I am afraid, I cannot,' he said politely, 'I have promised to take Miss Stanford home, and as you well know, my word is my bond.'
'But...' Lady Charlotte said, desperation slowly creeping into her voice.
'It has been lovely, as ever, to talk to you, Charlotte, but I really must go.'
'You will come to dine tonight. I am one short at my table and...' Lady Charlotte, changing tactics, began to speak with a quiet, yet pleading voice.
'I am afraid Captain Richardson and myself are spoken for elsewhere,’ he said to her firmly, 'but, we could join you after dinner for tea. I need to talk to Tristan.'
Lady Charlotte, knowing that he would not change his mind, sighed and said. 'I shall look forward to seeing you later this evening. Goodbye James,' she said annoyed that she did not get her way.
'I must apologise for my sister-in-law's rudeness,' he said, as the two women disappeared around a corner. 'I am afraid she can be, at times, pretentious and toplofty.'
'There is no need to apologise,' Verity said, as she took his arm, which he offered her, once more.
James then turned to his friend, Captain Richardson, 'I also owe you an apology. I know you have better places to go this evening, but I must go and see my brother and I would like you to come.'
'That's alright, old man,' Captain Richardson said, 'it will be a pleasure to see Wrexham again.'
As they continued to walk along the path, with Captain Richardson and Maisie walking a few paces behind them, James said, 'I am sorry for Charlotte's rudeness. I wanted to introduce you formally to her and my brother.'
'I do not think that will be necessary,' Verity replied stiffly.
'I believe that it is,' he added, 'and you never know when you need a friend in these uncertain times. My brother is not as rude and dismissive as his wife.'
'I have plenty of friends here in Brussels.' Verity said firmly.
'My family may not be the most welcoming, but my brother is very influential. If you need anything, and I am not here, please go and ask him. He will help you.’ James said as he squeezed her hand gently.
'Thank you,' she murmured, 'if I need help, I will ask.'
Chapter 12
'Verity,' Maisie said in a whisper, later that night after they had gone to bed, 'you are a dark horse.'
'Maisie,' Verity said, in reply, 'I do not know what you mean?'
'I did not know you knew a Colonel, and a handsome one at that.'
'I first met him just after my father's funeral.' Verity said, trying to make it sound like an everyday occurrence.
'He had a very charming and handsome friend, Captain Richardson. I liked him and, I think, he liked me.' Maisie said, in a dreamy voice. 'He wants to meet me again next week.'
'Do you think that is wise?' Verity replied, 'Lady Wrexham said he was betrothed to an heiress.'
'It is only for a stroll around the park. I am not planning on running away with him.' Maisie paused, then added mischievously, 'well, not yet anyway.'
They lay in the darkness in silence, until Maisie, once more, broke the silence, 'Verity, what is wrong?' she said, at last, 'you have been even more quiet than usual since this afternoon.'
'I suppose it was the shock of seeing Reggie again. He has grown up so much since I last saw him.' Verity still remembered her brother as the tall, lanky fourteen-year-old lad; she had last seen at the funeral. This afternoon, he may have been only fifteen years old, but he looked every inch the grown man.
'He was also incredibly rude. I did not like the way he spoke to you.'
'I can hardly blame him for that. He was only copying our father. We all had an unusual upbringing.'
'That is not a good enough reason to speak to a member of his family in such a manner,' Maisie replied forcibly. 'I thought he did not show any respect.'
Verity sighed. She was all too aware of her brother's harsh words, and how they came across to others. But Verity never blamed her brother for his opinion regarding her. Their father, over the years, had influenced him. 'I am worried about him, Maisie, he has new guardians, and I know that they are men without honour.'
'It cannot be that bad. They bought him a commission in a good regiment. They would not have done that if they did not have his best interests at heart.' Maisie replied, trying to reassure her friend.
'But Maisie,' Verity said, her voice full of passion, 'he is only fifteen years old. It is far too young to be fighting and endangering one’s life. They should not have encouraged him. His former guardians would have insisted that he stayed at school and then gone to university. He would then have been old enough to make an informed decision about his future, and whether or not he wanted a military career.'
Maisie did not reply. How could she? Instead, there was another long silence. Words of comfort, regarding Reggie, would have seemed hollow and ill placed. 'It is not just Reggie,' Verity, at last, said, 'he told me that my sister, Cassie, did not die, but is alive and here in Brussels.'
'Are you certain?' Maisie replied, sitting up in the darkness. She remembered Cassie from school and the strange circumstances that surrounded her disappearance. 'I know you did not want to accept that she had died, but surely, after all this time, you cannot believe that she is still alive? If she were, she would have been in contact with you before now. And why would your father's solicitors have lied to you for all this time?'
'Even from the start, I found their story unbelievable.' Verity said as she sat upright in her bed. 'What if something had happened to Cassie and she was unable to contact me?' She reached for the candle on the small table and lit it. It's pale orange light, flickered against the cream painted walls of their room. 'I think her disappearance had something to do with my brother's new guardians.'
'Well, I think that is unlikely,' Maisie said to her friend, 'it all seems a little too farfetched to me. Why would your brother's new guardians kidnap your sister? And where would they have kept her for the last eighteen months?'
Verity frowned, 'I know that Reggie has seen her recently. I must follow him and find out where she lives.'
'What! Follow him! By yourself?' Maisie said, tilting her head to one side. 'And how, may I ask, are you planning on doing that?' Just as Verity opened her mouth to answer, Maisie held up her hand and interrupted her. 'Do not tell me that you are planning, in the middle of the night, to follow your brother around the streets of Brussels. It is not only foolhardy but very dangerous.'
'But, what else can I do? I must find out if Cassie is here. She may need my help.'
'What about asking your handsome Colonel?' Maisie said, with a smile on her face. 'I am certain he would do anything for you, including following your ungrateful brother around Brussels at night.'
'I cannot ask him,' Verity said, shaking her head. 'I am already in his debt as it is, and I could not ask him to help me again. I must think of how to do this on my own.'
'I do not understand why you cannot ask,' Maisie asked, puzzled at Verity's vehement reply. 'He has connections with the military, and he likes you.' She looked over to Verity, her eyebrows raised, and her head tilted to one side, 'he likes you a great deal.'
'I cannot ask him,' Verity said quietly, 'I just cannot.' She put her head down. Verity never spoke about her past. Discussing it seemed pointless. However, sitting in their room late that night, the flicking candle near the end of its finite life, she felt as though she owed her friend an explanation.
Verity told Maisie about her visit to Hadlands, for her father's funeral, and the stormy night she had first met the Colonel. She told her about Lord Melrose and his scandalous proposal. She also explained to Maisie that this same Lord Melrose was now one of her brother's guardians. 'Maisie,' she said, as she drew near to the end of her story, 'Colonel Mitford destroyed the contract I signed. I do not know how, but it must have come at some personal cost to him.' There was silence in the room as Maisie dig
ested everything Verity had said. 'Now can you understand why I cannot ask him for his help?'
'I understand,' Maisie whispered. 'I do. Let me think of something else. I am usually full of good ideas.'
After several minutes of contemplation, Maisie, at last, spoke, 'I have a better idea,' she said, her eyes bright with excitement. 'Do you know Janet?'
Verity shook her head, 'no, I do not think I do.'
'You must know her. She is Madame DuPont’s maid. They both came together, from England, years ago.'
'Do you mean, Huntley?' Verity said, cautiously. 'But how can she help?'
'Oh, Verity,' her friend said, with a sigh, 'you should be a little less shy and talk to people. She has a brother who was in the army until he got injured. He is always looking out for work, and I know he would be perfect for a job like this.'
'I do not know, Maisie,' Verity said, doubt in her voice, 'what if my brother sees him.'
Maisie snorted. 'Verity! Who is your brother more likely to notice; a retired soldier, or his sister? Even if he is spotted, by your brother, it is better than doing nothing.'
Verity sighed, 'of course, you are right. I cannot do this by myself.'
'That is settled,' Maisie said triumphantly, 'I will talk to her tomorrow and see if she thinks he would be interested. We could meet him one evening and explain what you want him to do. You do have some money saved, do you not.'
'Yes, I do,' Verity said, 'I have not spent much since coming here.'
'Good,' Maisie said, 'you should have enough to pay him.'
Verity then blew out the candle, plunging them both into darkness. 'Thank you, Maisie.'
'There is no need to thank me. I just want to help you find your sister.'
The next Wednesday afternoon, after a week of negotiation through Madame DuPont's maid, Verity, at last, met the man charged with following her brother. Verity was a little unsure of him. He was scruffy and unkempt, not at all like his sister the prim and rather austere Huntley. But Maisie had assured her that he was perfect for the job. When Verity had voiced her concerns, Maisie had just said, 'Verity! Stop worrying. He will blend into the background, and your brother will never be aware of his presence. He also has friends that will be able to help him. You gave him an excellent description of your brother, and he has the miniature of your sister. Just trust him to do his job.'
