by Ann Chaney
The colonel dismounted and lifted Arabella up into his arms while he held his wife to his other side and faced them.
“From the looks of that bloody cravat, I will need to change your bandage, get you both fed and freshened up. Arabella, run ahead and tell Jedediah to start boiling the water and to set out the table for dinner.”
Richard watched in amazement as the spritely little girl, no worse for wear from her experiences, scampered away calling for their houseman at the top of her lungs.
“I will take her normally rambunctious manner to mean she was not harmed in any way?” Mrs. Carlton asked.
Howard Carlton pulled his wife into his arms. He held her for a moment before speaking. “I talked to her on the ride back about what happened. The men who took her will haunt her nights for a while I would suspect but we will be close at hand to comfort her.”
Richard felt a twinge of envy. To have Serena to share his life. To deal with the day to day ups and downs. At that moment, he wanted to have all that the colonel had. With Serena. Would she accept his troth? Most likely not, since she now knew of his work for Whitehall and the important role she could play.
Carlton continued. “She does know she was wrong to leave the camp and has promised to never do so again.” The colonel turned toward the rows of tents and started walking. “My only concern is she will forget the horror of the last night and today and drift away again. I forget she is just a little girl. Growing up on a battlefield is not right. After we take care of our guests, we must talk about her future."
“Well, we have other matters to deal with at this moment. The viscount’s wound being our top priority.” Mrs. Carlton replied, ignoring her husband’s somber expression. She took Serena’s hand, while Carlton helped him navigate the rows of tents.
The sight of Arabella looking at ease as she set the table by the fire caused him to wonder if the last hours had been a dream. The only sign the child had been abducted was the dirty white dress she wore and her sunburnt face. A cook stirred a large pot over the campfire. He didn’t care what was in that pot. He’d eat every drop of the food without complaint or criticism.
Carlton led him to a stool beside the campfire. He sat expelling a deep breath and leaned against the tent’s center pole. The smells from the cooking pot were heavenly.
Mrs. Carlton knelt by his side and proceeded to cut his favorite pair of Weston’s breeches to expose his bandaged thigh. “I assume this is Lady Serena’s handiwork.” She looked up at him. Her eyes somber as she unwrapped the soiled cravat bandage from around his thigh. She gingerly touched his wound. “She did a decent job cleaning the wound. You’re most fortunate she was with you.”
“Mrs. Carlton, I hope you will keep an open mind about how we came to be here.”
“My lord, I live in a tent in the middle of the harshest land I’ve ever seen, surrounded by soldiers some more criminals than civilized men. I follow my husband wherever the king sends him with my precious child in tow. She’s never been to England. Never met her family. If anyone has an open mind it is I.”
Richard decided his explanation would wait until later. He hoped the colonel would be as understanding as his lady wife.
Mrs. Carlton made quick work of cleaning the wound and sprinkling a powder on his flesh before rewrapping his thigh one more time. “You need stitching, but that will wait until after your bath. I keep a pot of water on the fire when my husband is on patrol. The lady will make use of my bathing tub first. We’ll get the baths out of the way.” She stood and smiled down at him. “You must be hungry. I do have a broth simmering. A bowl should tide you over until we eat. Are you interested?”
“Mrs. Carlton, I promise if you would share your broth with us, I’ll be in your debt for the remainder of my days.”
The lady laughed. “What if I add a slice of fresh bread? Will you arrange an audience with the king?”
Serena joined them. “If he won’t, I will.”
Mrs. Carlton smiled at her and waved her into the tent. “Well, Lady Serena, your bath awaits. Once you wash and are dressed, Arabella is next. We’ll be eating stew within the hour if we don’t dawdle.”
Mrs. Carlton shooed Serena off into the family’s tent where a metal tub sat in the middle of the space with tendrils of steam rising from the water's surface. Serena who had a slipper shaped bathing tub in her dressing room at Hanover Square, did not think she had ever seen such a welcoming sight as that crude metal tub. Most likely doubling as a laundry tub on wash day.
She laid out her clean clothes and disrobed. She could not stop the groan of pleasure that escaped her lips as she stepped in and wedged her body into the tub. Her legs folded at the knees. Serena wished she could stay in the water for at least a day, but knew she had to be quick. She washed her hair and rinsed it with the pail of clean water sitting by the tub. She dressed in her clean clothes and left the tent.
Richard stiffened as she approached. He’d remained by the campfire. The Carltons stood a few feet away whispering to each other. From their demeanor she assumed the couple were arguing.
Mrs. Carlton stopped talking to her husband and called for Bella to come to her. The mother and daughter disappeared into the bath tent. The colonel went to sit beside Richard by the fire. She wanted to join them but being back with people who knew the correct and proper way she should behave disturbed her peace of mind. Strange how she never felt odd in her male trappings but now she wished she’d donned one of her day gowns.
Bella came over and sat beside her while Richard took his turn to bathe and the colonel as well. Everyone clean and refreshed sat at the table and ate the best rabbit stew she’d ever tasted. Bella barely ate her stew before she slumped against her mother sound asleep. Her papa carried her to bed. Serena wished her papa was near, to wrap his arms around her. What a joy to feel that safe again would be.
After dinner, Colonel Carlton left taking Richard with him to see if word had come when Wellington would return. She found herself alone by the campfire with his wife. It was obvious the other woman had planned their coze with military precision. She told Jedediah to make use of the bath water. The boy didn’t have to be told twice.
“Now, we ladies are alone. Why don't you tell me why you, a lady of good breeding, would take on such a dangerous undertaking?” The lady drew a breath and seemed to force her mouth to remain closed though it was obvious she had more she wanted to say.
“I will use Lord Weatherington’s succinct manner of speech. Middle of the night. Him. Crawling through my window. Assisted in capture of traitor. Man escaped. Followed to Lisbon. Here we are.”
Mrs. Carlton smiled. “My lady, I understand completely. Just like a man. Few words. My husband. Same way.”
Serena took hold of the lady’s hand. “Mrs. Carlton, please use my given name, Serena. I know we have only just met, but the one lesson I’ve learned on this journey, is to not take a single moment for granted. I would be most unhappy if we are not friends.”
“I would like that above all else, as well. Please call me Evelyn. You and his lordship saved my baby’s life. You both will always be part of our family from this day forward.”
“Evelyn, I want you to know, Richard and I have not endangered your daughter’s life. The only violence we experienced in her presence was her rescue. However, there is the very real possibility that your family could be at risk by association with us. Our target is smart. He could this very minute be watching us. I want to assure you we will be leaving for Lisbon after we meet with Wellington.”
Evelyn's mouth had not moved during Serena’s explanation. Serena admired the woman for her courage and commitment to her husband, following the drum with a child, a girl no less. She wished they could have met under different circumstances.
Why did no one ever come into her life at the right time? Was the answer as simple as one had to take the comings and goings of one’s life as they happened and just enjoy the good times and persevere in the bad times?
“I
must say, I was not expecting such a response when I asked the question. The thought of you traveling across Portugal with Lord Richard, without a proper chaperone and wearing men’s clothes shouldn’t surprise me. I’ve seen much in my time here I’ve found unbelievable.”
Serena could only smile. Evelyn Carlton was a strong woman who she envied. No doubt the lady held her own with her husband.
“What do you say to borrowing one of my day gowns and returning to your true self. I don’t believe you want to shock the general. Wear the gown for your interview with him and for the remainder of your stay in camp. I have an old riding habit you can wear back to England. You may have come to us without a chaperone, but I can assure you you’ll not return home without a lady at your side. Your brother will see to it.” The lady patted her hand. “Besides, the viscount seems to be taken with you. It will not hurt for the man to be reminded you are a woman. You may bewitch him so that he demands to marry before your departure. Bella would be over the moon at such an occurrence.”
“I agree. As it is the general will be most unhappy with my presence here. Better to dress the part of a lady to ease his ire. My brother will be the one who will be most difficult regarding my circumstance.”
Evelyn patted her hand. “Don’t you fret about the menfolk. I may have only just met you, but I can tell you know how to deal with the men in your life. Now, tell me what will be worn in the ballrooms this season? Would love to know a bit of gossip before the other officers’ wives. I’ll be invited to take tea every afternoon for at least a fortnight once the other officers’ wives learn I’ve a visitor from London.”
Serena shared all the latest news about hemlines and bodices. She dredged up the details of a few of the more infamous scandals being talked about in the drawing rooms during afternoon calls. She’d not enjoyed a coze so much since her first season.
She wanted all of this. Friends to while away an hour with chatting, a family to nurture and cherish and perhaps her dearest wish was to have a husband not just any man but Richard Weatherington. There she’d acknowledged what she’d refused to admit for four years. The only question remained would she succumb to Richard’s demand to marry knowing he had no intention of keeping her by his side. She knew the man was wedded to his country.
Evelyn looked to the sleeping tent. “Forgive me for my poor manners, but I must see to Bella. After the day she’s had she may have bad dreams. I think it best if I join her. The men should return soon. I assume you want to hear what they have learned.”
“No need for an apology. Your child must always come first. You are right that I wish to hear what Richard has learned. As for borrowing one of your dresses, I must decline. I have two gowns in my valise.”
“As it should be.” Evelyn hugged her and left her sitting by the fire. Without Evelyn to talk to she grew bored. A chill ran down her back. The only time she ever had that sensation was when Percy Arnold was nearby, in London and Lisbon, and the day he ambushed them. He was here. She believed that with all her being.
Serena looked around expecting to see the assassin stepping out of the shadows. No such luck. Two men did come from the darkness, Richard and Colonel Carlton. Part of her wanted to run over and throw herself into Richard’s arms. She took one step forward before she realized the foolishness of her thoughts.
The men joined her at the campfire. She didn’t miss the smile on Richard’s lips. The man knew what she’d almost done. No doubt he relished the sight of her almost losing control of herself. Perhaps she should give him something to think about. Evelyn’s suggestion to wear one of her gowns would do.
Richard sat beside Serena while Carlton remained standing. The officer was clearly torn between being a good host and wanting to go to his wife and child.
“Colonel, I’m certain you are eager to be with Bella. Please, go to them. Richard will tell me all.” Serena waved the man off to the sleeping tent.
Richard took her hand and kissed it. “Well done, my dear. The man has been a consummate officer seeing to every introduction along the way, but I know he wanted to be here.”
“Yes, a gentleman who does his duty with honor. You of all men can understand. Now, what did you discover?”
“Wellington is due back at any moment. His staff sent a rider out to inform him we are here. Captain Lord Abingdon is riding with him.”
“Thorne will not kill you. I’ll explain how we came to be together. He’s the reason I agreed to help Moreham and he knows it. Rather hypocritical of him to take offense when all we are doing is our safeguarding our country. He can’t have it both ways.”
“I like that explanation. Let’s see if your brother allows you time to explain before he draws his sword and runs me through.”
“I don’t think worrying about Thorne’s opinion or actions is our problem at the moment.” Serena muttered as she looked over her shoulder. “He’s here.”
“Did you see him?”
“No, just a feeling. A tingle down my back. I know he is here. He’s watching us. Perhaps we should decline the Carltons’ invitation for me to sleep with the ladies tonight. I don’t want Arnold to hurt them. The family has suffered enough. We both know he’ll not allow anyone to get in his way. Not us or a six-year-old girl. Until he is captured, no one is safe.”
Richard wished he could tell her she was wrong, but he could not. Carlton had arranged for him to sleep in a tent where the officers were out on a week-long patrol. No one would ever know a woman was in the tent with him. All that remained was to convince Carlton. He had a feeling when they voiced their fears the colonel would be more than happy to put distance between his family and Serena.
He nodded his agreement. “Very well, we’ll talk to the colonel.” The words were barely out of his mouth when Carlton emerged from the tent where Bella slept.
Serena stood as the officer approached. “I’ll speak with Evelyn.”
Carlton watched her walk away before turning back to give him his full attention. “Something’s happened.”
“Serena thinks Arnold is lurking in the shadows tonight. We are in agreement that she should remain with me rather than risk your wife and child. Arnold would slit their throats without hesitation. We both think if we stay together, he’ll leave your family alone. There’s been enough pain and suffering today.”
Carlton cursed. “My wife will not like this turn of events. She sees herself as Lady Serena’s chaperone. Women have their own code of honor. She will not give in easily to your suggestion.”
“That’s why Serena is talking to her. Give them a few moments.”
A subaltern approached the fire, snapped to attention and saluted the colonel. The junior officer handed Carlton a slip of paper.
Carlton read the note and dismissed the junior officer with a wave of his hand. “Interesting. The duty officer sent the note to tell us Wellington has been detained and will not arrive back at his headquarters until morning.
“The general has ordered his staff to provide any assistance you require. I’ll ask the duty officer to arrange for a tent closer to the headquarters billets. More roving foot patrols in that area. If you’re right and Arnold is in the encampment, not even he would venture into the staff’s billeting area. Those guards shoot first leaving no reason to ask questions. Brutally efficient.” Carlton pulled a piece of paper and lead pencil from his inside jacket pocket and wrote a note that he handed to the courier. “I asked for a detail to escort the two of you to the tent. There’ll be a guard posted at the front and back of the tent. Would be best if Serena said little. No need for the guards to know she’s a lady.”
“My thanks, this will be better for all concerned.”
The sight of Evelyn Carlton bearing down on them caused him to wonder if his words were premature. Carlton moved to intercept his wife who glared up at him. The colonel raised his hands in the universal sign of surrender.
“I understand you intend to take an unmarried lady to whom I owe a debt of gratitude to a tent for the nig
ht.” She growled through clenched teeth. “She may be an agent of the Crown, but she is a lady and you are honor bound to protect her at all costs. I want you to know I’m severely put out with you for risking her reputation since the moment you left London. Yes, I know all. She just told me her presence here was her own doing. Know this, my lord, in the morning she will come back to my tent and don a dress and bonnet for your meeting with the general. On that I will have your word.”
“I’m your servant, Mrs. Carlton, you have my word. I’ll escort Lady Serena back to you personally.” He clicked his heels and bowed.
Serena came out of the tent, motioning for Mrs. Carlton. “Bella is awake and asking for you. She had a bad dream.”
The Carltons rushed over and disappeared into the tent. All thought of his and Serena’s sleeping arrangement faded away for the worried parents. For an instant, Richard wished he and Serena had a little girl, no maybe two little girls and a couple of boys of their own. This business of having her so near did wreak havoc on his resolve to remain unmarried.
The mission was almost over. Before the sun set again, they would speak with Wellington. Back to Lisbon, another journey through the Channel to London. Why could he not just pursue Serena and win her hand in marriage? Other fellows did the deed every day. Those gentlemen made the chase seem easy. The ladies wanted to be married. Why did he and Serena have such a hard time? So deep in thought, he jumped when Serena nudged his arm.
“Our escort is here.” She nodded to the three soldiers standing at the ready with bayonets fixed. “Shall we?”
The sergeant of the escort took control and positioned them each behind a soldier while he brought up the rear. They looked more like prisoners being taken to jail than emissaries from Whitehall.
Percy watched Weatherington and Lady Serena still dressed as a man leave the 95th Rifles officer billeting area with an armed escort. No doubt, they would be housed in one of the tents earmarked for staff officers. In other words, he would not be able to reach them. To breech the picket lines around the general’s headquarters meant certain death. Those guards took their work very seriously.
