The Caged Countess

by Joanna Fulford

  ‘Will the Duke take personal command?’

  ‘It looks like it. He can’t allow the French to drive a wedge between his forces.’

  ‘Sabrina told me it’s a favourite tactic of theirs.’

  ‘That’s right. Divide the force, then attack one group and defeat it before moving on to rout the rest.’ The Earl paused. ‘Many people are already leaving Brussels. Do you wish to join them, my love?’

  ‘Certainly not.’

  He grinned. ‘I rather thought you would say that.’

  ‘How could I leave when Sabrina is still here?’

  ‘She will not go anywhere without her husband, and if the French are foolish enough to take her on they’ll regret it. She can handle a sword and pistol along with the best of them.’

  ‘So I believe,’ said Claudia.

  ‘In the meantime, the Inspector-General of Health is ordering that tents be set up for the wounded outside the city gates. I have no doubt that he will soon be requesting equipment as well; pillows, blankets, bandages and so forth.’

  ‘I’ll look to see what spare blankets and pillows we have,’ she said. ‘If extra hands are required to scrape lint and roll bandages I would be glad to...’ She broke off as a sound like the rumble of distant thunder rolled across the city. ‘What on earth was that?’

  The Earl listened intently and then, as another rumble sounded, said, ‘It is the sound of a cannonade. It must be from Quatre Bras.’

  They were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. A few moments later the butler entered.

  ‘A messenger has arrived from Headquarters, my lord. He wishes to speak with you.’

  The Earl went out into the hallway. Claudia heard voices but couldn’t make out the words. A few minutes later her husband returned, his face sombre.

  ‘I’ve got to go out, my love.’

  ‘Anthony, what is it? What’s happened?’

  ‘Under interrogation Alain Poiret has revealed that the French have been deliberately feeding the Coalition forces with misinformation.’

  ‘Is it serious?’

  ‘Potentially, yes. It seems their spies have infiltrated our courier service. Viaud has asked for me. I don’t know how long I’m going to be.’

  ‘Of course. Just be careful, that’s all.’

  He drew her to him for a kiss and then he was gone.

  The rest of the afternoon and evening passed without any sign of him. When the clock struck eleven she reluctantly resigned herself to his absence that night. No doubt he didn’t want to undertake the journey back in the dark. Forcing down her uneasiness she retired to bed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Gradually the wagons came in bearing the wounded and soon the tents that Dr Brügmans had organised were full to overflowing. Some of the larger town houses began to take in some of the injured, Lady Harrington’s among them. Rather than sit at home and worry, Claudia and Sabrina, like many other ladies, volunteered their services to help with nursing duties and take some of the pressure off the hard-pressed medical orderlies.

  It was hard and dirty work but Claudia preferred it to doing nothing. In the back of her mind was the dread that Anthony might somehow end up among the wounded. As her hands bathed away dirt and blood her mind tried not to think of the implications; tried to hold on to the last image she had of him alive and well.

  As the day wore on, news filtered in of a Prussian defeat at Ligny. Sabrina had the news from a courier.

  ‘Wellington has fallen back to the escarpment north of Quatre Bras, but his control of the crossroads means that the Prussians have been able to fall back parallel to his line of retreat.’

  ‘Is that good?’ asked Claudia.

  ‘Yes, because it prevents the French from driving a wedge through the Allied forces. Usually an army retreats along its supply lines. Had they done that in this instance Napoleon would have split the two forces north and south.’

  ‘Where are the Prussians now?’

  ‘At Wavre. General Blücher is with them. It seems he fell under his horse while leading a counter attack at Ligny, and was ridden over by the French cavalry—twice!’

  Claudia’s eyes widened. ‘Twice and lived? The man must be indestructible.’

  ‘He’s a man whom other men will follow, that’s for sure. Goodness knows we need them.’

  It was the truth and they both knew it. Claudia found herself silently praying that they should come through it somehow. If only Anthony and Robert might return unscathed, then nothing else mattered.

  They left Lady Harrington’s house some eight hours later, both of them unutterably weary. After the stench of blood and filth the clean air was more than welcome even though the lowering clouds threatened rain. When they reached the street corner the two women embraced and then continued on their separate ways. Claudia had scarcely reached the next corner before the rain began, first in slow, fat drops and then more quickly. The drops became a shower. Fortunately it was not far to go and she ran the last hundred yards. As she reached the door the shower became a downpour. An astonished butler let her in.

  ‘In good time, milady.’

  ‘Is my husband back yet?’

  ‘No, not yet.’

  Her heart sank. Where on earth could he be?

  The butler regarded her in concern. ‘You are wet. Shall I bring you some tea, my lady?’

  ‘Later perhaps,’ she replied. ‘I’ll ring when I need you.’

  He bowed and withdrew. She listened to the sound of his retreating footsteps. The house was very quiet. Yet, after the bustle at Lady Harrington’s, the silence came as a blessed relief. This house was the place she had shared with Anthony. Every room bore a reminder of his presence and just then she needed that more than anything.

  Claudia took off her damp bonnet and pelisse and went upstairs, her footsteps sounding unnaturally loud in the silence. Streaming rain muted the light from the windows and rendered it yellowish grey. Ignoring her own room she continued on along the corridor until she reached Anthony’s chamber. It still bore the signs of his presence; a book on the bedside table, closets and drawers full of clothes. She caught the faint scent of cedar and her throat tightened. Carefully lifting a coat from the press she held it to her and closed her eyes. Immediately his image returned with force. The effect was to create an almost overpowering sense of loss and loneliness. She shivered a little. The air was cooler now and her own clothing slightly damp, so she put the coat around her shoulders. It swamped her, but its warmth and scent were comforting. Then she sat down on the edge of the bed. Outside the rain drummed on rooftops and bounced off the cobbles and rushed along the gutters, but, here, in this room, she was in a place apart; a place that had belonged just to the two of them. She knew now that what really mattered was the two of them, and the new life they had created. For too long she had let the past shadow everything; had let fear come between her and the chance of future happiness. It was all so clear now, but perhaps the knowledge had come too late. Anthony was gone and she might never see him again. The terror of that realisation rendered all other fears insignificant.

  She had no idea how long she remained there, only that when she came to herself again the light was fading and it was still raining. The initial cloudburst had given way to a steady downpour. The streets were deserted and the usual sounds absent. With a sigh, Claudia took off the coat and folded it carefully before returning it to the press. Then she left the room and closed the door behind her.

  She was halfway downstairs when she heard the sound of horses’ hooves and then men’s voices. Checking mid-stride, she listened carefully. The voices were replaced by the sound of booted feet and then the front door opened to reveal a familiar figure. Claudia’s heart turned over. Then she was flying down the stairs and across the hallway.

  ‘Anthony!’
/>
  He seized hold of her, lifting her off the floor, kissing her hard. Claudia’s arms fastened round his neck as she pressed closer for a very damp embrace and for some time speech was impossible. Then she drew back a little, looking into his face.

  ‘Thank goodness you’re back. I’ve been so worried.’

  ‘No need, my love.’

  ‘Did I not hear someone with you?’

  ‘Matthew. He’s gone to take care of the horses.’

  ‘I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you so much.’

  ‘And I you.’

  ‘Are you hungry? Goodness knows what there is in the house but I’m sure that the cook can find you something.’

  ‘That would be wonderful. It doesn’t matter what it is. Food supplies are scant at the moment and most of our fellows haven’t eaten. The road is littered with abandoned supply wagons. The drivers ran away when they heard we’d pulled back from Quatre Bras.’

  ‘The wounded are still coming in,’ she replied. ‘Was it very bad?’

  ‘Bad enough, but it was only the precursor to the main action. Wellington is assembling his troops near the village of Waterloo. We’ll engage the French there tomorrow.’

  Something about the determinedly cheerful tone struck a false note, though she could not pinpoint the reason. She paused, surveying him closely. ‘You need to get out of those wet things.’

  ‘It’s filthy weather out there and no mistake. Just pity all the poor souls who are still out in it.’

  Having given instructions about food and candles, Claudia accompanied him upstairs. She helped him off with his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair. He sat down to pull off his boots.

  ‘What have you been doing in my absence?’

  ‘Helping with the nursing mostly.’

  ‘Mostly?’

  ‘And missing you.’

  His hand stopped in the act of unlacing his shirt front. ‘And I you.’

  Claudia’s gaze met his. ‘There’s something amiss, isn’t there? What is it that you’re not telling me?’

  He returned a wry smile. ‘You know me too well.’

  ‘But not as well as I wish to.’

  ‘I am going to fight, Claudia.’

  Suddenly it was as if all the air had been driven from her lungs and she could only stare at him.

  ‘Ever since the ball I have been turning it over in my mind,’ he went on. ‘I cannot sit safe here while Robert and my other friends risk their lives tomorrow. The future of Europe hangs in the balance; perhaps the future of England too.’

  Claudia paled. ‘I want to say what about our future, I want to beg you not to go, but I know you have not made this decision lightly.’

  ‘It’s the hardest I have ever had to make. I love you more than my life, and the thought of leaving you is more painful by far than what happened at Vittoria. I want a future with you, but not one that has been secured in cowardly safety at the expense of others. If I do not go with them tomorrow and fight for all I hold dear, I forfeit all honour and all self-respect. How could you love such a man?’

  Claudia’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I will love you all the days of my life, but if this decision means all that you have said, I will not try to prevent you from going, though it will be the hardest thing I have ever done.’

  In another moment he was across the room and drawing her close to him. His hand stroked her hair. ‘My darling girl. You have given me strength and hope; you have given me back my life. I won’t throw it away. There’s too much to lose.’

  She didn’t want to think about how much that was. Nor did she want to be a clinging vine. He would have enough to think about now without worrying about her too.

  She dashed her tears away. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so feeble.’

  ‘That is the very last word I would use to describe you.’

  ‘I was never so afraid in my life.’

  ‘You are the bravest woman I have ever met, and the most independent.’

  ‘To the devil with my independence.’

  He tilted her chin towards him. ‘You are a free spirit, my love, and I would not have you change for anything.’

  A discreet knock on the door announced the arrival of Lucy bearing a tray of cold leftovers. She set it on the table and then turned to her mistress. ‘I’ve taken the liberty of giving Matthew a meal in the kitchen, my lady.’

  Claudia summoned a smile. ‘Good girl.’ Then she paused as another thought occurred to her. ‘Where are the other filles de chambres?’

  ‘Run off, my lady, because they heard a rumour that the French were coming. They haven’t any more wit than chickens, the lot of them. There’s just the cook and the butler now, and one footman.’

  ‘We’ll just have to manage.’

  ‘That we shall, my lady. I’ll fetch some candles and then get that fire lit.’ With that Lucy bobbed a curtsey and was gone.

  * * *

  In relatively short time the room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight and a cheerful fire burned in the hearth. Having ascertained that they had all they needed, Lucy departed, closing the door behind her. The Earl stripped off his damp shirt and towelled his hair dry. Then he sat down and attacked the cold meat and bread with enthusiasm. Claudia poured him a glass of wine.

  ‘Will you not join me in a glass?’ he asked.

  ‘Why not?’

  The ruby liquid was strong and, since she had not yet dined, its effect was to make her feel pleasantly light-headed. Her earlier tension dissipated to be replaced with a warm inner glow. He surveyed her over the rim of his glass.

  ‘I had forgotten just how beautiful you are.’

  Under the power of that gaze the warm glow intensified. She glanced ruefully at her limp muslin frock. ‘If I’d known you were coming I’d have changed into something more alluring.’

  ‘You have some alluring gowns,’ he allowed, ‘but you look even better without them.’

  ‘Do I really?’

  ‘Yes, really, as I think you know very well.’

  Claudia set the glass down and rose from her chair. Then, unhurriedly, she began to unfasten the front of her gown. The Earl’s expression registered increasing interest. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his long legs in front of him, watching the buttons come undone. The dress slid down off her shoulders and she drew her arms from the sleeves and let the gown fall. Stepping out of the heaped folds of fabric she bent to retrieve it, affording him an uninterrupted view of her breasts. It was greeted with a sharp intake of breath.

  ‘You’re playing with fire, Claudia,’ he said softly.

  She tossed the dress over a chair. ‘Is that dangerous then?’

  ‘Very.’

  The petticoat followed the gown in the same leisurely manner. A minute or two later her stays joined it. Resting one foot on the chair, she lifted the hem of her chemise and unfastened her garter. The Earl’s expression became intent. Slowly she rolled the stocking down a length of slender leg.

  ‘You are now in extreme peril, my girl.’

  She drew the stocking off. ‘Indeed?’

  ‘Indeed.’

  Apparently unconcerned, she repeated the exercise. Without taking her eyes off him, she reached up to unpin her hair. Unruly curls tumbled across her shoulders. Finally she reached for her chemise and untied it. The sheer fabric slid down over her shoulders and kept going. He drew another sharp breath as his gaze travelled the length of her naked body and back. Claudia sauntered across to the bed and stretched out on the coverlet, propping herself on one elbow, surveying him steadily. The Earl’s gaze locked with hers.

  He rose from the chair and peeled off his breeches. ‘You do realise that there is going to be serious retribution for the kind of provocation that you have just offe
red?’

  Claudia’s eyes widened at little. ‘What manner of retribution, my lord?’

  For the next two hours the Earl proceeded to show her.

  * * *

  It was ten o’clock before he took his leave and Claudia reluctantly bade him farewell. They said relatively little then for words were not necessary. He had shown very clearly what he felt by returning to spend a few brief hours with her, knowing it might well be the last time he would ever do so. He had been tender and considerate; he had shared his love and his passion and given her all of himself. And then he had gone out into the darkness for the long, wet ride back.

  Claudia did not go to her own room that night. Instead she returned to the bed she had just shared with Anthony. It still retained the scent of him, of their love-making, and a residual trace of his warmth. Her body throbbed with it, her lips still swollen from his kisses. Her hand rested a moment on her belly. More than anything in the world she wanted to see him walk back through the door safe and sound but, if God forbid, the worst happened, something of him would remain. His line would continue. She swallowed hard and pushed the thought away. Anthony wasn’t going to be killed. He was going to live. He must live. They had a future to build; a family to bring up.

  Suddenly she had a vision of all the families who would be torn apart on the morrow, of mothers and sisters and wives and fiancées who would never see their menfolk again. The bleakness of such a future filled her with terror. It would be as though a part of her had died also. Drawing the covers round her, she curled up in the place where Anthony had but recently lain and then she prayed.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  By morning the rain had passed leaving the air clean and fresh and smelling of damp earth and grass. Grey light filtered through the trees and across the fields of ripening crops where mist lay in the folds and hollows of the land.

  At nine the Duke, mounted on the redoubtable Copenhagen, rode the two-mile length of the Allied position, checking the disposition of his troops, making final adjustments, moving a brigade here or a platoon there, pausing occasionally to survey the lie of the land through his glass. The men followed his progress as he passed.