by Anne Millar
“Are you recovered yet from your wound, Major?” Mrs Anne Lacey on Thomas’ other side was blond, plump and coy, and seemed rather overimpressed by Major Stainford.
“Very nearly, Mrs Lacey. How kind of you to think of me.” There was no doubt in Judith’s mind that he was laughing at the woman, but nothing in his manner nor his tone would have given Anne Lacey to guess that.
“We must be grateful to officers who risk so much.” Anne Lacey’s melting tone and manifest sympathy was cloying, and Judith stepped in to change the subject.
“Are the Spanish capable of fighting the French effectively, Major?”
“They can be brave, and as guerillos formidable. But the Juntas do not cooperate with the Peer, so opportunities are lost. And the French are ruthless adversaries.”
“Do you mean they do not fight as gentlemen, Major?” Sir Theodore’s indignation was almost comic.
“There’s very little gentleness about war, Sir Theodore. It is a foul business.”
“Yet men honour war do they not, Major?” Anne Lacey still seemed determined to ingratiate herself.
“A business may be foul, Mrs Lacey, yet a man may perform his duty with honour.” Thomas Stainford’s careful reply might have been calculated to provoke Judith.
“Duty. And honour. Do these bring satisfaction, Major Stainford?” Judith’s question was too obviously barbed and the discomfort round the table was palpable. Especially when Thomas failed to answer her.
“It is certainly a source of great satisfaction to the ladies of this country that your wounds have brought you back here, Major.” Judith decided that Anne Lacey had no decorum to flirt so openly in front of her husband. She couldn’t sit and listen to this. The trouble was she’d already fired her volley without appreciable result.
“Your return must have been desolating for the ladies of Spain.” The words were too obviously flat and Thomas merely raised his wine glass as if to toast her, and smiled.
Which smile had the unfortunate effect of unleashing Anne Lacey yet again. “Will you return to the Peninsula once you are fully recovered, Major?”
“Only if I am able to tear myself from such charming companions.”
Judith couldn’t help scowling at how Mrs Lacey simpered at even this weak effort. What was wrong with the woman’s husband that he would allow her to make such a fool of herself? At least Thomas Stainford had fallen silent after his pathetic attempt at gallantry. Maybe the man thought he had exerted himself sufficiently for provincial society.
“The rain appears to be easing, Sir Theodore.” Judith was watching Thomas as she spoke for some reaction, but he disappointed her. Sir Theodore however rose to the occasion.
“That will make this afternoon more enjoyable for the men, Judith. And I think we will try some more exciting manoeuvres to amuse our guests.”
Judith couldn’t help smiling to herself at Sir Theodore’s pronouncement. He was like a toad puffing out its chest. She dismissed the thought as unkind and turned to Thomas. “What do you think, Major?”
Thomas turned to her with a warning look on his face which Judith chose to meet with her sweetest smile, but before she could renew her question Theodore Horsley intervened.
“I shall be pleased to demonstrate our proficiency in forming square this afternoon, Judith.” Theodore Horsley managed to imbue her name with more significance than she would have believed possible, but it was Thomas’ eyebrows that really amazed her. They shot up like startled rabbits giving Judith the chance to push him a little further.
“Do you not think the Volunteers will be proficient, Major?” It was an impossible question and Judith delighted in asking it. She could see Aunt Matilde favouring her with an old fashioned look, but she wasn’t about to be dissuaded.
“Proficiency is a product of practice and skill, Miss Hampton. I shall look forward to this afternoon’s demonstration.” As he spoke Thomas was looking not at Judith, but directly at Sir Theodore, who appeared at that moment to find his plate absorbing. Not so Florinda Horsley.
“My son’s regiment will not disappoint us. Under Theodore’s command.” The edge to her voice as she emphasised the fact that the volunteers belonged to her son was enough to make most of the people at the table uncomfortable.
“Of that I am sure, madam.” Thomas said the words with a firmness that could have been taken for sincerity except that Judith saw the tell tale flicker in his eyes. Inexplicably the evidence that Thomas Stainford was still as disrespectful to the pompous as he had ever been, pleased her. She should have been censorious, but she wanted to laugh out loud at his reply.
“That’s settled then. This afternoon, Judith, I shall have the Volunteers demonstrate their defence against cavalry. “ Lady Horsley beamed at this proof of her son’s preternatural intelligence, but though Judith smiled at the news as though impressed, she couldn’t resist sneaking a look at Thomas. He was sitting stony faced, but caught her look and very deliberately winked.
Judith quickly turned back to Theodore Horsley. “I shall look forward to it, Colonel.” Lady Horsley’s smile widened appreciably to see how well her son was appreciated. She kept smiling as the Volunteers were drawn up in their companies. The rain had ceased and there was some revival of spirits evident in the lines of red jacketed men. Even drenched their uniforms had the virtue of newness so that the marching companies looked impressive. Drawn up in line three deep the battalion looked a powerful instrument of war.
Sir Theodore certainly thought so for he turned to Judith with a confident smirk “Just watch them form square, my dear.” Unfortunately his command for the manoeuvre to commence marked the last coherent action of the militia. From then on it wasn’t clear what was meant to be happening. Some officers were bellowing instructions forcibly while others stood clearly at a loss. Some of the companies tried to force their way through their neighbours when they found their path blocked with the inevitable result of losing all order. No matter how the officers and sergeants tried the parade quickly deteriorated into scattered groups of men looking anxiously about them for some clue as to where they should be or what they should do next.
Most of the guests looked thoroughly relieved when Florinda Horsley suggested they return to the officer’s mess for further refreshments. Quite clearly none of them believed that the manoeuvre would be completed and some of them drifted away to their carriages in the belief that there would no point in staying to see any further manoeuvres attempted. Judith couldn’t bring herself to face Thomas Stainford’s inevitable gloating or the bad temper being exhibited so copiously around the reviewing stand.
As she wandered away Judith noticed Thomas’ man Wright standing alone, grinning at the shambles occupying the parade ground. He turned welcomingly enough as she approached him.
“It’s not going terribly well, is it Miss?” The words were said with a relish that had her instantly grinning in tandem with him.
“Perhaps the manoeuvres were too difficult.” She faltered, uncertain how Thomas’ man should be addressed.
“It’s Wright, Miss, remember.” There was a tinge of hurt in his tone that she should have forgotten his name.
“Yes, I know, but I don’t know how you should be addressed. As sergeant or corporal or trooper.” Judith wasn’t having him think she forgot people’s names.
“Just Wright, Miss. Me and the military don’t agree too well. The Major tried to make me into a sergeant, but I couldn’t get used to ordering folk. Or taking orders. So plain Wright suits me.”
“Well, Wright, I think the manoeuvre was too ambitious for the men. It seems very complicated. Though it has provided you with some amusement.”
“Aye, it has. The Major didn’t intend the battalion to form square till next week, but Sir Theodore wanted to impress his guests.” He was looking straight at her as he spoke, and they both knew precisely which guest he meant.
“It still seems complicated to me. I don’t know how men manage to perform such manoeuvres in the middle
of a battle.”
“They do, Miss. And quickly. It can be a matter of life and death for infantry to form square quickly. You see that scar the major has? Well that were because a battalion couldn’t form square proper like. At the battle of Albuera.”
“But Albuera was eighteen months ago. How could that wound bring the Major home now?” Judith couldn’t help her surprise, but the instant caution she saw appear in Wright’s face at her question made her regret that she’d asked it. “I’m sorry Wright. Please tell me what happened at Albuera?”
“Well, me and the Major shouldn’t by rights have been there at all, for the regiment wasn’t with General Beresford, but the Major was restless because things were quiet with the main army. So he went south where a battle were more likely. Anyhow, the French cavalry surprised two of our battalions, cutting one of them to bits. The Major decided he’d pull the other one into a rally square to hold off the cavalry like. While he were shouting the orders for that this dragoon cut him right across the face. Major were lucky not to lose his eye, but he just swore and grabbed the man. Plucked him right out of his saddle. An’ the colour sergeant piked the frenchie proper he did. Teach him to go cutting at officers.”
“Did the battalion form square, Wright?” Judith could feel pride and terror in equal measure filling her body.
“Aye it did, Miss. Better than this lot like. The Major saved ‘em, and no mistake.” Wright’s pride in his master was demanding she acknowledge Thomas’ skill and courage, and Judith couldn’t help but smile.
“He’s as brave as he is reckless, Wright.”
“Aye, that he is. A fine officer.” His eyes changed focus abruptly. “I think your father wants you now, Miss.” Across the square Lord Hampton was waving to his errant daughter and Judith smiled at Wright before she walked over to rejoin her party. Father and Aunt Matilde had decided to leave and Judith was grateful to be spared any further embarrassment. Sir Theodore was still howling instructions at his men, and Thomas Stainford was propped languidly against the upright of the mess veranda giving the impression of sublime unconcern.
John had chosen to remain behind and it was a silent coach that took them homeward till Matilde Sinclair finally gave way to laughter that quickly grew out of control. “I’ve never seen anything like it, Jonathon. And that fat fool’s face. He looked utterly astonished. Had no idea what to do.”
Judith was even more stunned when her father started to laugh as uninhibitedly as his sister. “Did you see them, Judith? Column of mob, indeed. The men had no more idea what they should be doing then flying in the air.”
“Sir Theodore was very annoyed.” But father and aunt took no notice of Judith’s formal protest and continued with their mirth. Judith was tempted to join them. It might be disrespectful, but after all she no reason to be mindful of the Horsleys’ pretensions. “It was ridiculous. All those poor men trying so hard.”
But though the posturing and stupidity she’d witnessed today deserved to be mocked wholeheartedly, it was the image of Thomas fighting for his life amidst the chaos of a distant battlefield that stayed in her mind.
~
Thomas Stainford provided a focus for discussion in a second coach returning somewhat later from the barracks. “He just watched the parade fall apart, Theo. You need to do something about him.”
“What do you suggest, mother? It’s all very well to pontificate but Horseguards want him to train the Volunteers.” His testy response bore witness to the toll the failure of the review had taken of Sir Theodore’s temper.
“You’re not devoid of influence, Theo. Use it. Your father would have never have allowed that man to make a fool of him. And that Hampton chit favours him. Mark that, Theo. Mark it well.”
“Judith is no chit, mother. And she does not favour Stainford. She barely spoke to him.”
Lady Horsley didn’t even trouble to answer her son’s bluster. Her knowing silence was stronger reproof than any words could have been.
“I’ll have Stainford investigated, mother. See what there is to know about him.”
“First wise thing you’ve done today, Theo. There’ll be plenty, I’m sure. Yon’s not a man to be without secrets.” She sat back in quiet triumph. Reginald could never have guessed how much Theo had to learn. Or was that why the old devil had left her to cope with their son alone?
Chapter 8
She’d known he would come, it was inevitable after the review and she’d been dreading it. Aunt Matilde cut and ran without compunction at the first crunch of his landau wheels on the drive. “I really must check how that maid of mine is Judith. Too bad of her to be unreliable enough to go down with a cold just when I need her to mend my walking dress.” Since the maid in question had served Matilde Sinclair ever since Judith could remember and probably before, was discharging her duties as well as ever, and had only a minor case of the sniffles, Matilde’s excuse rang thin.
“You must ask Mrs Rogers to chaperone you, Judith.” Their dour housekeeper could be relied upon to observe the proprieties and would not dream of contributing to the conversation with a visitor. So Judith would carry the full burden of the visit. If the wretched man had chosen to restrict his visit to the conventional time none of this would be necessary. She wouldn’t need a chaperone in her own home and could restrict the conversation to inane pleasantries. But he had to presume that he was as welcome at Oakenhill. The conventions were there for a reason, to stop people making a nuisance of themselves. This visit had caught her when she would normally sit down to the estate’s business after her ride.
At least she could postpone her inquest into what had been done with the Haslet spinney. For two days after the review internecine warfare had raged after Judith discovered that the timber from the spinney had been sold. The wood was immature and should have been grown on for another three years, but it was father’s refusal to tell her what the money was for that incensed her. The estate had far better uses for that money than rescuing John from his latest scrape.
Matters had come to a head yesterday in the coach. For once John had joined the rest of the family in paying a call. Judith surmised he was there only to curry favour with father and Aunt Matilde. She’d tried and tried to find out the extent of her brother’s stupidity only to be brushed off repeatedly by her father and aunt. So small wonder she’d reacted when John wouldn’t stop moaning about the draught he had to put up with.
‘Perhaps we should use the proceeds from the Haslet timber to have the windows of the coach repaired, father. If John feels the cold so.’ She knew she was taking a risk but she hadn’t expected the vehemence of father’s reaction as he demanded decorum from both his offspring. ‘That is enough. There will be no further hasty words on this. I will not be embarrassed in front of my neighbours. Whatever your differences, they remain within the family’ For father that was extraordinary and he then lapsed into a silence that left Judith and her aunt to make all the effort to sparkle on their visit. Or at least try to keep the conversation from stuttering to a halt.
His silence lasted all the return journey too and it didn’t need Aunt Matilde’s reproving eye to let Judith know it would have to be her who tackled the problem. So she did, cornering John in the library when he slumped down in a chair to wait for dinner. ‘Father is upset, John.’
‘And whose fault is that? Little miss gabster. Can’t leave well enough alone can you, Judith?’ She could see his foot tapping as he raged at her and realised that without a rapid change of tack their conversation would be coming to an abrupt end. Without her learning anything of value.
‘I’m worried for him, John. He’s not a young man and all this worry...’
‘Then stop your nagging, can’t you?’
Judith swallowed hard and tried again. ‘If you told me what the matter is?’
‘I’m cleaned out. Pockets to let. On the rocks. Satisfied?’ She could see the belligerence in him ready to lash out at the first sign of condemnation. And yet she couldn’t let him get away w
ith it.
‘Not for the first time, John. Gambling again?’ Judith stepped back ready fro the explosion. But John had to face his stupidity if he wasn’t to be the ruin of the family.
‘It’s different this time, sis.’ That much, and no more. No explanation why this time his gambling debts were worse than all the times before.
‘Why should that be, John?’
‘It was a run of bad luck, Judes. But Theo was good enough to cover my notes for me.’ His voice was small, but it still held the arrogance that characterised her remaining brother. Something in that combination of penitence and conceit rang a huge warning.
‘How much, John? How much this time?’ If she sounded shrill, Judith didn’t care. And if John wanted to fight he’d find himself knocked him out of his chair. But instead of fighting the story came tumbling out. The sale of the Haslet timber had been only a stopgap to prevent another beating like the one Thomas had stopped. John hadn’t stopped gambling once Theodore Horsley had covered his notes of hand, he’d gone on to try and win back his losses.
‘Theo’s well inlaid Judith. Nothing wrong with hanging onto his sleeve a bit.’ Except that John hadn’t won anything back, and the amount of money he now admitted he owed dwarfed the value of Oakenhill even if it hadn’t already been encumbered with a mortgage from an earlier indiscretion. ‘You know Theo’s very impressed by you, Judes.’ His tone told her it wasn’t her advantage he was concerned with, but his own.
And that’s his price is it, John? Your sister? Is that it?’
‘No, Judes it’s not like that. But it would solve your future.’ He stopped and looked for help in her face that he should have known would not be there. ‘But you cannot tell father how much I owe, Judith.’
