by Anne Millar
“Do you have a further draft for my battalion, sir?”
“A hundred and forty men will be waiting at Portsmouth to join you on embarkation, Thomas. That may not bring you up to full strength but you’ll still have one of the biggest battalions in the Peer’s army. Do you have stores, armoury, wagons? All the necessary paraphernalia you’ll need?”
“Indeed we do. The Volunteers are very well equipped with kit. All good quality too, courtesy of Sir Theodore.”
“Make sure you let me have a list of what you take. We can’t have the good Sir Theodore running crying to his political friends that you’ve made off with his property. He’ll be reimbursed, though at army standard rates. A pity if that leaves him with a loss.”
So it was set, for there was nothing else to consider. The inspection was scheduled for the day after tomorrow and within two weeks they could be in Portsmouth. And then Spain, fighting his own battalion alongside MacKenzie and the other colonels. Leaving Judith bound for the cold and ice of St Petersburg as wife to Theodore Horsley. Perhaps into danger too if the French were to renew their invasion next year. Yet that was none of his business, not any more.
“I was thinking of visiting Jonathon Hampton, Guilmor.” Amara gained her husband’s attention effortlessly. “He has been unwell. Besides being disappointed in young John. He was quite crushed by the loss of the elder boy, Jeremy, you know.”
“John will not be going to Spain, that should spare his father some worry.” Thomas knew himself the target for his godmother’s most searching gaze the moment he’d spoken.
“Is that why you relieved him of his command, Thomas?”
“No, godmother dear. He was a most incompetent officer.” He would have concluded his explanation there but felt obliged to continue in the face of Amara’s open scepticism. “He would have been a danger to his men.”
“If you say so Thomas. If you say so.”
“I have no objection to you visiting Hampton my dear, but perhaps not until the inspection is underway. The girl is Horsley’s betrothed and her brother his creature by Thomas’ reckoning.” Lord Guilmor spoke with the caution of one who is aware of the danger of gainsaying his wife. “Since there is little to do tomorrow other than ensuring the bullion is safely stowed I thought we might make a picnic of the day. A holiday to enjoy Trefoyle, Edmund.”
~
“Whose side are you on?” John Hampton wasn’t in a holiday mood despite his lack of any kind of substantive occupation. He was furious with his sister and he wasn’t concerned who knew it. In truth Judith was growing frightened of his increasing lack of control over his temper, but she wasn’t going to submit to John’s tantrum.
“Do you know what that leech wants?” She couldn’t believe that her brother could realise what Theodore Horsley had demanded and not share her indignation. “He offered me carte-blanche, John. Carte-blanche. If father knew he would call him out.”
“Then he’d better not find out, or it will be the death of him. Would you be responsible for that Judith?” She could only stare at John, the full depth of his pathetic weakness still able to surprise her. Not content with his own miserable decline he was content to drag her down with him.
“Is it so very bad Judes? What Theo wants? ” He showed no shame, standing there willing her to acquiesce in his sordid evasion.
“Yes. He is a repulsive, gross lecher who would turn me into his convenient. Is that what you want for your sister? Where is your loyalty to our family, our name?” Judith couldn’t believe that her brother would stoop so low.
“You were willing to marry him, Judith. What is so very different now? I’m sure Theo will still be generous.”
“I won’t do it John. That you should ask me beggars belief.” Judith couldn’t find the words to explain to her brother how disgusting it was that he should ask her to degrade herself.
“I repeat, what is so different now? You can’t expect Theo to marry you after you’ve betrayed him with Stainford.”
For once she’d lost the high ground in dealing with John. “It wasn’t like that. I only met Thomas to..” The impossibility of explaining to John why she had schemed and met with Thomas left her with nothing to say and no defence for her actions.
“Do you know what you’ve done and what the consequences could have been, Judith? For all of us. Do you understand how angry Theo is with you? How hurt he feels. He would be perfectly entitled to throw you off without a second thought.” John was raging at her now without restraint and Judith couldn’t help her hope that none of the servants might hear him. “He holds us, this family in the palm of his hand. He’s bought up all my gambling notes to stop my creditors. If you ask me he’s been remarkably magnanimous. Out of his affection for you, sister. But he cannot marry you now.”
There it was, her own brother’s condemnation of her as damaged goods, fit only to be a plaything for a rich man. No matter the shame it brought to the Hamptons. “Father, John, what about father? The shame of this will destroy him.”
“You should have thought of that before you ran after Stainford with your wares. Lucky for you Theo still wants you at all.”
“Lucky for you you mean John. It’s your debts that have brought us to this pass.” However useless her anger was Judith couldn’t help herself in the face of her brother’s complacency at her ruin.
“Gentlemen incur debts, sis. ‘tis a fact. Pity the estate’s not big enough to pay them. For all your meddling with it.”
She could have hit him. He fully deserved it, but for all her defiance and fury over his debts there was nothing to be gained. John knew she would succumb because she had no other choice. He didn’t know she couldn’t do as Theodore Horsley had ordered and find out Thomas’ plans for the militia. For all their casual assumption of her as a tool to be plied as they wished she could baulk them in that. Whatever the cost.
She couldn’t face Thomas Stainford as Theodore Horsley’s spy. However much she hated him for his betrayal four years ago, she couldn’t be so treacherous. And she couldn’t give herself to Horsley. Better to do away with herself if there was nothing else left for her. But that wouldn’t help father. “Gentlemen face up to their responsibilities, John. Not expect their womenfolk to do it for them.”
For a second she thought John would hit her, his face darkened to the hue of night. Then he turned and stalked away. Father was much harder to deal with. If she had to hear one more time how pleased he was that John seemed more settled and that she would make a good match Judith would scream. His innocence of all that lay behind the apparent calm was heartrending. She longed to pour her heart out to her parent and ask him to save her from the bleakness that beckoned.
She didn’t of course. She couldn’t see his frailty and disturb the ease of mind that seemed to give him comfort. If the price of that was to bear her burden alone then so it had to be. Only once, when father began to talk about that trip to stay with Aunt Chloe did she lose her patience with him. The last thing she wanted to hear about was any regrets he might have now for deciding to take her away from Oakenhill and Thomas Stainford back then.
The worst thing about having a plan that amounted to having no plan was waiting, unsure when something would transpire to force the crisis. She didn’t sleep well of course, after she’d finally found sleep she woken in a sweat with the image of Tomkins’s baleful face leering at her. It seemed that only minutes had gone by between her slipping off and his sneering cry of ‘Haymarket ware’ waking her up. This morning she was more tired than normal as she went about the business of breakfast, forcing herself to eat when it was the last thing she wanted to do.
The sound of hooves tipped her out of her stupor. Oakenhill wasn’t subject to sudden alarms, but there was no doubting the urgency of this visitor. If his sweating horse wasn’t sign enough his dismount showed he would brook no delay, the man virtually threw himself off his horse. With his back to her Judith couldn’t tell who it was but there was a familiarity to the broad set shoulders th
at had her thinking excitedly of Thomas. The blue superfine broadcloth of his coat and lustrous beaver of his topper indicated the caller wasn’t an officer but Judith’s heart still leapt.
Long strides took him across the drive almost beating their footman to the door and Judith’s spirits slumped as she recognised not Thomas Stainford but his brother. Squaring her shoulders for whatever this portended she decided to forsake form and meet her visitor in the hall.
“Judith, you have to help me.” Charles hadn’t even paused to take his hat off and she could see scandal dawning in the footman’s eyes. Even Mrs Rogers, responding with her usual calm alacrity, was looking distinctly curious.
“Of course, Charles. I was having breakfast, please come through.” If you were throwing convention to the winds it was as well to toss it high. “My father and brother are not down yet.” Nor likely to be this side of noon.
Charles composed himself enough to hand his hat to the footman and Judith had time enough to check through the window that a groom had taken charge of his poor horse. Then she turned and led the way into the dining room. Charles didn’t even wait till she’d closed the door behind them before he launched into his story.
“I tried to see Thomas, but he wouldn’t receive me.” The leopard wasn’t changing his spots then. “He’ll ruin me unless I do what he wants.”
That didn’t make any sense, it went against everything she knew of the brothers. “Why would Thomas want to ruin you?”
“Not Thomas. Theodore Horsley. Unless I can stop Thomas.” Judith had the sudden, ridiculous thought that she was failing in her duty as a hostess by not offering Charles food. She put it away firmly, he would probably choke if he tried to eat anything.
“Over the militia?” It had to be, Theodore was clutching at every straw he could find to protect his precious regiment. “How can he ruin you, Charles?”
She could see him swallow and wondered if he would tell her. He certainly took his time, looking round the room like a trapped beast before he spoke. “Jane took his money. Although father has made me his heir he still keeps the money tight. And no one would receive us in society, she was wretchedly unhappy. Horsley bleeds very freely with his blunt when it suits him.”
“Why would that matter, Charles? You brought him social respectability, the heir to a earl.” she could see the hesitation in his eyes and knew to press him too hard would be to lose him. Still she needed to know what threat Horsley had dangling over Charles.
“Jane told him.” He stopped again, though Judith was sure he was on the verge of telling her if she just prompted him in the right way.
“I will help you if I can, Charles, but I need to understand.” She left it there hoping he would find the courage to tell her what Jane had so little trouble revealing.
“I have never consummated my marriage. Judith, I cannot find it in me to lie with a woman.” Charles Stainford bowed his head for a moment before he looked up and spoke with a bleakness that echoed her own. “Horsley will reveal my leanings to society unless I find a way to stop my brother taking his regiment away from him. That might be for the best. I know I have the courage to pick up a pistol and end my shame. At least father would have to reinstate Thomas then.”
Chapter 20
The soldiers stood in scarlet rows sweating in their thick serge greatcoats. They had endured the inspection by the unknown officers in feathered hats with the stoicism of those who know their travail will end. Only when the order to stand easy was given did a flicker of interest run through the ranks. Speeches were usually received at attention, if not with gratitude. This promised to be different.
Thomas watched as Sir Edmund began his oration. The message had to be kept simple if they were to succeed: the Loyal East Mercian Volunteers were going to be dissolved so the pay that accompanied attendance at the barracks would cease. Neither Thomas nor his seniors had any illusions as to the relative importance of patriotism versus regular income for these men.
Then the announcement that Lieutenant Colonel Stainford was recruiting for his battalion, with a signing on bonus paid in gold. The Provost Marshall’s men were ostentatiously guarding their coach with loaded weapons and Thomas saw enough curious glances cast in that direction to know the impact that would have. It would be his turn next, to stir the men with praise for their training and appeal to their taste for adventure and danger. No harm in rousing them with an appeal to their patriotism either.
He had sergeants primed to follow his lead when it came to starting the queues to enlist in the new regular battalion, and neither Hampton nor Lacey were in attendance so there should be no focus for opposition. Still this was the acid test of how successful his work had been in training the men and fostering the spirit of the regiment. The one man who should oppose the plan tooth and nail wouldn’t, Thomas knew that. He’d seen too many beaten men to entertain any doubts on that score. Horsley didn’t have the fortitude to face this head on.
The wretched man had alternated between defiance and abject appeasement ever since they’d arrived at the barracks this morning. His gratitude when Lord Guilmor had broached the position in St Petersburg had been truly stomach turning. His obsequious words still rang in Thomas’ mind, ‘So there is something for me.’ Pathetic was a totally inadequate term to describe such an attitude. Yet behind the apparent acceptance the man’s hubris simmered.
When Edmund Hewston made reference to Sir Theodore’s new role in his speech he managed to make it sound like a desertion of the Loyal Volunteers. Much as Thomas approved anything that increased the chances of success he couldn’t help but notice how the vainglorious baronet reacted with barely suppressed fury. This day’s work might well win them the reinforcements the Army in Spain needed but Theodore Horsley would exact vicious vengeance for this slighting. Some unlucky soul within his power would pay the cost.
The thought was pushed back by the gratifying success when it came to enrolling volunteers for the regulars. Whether the men were responding to the lure of gold, the promise of patriotic adventure or unit loyalty built by the hard training they’d undergone the vast majority rushed to make their mark. With the draft waiting for him at Portsmouth Thomas would embark a very respectably sized battalion.
So it was with a comfortable feeling of victory that he watched Theodore Horsley making his way to his coach. Quite alone, for none of the officers found it necessary to seek his company. Little wonder when this would be the last time that the man would have any business here. Thomas wasn’t too surprised when Horsley altered his course to approach him. Whatever the fellow wanted he’d oblige him, the time for discretion was past and any challenge from Horsley now would be clearly seen as spite.
“Horsley.” Thomas pitched his greeting at a low growl as a warning that he would stand no nonsense this morning.
“You think you’ve won Stainford?” The self pity oozing out of the words would have been enough in itself to earn Thomas’ contempt.
“The country will have another battalion to fight its war instead of these men playing at toy soldiers. And badly at that. So yes, I’ve won.” Let Horsley make of that what he might.
“You think you’re untouchable don’t you? The great soldier hero.”
All around them men were watching for what would transpire and Thomas grew suddenly impatient. This day wasn’t even half finished and he had no desire to spend his time providing a side show for anyone, let alone the men he commanded. “Your time here is ended Horsley. Go to St Petersburg and indulge your taste for society there. It should suit you, the Russians can be very grand.”
“Your brother won’t be welcome in society once the truth about him is out.” Thomas felt the cold chill in his stomach take away his equanimity. If Horsley truly knew Charles’ secret he had the means to destroy him.
“And your whore won’t be so perky riding round the countryside once I’ve tamed her.” The man must be unbalanced to speak so.
“I keep no whore, Horsley. If you are tempted to name
a lady I will punish you. As surely as hellfire. Do you hear me?”
It wasn’t really a question that needed an answer, so Sir Theodore’s bowed head was a perfectly adequate response. Just in case the point wasn’t made Thomas clarified it, “I stand ready to give you satisfaction Horsley. Just say the word.”
He didn’t of course, just sidled away and Lord Guilmor was a far more welcome companion. “Trouble Thomas?”
“Of course. I do believe the man is deranged.”
“Or just very, very angry. He has lost his prize toy and must have someone to blame. You are well qualified for the role.” Guilmor shook his head in rueful bafflement. “The Hampton girl has made herself a sorry choice.”
“Is that my godmother speaking, sir?” Thomas had agreed to visit Oakenhill with Amara Guilmor. The best he had managed was to persuade her to wait until after the reorganisation of the militia was completed. So they were going this afternoon. Instead of attending to the myriad of details he needed to resolve before the march to Portsmouth could begin.
Amara was certain to create awkwardness in her quest to throw them at each others’ heads in addition to the difficulty he faced over broaching his concerns about Horsley to Judith. It defied belief that any man could speak in such terms about his betrothed. It promised to be an interesting challenge making Judith see the size of her mistake. Interesting and critical.
“Guilmor tells me you had words with Horsley?” It would have been pleasant to settle back into the Guilmor town coach and doze quietly for the run over to Oakenhill but nobody ignored Amara Guilmor.
“Hardly unexpected, godmother. The man was not pleased to have his battalion lifted out from under him, no matter how he deserved it.”
“Upset about his battalion was he? Odd choice of words he used then. ‘Whore’ is hardly a description I would expect anyone to apply to soldiers Thomas.” Behind her mock joviality Thomas could see intense anxiety in Amara’s face.
