All in Scarlet Uniform (Napoleonic War 4) by Adrian Goldsworthy Page A
Authors: Adrian Goldsworthy
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whole business should not take much more than six months. MacAndrews and any others may rejoin us in good time.’
Pringle was sceptical, and perhaps FitzWilliam sensed his doubts.
‘It would do no harm to have experience of detached duties. In two years you will be eligible for your majority, will you not?’ The colonel had obviously checked the records. He was correct, although without the funds to purchase it was unlikely that Pringle would be promoted so soon. ‘On another matter, an absence from the country may prove prudent.’
‘Sir?’
‘This business of calling out Garland. An over-officious JP was inclined to investigate the matter. Thankfully word reached a cousin of mine who let me know, and together we were able to persuade the fellow not to make an issue of it.’
‘I am most grateful, and regret putting you to the trouble.’
FitzWilliam brushed aside the thanks and the regret. ‘These meetings are always unfortunate, but sometimes cannot be avoided – especially when a lady’s honour is at the root of the business. From what I understand your motives were good, and it is a pity that the wretched fellow did not act more sensibly and avoid the matter in the first place. Still, it is no doubt too much to expect a cavalryman to be anything less than a fool.’ The colonel chuckled to himself. ‘Halfwits to a man, in my experience. It is to be hoped his new bride is clever, or we must worry for any children.’ Pringle was unsure from the colonel’s expression whether the last comment was meant to be barbed and to imply calculation on the part of Williams’ sister. If so, then the man was more shrewd than he had hitherto realised. Billy Pringle knew that he was being outmanoeuvred.
‘However,’ FitzWilliam continued, ‘it is a particular shame that you were the challenger. I do not want my officers to win a reputation for seeking out duels. A posting to Spain is not a reproof, indeed it is not. You are ideal for the job in hand and it will be of advantage to you in the future, but it will do no harm to get you away from the battalion and the country for a short while. It is not an order, of course.’
‘Of course not, sir,’ said Pringle, ‘and of course I shall be happy to go in the circumstances.’
‘Splendid, absolutely splendid,’ said the colonel, and offered him a cigar.
5
W illiams turned the corner and almost bumped into Mrs MacAndrews.
‘Be careful, you clumsy ox!’ The lady spoke loudly and with a flash of temper so that her words were almost shouted. ‘Mind where you tread,’ she added more calmly, and then broke into a smile. Esther MacAndrews was tall, dark-haired and remained an exceedingly handsome woman although well past her fortieth year. She had terrified Williams and most of the other subalterns from their first meeting, and even though in his case deep affection had long since surpassed the terror, it did not remove it altogether. He recoiled, stammering apologies.
‘Why, it is Mr Williams. I had quite forgot that you were back with the regiment, or otherwise I would have expected to be run down!’ Williams coloured, much to her satisfaction. Esther MacAndrews stepped back. ‘I wonder if you remember Jane?’ she asked maliciously, for she was fond of the lieutenant and knew of his regard for her daughter.
Williams had last seen Miss MacAndrews on board another ship when the fleet sailed from Corunna. Before that he had rescued her when she was left behind during the army’s retreat, and together they had escaped through the mountains, alone for a while and then with an ever growing group of stragglers. Williams and this ragtag band had held a bridge against a French column before they rejoined the army. He had seen the girl in snow and rain, weary and filthy with travel, had watched her and the soldiers’ wives doing their best to comfort wounded, sick and dying men, her dress stained with their blood and pus. He had also seen her naked, drenched
Pringle was sceptical, and perhaps FitzWilliam sensed his doubts.
‘It would do no harm to have experience of detached duties. In two years you will be eligible for your majority, will you not?’ The colonel had obviously checked the records. He was correct, although without the funds to purchase it was unlikely that Pringle would be promoted so soon. ‘On another matter, an absence from the country may prove prudent.’
‘Sir?’
‘This business of calling out Garland. An over-officious JP was inclined to investigate the matter. Thankfully word reached a cousin of mine who let me know, and together we were able to persuade the fellow not to make an issue of it.’
‘I am most grateful, and regret putting you to the trouble.’
FitzWilliam brushed aside the thanks and the regret. ‘These meetings are always unfortunate, but sometimes cannot be avoided – especially when a lady’s honour is at the root of the business. From what I understand your motives were good, and it is a pity that the wretched fellow did not act more sensibly and avoid the matter in the first place. Still, it is no doubt too much to expect a cavalryman to be anything less than a fool.’ The colonel chuckled to himself. ‘Halfwits to a man, in my experience. It is to be hoped his new bride is clever, or we must worry for any children.’ Pringle was unsure from the colonel’s expression whether the last comment was meant to be barbed and to imply calculation on the part of Williams’ sister. If so, then the man was more shrewd than he had hitherto realised. Billy Pringle knew that he was being outmanoeuvred.
‘However,’ FitzWilliam continued, ‘it is a particular shame that you were the challenger. I do not want my officers to win a reputation for seeking out duels. A posting to Spain is not a reproof, indeed it is not. You are ideal for the job in hand and it will be of advantage to you in the future, but it will do no harm to get you away from the battalion and the country for a short while. It is not an order, of course.’
‘Of course not, sir,’ said Pringle, ‘and of course I shall be happy to go in the circumstances.’
‘Splendid, absolutely splendid,’ said the colonel, and offered him a cigar.
5
W illiams turned the corner and almost bumped into Mrs MacAndrews.
‘Be careful, you clumsy ox!’ The lady spoke loudly and with a flash of temper so that her words were almost shouted. ‘Mind where you tread,’ she added more calmly, and then broke into a smile. Esther MacAndrews was tall, dark-haired and remained an exceedingly handsome woman although well past her fortieth year. She had terrified Williams and most of the other subalterns from their first meeting, and even though in his case deep affection had long since surpassed the terror, it did not remove it altogether. He recoiled, stammering apologies.
‘Why, it is Mr Williams. I had quite forgot that you were back with the regiment, or otherwise I would have expected to be run down!’ Williams coloured, much to her satisfaction. Esther MacAndrews stepped back. ‘I wonder if you remember Jane?’ she asked maliciously, for she was fond of the lieutenant and knew of his regard for her daughter.
Williams had last seen Miss MacAndrews on board another ship when the fleet sailed from Corunna. Before that he had rescued her when she was left behind during the army’s retreat, and together they had escaped through the mountains, alone for a while and then with an ever growing group of stragglers. Williams and this ragtag band had held a bridge against a French column before they rejoined the army. He had seen the girl in snow and rain, weary and filthy with travel, had watched her and the soldiers’ wives doing their best to comfort wounded, sick and dying men, her dress stained with their blood and pus. He had also seen her naked, drenched
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