The Maharajah's General by Paul Fraser Collard Page A

were at loggerheads. As much as he would enjoy tearing another strip off his lieutenant, he had to give the younger man a way back.
    ‘Lieutenant Fenris, I rather think we have got off on the wrong foot. Major Proudfoot has told me that you are to be commended for your time in command of the company. From what I have seen, he is quite correct.’
    Fenris preened at the praise. ‘Then more reason to let me run things until you are settled.’
    Jack swallowed hard. It was becoming clear that Fenris possessed neither the wit nor the intelligence to seize the olive branch he was offering. ‘I am quite capable of getting to work right away. I would like to think you would assist me in that.’
    ‘I think you are wrong. You seek to undermine me. As you showed in front of Miss Youngsummers.’
    Jack understood that they had reached the heart of the problem. Fenris did not care about the command of the company. He cared about his image, about the loss of face in front of the most beautiful girl in the cantonment. ‘Your behaviour was at fault, Lieutenant. I do not apologise for what I said, but perhaps I should have let it wait until this morning.’
    ‘Damn right. You made me look a fool.’
    ‘That was not my intention.’
    ‘Then you should be more bloody careful what you say.’
    Jack sat back in his chair. He suddenly felt weary. ‘I think we have said enough on this matter. I will consider it closed.’
    Fenris scowled. ‘Very well. As you have apologised, I shall be a gentleman and look to forget the matter.’ He stood quickly, tossing his head with clear disdain. ‘I shall order Hughes to parade the men.’
    ‘There is no need.’ Jack opened the ledger, using the lines of names as a balm to his temper. ‘I have paraded the men already. They are getting ready for the firing range.’
    Fenris glowered. ‘Did you not think to wait for me to arrive? Good God, this is too much, Danbury, too much indeed.’ His face was colouring as he began to rage. ‘I was willing to overlook your behaviour last evening, but now it appears you are determined to cut me out of the company. I shall not stand for such treatment. You may outrank me, but I think you will see differently once I have spoken to Proudfoot. I do not know who you think you are, swanking in here as if you own the place. But let me tell you, I shall not be easily brushed aside. My father—’
    Jack slammed his hand on to the desk, cutting his subaltern off in mid-sentence before he rose to his feet, his face like thunder.
    ‘Enough!’ He roared the single word, his attempts to curb his temper failing. ‘You forget who you are talking to, Lieutenant. ’ His voice was scornful as he emphasised the rank. ‘I suggest you return to your quarters and calm yourself down.’
    Fenris looked stunned. ‘You are dismissing me?’
    ‘You leave me no choice.’ Jack sat back down heavily and turned his attention back to the company ledger, doing his best to calm the tremble in his hands.
    Fenris was speechless. He managed a snort of contempt before he spun on his heel and stomped from the room.
    Jack tried to concentrate on the list of names of the men under his command, but his heart was pounding and he couldn’t see anything other than a blur. He got to his feet, suddenly needing to move, and stalked to the window. A grass screen covered it, and he stood in the gentle breeze wafting through the tightly woven fibres.
    ‘Excuse me, sir. A visitor for you.’ Jack turned as Corporal Jones tentatively stuck his head around the door to the office. From the Welshman’s expression it was clear he had heard every word of the altercation.
    Jack sighed. He was in no mood to be civil. He knew he was expected to call on all the officers and senior officials and their wives in his first days in the cantonment. He hated obeying such expectations but he had thought he would be given a few days to get settled before he would have to start receiving visitors and planning his own