Chapter Six #2
‘Hunting, usually to scare up something to add to the often-frugal rations. But also for sport—some even brought hounds with them, though coursing after hares was the usual thing. Some racing, though the ground is often hard and stony, bad for a horse’s hooves, so we limited that.
Fishing in the many rivers, for trout in the spring and bass from summer through the winter.
Card games of course, even amateur theatricals.
There was a surprising amount of society; we were often invited to dinners and dances by the inhabitants of the towns and villages we stayed in or camped near.
The people were grateful for our protection from the French, who, as they lived off the land rather than being provisioned, would descend like a hoard of Biblical locusts and demolish or carry off everything edible or useful.
Wellington was scrupulous about having the army pay for whatever we took, be it cattle, chickens, bread or wine, so our residence among them was more appreciated than resented.
When encamped near towns or villages, many officers were taken in by local residents, often returning to the same house several times as the army moved to and fro and becoming almost like family, though I was never so fortunate. ’
‘Where would you stay, then?’
‘More recently, we had tents—and what a wonder the troops became at erecting them on the double, once the tent mules arrived! Earlier in the war, if we stayed in one location long enough, we’d construct huts from branches, which were better at keeping out cold and the some of the rain.
In the worst case, if we arrived at our destination after dark, there was nothing for it but to wrap up in our cloaks and get what rest we could on the ground.
’ He chuckled. ‘Though some adventurous sorts, if there were suitable trees about, would try their luck sleeping in the branches, which more often than not saw them end up on the ground.’
Juliana laughed, imagining the rude awakening and delighted with the vivid sketches he was painting of his soldier’s life. ‘And what would a typical day be like, if you were not on the march?’
‘First, one tends to the troops, making sure they had adequate victuals, supplies and ammunition. Going to check on any who were ill or wounded. Usually there would be some sort of meeting with the staff, to advise us on pending orders and give us as much information as was available on what to expect next. Supervise drill, inspect the pickets, and finally tend to my own provisioning and mending kit, though my batman handled much of that.’
‘And if you had time for any leisure?’
He gave her a rueful grin. ‘You’ll probably laugh, for growing up, I hardly ever had the patience to remain for long in one spot.
But I came to most enjoy fishing. After the noise of camp, the cacophony of battle, I appreciated the serenity of being alone in the landscape, the only sounds the trickle of flowing water and the call of birds.
One could relax in quiet contemplation or just sit and admire the often-austere beauty of the surroundings. ’
‘It is hard to imagine you being so still,’ Juliana acknowledged.
Rafe had changed, she thought. Something she’d observed without actually making note of it when she’d first been reacquainting him with Thornthwaite after his return.
Responsibility—and probably the sobering reality of possible death—had tempered the reckless impetuosity of his youth.
The Rafe who’d returned was more serious, more thoughtful, more settled than the engaging but carefree young man she remembered.
The increasing depth and subtlety made his character no less attractive, alas.
‘The peaceful stillness brought back vivid memories of the tranquility and beauty of Thornthwaite,’ he continued quietly. ‘It seemed to underscore why we’d gone over there to fight. To protect England and all she stands for.’
‘My, you’ve grown philosophical!’ she said, raising her eyebrows. ‘That I would never have expected!’
‘Perhaps. Maybe it’s just, as one grows older, one comes to appreciate things one took for granted in one’s youth.
’ He laughed. ‘Soldiering certainly teaches one to value the simple pleasures of a soft bed with a solid, rainproof roof overhead, abundant food and clean garments. For those fortunate enough to have a home worthy of the name, one learns to appreciate one’s place of birth and one’s family. ’
‘For the most part, it sounds as if you enjoyed the wandering life,’ she summed up.
‘I did—though I could have done without the scorpions, snakes, ants and prowling lizards! There’s satisfaction in knowing one can face fear, danger, and hardship without letting oneself or one’s comrades down. In growing confident one can do one’s duty, whatever it took.’
‘Your closest comrades were members of your regiment, I imagine?’
‘Actually, the two who ended up dearest to me were not. Their friendship was battle-born.’
‘Indeed? How did that come—’ Seeing a troubled look replace his smile, she broke off. Fascinated as she was with everything he was relating and much as she wanted to know everything, she continued, ‘Forgive my curiosity! You needn’t tell me if it will bring back unhappy memories.’
His expression clearing, he said, ‘I’d rather not remember much of the day, but meeting Hart and Charles was a blessing. It happened outside the fortress of Badajoz.’
‘During the battle?’ Juliana shuddered. ‘I read about the siege in the papers. A terrible ordeal, I understand.’
‘It was,’ he said grimly. ‘Several groups of dragoons from different regiments, including mine, were detailed to cover the attack while the Forlorn Hope attempted to breech the walls. It was a slaughter, frankly, the French firing directly down at them, knocking them off their scaling ladders, throwing burning pitch into the mud-and-water-filled trenches dug beneath the walls. To say nothing of blasting away at us crouching behind whatever feeble barrier we could find, trying to give covering fire. After having several walls blown up around me, I ended up behind another one manned by two lieutenants, Hart Edmenton of the 1st Royals and Charles Marsden of Dunbar’s Dragoons.
For the whole of that endless, bloody day, we covered for each other.
We all knew, when it was finally over, that we each owed our survival to the others.
There beneath the shattered walls of Badajoz, we pledged to be lifelong friends. And so we will be.’
Truly a trial by fire, she thought, fiercely grateful for the soldiers who’d ensured Rafe’s survival. ‘Are they both still with the army?’
‘No. As I think I mentioned, Hart Edmenton was also brought back to England, the reason for his recall even more unexpected than mine. His father, the younger son of a duke estranged from his family, married the daughter of Scottish gentry and settled in Scotland. The old duke died several years ago and last year, the current duke, his grandson and Hart’s cousin, also died, leaving only a small daughter. Hart was the nearest male heir.’
Rafe laughed. ‘Any normal man, being notified he’d unexpectedly inherited such a position, would have been thrilled—but not Hart.
Loyal Scot to his soul, he was horrified to discover he was to become a Sassenach duke!
Of course, Charles and I teased him unmercifully about being forced to return home, tied to shouldering the heavy responsibilities of managing a great estate, while when the time came, we would leave the army carefree and unencumbered, able to go adventuring.
’ He shook his head ruefully. ‘I expect to receive some unmerciful teasing in return when I next go to London, when Hart will undoubtedly tweak me about now being tied to managing an estate, too.’
Suddenly realizing the inevitability of his going to London cast a small dark cloud over her current contentment. ‘I suppose you will have to go to London at some point, if only to attend Parliament.’
‘I hope you’re not recalling your mother’s remark—which was as inaccurate as it was cruel.
I’ll be pleased to bring you with me when I go and know you’ll be a credit to me and Thornthwaite.
Hart is certain to like you and I think you will like him and wife, Clare.
She was the widow of a simple soldier who followed the drum, not some pampered high-born damsel living in London, tended by servants, the most taxing part of her day deciding which gowns to wear. ’
‘Much as I would enjoy meeting your friends, I would rather remain here,’ Juliana said frankly. ‘I’ve little taste for mingling in Society and hardly needed my mother’s comments to know I was fortunate to avoid a Season, which would certainly have been a disaster.’
‘I can’t agree,’ Rafe said. ‘You’re no longer an untried girl, nor would you need to worry about winning anyone’s approval. As my countess, you occupy a secure position no one can threaten.’
‘Perhaps,’ she said dubiously. ‘But I’d rather remain at Thornthwaite.’
Rafe frowned, looking a bit annoyed. ‘You’d still rather believe your mother’s assessment than my assurances? Even though I am convinced, especially with my friends, that you would be welcomed, just being yourself?’
Juliana found she didn’t appreciate having the former soldier exercise his commanding nature on a matter she still found painful. ‘I hope you don’t intend to dictate to me—as my mother did.’
She regretted the words immediately, for Rafe drew himself up stiffly. ‘I should hope you would believe there is no comparison.’
‘You’re right—and I apologize,’ she said at once, wanting to remove the stony look from Rafe’s face and restore the camaraderie they’d been enjoying.
‘You’ve given me only encouragement. I shouldn’t have snapped back.
It’s just…the whole idea of London and Society is…
difficult for me. Will you not press me about it, please? ’