Armand’s First Letter. Amelia’s First Letter. Cathy’s First Letter.
22 February 1024, L’Isle du Grand-Blaireau
Amelia,
The weather was indeed fine this past Monday, and the whether having been determined by the concerted advice of Amelie, Elise, and His Napes, I was waiting at Amelie’s general store when Lt. Harkness drove up in a rather utilitarian sleigh pulled by a pair of military horses.
“Garrison property, Miss Gamble,” he said as he handed me in. “After our ride I shall have to fill it with supplies.” But he had provided warm rugs, and one of your cousin’s warming blocks for my feet; and between our feet, on another warming block, an intriguing basket. He let me settle myself, then snapped the reins and we were off.
He drove down the road toward the lake, keeping silence until we had passed the last house; and then he spoke directly, with resolution, keeping his eyes on the road.
“I was surprised to find you working in an inn, Miss Gamble. I knew from your first words that you are of gentle birth; from your defense of Private Hoxney that your nature is merciful and kind; and from the whole of your speech that your understanding is good. And so I made inquiries of Mme. Tuppenny. She informed me that you were here with your brother, and that the two of you had fallen into reduced circumstances.”
He glanced at me with a touch of humor. “It is, perhaps, as unusual to find a gentlelady working in an inn as to find the son of a baron serving His Majesty as an older lieutenant.” From his tone he was not expecting to surprise me with his father’s title; rather, he clearly presumed that I had made inquiries of my own. I had not, owing my knowledge to His Napes’ forethought, but I found it somewhat pleasing that he thought that I had.
“But I am no stranger to reduced circumstances, Miss Gamble, and I admire those who rise above them.” Here he gave me a very direct, if brief look. “Accordingly, I went to speak to your brother, to ask if I might pay court….”
He trailed off and I felt compelled to exhibit the mercy with which he had credited me. “And while there learned why it is that I am working for Mr. Tuppenny’s cousin? I imagine he said something like, ‘Yes, of course,’ and showed you the door.”
“Quite so,” he said, relief plain on his face—relief, and a degree of indignation on my behalf.
“My brother is brilliant, driven, and largely the reason we are in reduced circumstances, Lieutenant. He has never been suited to the role of country gentleman, and I believe he will do quite well in Mr. Tuppenny’s employ.”
I saw that Lt. Harkness was searching for something to say, and again had mercy. “If it will help you to think better of him, my brother is happy to make time for his old friends.”
“But not for his family?” Again I saw his brows lower into a frown.
“From his family he is more inclined to take time, I am afraid. That is why I am at the Two Sloops, lieutenant. I must see to my future; and also, I would prefer to keep house for those who will not take my efforts for granted.”
“So I surmised,” he said.
We were approaching the lake, with L’Isle du Grand-Blaireau hanging in the sky above us. Lt. Harkness brought the horses to a halt near a stony outcropping.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Gamble,” he said, “I must see to the horses.” He rose and efficiently applied blankets and nosebags, patting each horse on the side of its head and speaking to them calmly. “There, that will keep them for a few minutes,” he said as he rejoined me. Reaching down, he pulled the basket onto the seat between us. “The food is plain, Miss Gamble: soldier’s food, but it is from the officer’s mess.”
I took a sandwich, a thin slice of mutton between two thick pieces of bread. He did not take anything for himself. I mentally raised my eyebrows, but only asked, “What are your plans for the future?” I meant, “How long do you mean to remain a lieutenant,” and I saw that he had caught my meaning.
“I live most frugally, Miss Gamble, which does not make me popular in the mess; but in two years, or perhaps three, I should have the means to purchase a captaincy.” That on a captain’s pay he would be able to support a family hung in the air, unsaid.
“Should there be a captaincy available,” I said, after a moment.
“Just so, but I do not expect any great difficulty. My father’s title is yet worth something, if not everything.”
“And how long do you intend to follow the flag?”
“As long as I must, Miss Gamble. I have nothing else.” His tone was matter-of-fact. I will pay him this compliment, Amelia: he made no effort to show himself as anything other than what he is.
My three advisors had all directed me to keep him talking; so I asked, “Tell me, lieutenant, how would you live if you have the means?”
I ate slowly as he spoke of raising horses, and the kind of country life with which I am familiar; for though his father is a peer, his upbringing was much closer to my own than that of the upper nobility.
When I was quite finished eating, he having not yet begun, he put the basket away, saying, “Duty calls, I am afraid.” He speedily prepared the horses for travel, and we set out for town.
“What became of Privates Ryan and Hoxney?” I asked.
“Ryan spent a day in the stockade, and has since been confined to the garrison. Following your words to me, I gave Hoxney a caution: rather than following Ryan into iniquity he is to notify my sergeant or myself.” Here, his tone became rather stern. He then spoke of other matters, and life in the garrison, until he had returned me to Amelie’s shop.
“Thank you for your company, Miss Gamble,” he said warmly.
“And thank you for your hospitality, Lieutenant Harkness.”
His Napes made his own inquiries that evening, over our dram. “And what of the good lieutenant?”
“He is man much devoted to duty, I think, Jack,” I said, looking at the brown fluid in my glass. “And to family; my brother’s behavior distressed him greatly. He is an honest man, and, I expect, a brave one. But to live in garrison, following the flag, when I have just found a new home here in Bois-de-Bas…. I fear I don’t know what to think, Jack. I find myself to be quite in a muddle.”
He nodded. “At least you have the fortune to occupy a defensible position, darlin’,” he said, swirling his glass.
“Do I?”
“Of course, for you shall always have a place here at the Two Sloops. You needn’t sortie unless you choose.”
And after that warming thought we spoke of the next day’s business, and then retired, drams consumed, each to our own quarters.
Cathy
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Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash
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