“Oh,” I exclaimed, and the man turned.
My first impression was that he was an actor, dressed like someone from this era, so all my hackles rose. He looked wholly out of place.
“Are you all right, Mama?” Katie asked.
The man looked at me, then at Katie and then at me again.
“I am sorry. I was in a hurry and didn’t see you,” he said shortly.
“I should ask that you take more care sir, for you almost knocked me off my feet.”
“I am sorry, madam. It was not intentional. I am late for a meeting.”
He then gave himself away, as no other action could. As he turned away from me, he looked at his wrist, and on seeing no watch there, cursed and took out a pocket watch.
I had moved off, leaving him cursing and walking on his way. My heart was racing, as this could only be someone used to wearing a timepiece on his wrist. The first wristwatches were worn by soldiers in the Boer War, which would not take place until the end of this century. He could only be a construct, so if that was the case - my enemy.
I walked quickly home, sending Katie to her room to read a book. I then went back out again, hastening to the Royce Rooms. I observed that the candelabras were all illuminated, but I wasn’t able to see in the windows, but I assumed there was a meeting taking place, so I waited. To pass the time I wandered round the market, buying a few things that I knew we needed, and several that we didn’t. An hour later, I saw the man again. He was in the company of another man, much smaller and plump, and they were engrossed in conversation as they walked up Stert Street.
I followed, believing that I must appear to them as many other hooded and caped women in the rain. They were oblivious to my presence, so I was able to get close enough to hear them.
The only words I heard chilled me to the bone.
The tall man said, “I’m off to France next month. It’s the only answer.” He spoke English with an accent.
“But the Duke, he’s Britain’s finest general,” replied his friend. Now this one was English, I’d swear, but his voice had an unpleasant whine to it.
“If we’re to succeed, then he must die. It’s the only way.”
The men crossed the road and separated. I followed the taller man to a house, and I noted the number.
I moved off and returned home.
They were planning to assassinate the Duke of Wellington. Of course, Waterloo was not for over a year, Napoleon was about to be defeated and exiled to Elba, only to return in 1815 and to be finally defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington. If they assassinated the latter now, then Waterloo may have a completely different result.
I had to get to France and prevent this from happening.
As I walked in the door, Groves was waiting for me.
“Madam, there is a letter for you from the master.”
He had placed the letter on a silver salver, and I grabbed it with glee.
Paris. May14th 1814
My Darling Wife,
I am missing you so much. The fighting is over, and I am still in one piece. I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel last week, and have been given my own command of a regiment of Dragoons. Boney is finished, and there are rumours of surrender. The Duke is the hero of the hour, and the army is welcomed to a new Paris.
I have been given quarters near the Seine, and want you to join me. Bring the children, and catch the boat from Dover to Calais. I shall be waiting for you on the French side. I so want to show you and the children the city of Paris, it is an opportunity not to miss. It shall be our honeymoon.
Not a day goes past without me wanting to be with you, so please come. I have booked you on the packet on the 4th June. So I hope to see you on the 5th in France.
Your loving Husband
Roger
PS Kiss the children for me.
I sought out Mr Groves.
“It seems we are to go to France. Roger has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, commanding a regiment of dragoons. We are to go to France. So, close up the house, and we all are going.”
“All of us Madam?” said Groves, shocked.
“Why not? Have you been to France?”
“Never, madam.”
“Then it is time you did. As the staff of a colonel, it would be proper for his household to move intact.”
“Yes madam, I will tell Cook, but I don’t imagine she will be impressed.”
The next few days were chaotic, as I arranged everything from transport, horses and food for the journey to accommodation on the way. We even arranged for Snowflake and the rest of the stables to follow us. Unlike the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, when people could pop over to France for the day in a matter of an hour or so, this was a journey of several days, just to reach Dover.
It was like being a First Sergeant again, with all the logistics to arrange and people to manage. The old skills came flooding back, and I revelled in it.
After a frustrating day in Dover, watching a squall blow down the channel, we finally embarked on a boat that I thought had seen better days. However, the crossing was mercifully gentle, and we sailed into Calais still with the contents of our stomachs intact.
Roger was standing on the dock waiting for us, so when his entire household appeared, he was amazed.
He swept me off my feet, and I clung to him. I had missed him so much. Katie was in his arms before he released me, and little William took it all in his stride. We took our carriages off to Paris, and arrived in the evening to the cobbled courtyard of my husband’s acquired house.
It had belonged to one of Bonaparte’s lieutenants, so was expensively decorated with fine furnishings.
The children were put to bed after some warm milk and bread. I sat with my husband, drinking some fine Burgundy wine as he told me of his adventures. He had seen a few skirmishes, and one minor battle. He assured me that he had never been in danger.
With the fire dying in the grate and in the light of one candle, he looked at me with such fondness that I almost wept.
“Dear Jane. I knew you would come. I never asked Marjorie, as I knew she would never have attempted such a journey, but you are made of sterner stuff. Damn it, I swear that you would make a dashed fine trooper.”
“Trooper? Come now, husband, I’d make a captain at least!” I said.
We went up to bed, and slept but little. We enjoyed rediscovering each other that night, sleeping late into the following morning.
Roger was away by noon, so I took the household in hand. I spoke fluent French, courtesy of the download, so I was able to arrange for some more staff and for the provision of food and other essentials. Roger, as a regimental commander, was financially much better off than ever before. Thus, his provisions were courtesy of the army, so it was with great relish, I established a home that he could entertain in the style he should.
After a week, it was no great surprise to be greeting the Duke of Wellington himself, as he came to dine, along with other titled and decorated commanders.
“Ah, Mrs de Lambert, your table is renowned in Paris for having no limitations and infinite choice. It is so pleasant to dine in the company of such a beautiful woman, whose husband just does not fully appreciate you,” the Duke said as he kissed my hand.
“Your Grace is too kind. But sadly, my table is limited by supply, but I manage the best I can.”