A Minor Inconvenience
Page 21
Hugh looked at him sharply, for he had wondered at the leave James had been allowed. “The timing of James’s leave seemed strange to me.”
Theo gave Hugh’s words due consideration. “I can’t be sure, but I would not be in the least surprised if it was Wellington’s habit to give leave to Staff Officers in the run-up to actions he has kept secret, purely to throw the French off the trail. After all, there can be nothing more obvious than allowing them leave when the army is idle, then keeping them all close in the few weeks before mounting an offensive. Allowing leave at all times during the year, except when battle is openly joined, would keep the Frenchies guessing.”
“True,” Hugh said, much struck by Wellington’s cleverness.
“And now do you think we might—oh, Lord,” Theo muttered. “I suppose I should be grateful you do not have even more siblings.”
“Hugh!” Sophia swept up to him and took his hands in her own, a habit she had perhaps learned from Emily. “How marvellous it is to see you, and how happy James is. Do you know, Lavinia is to marry Thomas Ivory?”
“I—no, I did not know,” Hugh said, with a helpless glance at Miss Williams who was standing just behind Sophia and blushing most becomingly. “My congratulations, Miss Williams. I wish you both happy.”
Sophia moved on to greet Theo with the warmest of smiles. Hugh was thankful that she seemed head over heels for Esdale, for otherwise he might suspect Sophia to have a tendre for Theo. He would not have blamed her for that, for how could anyone know Theo and not fall at least a little in love with him?
Once the young ladies had proceeded elsewhere to share their excitement at the wedding, Theo made his intentions known. “Enough is enough, Hugh. We have wished the couple happy, and it is time for us to—oh, God.”
“Hugh.” Lady Fanshawe was advancing upon them. “I am glad to see you in your regimentals, because you know what they say—weddings beget weddings. I’m sure there are several ladies here who will be unusually susceptible and you must put your best foot forward, you know, to have any chance.”
“Mama,” Hugh said, aware of Theo about to overflow with emotion beside him, though unsure just what that emotion might be. “I believe with Lord Esdale calling upon George this afternoon, you will have more than enough to occupy yourself with for now.”
His mother’s bosom swelled with pride and happiness, and she smiled at Hugh. “I was thinking that we might—”
“Mama, I would like nothing better than to hear all of your plans,” Hugh cut across her with unpardonable rudeness, “but for now I regret I must leave. Colonel Lindsay is injured, you see, and I must attend to his comfort.”
Lady Fanshawe looked at Theo in surprise. It appeared she had been so focused on Hugh she had not noticed him. And then she saw the sling in which his left arm rested.
“Oh, Colonel Lindsay,” she began, and it might have been some considerable time before anyone else was able to get a word in had Emily not joined them at that moment, greeting both gentlemen very prettily and begging her hostess’s pardon but requiring her assistance upon a matter of fashion that had been vexing her for some time.
Hugh glanced back as they finally left the room, and his gaze met Emily’s. He was slightly confused by the very real happiness in her face as she looked between him and Theo. He nodded his thanks for her intervention. Although she would never suspect the true nature of his friendship with Theo, she had nonetheless seen their desire to leave and had selflessly stepped into the breach. He stayed in the doorway a few moments longer, watching as Emily’s attention was once more claimed by the Rector.
He looked at Theo, who was also watching Emily, a smile in his eyes as he adjusted his sling. Theo’s injury was not bad, according to the physician Hugh had insisted he consult, but it had been enough for him not to have to rush back to Portugal. As Theo had said, a rifleman who can’t hold a rifle was not much use.
And so he had been there when Hugh had been invited back to Horse Guards by an exceedingly pleased Colonel Dalrymple, and Hugh had accepted. He didn’t know if he would stay—he was awaiting an answer from Dr Ling in Sweden before he made up his mind—but he wished to repay Dalrymple for his loyalty, and the job needed doing by somebody. There was also the fact that selling out on full rather than half-pay would go quite some way towards funding the stable he’d decided to set up for himself, either now or on his return from Sweden.
Theo looked back at him then, and his eyes were warm. “You haven’t any great-aunts, second cousins or pet dogs who might be next in line to prevent us leaving?”
Hugh smiled. “No,” he said, as he looked at Theo. “There is only you.”
“And you, Hugh,” Theo said quietly. “Always and only you.”
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About the Author
Sarah Granger is a sucker for a happy ending. She believes, however, that characters will only appreciate their happy ending if they’ve suffered along the way.
Sarah lives in the Cotswolds, an idyllic part of the English countryside with gently rolling hills, dry stone walls of golden stone, and fields dotted with sheep. She has shamefully broken with local tradition by not having a rose growing around her front door. When she isn’t writing, Sarah indulges her passions for horse-riding, gardening, and walking in the countryside.
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