“That remains to be seen. Pray calm yourself, Madame, and tell us, what did you do next?”
She took a deep breath,and crossed her arms across her chest. “After we had spiked the guns, I returned to Captain Olivier. Samuel had slipped out, and was heading for France. Captain Olivier gave me a horse and some money, and a safe conduct. He also gave me a ring, so I could pass myself off as his fiancée travelling away from the fall of Cuidad Roderigo.
"I made my way by land and sea to Avignon, where his family took me in. I told his parents the truth about my mission. They fed me, clothed me like a French lady of the aristocracy, and let me use their carriage. In return I promised to carry back the ransom for their captured son just as soon as my task was finished in Grenoble.”
“And that task was?” Wellington inquired.
“There were many rumours about a treasure at the Chateau. The Chevalier, Stewart’s distant relative, helped me to find it. His son in law, an officer of the Imperial Guards, was the one who had arranged everything with Samuel, the Chateau in exchange for help with the invasion. Samuel found me, and tried to kill me again. We fought, and Francis Baines killed him to save me.”
Stewart again gaped at her.
She wished she could go to him to offer him some comfort, but she was certain Wellington wouldn't approve, and in any event Stewart was acting as though he barely knew her.
“This Imperial Guardsman, do you know who he was?”
She nodded. “It was Captain Vincent Olivier’s brother, Colonel Andre Olivier. He had done it all out of a sense of bereavement over the loss of his wife, the Chevalier’s daughter. I persuaded him to see reason, and he helped me against Samuel, saved my life. He also escorted us as far as Burgos, and then returned to his own regiment in San Sebastian,” Vevina said cautiously.
“You seem to have the most marvellous powers of persuasion, Lady Vevina,” Wellington commented. “And your journey seems to be littered with many French friends and helpers. You can forgive me for being slightly suspicious of all this good fortune of yours. You are either the most winning woman in the world, or a traitor.”
Chapter Thirty-four
Vevina lifted her chin and met Wellington's gaze head on, while Stewart paled at his superior officer's accusation against her.
“I am no traitor, sir. And it is not really so remarkable, my Lord. In the end I had to do very little persuading to get honest, decent people to do the right thing."
"Yet the French—"
"They are not monsters, my Lord, and not everyone is fond of Napoleon. They fought a bloody revolution for freedom and to rid themselves of the monarchy only to end up with a tyrant who crowned himself emperor in the presence of the Pope himself."
Her two companions nodded.
"Colonel Olivier remembered me from England many years ago. They lived in our London townhouse until their fortunes improved. He wished to repay that old debt. I also pointed out that if anything happened to me, his brother Vincent’s ransom might not be paid, and the Captain might die in prison.
"Colonel Olivier then discovered that Samuel had stolen all of the Joyce lands for the planned French invasion, and decided he did not want to be party to such destruction. So he washed his hands of him and stopped attacking me. Even better, he escorted me to safety, and now that he is back with his troop, he will tell Napoleon the expedition is no longer feasible. In any case, judging from what I saw behind enemy lines, it seems the Emperor has his sights set on the East, Russia by all accounts,” Vevina said with a small smile.
Wellington blinked, and then said, “I see!”
The room was silent for several minutes, until Wellington pressed more food and drink upon Vevina. She began to nibble some of the cold ham and cheese in order to keep up her strength.
"So, how do you come to be here?" Wellington asked after a short time.
Vevina continued, “Once Samuel was dead, we loaded the treasure into the hollowed out seats of the Chevalier’s carriage, and came back to Spain as quickly as we could. I had hoped Stewart and the others would still have been at Cuidad Roderigo, but the only men there were my brother Wilfred and Ensign Parks. Wilfred told me you were all here at Badajoz, so I demanded a map from him, and we rode down here.”
“Who is we?”
“Myself, Francis Baines, Jeanne, my maid the Chevalier gave me, and two coachmen came across France together. Wilfred gave us three men to escort us down. Only myself, Francis and Jeanne are now still alive, but they will support all that I have told you, my Lord.”
“And how did you get down here, with so many French patrols?” Wellington demanded.
“It was a French coach with an ostentatious coat of arms, so most of the time we remained untroubled. We had no serious difficulties until we met with a party of bandits just outside Cuidad Roderigo.”
“But the French control the road from Merida to here. How did you get through?”
“We took the road from Caceres, bringing our own supplies, and then we burst through the road block,” Vevina stated, meeting the hard stare of Wellington head on.
“What did you say?” he demanded.
“I said, we burst through the road block. Francis drove the carriage, I rode on the horses’ backs. We plowed through the two blockades, killing the first two pairs of horses, which I had unharnessed, but the rest of the team pulled us to safety.”
Stewart looked at her as though she had taken leave of her senses.
“And this treasure, gold and silver ingots and three bags of jewels?”
“It is the treasure the Chevalier gave me from the Chateau. He charged me to make sure it was used to help Ireland. I’ve not looked at the jewels sir, so I don’t know what these things are worth, but all I ask if for a small amount to be set aside for Captain Olivier’s ransom, and some for his family to repay them for all they have done for me. The rest is in your hands, to dispose of for the sake of the war effort as you see fit, my Lord,” Vevina said firmly.
“It isn’t yours to give, it’s Major Fitzgerald’s,” Wellington observed quietly.
Vevina coloured. “I'm sorry, my Lord, I had forgotten. I wanted to atone for all the crimes I was accused of to try to clear my name. It is of course Major Fitzgerald’s, and I beg his forgiveness and appeal to his generosity to the Olivier family. I am a wealthy woman in my own right, if the lands we once owned are restored to me. I have no use for such a huge amount of money, and any monies the Major disburses to the Oliviers shall be paid back in full as soon as I am able to secure my fortune again.”
“I agree with Lady Vevina, my lord. I have no wish for such a treasure I have done nothing to earn. Vevina has taken all the risks, and my relative the Chevalier wanted it to be used wisely. Take the money,” Stewart insisted stoutly.
“The idealism of youth is charming,” Wellington said dryly, “but I think you must both be mad.”
Vevina and Stewart blinked.
Wellington allowed himself a small smile. “You madam, are most certainly mad. Shall I tell you what happened as soon as she arrived here, Major? She took one look out of my telescope at the attack of Badajoz, and ran out to fight, and her several months along with child! She followed you into the breach, and by all accounts saved your life on two occasions and slaughtered dozens of French.
“Then she personally organised the rescue of the wounded, and donated all of her clothes as bandages. My casualty list reads five thousand, and I thank God and this woman here that it isn’t more. She stitched, amputated, comforted, and carried as many wounded as she could for three days after the battle. It is a remarkable achievement by any standard, and I shall see that London hears of your actions and gives them due recognition.”
“And you, Major, leaving aside your substitution for your brother at the battle of Cuidad Roderigo, which was nearly suicidal, here at Badajoz you led your men into the third breach, and over the ditches the French had set. That was almost certain death! But it brought us victory, just when I was about to
give up hope of ever winning. Now you tell me, bold as anything, you want to throw an entire fortune away?”
They looked at each other, and then at Wellington.
“We don’t need the money,” said Stewart firmly.
“You wouldn’t by any chance be trying to bribe me to not refer your case to the courts martial, would you Major?” Wellington demanded.
Stewart stamped to attention smartly. “No, my Lord. I didn’t even know of the treasure until now, and you were the one who pointed out to Lady Vevina that the money was mine to dispose of. But I agree with her. Apart from her debt to the Olivier family, all else is yours.”
Vevina stared from one to the other, and then declared, “I'm not sure why Major Fitzgerald is being court-martialed, but before Samuel died he boasted to myself and Francis Baines that Stewart would be accused of treason and hang because of some incriminating papers he had sent to you. I hope, my Lord, that you will see that Stewart is innocent, like myself and Will. Refer the matter to Colonel Olivier. He will support my statement. Stewart is no traitor!”
Wellington paced up and down for a few moments. “I have been a soldier for a long time, but nothing like this case has ever come to my attention. I shall make sure it never does again. I am prepared to believe all you say, because your contributions have been so valuable to the Crown’s interests in this affair.”
“But you have lied, by omission most of the time, but you have lied. For instance, Madame, you asserted that the two of you were married.”
Both Stewart and Vevina stared at the floor guiltily, though Stewart did chance a furtive glance at Vevina.
“I take it this is not so, Madame, since I have been informed that you were forced to marry Samuel, not Stewart Fitzgerald, so he could get your estates.”
“It is true my lord, and I am sorry I lied. But I was terrified you would try to send me home or take up your hospitality in Lisbon, and I didn’t want to leave my brother or Stewart behind,” she said honestly.
“I see,” Wellington said in clipped tones, giving nothing away. He left them sitting in an agony of silent suspense for a few moments before he informed them of the outcome of his deliberations.
“Well, Lady Vevina, Major Fitzgerald, I have seen all the parties concerned in this affair, Francis Baines, Captain Olivier, Mitchell, Captain Wilfred Joyce, and many others from your mess. All of them speak very highly of you, a rare thing in these days of gossip and backbiting. All of what you have told me, Lady Vevina, has been confirmed. Francis Baines gave me some papers to prove your innocence, and you are free to go back home to Ireland and your estates at any time, you and your brother. All of you lands and monies will be restored by Major Stewart Fitzgerald, to atone for the wrongdoing of his brother. We will hold some of this treasure in reserve for just such a contingency.”
Vevina sighed with relief, but she knew it wasn’t over just yet.
“As for Major Fitzgerald, his family has been guilty of treason, and by rights I can confiscate his entire estate to give it to you, Lady Vevina.”
He paused for breath, giving Vevina just enough time to burst out desperately, “No, please, my Lord, I don’t want it. Stewart is blameless of Samuel’s crimes!”
“You're defending him because you're in love with him!”
“That’s not true,” Vevina denied hotly, not realising what her words sounded like.
Stewart’s jaw set, and his high cheekbones coloured.
“Please, my Lord, Samuel is dead! Don’t accept his lies, and allow him to haunt me for the rest of my life by punishing the innocent!”
“But he stole your lands, money,” Wellington protested.
“It makes no difference any more. It is enough it has all been restored, Wilfred and I are safe, and Stewart is free of his brother’s enmity. To get revenge upon the Fitzgerald family wouldn’t restore my dead father, and I owe Stewart my life. All his debts to me are paid in full,” Vevina insisted.
Wellington eyed her for a moment, and finally nodded. “If you are sure of this, then in view of all Major Stewart Fitzgerald has done to atone for his brother’s treason, at both Cuidad Roderigo and Badajoz, I shall allow him to keep his estates in his own name. But justice must be done, and there is a small matter of the child you carry. I am therefore insisting that you marry as soon as possible, both to right the wrongs done, and to ensure that the child be the responsibility of his true father.”
Stewart’s eye widened.
Vevina's heart leapt at the chance to marry her beloved, but she felt secretly hurt. Now she would never be sure if he really had changed his mind about love or not.
“My Lord!” Vevina attempted to argue, but he held up one hand imperiously.
“Finally, I declare that the wedding shall be in three days time, after which you shall both go to Lisbon, and return home to England. Major Fitzgerald has been promoted to the rank of Colonel, and will serve as my liaison in Whitehall. If I am to win this war, Colonel Fitzgerald, I need the help of men like you who have been here and seen it all. I shall accept one half of the treasure Lady Vevina has brought on behalf of the Crown, and all of the honors you both deserve shall be heaped upon you in due course.”
Vevina was delighted for Stewart, though with a tinge of regret she realized he would probably be discontented with being shipped back to England for her sake just when the British were building up some real momentum on the Peninsula at last.
“One last point for you both, more of a request really, before you go.” Wellington looked at them both sharply.
They waited expectantly.
“I wish to ask if Lady Vevina will do me the honor of allowing me to pay for the wedding as token of my appreciation for all her help, and to allow me to give her away.”
“My Lord!” Vevina gasped.
Wellington shook his head “I can’t give you a promotion, so this is the least I can do. And I know you have a brother, but he can be Colonel Fitzgerald’s groomsman.”
Vevina smiled. “I would accept, my Lord, with many thanks.”
Wellington took her hand to kiss it.
She blushed as she suddenly remembered her appalling state of dress.
The Duke said kindly, “Go upstairs. Hot water and a bath are waiting there for you, along with the remainder of your things. I shall see you at eleven o’clock on Saturday morning, and we shall have the wedding breakfast in the hall downstairs.”
Wellington led her to the door, with Vevina feeling as though she were floating. It was all so unreal. She and Will were exonerated, she was about the marry the man she loved, there was a baby on the way, they had several magnificent homes in England and Ireland they could all live in.
Then Vevina thought of Bob and baby Jack with a pang, and stopped in her tracks.
She turned in the doorway and shook her head. “I’m sorry, my Lord, I know you have the best intentions, but I must respectfully decline all of your kind offers,” she declared. “I couldn’t possibly marry Colonel Fitzgerald.”
Chapter Thirty-five
Vevina’s refusal to marry Stewart fell upon the room with all of the force of a thunder-clap.
Stewart’s eyes glittered with something akin to fury.
Wellington stared at her in stunned surprise. "Why ever not?"
“My Lord, I know you are his commanding officer, and have every right to issue him military orders, but I cannot be party to your forcing him to marry me. If he wishes to do so of his own free will, that is one thing. But to be perfectly honest, in spite of my being with child, I’m not sure if I'm ready to be married,” Vevina attempted to explain.
Stewart swallowed hard, and managed to ask, “What doubts or uncertainties would cause you to hesitate?”
“I’m young, Major, inexperienced, and while we have been friends, I’m not sure if our liking and regard for one another is strong enough for us to marry,” Vevina said quietly.
Stewart gazed at her in silence, and she could see that he was not going to make this easy f
or her.
“I also feel, Colonel, that you are married to your regiment, and to give it up to come back with me to England simply because of the baby is most unfair to you.
"I am well aware of the nature of your duties and responsibilities, and your personal inclination, and would not wish to keep you from your chosen career, though my Lord’s offer of such a prestigious promotion is very kind.”
“Kindness has nothing to do with it! I can’t run a war on kindness,” Wellington said gruffly.
She saw he was trying to make light of his overwhelming generosity towards them and smiled gently. “Finally, I must tell you of my own duties and responsibilities. Bob Bradford is now blind, and the Becketts are both dead.”
Stewart gasped and moved towards her, but she backed away, suddenly feeling cornered by her attraction for him, and dismay over her unsightly appearance.
Scars Upon Her Heart (The Scars of The Heart Series) Page 30