Talavera

by Griff Hosker

  Once inside the three troopers checked the grounds and secured the rear gate. Someone could climb in but it would not be easy. Once inside Sharp locked and barred the back door. He gave them a bottle of brandy each for their trouble and they headed back to the camp. Sharp seated me in a comfortable chair.

  “Now then, sir, we can’t have you traipsing up and down the stairs. The doctor was quite clear about movement. You move as little as possible.”

  “At the moment, Sharp, I feel as weak as a baby and could not stir even if I wished to.”

  “Good. Then I will make you up a bed here, sir.” He pointed to the sofa which looked comfortable enough. Heaven knows I had slept on rocks before now.

  I sat in the chair and I dozed. I was not sure if the doctor had given me a draught of something or if I was just weak from the wounds. I knew that the food I had eaten in the hospital had been poor even by the standards of the army. My eyes closed involuntarily.

  As he made up the bed Sharp hummed a song. I knew that I was lucky to have him as my sergeant servant. When he had done, he stepped back to admire his handiwork. “There, my old mother would be proud of that.”

  His words made me open my eyes. “A fine piece of work. I believe I am ready to test it.”

  “Not yet, sir. The doctor is a fine surgeon but he does not know much about recovering from wounds. You need to build up your strength. On my way to pick you up today, I called at the butchers in the town. My Portuguese is getting better although it helped that I could just point at things I didn’t know the name for. I bought some beef as well as heart, liver and kidneys. They have a proper marble slab in the pantry. It will keep the meat for a day or so, even in this heat. We have enough food to last for three days and then I will have to go shopping again.”

  “I am not sure I could eat, Sharp. I feel so sleepy.”

  “You will eat sir and that is your nurse’s orders! The matron in the hospital might have been a dragon but she is nothing compared with me. I will talk to you while I am cooking, you need to stay awake.”

  His voice came in drifts as he went, first to the pantry, to bring the kidneys, liver, ham and eggs and then to the kitchen to cook. After each action, he came to the door of my room, which lay off the dining room, to talk.

  “I had one of the troopers call at Donna Maria’s. He told her what had happened.”

  “You should not have worried her.”

  “I did not wish to risk her wrath, sir. She would have fretted when you didn’t call to see her. Hang on, sir, there is a pan needs my attention.” He scurried off.

  He was right of course. She would have wondered why I had not called upon her again.

  “Anyhow, she seemed agitated according to Ralph Wilson. She said to tell you not to worry. She would sort things out. Almost ready!” He disappeared again and I became worried. What did she mean, ‘sort things out’? I should never have told her about the Black Widow. That she was behind this was crystal clear to me. Hiring English sailors was something that she would do. She seemed to have the ability to hide in plain sight.

  Sharp returned a short while later with a tray laden with food. There were strips of fried ham, fried liver and devilled kidneys. There were two fried eggs and fresh bread. He put the tray on a small table. “There, you are, sir. You tuck into that. I will make you a pot of coffee. There was no tea in the pantry and I can’t leave you to find some in Lisbon. I am afraid it will be coffee for a while.”

  The smell of the fried ham was enough to whet my appetite and despite my misgivings, I was able to wolf it all down and then wash it down with coffee. The coffee woke me and I decided to confide in Sharp about my fears for Donna Maria.

  “I fear that this is the work of the Black Widow, Sharp. Donna Maria knows the woman and she may try to seek her out.”

  “I agree that it seems like the work of that black-hearted murderess but how can Donna Maria find her? She is an old lady.”

  “And a resourceful one. Her chap, Giorgio, is my only hope. He is a big strong chap. Donna Maria is not reckless. She would have taken him with her. Still, I would be happier if she was warned to steer clear of our nemesis.”

  “Well, I am not leaving you, sir. As much as I like the old lady, you are my officer and I am not having you killed on my watch.”

  “We are safe enough, Sharp. The door can be locked from the inside. If you went out, I could lock it behind you.”

  “You are not strong enough, sir. No arguments. Until I have to go out, for food and the like, we are prisoners here. Colonel Hawker was insistent. He spoke with Sir Arthur who was also most concerned. The General has given you a month off to recuperate. So, you see, sir, this is an order!”

  I was too weak to argue. Sharp put me on my temporary bed and soon I succumbed to sleep. I must have slept until the late afternoon. Sharp had closed the curtains which kept the room cooler. I awoke and I was stiff. Despite the chair’s padding the wound in my back, although minor, was painful. I groaned as I rose. Sharp appeared from the dining room.

  “Sir?”

  “Just a little stiff, Sharp, and I need to use the toilet. I shall use the outhouse.” His face told me he was not happy. “If you think I am going to use that,” I pointed to the china pot, “then I have to say I would reduce you to the ranks as a punishment.”

  He grinned, “Right then sir, lean on me. I have been making you a walking stick but it is not finished yet. Until it is you will have to use me.”

  Pain coursed through my body as I stood. Whichever arm I used would cause me pain, I had been stabbed in the left shoulder as well as my right side. The act of raising my right arm was impossible and so I used my left. I prayed I would not rip out stitches. Sharp had to lean me against the passageway wall as he unbarred and locked the back door. I went to the outhouse. Even though it was early evening, after the cool of the house the wall of heat hit me like a sledgehammer. I was sweating by the time I had finished and returned to my bed. That simple act told me that Sharp was right. I could not fend for myself. Time had no meaning in our little fortress. We ate late and then slept. When I awoke it was almost ten o’clock in the morning. I had never slept so late in my life but I felt better. Sharp examined my dressings and seemed satisfied. He sniffed them, “No smell of badness, sir. That is good!” He allowed me to leave my bed and sit on my chair. It was more comfortable.

  In the middle of the afternoon, there was a knock on the door. Sharp took no chances. He cocked a pistol. I smiled. A killer would not announce himself. It was Colonel Hawker, Captain Minchin and Troop Sergeant Parkinson who presented themselves. I heard Colonel Hawker say, “A fine welcome, Sergeant. Do you always greet guests with a loaded pistol?”

  “Sorry, sir. Can’t take chances. Sir, it is Colonel Hawker with Captain Minchin and Troop Sergeant Parkinson.”

  I saw that the Colonel was now without a sling. I tried to stand to salute, “None of that nonsense, Matthews. These two chaps have just returned from England and they are keen to see you. I also have news for you.”

  I nodded, “You are all welcome and are you both recovered?”

  Captain Minchin nodded, “Yes sir. We both have a limp but it does not impair us. There was no reason for us to sail all the way to England to be told we were fit for duty!”

  Colonel Hawker shook his head, “There was, Captain Minchin, for you were able to acquire some fine remounts. You are a senior captain now.”

  The Troop Sergeant said, “Aye sir and it meant we could take Joe Fenwick to your estate. Rafe Jenkins is a good man. He made Joe welcome. He set him up in the new stable. Your builder had just finished it. You will have a fine home when it is all done. Joe wanted us to tell you how much he appreciates what you have done for him. You saved his life and then gave him a new life. That is very Christian.”

  “You two saved his life.”

  The Colonel said, “Let us not get bogged down in the past. As I said, Major, I have news. I think, thanks to the fiasco at Walcheren, the King has decid
ed to make much of the battle of Talavera. The Gazette now lauds it as the beginning of the end for Bonaparte.”

  “We know that is not true, sir.”

  “Quite but it makes those at home feel better and Parliament has agreed for more men to be sent to us. Sir Arthur is now Viscount Wellington of Talavera and of Wellington, in the County of Somerset, with the subsidiary title of Baron Douro of Wellesley. Quite a mouthful eh?”

  “He deserves the title, sir. We both know that he has the beating of the French.”

  “Quite. And there is something else, a little closer to home, as you might say. Your friend, Donna Maria and her servant chap, George or something, have disappeared.”

  I looked at Sharp. He shrugged, “If she is with Giorgio, she will be alright, sir. Besides there wasn’t much you could have done about it was there?”

  The Colonel said, “Am I missing something here?”

  I nodded, “You remember that party where we first met?”

  He laughed and said, “A little but they had a damned fine Madeira as I recall.”

  “Do you remember a Mrs Turner? She was a stunning beauty.”

  “By George, I do.”

  I said, flatly, “She is a murderess. You remember, Captain Minchin, that Lieutenant Frayn spoke of such a woman?”

  “I do recall the conversation. He was quite taken with her.

  “She murdered a Portuguese official. Donna Maria was trying to find her. I was in my cups and my tongue was too loose. I fear I may have doomed that poor woman.”

  Colonel Hawker could see that I was becoming agitated, “Major, your task is to get well. The regiment does not move out for three days. We have a regiment which owes a great deal to you. They can search Lisbon for this woman and for Donna Maria d’Alvarez. You can leave it with me! Come, gentlemen. We have work to do.”

  When they had gone, I said, “They can do no good, Sharp. We both know that.”

  “True, sir, but you are not fit enough and if she is loose in Lisbon then I am not leaving you alone. Besides if there are troopers searching for her she will have to go to ground, at the very least.” He hesitated, “Sir, I know the Colonel meant well but if anyone was looking for you then all they had to do was to follow them here. The house may now be watched.”

  “And I had already thought of that, Sergeant. Don’t you think that a sedan chair would be easier to follow? If the Black Widow had men watching for me then they know where I am.”

  He stood, “Right then, sir. Let’s do something about it.” He disappeared and returned with an arsenal. He handed me my stiletto, dagger and sword. “You can keep these about you, sir.” He placed a primed pistol on the table next to my bed and a second one on the side table close to my chair. “They are for you.” He disappeared and returned with the Baker rifles. He placed one by the front door and hurried up the stairs. Finally, he put two pistols in holsters about his waist. After clipping on his sword, he smiled, “Anyone who breaks in is going to get a rude shock, sir.”

  I could not settle for the rest of the day. Donna Maria was in danger and it was my fault. I did not sleep well that night. My repose was not helped by the itch in the wound across my chest. I knew that scratching would not help. I was awake early. Sharp, despite my pleas, refused to leave the house to search for Donna Maria. When there was a knock on the door, late in the afternoon, Sharp admitted Lieutenant Frayn and a newly promoted Corporal Harris.

  “The colonel sent us, sir, to reassure you that we have not left a stone unturned. The regiment is combing Lisbon. He has posted four men to watch the palace, sir. That lady, Juanita, she is really upset. We have seen no sign of Donna Maria d’Alvarez nor Mrs Castle.” He suddenly stopped, “That is not her name is it, sir?”

  “No one knows her real name, Lieutenant. You had a lucky escape.”

  “I can see that now, sir.”

  I turned to Corporal Harris, “And I never got the opportunity to thank you properly, Harris.”

  “No need to, sir. You are a good officer.” He tapped his stripes, “Besides, sir, the Colonel promoted me for what I did. Never thought that having to take a leak might result in promotion!”

  We all laughed.

  The Lieutenant stood. “Anyway, sir, we just thought we would come and tell you that we are all doing what we can. You rest. The doctor told me that you came within the width of a blade of death!”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant.”

  Sharp seemed reassured, “There you are, sir. The lads will find her.”

  “Yes, Sergeant, but will it be dead or alive?”

  We ate although the food tasted like sawdust. I had been the cause of Donna Maria’s disappearance and I was the one who could do nothing about it. Sharp cleared away the dishes and washed them up. I drank a port fortified with brandy. It eased the pain and was less likely to make me sleep than the doctor’s draughts which knocked me out almost instantly. The last thing I needed was to descend into the land of dreams. It had become a world of nightmares.

  Suddenly there was an urgent rattle on the door. Sharp ran through to answer it and he was holding a loaded and primed pistol. The door was down a passageway and I could not see it but I heard voices. They were indistinct. One was Portuguese and I heard Sharp’s reply. Then he shouted, in English, “Sir, there is someone who calls himself Giorgio. He says he has to speak with you.”

  “Fetch him in,” I lifted and cocked a pistol, “I am armed. If he is an assassin the two of us should be able to deal with him.” I levelled my pistol at the passageway. When they emerged into the light, Sharp’s pistol in his back, I saw that it was, indeed, Giorgio. He looked to have been in the wars. I lowered the pistol.

  He dropped to his knees, “Major, thank God I have found you. Donna Maria is in grave danger. She is hiding. She asked me to get you to come to her.”

  Sharp said, “The Major is wounded. He is going nowhere!”

  “What happened to her, Giorgio? Where have you been?”

  “We sought the woman who had the minister killed. There were men waiting. We fought and I killed one. We ran to the house of my brother. It is by the port. They were watching it and I only managed to slip out a short while ago. I ran here. I think I lost them. I beg of you to come.”

  Sharp spoke in English. “I don’t like this, sir. It does not smell right.”

  “Please Major, a lady’s life is at stake!”

  His words pricked my guilt, “Sharp, go with him. Lock the door and take the key with you. That way you know that the door cannot be opened. Bar the shutters if you must. You must get to the lady.”

  He was not convinced but he was an English soldier and knew the lady. The thought of her being in need was the deciding factor. “Very well, sir, but I bar the door and you keep a loaded pistol” He turned to Giorgio and spoke in Portuguese, “And if this is a trick then you will die!”

  “I swear on my mother’s life that I have been sent by the lady!”

  When the door was locked the click sounded ominously like the crack of doom. The house suddenly seemed to be filled with shadows which threatened my very existence. I put my watch on the table. I knew it would take up to thirty minutes to reach the Tagus and the port area. I would allow Sharp an hour, perhaps a little longer to get there and back. If he was not back by then I would know that this was a trick. Sharp was taking a bigger risk than I was. A thought suddenly filled my head. Giorgio had found the house. How? I had not told Donna Maria where we were staying. What was it the lady had told me? He had been with her for just a few months. It came to me with sudden clarity. Giorgio had been planted in the household by the Black Widow. She was a patient woman and had known that I would surface there, eventually.

  I stood. It hurt but I knew that my life was in peril. I went upstairs. There were no shutters there. It took me an age and I was sweating when I reached the upstairs bedroom I had used before my wound. I peered out into the street beyond the small formal garden. The street was empty. That did not mean there was no one there
. I knew how to hide in plain sight. I made my way downstairs. We had kept the back door locked and barred but what of the shutters? Had Sharp fitted them? Perhaps not for they made the kitchen dark. Once in the kitchen, I saw that he had fitted them and the door was still barred. The pistol before me, I turned. As I neared the dining room, I heard a key in the front door. My watch was still on the table. I had no way of gauging the time. However, a key had been used.

  “Sharp?”

  There was no answer and I entered, cautiously, first the dining room and then my sick quarters. The lights had been doused. The room was in total darkness. The primed pistol was in my hand and, as I moved towards the Baker rifle, a figure stepped out. I fired and the ball pulverised the assassin’s head. I stayed stock still. If there were two of them the other would move. My hearing had been affected by the blast. If another was going to act then this would be the time to do so. I waited and I heard nothing. I moved to the body. He had used a key. Perhaps this was Giorgio and he had slain Sharp and taken his key. As I knelt over the body, I realised it was not Giorgio. This one wore the clothes of a gentleman.

  Suddenly a weight fell upon my back. Even as I fell, I felt some stitches burst. The pistol tumbled from my hand. I could smell a familiar perfume. I was rolled over and the Black Widow sat on my chest. She had a stiletto in her hand. She pricked my throat with it. I saw that she had a veil across her face.

  She lifted it. I saw that there were long scratch marks down her face. That explained the veil. “Robbie, you are a hard man to kill!” She leaned over and before I could do anything, she had kissed me and then bitten my lips so hard that they bled. In the scheme of things, it was nothing but it angered me and I tried to move her. Blood trickled down my neck as the tip broke the skin. “Do not struggle, Robbie, you are going to die but in my time. By now your Sergeant Sharp will have joined that Portuguese bitch in the Tagus.” She stroked her scarred cheek. “I made her suffer. Who would have thought an old crone could fight so hard? She must have loved you too, but as a son, eh Robbie? Not as a lover.”