Read Online All in Scarlet Uniform (Napoleonic War 4) by Adrian Goldsworthy - Free Book Online Page B

inter-twined.
    ‘Those who go are volunteers, as I understand it.’ Miss MacAndrews’ eyes were angry.
    ‘Pringle was most strongly urged by the colonel, and since his only offence was committed on behalf of my family, I could not in all honour permit him to go on his own.’
    ‘Honour,’ she said harshly. ‘He is a grown man and scarcely alone. You speak of honour and yet choose to leave.’
    Williams reeled, and almost before he knew it found himself quoting. ‘ “I could not love thee, Dear, so much, loved I not honour more.” ’ Jane was fond of verse, and in the past had delighted in exchanges of quotes, but as he spoke he suspected Lovelace had been an unwise choice.
    Her arm slid free and she took a pace away from him. Her face was red, and she was breathing deeply, chest rising and falling in a manner that made his throat dry.
    ‘Then take your honour, sir, and may it be a comfort to you!’ She recovered herself a little, and then spoke more levelly. ‘Good day to you, Mr Williams. Thank you for your company, but I must hurry away.’ She turned and strode off.
    Williams wondered what to do. They were on a path running through the meadow by the river and two hundred yards from the street leading into town. He could scarcely follow her without feeling absurd, and it would doubtless be uncomfortable – as well as ill mannered – to walk beside her, and rude to pass her. Then inspiration came to him, and he hurried to catch up.
    ‘Miss MacAndrews,’ he called politely. ‘Please forgive me, but there is one more thing.’
    To her credit Jane turned, her anger barely concealed. ‘I am late, Mr Williams, and have no time.’ She stopped and he reached her.
    ‘It is just this.’ He smiled, but failed to thaw her mood. ‘Back in the winter when I did not know if I would live or whether your ship had perished in the storm, I made myself a solemn promise.’
    ‘Indeed,’ she said, her face doubtful.
    ‘Indeed,’ Williams replied. His right hand shot around the girl’s waist and his left took her shoulder, pulling her towards him, lifting her face to his. Jane gasped. Then Williams kissed her.
    Jane staggered when he let her go. She was shocked and confused – and that was something he had rarely seen before – and in her agitation she panted for breath. Williams fought the urge to take her in his arms again.
    ‘How dare you!’ Miss MacAndrews said at last, because she could think of no better retort. As suddenly as he had lunged, her right hand flicked up and slapped him hard on the cheek. She turned and pattered away as fast as she could, not looking back.
    Williams went in the other direction, even though that meant taking the long way back. He kept smiling to himself, feeling that this was the first time he had ever come away from one of their arguments feeling that he had the advantage. It was a small triumph, and he fervently hoped that it would not cost him too dearly.
     
    Nine days later, Williams stood with Pringle, looking back at the shore as their ship worked its way out into the channel. He had not seen Miss MacAndrews again, and did not know whether the fondness she had admitted was now for ever spent. Her father leaned on the rail a little further along, and his manner was no different towards him, but that might mean anything or nothing.
    They were leaving Britain again, and to Williams it seemed barely the blink of an eye since they had returned. It had all started so well, as he posted home, arriving on a Sunday to be told his mother was in church, and he had marched down in his best uniform and simply sat beside her without saying anything, joining in the hymn even though it was the last verse. He remembered vividly her surprise, and the look of pride and relief she had given him, and then, when they had returned to the house, she had embraced him. Mrs Williams was not given to displays of affection, and he could not remember her ever acting like this before. By the next day she