but had not deceived Marcus Cox, restored as he was to full health and alertness
.
– Begging your pardon, my dear Miss Lorraine, the gallant young Colonel said, turning back to the bucks, – well, what have you to say for yourselves?
– Why, madam, one thousand apologies … we took you for a maid …
– Evidently, said Marcus, – and in my capacity as enforcer of discipline within my own regiment how, pray tell, would my good friend Colonel ‘Sandy’ Alexander react to learning of his junior officers setting such an unseemly example of debauchery?
– Sir … let me explain my circumstances … we are soon to be dispatched to the front to see off Boney’s mob. We … did not realise that the lady was … of society. My people are not wealthy, Sir, this commission means so much to them … I beseech you … the young soldier who had seemed the more arrogant pleaded openly, his face pained with anguish
.
Lorraine thought of her own circumstances, and the sacrifices made by her parents to introduce her to society. – It was my fault for dressing like this, Marcus, I only did it so that I could follow our beloved Denby undetected … she cried
.
Marcus Cox turned briefly to Lorraine, then glanced back at the two men. He let his bottom lip curl downwards and rested one hand on his hip as he looked them up and down. – I am not a man who lacks compassion by nature, Cox explained to the two young officers, – nor am I one who is immune to the temptations of sport, particularly before the stresses of battle, which I understand only too well. However, when an officer of a British regiment insults a lady of breeding, and one of my acquaintance, I can only demand satisfaction. All other considerations pale, he said ominously, his voice lowered almost to a whisper. Then he boomed, – Will you give me satisfaction?
– Dear Sir, said the more silent of the soldiers, who was now in much distress , literally shaking, as if he was facing Napoleon’s rifles, – we cannot consent to duel with a senior officer! Let alone a man of your standing! It would be barbaric! To engage in combat with someone whom we should be standing with side by side for England, why, it is nothing short of perverse! Please, my noble Sir, I accept that we have erred badly and that some recompense is due to you for our dastardly behaviour towards the good lady, but please, I implore you, do not seek your satisfaction from us in this way!
– And that is the feeling of you both? Cox asked
.
– Yes, Sir, it is, the other soldier answered
.
– I will have satisfaction, damn you! Cox roared into the night, – Will you give me satisfaction?
– Sir … I beg you … how can we? The two young men were cowed and timid under the thunderous ferocity of the senior officer’s tones
.
Marcus felt his raw, tingling lips spattered with his froth, and a powerful throbbing in his chest. – I see before me a man of no consequence, unused to society and unfit to wear those colours, and an arrogant milksop who will sell his soul to save his quivering, goose-bumped flesh!
– Please, Sir … I beseech you, in the name of England herself! How can we give you satisfaction in the manner you suggest?
– Very well, said Cox, after a contemplative silence. – As you refuse to comply with my request to settle this matter in a time-honoured way, it leaves me to fall back upon the traditions of my own regiment to guide me. These traditions of punishment for junior officers who transgress, in this or any manner, are the punishments which I myself now feel duty-bound to administer. Drop your trousers, the both of you! Obey! Marcus turned to Lorraine, – Please get into the carriage, Lorraine, this is not for the eyes of a lady
.
Lorraine complied, but could not stop herself from pulling back the blind and observing the men strip from the waist and bend over a railing. She could watch no more, but she did hear the screams of one man and then the other, followed by
.
– Begging your pardon, my dear Miss Lorraine, the gallant young Colonel said, turning back to the bucks, – well, what have you to say for yourselves?
– Why, madam, one thousand apologies … we took you for a maid …
– Evidently, said Marcus, – and in my capacity as enforcer of discipline within my own regiment how, pray tell, would my good friend Colonel ‘Sandy’ Alexander react to learning of his junior officers setting such an unseemly example of debauchery?
– Sir … let me explain my circumstances … we are soon to be dispatched to the front to see off Boney’s mob. We … did not realise that the lady was … of society. My people are not wealthy, Sir, this commission means so much to them … I beseech you … the young soldier who had seemed the more arrogant pleaded openly, his face pained with anguish
.
Lorraine thought of her own circumstances, and the sacrifices made by her parents to introduce her to society. – It was my fault for dressing like this, Marcus, I only did it so that I could follow our beloved Denby undetected … she cried
.
Marcus Cox turned briefly to Lorraine, then glanced back at the two men. He let his bottom lip curl downwards and rested one hand on his hip as he looked them up and down. – I am not a man who lacks compassion by nature, Cox explained to the two young officers, – nor am I one who is immune to the temptations of sport, particularly before the stresses of battle, which I understand only too well. However, when an officer of a British regiment insults a lady of breeding, and one of my acquaintance, I can only demand satisfaction. All other considerations pale, he said ominously, his voice lowered almost to a whisper. Then he boomed, – Will you give me satisfaction?
– Dear Sir, said the more silent of the soldiers, who was now in much distress , literally shaking, as if he was facing Napoleon’s rifles, – we cannot consent to duel with a senior officer! Let alone a man of your standing! It would be barbaric! To engage in combat with someone whom we should be standing with side by side for England, why, it is nothing short of perverse! Please, my noble Sir, I accept that we have erred badly and that some recompense is due to you for our dastardly behaviour towards the good lady, but please, I implore you, do not seek your satisfaction from us in this way!
– And that is the feeling of you both? Cox asked
.
– Yes, Sir, it is, the other soldier answered
.
– I will have satisfaction, damn you! Cox roared into the night, – Will you give me satisfaction?
– Sir … I beg you … how can we? The two young men were cowed and timid under the thunderous ferocity of the senior officer’s tones
.
Marcus felt his raw, tingling lips spattered with his froth, and a powerful throbbing in his chest. – I see before me a man of no consequence, unused to society and unfit to wear those colours, and an arrogant milksop who will sell his soul to save his quivering, goose-bumped flesh!
– Please, Sir … I beseech you, in the name of England herself! How can we give you satisfaction in the manner you suggest?
– Very well, said Cox, after a contemplative silence. – As you refuse to comply with my request to settle this matter in a time-honoured way, it leaves me to fall back upon the traditions of my own regiment to guide me. These traditions of punishment for junior officers who transgress, in this or any manner, are the punishments which I myself now feel duty-bound to administer. Drop your trousers, the both of you! Obey! Marcus turned to Lorraine, – Please get into the carriage, Lorraine, this is not for the eyes of a lady
.
Lorraine complied, but could not stop herself from pulling back the blind and observing the men strip from the waist and bend over a railing. She could watch no more, but she did hear the screams of one man and then the other, followed by
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