Read Online The Victory by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles - Free Book Online

five this morning, to get on the road!’
    The earl started up and crossed the room in two strides to fold him in a fierce embrace which rather took Ned's breath away. When he was released, he was surprised to see that there were tears in his friend's eyes. 'You look as though you've been ill. Is everything all right?' he enquired anxiously.
    ‘ I'm well enough, well enough,' Chetwyn said, turning to shake John Anstey's hand cordially. 'Anstey, my good fellow, it's a pleasure to see you. Will you take something? A nuncheon? Your breakfast must be a distant memory by now. Benton! Bring fresh covers, and that sirloin, and fruit! Ned, can you drink coffee? Ale for Mr Morland, Benton! Draw up a chair, Anstey. What brings you both to London?'
    ‘ The war, of course, what else?' John Anstey said, bringing a chair to the round walnut table in the window where the earl took such meals as he ate at home. It was laid with a lace cloth, and there was a silver vase of white roses in the centre, whose scent expanded on the sun-warmed air. 'Glorious roses,' he commented. 'Early, too. Ours at home have taken such a knock this year with all the gales.'
    ‘ I get them from Chelmsford House,' Chetwyn answered with a smile. 'The garden's so sheltered, they always bloom early. My new man, Benton, used to be a footman there, and he's remained on friendly terms with the Chelmsford butler.'
    ‘ What, old Hawkins? Is he still going strong?' Edward put in.
    ‘ Strong as ever. I think he feels living in lodgings is rather beneath me, but he's told Benton to help himself to flowers from the garden for me at any time. I'm looking forward to August, if I can persuade Benton to a liberal interpretation of the word 'flowers'. The Chelmsford House cherries are famous!’
    Benton came back with a laden tray and set places for the visitors, and when he had gone, Edward began carving thin slices from the handsome sirloin in front of him, and said, 'What's the latest news, then, Chet? Is this war ever to come about?'
    ‘ Word was yesterday that Whitworth is still in Paris,' said Chetwyn.
    ‘ But surely the seven-day ultimatum is past?' Anstey said. 'Why hasn't he withdrawn?'
    ‘ It seems that just as he was about to leave, Buonaparte took care to put about a rumour that he was willing to deal, and Whitworth's orders are such that he dare not take it upon himself to be the aggressor. As long as there's a chance of negotiating over Malta and the Low Countries, Addington's anxious to avoid declaring war. Boney's got to be put in the wrong if the anti-war party are to be persuaded to swallow the pill.'
    ‘ He'll be forced to in the end,' Anstey said angrily. 'Damn it, all this shilly-shallying is simply playing into French hands, giving them time to complete their plans.'
    ‘ You know that, and I know that, and I'm sure Buonaparte knows that,' Chetwyn said with a wry smile. 'It's just getting it across to Addington that's the problem. But the situation can't last much longer.'
    ‘ It had better not, or some of us are going to start making serious demands,' Anstey said sternly.
    ‘ It's an uneasy time,' Chetwyn said. 'The financiers don't like it, and 'Change is damned nervous. There've been huge dealings in the Funds, and Lloyds are in a twitter about their premiums. Allowing for the time it takes to communicate, I'd say another week or ten days is all it can last. If you have any relatives amongst the pleasure-seekers in France, Anstey, you had better get them out. I don't like to think what's going to happen to them when war is finally declared. Boney's quite capable of arresting them all.’
    Edward had been eating his way steadily through the beef while the others talked, and Chetwyn now turned his atten tion to him. 'Is everything well at Morland Place?'
    ‘ Oh, we go on much as usual,' Edward said. 'You are coming up for race-week, aren't you, Chet? I've a couple of very promising young 'uns for you to put your purse on.'
    ‘ I wouldn't miss it,'