Read Online Viva Jacquelina! by L. A. Meyer - Free Book Online Page B

names of the recently dead, no doubt.
    â€œPlease give me something to write on.”
    He lifts his eyebrows but passes me the book and pencil, and I write furiously in it. When I pass it back to him, I say, “Make sure this man gets on the first ship and is well cared for. Afterwards, get him to this address, such that he comes under the care of a Dr. Stephen Sebastian. Present this note and you’ll receive your one hundred pounds. You will see words to that effect right there.”
    â€œHow do I know they’ll pay?” he asks, skeptical.
    I open my jacket, pull up my shirt, and open my money belt. I take out three gold coins.
    â€œHere’s twenty pounds as earnest money. If this man dies on the way, you’ll still have that. If he lives till you can deliver him, then you shall have the additional hundred. How can you lose?”
    The man shrugs. “I reckon I can’t. Here! You, there! Get this man on a stretcher. Careful, now!”
    The stretcher is brought and Lord Allen is laid upon it. The movement, with its accompanying pain, wakes him up and he speaks to me again.
    â€œWill you marry me, Jacky? I’m not joking this time,” he says with a low chuckle. “If I recover from this . . .”
    I pat his arm, tears streaming down my face. “
When
you get well, my gallant Dragoon, you may ask me that again. You’re going to the
Tortoise
and then to Dr. Sebastian. It’s been arranged.”
    He manages a wan smile. “Thank you, Princess. Hate to fall under the tender care of a navy sawbones.”
    â€œNo, Richard, we can’t have that.” Tears run down my face as I grasp his hand in both of mine and hold it to my lips.
    The stretcher bearers lift their burden, and as he is borne away, he says, “Oh, Princess, you have made it all worthwhile.”
    I stumble out of the hospital, intending to follow him as far as I possibly can, but I do not get to do that.
    Ensign Connell appears at my side.
    â€œLieutenant Faber, the General wants to see you. Now.”
    â€œWhat?” I am confused.
    â€œCome quickly, Miss. There’s hell to pay. General Wellesley has been relieved of his command.”

Chapter 8
    â€œIt cannot be true, Tim,” I say, as Ensign Connell and I hurry along to headquarters. “Wellesley has just won a great victory.”
    â€œIt is true, nonetheless, Miss. General Burrard has taken over. And you are bleeding, Miss.”
    Oh my. Old Nosey’s nose must really be in a twist!
    â€œHow is he taking it?” I ask. We are coming up on Hotel Vimeiro.
    Ensign Connell cuts me a nervous glance. “About as you’d expect.”
    But this could be good for me,
I’m thinking.
After all,
I was assigned to Wellesley’s staff . 
.
 . Maybe if he is sent back to England, I would go with him, and then I could look after Richard! Maybe . 
.
 .
    â€œIn fact, not well at all,” says Connell. “Best keep your head down when we go in there.”
    Hmmm . 
.
 .
    â€œWhat was the Butcher’s Bill for this little battle?” I ask, dreading the answer. “Have you heard?”
    â€œIt seems we suffered around seven hundred killed or wounded. The French have about twice that.”
    Damn. Carnage, indeed . 
.
 . Many a mother shall weep, many a sweetheart shall moan, be they French, Spanish, or English.
    The open door looms before us. We look at each other and hesitate before entering the den of what is sure to be the fiercest and most angry of bears. The sounds from within are not encouraging.
    â€œGoodbye, Ensign Connell,” I say, as he prepares to go off to join the coterie of messengers. “It was a pleasure knowing you. I do not think I will be seeing you again.” I lean into him and put a kiss upon his cheek. “I wish you well.”
    â€œGoodbye, Miss, I cannot tell you, but—”
    I don’t listen for the rest. A light kiss from La