Hervey 06 - Rumours Of War Read Online Free

even as he stumbled (and considerably less than bravely) from one mishap to another. How would Slade have done at Rangoon and Bhurtpore, Strickland asked. Hervey knew the answer: he would have botched things, even if he had been at the head of a troop only. But Slade was now lieutenant-general, by all accounts. Where was the justice? Where was the sense? The whole table agreed, new and old alike; they all knew Slade one way or another.
    After coffee, Hervey settled into one of the comfortable leather tubs by the window in the ante-room. ‘Yes, Strickland, I know full well what I want.’ He declined the cigar his friend was offering. ‘And you suppose that I turned down Combermere’s patronage solely because he retains half the prize money from Bhurtpore for himself.’
    Strickland held his peace. Lord Combermere had outraged the army of India – there was no other word for it – when he had defied custom and kept his share rather than give it to the lower ranks and the widows.
    ‘That is true,’ said Hervey, gazing out of the window. ‘Though I cannot wholly claim it is on but a point of honour that I did so. What do you suppose might be Combermere’s standing in popular eyes? Well I for one do not intend to be cast out bag and baggage when Combermere’s star proves to be of the shooting variety.’
    ‘A little ere the mighty Julius fell?’ Strickland smiled wryly and blew smoke towards the ceiling.
    Hervey turned back to look at him directly. ‘Just so.’
    ‘My dear friend, when it comes to the time for me to sell out there would be no happier man than I, should you be the one to buy my majority. Meanwhile, I at least intend taking my ease – in decent measure, of course. And I hope that others will do likewise, for they have earned it. And when the trumpet bids us to do battle in the name of the King, be that sooner or later, I trust that we shall do our duty again just as keenly as we have always done.’
    Hervey smiled. He had no wish to gainsay anything of his old friend. Strickland had exchanged into the Sixth from the Tenth just before Waterloo, and had at once become as the others, remaining faithful throughout the miserable tenure of Lord Towcester’s command, and the dusty, tedious years in Bengal. No, Hervey would pick no fight with him. ‘We are not so very distant in our opinion. It is only that I fear I cannot wait for the trumpet.’
    ‘And therefore?’
    Hervey took a sip of his Madeira, as if about to impart something confidential. ‘Greece. That is where we shall be tried next. The Duke of Wellington’s mission to Russia – there has been some compact, of which we perforce know little, and without doubt it will mean an offensive against the Turk. I have heard that Lord Hill has been instructed to place a brigade in readiness.’
    ‘And you intend to join it?’
    ‘Strickland, I hope the regiment shall join it. I’ll warrant there is none more experienced in the home establishment.’
    ‘Fair Greece! Sad relic of departed worth!’
    Hervey looked puzzled.
    ‘Lord Byron.’
    ‘You are a clever fellow.’
    ‘Have a care that Greece is not the death of you, my friend!’
    Hervey frowned. ‘You would live for ever?’
    ‘I would live a little longer! At least till I have the dust of Hindoostan out of my lungs. Perhaps you shall learn more this evening.’
    Hervey nodded slowly. ‘It is certainly my intention. The duke will be taciturn, no doubt, but I am seeing John Howard before dinner, and he is illuminating company always.’
    By three o’clock, Hervey was fair flying along the King’s New Road. It was probably the best turnpike in the country. In an hour and a half, or less if there was not too much carting traffic and the horses could have an occasional gallop, the officers of the Sixth could reach the clubs and drawing rooms of St James’s. This was certainly Hervey’s intention this afternoon as he sped in a chariot with the Greville arms emblazoned on the doors. Lady