A Mistress for Major Bartlett (Brides of Waterloo)

‘Stop standing there like a stunned sheep and get out of my sight.’

He just about had the presence of mind to salute, before turning on his heels and leaving.

Sarah was going to be so pleased.

With a broad grin, he skipped down the stairs and out into the bright June sunshine.

* * *

‘Tom? It’s good news, isn’t it? I can see by your face.’

‘The best,’ he said, catching her up and swinging her right round.

‘Tom, you lunatic. Put me down this instant!’ Even though she was shrieking with laughter, so that he must know she didn’t mean it, he complied at once.

‘So, Justin gave us his blessing? I don’t believe it.’

‘He did more than that. He has given me command of the Rogues. At least—’

‘What? Is he going to go home, then? Oh!’ She clapped her hands to her cheeks. ‘It was Gideon’s last wish. Mama needs him, you see. And now that Bonaparte is trounced, I dare say he feels he can go back. And oh—’ she squealed ‘—they always hand out honours after such a decisive victory, don’t they? I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if you got something. A knighthood at the very least.’

He shook his head. ‘Only those already in favour get distinctions of that sort. And I won’t be in favour. My action, in seducing the sister of my commanding officer, will outweigh any credit I may have gained by whatever small part I played in the battle itself.’

‘Nobody will think that. We are going to be married. And once you become his brother-in-law, Justin is bound to put in a good word for you in all the right places. And before you say he is just an artillery officer, he is also an earl and has the ear of some very powerful people. He could even,’ she said on a burst of inspiration, ‘petition for your grandfather’s title to be restored to you.’

‘What if I don’t get any honours, though, Sarah? You have to face the possibility. Are you sure you will be content to follow the drum? The life of an army wife isn’t an easy one, you know.’

‘Oh, Tom, how can you say anything so absurd? I’ve felt more alive these last few days than I ever have done. More...me, if you know what I mean? At last, I feel as if my life has some value. Some meaning. I am going to be such a good wife to you. And just to prove it, I have been busy this morning, showing everyone that I am not a silly, frippery, fashionable ninny.’

‘And just how,’ he said with a grin, ‘did you do that?’

‘I volunteered to help in Mary’s hospital. What used to be her school is full to the rafters with wounded men. And Bertrand said I would be a valuable addition to the staff, only think of that!’

‘Bertrand?’ She thought he stiffened a little. His smile had certainly slipped.

‘Yes. The doctor who comes in every day to oversee Mary’s work. You need not worry about him. He’s in love with Mary. So even if Justin has made a complete mull of it at least she won’t be on her own for ever. But never mind them, Tom, the important thing is that this proves I can be a good officer’s wife. I will never, never fail you, Tom.’

‘You don’t need to go working in a hospital to prove anything, Sarah. I don’t want you to have to.’

‘But I want to. I felt so badly for all those poor injured men and wished I could do more for them. Well, now I can.’

He frowned and took a breath, as though about to say something she wasn’t going to like.

‘You aren’t going to be a disagreeable sort of husband, are you? Forbidding me to do things I want to do?’

‘No.’ He smiled. ‘I’m not going to forbid you to do anything. I want you to be happy. But I also want you to be safe. We are going to have to employ a maid for you. And probably some form of male servant to watch over you. I don’t like the thought of you wandering about on your own.’

She burst out laughing. ‘Oh, Tom, as if I haven’t been wandering all over Brussels this week without so much as a groom in attendance. My word, I never dreamt you could say anything so stuffy!’

‘It comes of having been a rake, I expect. I know how very bad men can be. So I want to protect you from all the others. I,’ he said, pulling her close, ‘am going to be the only rake who gets his hands on you from now on.’

‘Yes, Tom,’ she said demurely. And then ruined the effect by adding, with a twinkle, ‘You may put your hands wherever you like.’

* * * * *