A Regimental Affair

I’m told — and the tenant of Manvers Priory has the advowson. There are one or two pretty cottages with the estate, too.’

‘Sir Abraham, I confess I am exceedingly flattered, more than I can express… but I cannot think entirely clearly.’

‘Of course, Captain Hervey, of course!’ said Sir Abraham. ‘This is scarcely a matter on which I would expect a decision from the saddle, so to speak. A week, shall we say?’

Hervey took his leave of Sir Abraham some distance from the grange, deciding that a walk might give him opportunity to assemble his thoughts and objections before sharing them with Henrietta.

Although the new appointment carried the rank of lieutenant colonel, it would hold no seniority within the army as a whole. He would have to sell out from the Sixth, of course. But perhaps if he went on half-pay instead he could rejoin the colours later, as major possibly. Or, if his seniority and means allowed it, as lieutenant colonel, although that rank would require a prodigious sum of money. But Sir Abraham had hinted that the yeomanry command would not leave him impecunious — quite the opposite, indeed — although the upkeep of Manvers Priory and the social obligations of a commanding officer of yeomanry would also make their demands.

Then again, what prospects did he truly have with the Sixth? He stood on the wrong side of his commanding officer, and that would be enough to blight any hope of advancement. Yet how might he like leaving the regiment, perhaps for good, and those who had come to look upon him as more than just an officer? In the army, people came and went all the time. Nothing was permanent, and that, he supposed, was one of the strengths of the system, as well as one of its weaknesses. He needn’t leave everyone behind, though. He could make Armstrong serjeant-major and let him have one of the pretty cottages for his family, Collins could be promoted serjeant, and Johnson corporal. He might even be able to make Mr Lincoln quartermaster. There was much more to this advancement than just his own fortunes.

Hervey thought of his father. Was this not the very solution to his problems with the archdeacon? Why should not the Reverend Thomas Hervey become rector of Manvers Parva, and find his ease in its extensive glebe and two thousand a year? Elizabeth would be content, as the countryside was pleasant and there seemed rather more opportunity here of her moving in county circles. Even Mrs Strange could have employment in the parish school.

Henrietta, too, would have a house in which she might truly feel at home, not the mean little places they would otherwise have to take. Seeing her that night, asleep at the White Hart in Nottingham, he had come to realize how unkind was his transplanting of her from the elegance of Longleat to the soldiers’ camp. At Manvers Priory she would enjoy the company of her equals in the county, and indeed in the neighbouring ones, for driving was a good deal easier than in Wiltshire. She and Elizabeth could see each other often again. Above all, she and he would see each other every day. They need hardly spend an evening, let alone a night, but in each other’s company. And here she could bear their children in comfort and safety, and raise them healthily. If ever a death had been more instructive than the Princess Charlotte’s and her child’s, he did not know of it.

As Hervey walked into the grange yard his mind was made up, and his opinion was strengthened — in respect of his reasoning at least — by the report which greeted him.

‘Hervey! Thunderously good news!’ beamed Seton Canning, rushing over from the picket post. ‘Those rumours these past weeks: well, we’re to see America after all!’

Hervey appeared perplexed.

‘The regiment is being sent to Canada with two others — infantry. There’s a great to-do about warship building on the Lakes. We’re wanted to make a show on the border!’

Private Johnson brought coffee into a sitting room at the grange, where Hervey and Henrietta were in earnest conversation.

‘Thank you, Johnson. That will be all. I shall not be at watering parade. Ask Mr Seton Canning to carry on, if you will.’

‘Right, sir.’ Johnson picked up his captain’s cloak and shako and left without another word.

‘No, Matthew,’ said Henrietta when the door was closed.

Hervey was astonished. It had not crossed his mind for one second that she might have any objection whatever. ‘But why, my love? Everything about this offer is so singularly attractive!’

‘No, it is not. Not everything.’

He was now thoroughly perplexed. ‘You have not seen the house, I grant you, but—’

‘It is not the house, Matthew.’

‘Then what is it?’

She sighed. ‘You speak of Serjeant Armstrong: why should he be happy to take his ease in a cottage in Manvers Parva? It would be like taking a foxhound from last year’s entry and putting a collar on it. And Corporal Collins, too: do you think he is so hungry for a serjeant’s chevron that he would wish to join a regiment of catshooters, as you call them?’

Henrietta’s forthrightness took him aback, as well as her evident grasp of military cant. She had rallied bravely from the morning’s news — that much was clear.

‘And what about you, Matthew? How should you like it? Do you mean to tell me that the prospect of trotting about Nottinghamshire for the next twenty years shall please you?’

‘My darling, it is not I whom I think of. There is the happiness of…’ He looked at the swelling at her skirts, slight though it still was.

She took his hand. ‘Matthew, dearest, if you are not happy then I can never be. And if you care to think on that you cannot but see that this business with the yeomanry would be a very sad affair indeed.’

‘But the orders for Canada?’

‘Matthew, your troop has been abuzz with life since the news came! I have no doubt that you yourself are eager for it too.’

She smiled so warmly that he could not help but concede her point, though with an embarrassed sort of grin.

‘But the consequences, my love: they scarcely bear thinking about.’

‘What consequences, Matthew?’

‘That you and I shall be parted, and at the very worst of times!’

Henrietta’s smile returned, accompanied by the familiar, disarming, little shake of the head. ‘Oh no, my love. We shall not be parted. For I have every mind to see Canada myself.’

PART THREE. THE AFFAIR AT NIAGARA

TREATY OF PEACE AND AMITY BETWEEN HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America desirous of terminating the war which has unhappily subsisted between the two Countries, and of restoring upon principles of perfect reciprocity, Peace, Friendship, and good Understanding between them… have agreed upon the following Articles.

ARTICLE THE FIRST

There shall be a firm and universal Peace between His Britannic Majesty and the United States, and between their respective Countries, Territories, Cities, Towns, and People of every degree without exception of places or persons. All hostilities both by sea and land shall cease as soon as this Treaty shall have been ratified by both parties as hereinafter mentioned…