A Call to Arms

for a painting of Lord Uxbridge — new done and by Sir Thomas Lawrence, he surmised. It would both engage him agreeably and cover his knowing no one. However, scarcely had he time to verify the portraitist when a field officer in rifle green approached him.

‘Captain Hervey?’

He turned. As ever with the Rifles, the rank was difficult to make out at first sight, but the man was about the duke’s age, and his face more weather-beaten. ‘Sir?’

‘I am Colonel Warde, the duke’s secretary.’

Hervey bowed. ‘Good evening, Colonel.’

‘We have a little time before dinner is announced. I wonder … may we have a word, privately?’

Hervey looked surprised. ‘But of course, Colonel.’ He glanced about the room, now becoming quite full.

Colonel Warde drew him away to a corner, taking another glass of champagne as he did so. ‘This affair of Peterloo — a damnable business. It has already caused the duke great embarrassment.’

‘I imagine so, sir.’ The duke had sent a letter to the magistrates commending their action, just as had Lord Liverpool, and there was much popular resentment at both.

‘It was, of course, a noble and brave thing to do, Hervey. The duke was mindful of the clamour there would be against him, and yet he was of the opinion that if the Manchester magistrates were not publicly supported, then others would shrink from their duties.’

Hervey nodded.

‘But by heaven he is disturbed by what he reads. General Byng — the same that was with us at Waterloo — has the northern district, but his despatches have only an immediate account by the military. The duke believes there must be more to things than in the official despatches, but is not inclined to support a public inquiry. He wonders if you would go there and judge the various reports.’

‘I?’

‘Yes. You have experience of these things, do you not? And the duke trusts you.’

‘Well, sir, greatly flattered as I am by the duke’s trust, I do not consider that I am qualified!’

‘The duke is of the opinion that you are,’ replied the colonel, a shade testily.

Hervey sighed to himself. He ought to have seen that coming. ‘But in only a few weeks I sail with my regiment to India!’

‘I am sure you can be spared, Hervey. Sir Ivo Lankester will not object when I have spoken to him.’

There was a moment — perhaps no more than a second or so, though it seemed an age — when Hervey’s mind rested in the balance. Eighteen months ago he would have received a request from a senior officer as an order. From the Duke of Wellington it would have commanded his instant, unquestioning obedience. But not now. He had his judgement — percipient judgement, the duke had once called it — and he had seen the consequences of disregarding it. ‘No, sir. I am afraid I must insist that I have my prior duty.’

‘Mm.’ Colonel Warde’s eyes narrowed. ‘The duke said you might be recalcitrant. Well then, you can at least give your opinion of various statements that have been made?’

‘Sir, I really do not see that that would be of any merit, since I have no special insight. For me to express a worthy opinion I should have to do more than merely read what might any other officer.’

‘You really are most obdurate, Captain Hervey!’

‘With respect, I trust not, Colonel. I think it would be wrong for me to undertake an assignment that the duke believed would yield some particular result when I am not in a position to do so. And a wrong opinion by me would be greatly to the duke’s discomfort in no time at all.’

Colonel Warde sighed, most displeased. ‘I cannot think what the duke will make of this. He was most adamant we had your opinion.’

The master of ceremonies announced that dinner was served.

Colonel Warde sighed again — huffed, almost. ‘Come then, we had better take our seats. The duke’s sister- in-law acts as our hostess this evening, in case you are presented.’

Hervey looked uncertain. ‘In the circumstances, sir, would it not be more proper for me to make my apologies and leave?’

‘Don’t be an ass, Hervey!’ snapped the colonel, beckoning him on behind. ‘I’ll show you your place. You have very agreeable company — better than you deserve, I dare say.’

Colonel Warde made his way to the centre of the room, to the woman who had questioned Hervey at the foot of the stairs. ‘Lady Katherine, may I introduce Captain Hervey, who shall be your companion at dinner. Hervey, this is Lady Katherine Greville.’

Hervey bowed, and his dinner companion made a part-curtsy by return, but with the same knowing smile as at the statue.

Colonel Warde eyed Hervey sternly again. ‘After dinner we must resume our conversation.’

‘As you please, Colonel,’ said Hervey, offering Lady Katherine his arm.

‘I see I have intruded on affairs,’ she said. ‘I have a mind that dinners such as these are mere interruptions to the serious business with which men concern themselves.’

‘Not at all, Lady Katherine,’ protested Colonel Warde. ‘They are most necessary to the cultivation of proper society, which in these times we must not take for granted.’ He glanced meaningly at Hervey.

They passed through a mirrored lobby, in which Hervey noticed that his face had reddened somewhat.

‘We are the first to dine here,’ explained Colonel Warde, who seemed anxious to keep up his conversation. ‘The duke has had the room made only this year.’

That much was at once apparent to Hervey, for it was a most masculine room, most military indeed. The walls were a buff colour, not unlike his own facings; the doors, dado and cornice were oak, the chairs red leather and the table, almost groaning with silver, was mahogany polished to a high gloss, so that countless candles reflected from silver and wood alike.

They arrived near the far end of the table. ‘I shall leave you in the hands of Captain Hervey, then, Lady Katherine,’ said Colonel Warde, bowing again.

‘What a delightful prospect, Colonel,’ she replied, inclining her head slightly.

Colonel Warde bowed more formally. ‘Until later, Hervey.’

A footman held the chair for Lady Katherine as she sat, allowing just enough time for Hervey to introduce himself to the aide-de-camp seated on his left, a captain of foot guards. He turned again to his companion.

‘Colonel Warde seems most anxious that you speak together, Captain Hervey,’ said Lady Katherine. ‘You are evidently of some consequence.’

Hervey smiled. ‘Oh, I think not, Lady Katherine. I am a regimental officer.’

‘Indeed?’

Lady Katherine’s smile seemed fixed in a bemused, disbelieving fashion which Hervey was beginning to find slightly unnerving.

‘As a regimental officer, you could tell me what all this silver signifies.’

Hervey was relieved but still inclined to be guarded. ‘I confess I do not know it intimately, but the centrepiece was presented to the duke by the Portuguese a year or so ago. The ornament in the middle of it shows the four continents paying tribute to the united armies — of England, Portugal and Spain.’

‘It is quite magnificent, if perhaps rather severe for my taste.’

‘When I first saw it, in Paris, there was a chain of silk flowers linking those dancing figures about the base. It was then a little less formidable.’

Lady Katherine inclined her head as if to say she might have further questions on the matter. ‘Colonel Warde tells me you are to go to India soon.’

‘Yes, madam. My regiment is posted to Bengal in two months’ time.’

‘And does this please you?’

‘Yes, yes it does please me. I was there three years ago, though in Madras, which is much further to the south, and for only a very few months.’

A footman leaned between them to serve a plate of soup.

‘My husband spent some time there, though he never speaks of it.’

‘I do not know your husband, Lady Katherine.’

‘Over there — Sir Peregrine Greville.’ She nodded to the other side of the table, further towards where the