given (there were murmurs of approval everywhere), and that he was pleased even now to be able to announce that the Company’s gold and silver medals would be awarded respectively to Captain Hervey and Captain Pollock.
The approval of both yellow ranks and blue was at once apparent. ‘Bloody right, an’ all!’ said Johnson, nodding his head too vigorously for his own good. ‘I bet there isn’t another officer as could have done better than Cap’n ’Ervey — not even as good as!’
‘I am pleased, meanwhile, to grant three days’ furlough,’ added Somervile. ‘At the end of which I shall deem it a privilege to hold a tamasha to honour both gallant regiments. God save the King!’
The response was hearty, if dominated by the sowars’
And then, as at the river: ‘
‘
‘
‘
Later, at lunch with the Somerviles, Hervey expressed himself grateful for the words on parade. ‘It was, after all, the reason we came here, was it not? To restore our self-regard.’
‘You think the words were not too cautious then?’
Hervey smiled. ‘No, indeed. You have a very noble way with them.’
‘You think I was too
‘Not in the slightest. I envy you your eloquence. The men appreciated it, of that I’m sure.’
Somervile nodded, content, and beckoned the khitmagar to bring champagne. ‘I have a mind, too, you know, that that girl you rescued — all Sir Gawain-like — will turn out a handsome investment once returned to her father.’
Emma picked up her glass. ‘I must say for my part I thought her very handsome even without her father. What say you, Matthew?’
Hervey smiled back at her. ‘Yes, very handsome. The men call her the china doll.’
Somervile looked puzzled. ‘Though she is Shan?’
Emma smiled again. Punctiliousness in these affairs was one of the things she so admired in her husband.
Hervey raised his hands. ‘We are far from home.’
‘You should speak with her, Hervey,’ said Somervile, dabbing at his forehead with his napkin. ‘She is the most engaging of company.’
Hervey frowned. ‘With you to interpret for us?’
Somervile looked puzzled. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t try Portuguese with her.’
Hervey felt deflated, almost foolish. He remembered how well just a very little of the language had served him in the Peninsula. He smiled. ‘Missionaries again, I suppose?’
‘And
‘You are being most abstemious, Matthew,’ said Emma, feeling a little sorry for him. ‘Can we not tempt you to more champagne?’
‘No thank you, ma’am. I intend riding out this afternoon.’ He drained his coffee cup and accepted more, then returned to Somervile’s speculation. ‘You believe, I imagine, that she and her father might be a grateful source of intelligence on events in Ava?’
‘No doubt of it. I’ve seen it before many a time.’
Hervey took another sip of his coffee. ‘Tell me, Somervile, you were very frank on parade in your views on the prospects with Bagyidaw. What is your true estimation?’
Somervile sat back in his chair and sipped at his champagne. ‘Two years, three perhaps. The problem is Assam. Until Calcutta decides what its connection is to be with the king there, the whole of the Presidency will be hostage to Ava. And as soon as we’re drawn into a fight with Ava, every little nabob in Hindoostan will think he can make mischief. Believe me, Hervey, before your regiment sees the English coast again, you’ll be deep in the thick of fighting on one side of Bengal or the other, perhaps even both. And it will be no mere troop affair!’
Hervey raised his eyebrows. ‘It can feel devilish hot even in the middle of a troop affair!’
‘Yes, yes, Hervey, I know,’ said Somervile, waving his hand. ‘Don’t let’s confuse matters!’
Hervey smiled. ‘Perhaps just a
Hervey took off Gilbert’s saddle and handed it to Private Hicks. Then he unfastened the headstall and slipped the reins over the gelding’s ears, taking off the bridle and putting on the halter in one movement. ‘I’ll rub him down, Hicks. Bring his flysheet if you will. And Hicks …’
‘Sir?’
‘You made a good job of looking after him. Thank you.’
‘Thank
In the adjacent stall Emma Somervile attempted the same with her mount but met with a firm refusal. ‘No, ma’am. She can be a mite rancorous.’ Lingard’s words carried conviction, and though Emma would count herself a proficient, sidesaddle and astride, she readily deferred this evening.
‘She can indeed,’ Hervey affirmed, going hard at Gilbert’s saddle mark with the curry comb. ‘But she’s been as handy as Jessye, almost, these last weeks.’
‘High praise indeed,’ smiled Emma.
‘But you thought her worthy of it, did you not?’
‘Of course. I said so before. I don’t think
Hervey stood aside to let Hicks put on the flysheet. ‘Thank you for riding with me. It would have been a dull affair otherwise.’
‘It was good for me too. I haven’t been able to tempt Eyre to ride out in weeks.’
Hervey nodded to Hicks to say he was finished, then turned to Emma again. ‘Come, or we shall be late for the lieutenantgovernor. Dinner as well as luncheon — I am excessively honoured.’
She smiled again. ‘And he is excessively proud of you. I read his despatch to Calcutta.’
‘But to him is due the real honour. To decide to act was the truly courageous thing. Any soldier should have been able to do what I did.’
Emma’s smile half-turned to frown. ‘Matthew Hervey, can you
He would not answer at first. They walked a little way. ‘Parkin’s death goes heavier for not being the Burmans’ doing, you know.’
She took his arm.
‘Drowning’s so casual a thing, and played out before your eyes in spite of every exertion. And, likely as not, he was unfit to be at duty.’
Emma gripped his arm a little tighter. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply—’
‘No, of course not,’ said Hervey, touching her hand in return. ‘I’m being recalcitrant, as my sister would say. The truth is, it could so easily have been three to the river.’
Emma nodded. ‘Private Johnson was in cordial spirits this morning. I came across him watching the parade. He kept calling me “miss”.’
That was what Johnson always called Henrietta, thought Hervey, but he wouldn’t mention it today. ‘The surgeon says he’ll be at light duties within the month. But he swallowed so much of that foul river that I should have thought it weeks before he was purged.’
Emma nodded again. ‘He said it was nothing. At least, that is what I think he said.’
Hervey smiled. ‘Oh indeed, indeed. Johnson would be the first to tell you it’s nothing compared with what he suffered in the workhouse. There’s bound to be a river in Sheffield at least twice as noxious as the Karnaphuli!’
‘You are very fortunate to have such men as he and your serjeants, so devoted.’
Hervey knew it, though devotion would not have been his word. ‘That is why I’m anxious to return to Calcutta. A troop doesn’t fare well on its own for too long, although they’re mightily pleased with themselves at present — and with very just cause.’
‘And your regiment will be equally anxious to welcome you there, too. That was a very handsome letter from
