Amorous Trooper by Ronald Bassett

Author:Ronald Bassett [Bassett, Ronald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2015-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

‘Now ALL THE youth of England are on fire,’ quoted Adam, ‘and silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies.’ He thrust a forearm into a halfboot and, spitting on the toe, began to brush it briskly.

‘Wardrobe?’ Rupert yawned. ‘Whose wardrobe?’

‘Anybody’s wardrobe,’ Adam said. ‘It’s spring, Rupe — the time when kings go forth to war.’

Rupert Dolling, stretched on his pallet, eyed Adam morosely. ‘What’s that to do wi’ wardrobes and silken whatever it was?’

‘I mean,’ Adam went on patiently, ‘that we’ll be taking the field in a week or so. I’ve heard say there’re seven new battalions of foot and one of dragoons just arrived from England —’

‘Aye, and mostly plaguey Irish, so Nell Something says. Rowe’s and Hamilton’s brigades are marching for Ruremond, and we’re to follow wi’ the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, the Royal Irish, and the Greys — leastways, that’s what she says. Corporal John’s going for the Moselle, with or without the Dutch, and the war’ll be finished wi’ this year.’

Adam transferred his attention to his second boot. ‘I’ll be sorry to leave Maestricht. I’ve developed an attachment to it.’

Rupert laughed. ‘Ye mean ye’ve developed an attachment to that ale-maid o’ yours. Not,’ he conceded, ‘that I altogether blame ye. She’s a rare handful, is yon Katrin — but that’s the penalty we gentlemen o’ scarlet have to pay.’ He pondered for a moment. ‘And it’s likely, knowing the Duke, that he’ll leave the sutlers at Ruremond so as not to be cluttered. We’ll both be wi’out doxies.’

Adam grunted. ‘If there’s just one doxy in the whole o’ Lorraine, and just one bottle o’ brandy, I’ll wager a year’s pay ye’ll find the both of them.’ He set his cleaned boots on the floor and stood back to admire them. Then he looked thoughtfully at Rupert. ‘If the war’s to be finished this year, Rupe, it’s certain the army will be disbanded — or most of it. That’s what happened after King William’s treaty. We’ll be back in England, Rupe, a year in arrears and little else save a faded red coat and the curses of our grateful townsfolk.’

‘Aye,’ Rupert nodded. He sat surveying a large toe protruding from a hole in his hose, whistling softly between his teeth. ‘Aye.’ Both were silent for several moments, then Rupert suggested, ‘We could take service wi’ the Swedes or Dutch — that’s always supposin’ ye don’t relish a return to Sawston.’ He wriggled his toe. ‘Or likely ye could take up doctorin’ again, wi’ me as ye’ assistant. I’ve learned a bit o’ anatomy.’

Adam grunted again. The resumption of his apprenticeship might indeed be achieved after prolonged negotiations with the Barber-Surgeons’ Company of London. He had already thought of it. He could plead that he had been pressed into military service — no rare occurrence at a time when recruits to muster the new regiments were becoming increasingly difficult to obtain — and even convicted felons never knew whether they would travel in a cart to Tyburn or a transport to the Low Countries.

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