Mac's India by Susie Baggaley

Author:Susie Baggaley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Baggatelle Publishers Ltd
Published: 2021-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

We retired to the bar where I paid for a round of drinks, praying that my bank balance would stand it. The steward was not known to skimp on measures, but this gesture would cement my relationship with the officers and men, which was a rare thing for any female civilian.

The one dissenting presence in the bar was the Muslim Havildar, who stood in the shadows, rather like Magwitch, hovering ominously in the churchyard in Great Expectations. The fact that I was a female and had been honoured for bravery by the British officer-class was insulting enough, but using an antique Afghan Jezail to mark the occasion, probably made by one of his own ancestors here on the North West Frontier, only added insult to injury, and I could feel his animosity across the room. I went cold as we exchanged glances, his dark, brooding countenance marring the thrill of my evening.

‘Quite a piece,’ commented Duncan, coming up behind me.

My shoulders slumped. I was obviously not going to be left alone by my ex-lover, whose ego refused to be ignored. ‘It certainly is.’

He opened the presentation box and read the silver engraved plaque attached to the inside of the lid, caught in the light from above the bar.

1808

Gilt and Mother-of-pearl Afghan Jezail Rifle

Presented to Dr Elizabeth Stuart-MacKenzie

by the Khyber Rifle Frontier Force

In recognition of her gallantry whilst under fire.

‘If you had told me back in Edinburgh that I would be awarded a unique military firearm for an act of gallantry, I would have thought you had lost your marbles.’

‘Back in Edinburgh, Mac, your mind was on much more salacious activities and I doubt you had time to consider such things.’

‘That’s enough, Duncan Fitzpatrick. You may believe I still hanker for your attention, but you’re wrong. The days of being young, innocent and susceptible to your shallow Gaelic charm have long gone. The sooner you get that into your thick skull the better. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to Colonel Philpott.’ I slammed the lid down on the rifle nearly trapping his fingers, shoved the box under my arm and headed over to the fireplace where George stood propped against the marble fire-surround.

‘Would you like me to relieve you of the rifle, Doctor Mac?’ asked Major Pendleton’s batman, stepping out from behind the bar, arms outstretched.

‘I would, Orderly, if you don’t mind. It’s rather large for a handbag.’

‘I’ll take it to your quarters right off, Doctor, and Ma’am, I think your mess-kit is just perfect.’

‘Thank you, Orderly. Pity about the tiara.’

I watched him depart then joined George. ‘Colonel Philpott, would this evening’s presentation be anything to do with you?’

‘Heaven forbid, Doctor Stuart-MacKenzie.’ His hand hit his left breast, and his bushy eyebrows crossed. ‘I may be a Colonel, but any influence over the Khyber Rifles would be stretching cred . . . credibility to the limit. However, I do think their decision to present you with an Afghan Jezail was very appropriate seeing as you were

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.