Mr Forster's Fortune by Church Lizzie

Author:Church, Lizzie [Church, Lizzie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-02-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Militia volunteer Mr James Forster, having arrived at his parents’ lodgings the previous evening, had already spotted his cousin, Mr Springfield, as he scanned the assembled masses in a crowded pump room that Tuesday afternoon.

‘Hey, Tom, my old bluffer – what luck. God, what a crush. Is Bath always as crowded as this or am I just unlucky, as usual?’

Mr Springfield, equally as delighted to see his cousin as his cousin had been to see him, slapped him cordially on the back and admired his regimentals excessively.

‘Well, got to catch the pretty girls’ eyes somehow, you know, cousin – and if a fellow’s got no kelter – like some of us have, you lucky devil – he’s got to don a red coat in order to stand a chance.’

‘Aye, but you’re nowhere near being alone in Bath with a jacket like yours, old son. For see – here is Captain King – he’s in the same line of business as yourself – some militia regiment or other I think he said – and there must be a thousand other military men in Bath, all trying to do the same as you with their blasted regimentals and flashy ways.’

Captain King, catching his name amongst all the noise - of chattering voices, coughing, sneezing and ambient music - ponderously side-stepped an elderly dowager who had suddenly determined on heaving her hefty frame on a direct path in front of him, and bowed smartly to the two young gentlemen at his side.

‘Yes,’ he confirmed, ‘the Royal Surreys, actually. And you, sir – I believe you to be sporting the colours of the – what is it – the Suffolks, I perceive?’

‘Indeed I am, sir – James Forster, of the Suffolk Volunteers, at your service – though I’m hoping soon to transfer into the regulars. An older brother of mine is out in the Peninsula. I am hoping to join him as soon as I can.’

‘Forster... Forster – Lord Barnham’s son? So you are taking a commission in the regulars, Mr Forster?’

Mr Forster looked a little downcast.

‘Sadly, no. I shall have to go as a gentleman volunteer, I think. That way, at least, I shall be able to show what I’m made of. I am hoping to win my commission there instead.’

Captain King looked a little puzzled. Mr Springfield thoughtfully helped him out.

‘Stiver cramped you know, Captain. Lord Barnham ain’t got a bean to give him – whole family’s completely out at heels - or I daresay he’d have gone straight in as a – what was it you wanted, old son?’

‘An ensign, Tom – an ensign - but I daresay I shall earn it soon enough.’

Captain King inclined his head.

‘I’m sure you shall, Mr Forster,’ he confirmed. ‘And tell me – what is the state of your equipment in the Suffolks at the present time...?’

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