An Unmerciful Incursion: Book Six of the Peninsular War Saga by Lynn Bryant

Author:Lynn Bryant [Bryant, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wynchlands Publishing
Published: 2020-07-31T04:00:00+00:00

***

Paul arrived back at the quinta into a warm afternoon and he knew as he dismounted that the children had arrived. There was a shrieking of laughter coming from the training ground which had been laid out to the west of the house and Paul did not think that his men had suddenly found that much joy in close order drills. He handed his horse to Jenson and set off at a run around the house, then stopped, his heart full.

Nobody saw him immediately. They were playing football, and there was a scrimmage in the centre of the ground. It took Paul a moment to realise that his son was one of the three boys, since he was as tall as Hans, who was two years older than him. The girl was smaller than all of them, but her determination was obvious as she pushed her way in, lifting her skirts out of the way so that they did not hamper her. As Paul watched, she hooked her foot neatly around the ball and kicked it free, passing it across the ground to where Anne stood waiting, holding Rowena in her arms. As Anne ran to kick the ball, Rowena yelled with excitement, and the three boys chased after her. Halfway through his run, Francis caught sight of Paul and stopped so abruptly that Cornelius ran into the back of him.

“Papa!”

Francis reached Paul first and Paul swung him up into his arms. He was still holding him when Grace arrived, flinging her arms about his waist. Anne arrived, and the happiness on her face melted his heart. Paul kissed Grace and Francis, setting him down, and took Rowena into his arms, holding her close. The resemblance to his first wife shook him a little.

“Where’s Will?”

“He’s taking a nap in the nursery with Georgiana, I think we’ve worn him out. Sally is with them. Paul…”

“Where are Josh and Patience, have you worn them out already as well, Nan? Mrs Mackenzie, it looks as though your children have been making friends.”

“They are very happy, General. Children, shall we go inside and have some lemonade, and the seedcake that I baked this morning? Come, Rowena, we will wash your hands and face and your Papa shall join you very soon.”

Paul set his daughter down and Grace took her hand. He was interested to see how quickly the two sets of children had integrated, and even more interested at the quick, relaxed smile his wife gave to Katja at her intervention. He mentioned neither, however, because he could see that Anne had something to tell him that required privacy.

“I need to wash and change, girl of my heart. Come and help me and then I want to see Will.”

“You’ll be shocked, he’s huge.”

“We’re a tall family.”

Anne said nothing until they were in their room with the door closed. Jenson had placed a jug of hot water on the wash stand and Paul began to undress, noticing that the room was very neat and that the pile of luggage had been removed from the corner.

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