Brothers at Arms by Brothers at Arms (epub)

Author:Brothers at Arms (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Matador

CHAPTER 21

The letter arrived whilst they were eating a hearty breakfast. Joshua was ravenous and determined to make up for the supper he missed the night before, when Gilbert entered the room.

“This has come from next door, Mr Joshua. The man said it was urgent.”

He glanced at the flowing hand on the cover before breaking the seal. The contents were short and concise.

Lady Kenchester requests Mr Joshua Norbery to attend her at twelve o’clock.

Request…? No, this was tantamount to a royal command. He looked at the clock and saw he had less than an hour to prepare.

Charlie raised an enquiring eyebrow, and Joshua handed him the letter. There were no secrets between friends.

“I’d better come with you for support.”

Time was short, but it was no excuse to attend looking less than presentable. That would create the wrong impression.

At precisely five minutes to twelve o’clock, they were admitted to the reception hall in the adjoining villa and were ushered into the peeress’s sitting room. Rosie was sitting beside her grandmother, her face a mask of impassivity. She kept her eyes lowered, refusing to meet their gaze. Her cousin, Lady Alice, sat equally straight-faced in a high-backed chair on the other side,

Joshua looked at Charlie, unsure what to expect.

“Mr Cobarne,” Lady Kenchester said, “I would be obliged if you would take a turn on the terrace with Lady Alice.”

“It will be my pleasure, ma’am,” Charlie responded with his usual charm, and they left the room, whilst Joshua waited in silence.

He felt as if he was in the classroom again, and prepared himself, out of habit to receive a scold. When the Dowager spoke, it was not what he expected to hear.

“I hope you have recovered from the most unpleasant experience of last night, Mr Norbery? No lady of quality would behave in such a way.” She emphasised the last words.

Rosie sat with bowed head and flaming cheeks. Joshua looked from one to the other, his face suffused with colour. Hardly anything he experienced last night was unpleasant. Quite the reverse, it was illuminating, and much was due to Rosie.

The Dowager took his silence as agreement, and continued.

“To prevent any such recurrence, I would advise you to go home and take a couple of years to grow up – sow your wild oats or whatever it is young men are supposed to do. I understand you are a younger son, so you will need to find some occupation and establish yourself in life. Have you any plans?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Joshua said. He was not sure where the old lady’s comments were leading, but at least he could have his say. “My father has promised to purchase a commission for me and Charlie – Mr Cobarne, on our return home.”

“Mmm, yes,” she said. “I can see that handsome young fellow in regimental uniform. He’ll be a heartbreaker, but I’m not sure how you will cope with military life, and I would not like to think of you putting yourself in danger.”

“But ma’am,” Joshua protested. “Charlie and I have always planned to join the army together.

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