The day had started with rain, but when the sun came out in early afternoon, Suzanne sought out Simon in the small room he’d turned into an office. “Would you like to go for a walk? The Parc de Bruxelles is said to be very fine and so far we’ve seen almost nothing of Brussels.”
“That’s an excellent suggestion.” He set his pen into its holder and stood with a long stretch. “Mail sent on from London arrived while we were away and I’m required to pay some attention. Life was easier when I was in Spain and out of reach of stewards and business managers.”
“Much simpler,” she agreed. “Merely a matter of dodging bullets and finding enough food to eat.”
He chuckled. “Most of the time it wasn’t that bad, but a stroll in the sun with my lovely wife is infinitely preferable to either bullets or business documents.”
When they stepped outside, she drew a deep breath and tightened her shawl against the cool April air. The park was only a few minutes’ walk away and it was very large, surrounded by grand public buildings and private palaces. Within the park boundaries were broad tree-lined walkways, fountains, beds of colorful spring flowers, and equally colorful men and women enjoying the weather and the chance to meet friends.
“There are certainly a great many soldiers here,” Suzanne remarked as she strolled along with her arm in Simon’s.
“Brussels already had a British garrison,” Simon said. “Now that Wellington has made the city his headquarters, more soldiers are flooding in every day.”
“Spies too, I’m sure. No doubt Kirkland will be very interested in what you have to report.”
“Sadly, no one knows what is going on, so spies must resort to guesswork and looking over each other’s shoulders,” Simon said. “Only Bonaparte knows his plans, and even he probably doesn’t know what he’ll do next.”
Another couple was approaching and the man said with pleasure, “Colonel Duval, it’s good to see you here! Are you looking to secure a new command?”
“Major Beckett! A pleasure to see you as well. I’m out of the army now. But I have secured a lovely new wife.” Simon performed the introductions and pleasantries were exchanged before they all moved on. As they continued through the park, Simon said, “I need to get cards printed for us since it looks like there will be considerable socializing during our stay.”
“And social gatherings are useful for gathering information.”
“Exactly. Also good for getting free food and drink,” Simon said promptly.
“I’m going to need some new gowns as well as calling cards,” Suzanne said. “This could get expensive.”
“Why do you think I went to the bank this morning?”
She chuckled, and then smiled sweetly when another military man hailed Simon. There were several more such encounters.
As they turned their steps toward leaving the park, Suzanne pointed at four cavalrymen trotting along the road that bounded the park. They were dressed in all black uniforms and rode shining black horses. “Who are those dramatic fellows?”
“Black Brunswickers, a corps of German volunteers raised by the Duke of Brunswick after the French took over his duchy. They’re fine fighters.”
“Decorative too.” Suzanne’s eyes narrowed. “Do they have silver skull badges on their hats?”
“You have sharp eyes. Soldiers often try to outdo each other with extravagant uniforms.” Amusement sounded in Simon’s voice. “Wellington allows officers to wear whatever they wish, but he does forbid carrying umbrellas into battle because it doesn’t look soldierly.”
“He’s right,” Suzanne said, smiling at the mental image of umbrella-carrying officers. “I should think one needs both hands for reins and weapons!”
They walked past the fountain when they turned to leave, feeling a playful spatter of droplets driven by the breeze. On the other side of the fountain, a cluster of people surrounded a lean, upright man in a blue frock coat. Though nothing like the gaudily dressed soldiers scattered through the park, he had an unmistakable aura of authority that compelled attention.
Her voice hushed, she asked, “Is that Wellington?”
Simon glanced in the direction she indicated. “Yes, the Iron Duke in person.The Conqueror of the Conqueror of the world.The man whom everyone expects to be the savior of Europe.”
“That’s quite a burden to carry,” Suzanne remarked.
“He’s up to the fighting, but I don’t envy him the politics. Half the men around him are probably angling for high army positions or to be on his staff. I imagine he wants to call in the men he worked with and trusts from the Peninsula, while the army headquarters back in London are pressuring him to take on young men from powerful families who have no military experience.”
“Being a hero is not enough so that he can choose his own staff?” she asked incredulously.
“He’ll get some of the men he wants, but he’ll probably have to accept some useless fools as well.”
“Dodging bullets is beginning to sound easier than navigating the political currents,” she said frankly.
“Bullets are only now and then. Politics are forever.”
