“This won’t do.” Pippa shook her head. “It also does not behove me to wait and mope while Klemens is at war.”
“Did you know that for the officers’ wives, it is quite customary to join their men in the field? I have heard stories of English soldiers’ wives following the drum.” Evie tugged at her lower lip. “It was not at all unheard of during the Peninsular War. Even Wellington told me about it. One of his favourite stories was of an officer’s wife following him right into battle. It must be quite exciting.”
The two women looked at each other as the same idea dawned in them simultaneously.
“Do you think we could?” Pippa said slowly. “Heidelberg is quite a distance.”
“It is, indeed,” Evie agreed. She tapped a finger against her lip. “Five days, at most? Maybe six?”
“We could do it in less time with good horses and awell-sprung coach. But one would need an escort. A male one. Where to get one, when all the men are unavailable, or gone?” Pippa fell onto the sofa, her arms spread.
A silence fell, in which both of them contemplated this difficulty with identical expressions of determination.
“I think,” Evie said slowly, “that I know just the man.”
“I am a dead man,”Schneider groaned. “First His Highness will kill me, then Hartenberg. Though if Hartenberg gets me in his clutches first, which I very much fear, His Highness will never even have the chance to do his worst.” He stared morosely out of the window of the racing carriage. “Because I will be already dead.” He turned to the two women, who listened to his lamenting politely, yet entirely unmoved. “I had one task left in Vienna. One. To collect the dispatches and ride to Heidelberg. A simple matter. And yet here I am.” He leaned forward. “It is not too late, ladies. Let me return you safely to Vienna. We are on the eve of a major campaign. Headquarters is no place for ladies.”
“Stuff and nonsense,” Evie said. “I need to be with my husband.”
“Who might be less than delighted to see you,” Schneider muttered, tugging at his cravat. “He will have my neck as well as yours. Men dislike surprises of that sort, you see. Not when a battle is at stake. The last thing they need is to be distracted. What if things go awry?”
Evie’s laughter was slightly forced. “You mean if they lose the war it will now be our fault because we distracted them?”
Schneider returned her look gravely. “It is indeed afactor to consider. Do not underestimate the power of female influence in battle.”
“I do think you are overreacting,” Pippa tutted. “Klemens will not be at all surprised to see me. He will be overjoyed to have me there.” She paused, and bit on her bottom lip. “I think.” The last two words came moments later and were muttered more to herself.
Evie nodded, though she could not say the same about Hartenberg with equal confidence. “Besides, it is too late to turn around. We are already halfway there. We might as well finish the trip.”
After five days of hard travelling, their coach rolled through the city gates of Heidelberg. Above the town towered the castle, half in ruins, its crumbling walls covered with ivy. The narrow, cobbled streets were filled with the green tunics of Russian infantry, the dark blue jackets of Prussians and the white coats of Austrians marching with muddied boots, muskets shouldered, while officers barked orders in a chaotic babel of languages. Crates and supply wagons blockaded the alleyways, horses whinnied, and the main road had transformed into a rancid stream of mud, manure and misery.
It was an entirely different world, and Pippa, who had been chattering excitedly, fell quiet and clutched Evie’s hand.
The carriage drove through the red gate of an imposing baroque palais and came to a halt.
“Here we are,” Schneider said with the excitement of a man about to ascend the scaffold.
The door opened, the steps were lowered.
Pippa baulked. “You go first.” She nudged Evie in the ribs. “Your presence has moreconsequence.”
“No, no, no,” Evie protested. “Not at all! An archduke’s wife has precedence, most assuredly.”
“I must insist, Frau Feldmarschall.” Pippa suddenly looked rather pale. “I find my courage has suddenly deserted me.”
Evie swallowed. She peeked out of the door.
The courtyard, too, was busy with soldiers and horses.
Evie drew in a breath and descended from the carriage on trembling legs.
As she stepped down, the courtyard fell silent. Every man there turned to stare.
“The Countesses von Hartenberg and Lindenstein have arrived,” Schneider informed the footman, who stood gaping at the women. “Please inform their respective husbands.”
“No, please don’t,” Evie intervened. “I think it is better if you don’t announce our arrival.” She licked her lips. “Let’s surprise them. They will be delighted, w-won’t they?”
Schneider gave her a long, eloquent look.
