Page 35

“Ask the Steward if we can use the estate office.”

“We?”

“I would like to be there. I will have to deal with him, or them, in time.”

“Then I will let you take the lead. I will be there but you may do the talking.”

“Thank you Peter.”

--

“Matthews, my Lord, my Lady.”

The man looked beaten down, yet he had made an effort. His clothes were mostly clean, if shabby, and he stood erect, his shoulders back. His military background evident in his posture.

“Welcome Matthews. Please take a seat.”

They watched the man perch on the edge of the chair in front of them. Elizabeth smoothly took over.

“I hope that the day of my husband’s passing is many years in the future. But that he will predecease me is all but inevitable. I wish to plan for the time when I will be on my own. And I want to have a small group of guards. My husband tells me the military term is squad, so a small squad of guards. Through chance I heard your sister talking of your experiences, cast aside as soon as you were no longer to perform your duties, never mind the years of honourable service.

“It is evident that you are still a tall healthy man, even if you have lost your arm. We asked you here today to offer you a job as a guard for us both, but me specifically. I would like you to consider the offer and if you are willing to accept it then I would like for you to recruit at least three more people. We would like older experienced men, I am told the ranks are likely to be those of Corporal and Sergeant. We cannot hire everybody in your situation, but we can do some small good and treat older wounded veterans with respect.”

They both looked at each other, giving Matthews a few moments to blink awake the unshed tears in his eyes. This was no more than doing the right thing, yet it appeared to be the first act of kindness, the first words of kindness, he had received since his discharge. They heard him take a deep cleansing breath and turned back to face him.

“Do you have any questions?”

“I was a Corporal before I was wounded. I know of a Sergeant Major who is in a similar situation. I think he would be the ideal man to lead your squad. Personally I have no need to consider anything, I accept your offer with thanks. But I think that ‘Major Jones is the ideal man to organise your little squad.”

“How long will it take you to find him?”

“I am sure we can be here in three days’ time.”

“Excellent. Shall we say the same time on Thursday. Now then. Your sister has organised a place where you can wash up, and there are clothes ready for you as well. Nothing fancy but clean and whole. Once you are washed and dressed then you will join the staff for lunch. You will receive.”

She looked at Peter.

“Rations.”

She smiled over at him, he really was letting her take the lead.

“Thank you. You will receive rations for two full days which should tide you over until you can return.”

They seamlessly transitioned over. Lord Napier slowly stood.

“Welcome to my service Matthews.”

Four days later former Sergeant Major Jones was sitting in the Lord’s study. He had been washed, dressed in clean clothes and fed, and looked 100% better than when he had arrived.

“We are preparing for the time when Lady Napier will be a widow. I wish for her to be safe. The first thing I must ask you is if you are prepared to take orders from a woman?”

There was no point in beating about the bush. But it did not phase the older soldier. They had guessed Jones was approximately 40 years of age.

“May I speak candidly My Lord?”

With only a twitch of his eyebrow Napier nodded.

“A week ago I was feeling bitter towards the world. I joined the Army as a runaway 31 years ago. I was only 10 years of age and I was a drummer boy until I got my growth. I gave three quarters of my life, my whole adult life, to the Army. I served well and as I was promoted, trained thousands of men, guided hundreds of so-called gentlemen from being useless youths into competent officers, but then it was ‘too bad, don’t let the gate hit you on the way out’.