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Fitzwilliam Darcy.

“You are not going to attend any event this weekend?”

Elizabeth shook her head, in response to the Colonel’s question.

“I had been attending only one event a week, in your company. That limited level of interaction with the local society was sufficient, it was enjoyable without being overwhelming. It was happy with a very measured participation in the local society. I do not wish to feel obligated or be besieged with people approaching, or delivering invitations. There is a reason the gates to the estate are always closed. The uninvited are not welcome.”

Lady Napier was being polite, but the message was clear. She had felt she had no choice when in the company of the Countess back in London. And she was not going to allow herself to endure the same thing here in Bath. Given that Richard was having issues with his family, he thought this was perfectly sensible and agreeable. More importantly, as far as he knew, he was the only person allowed passed the gates.

He was thoroughly enjoying the summer.

Chapter 28

“How is Bath?”

“Getting busier. Part of my challenge is, as you know, I have not resided there very often. This current visit will have me here for 11 or 12 weeks, which is more than all my previous visits combined. Every soldier knows that summer is campaigning season, I was never anywhere other than with my Regiment during the summer.”

“Have you moved out of the barracks?”

He shook his head.

“No. It is only a small garrison but they are regular troops. Normally it would be a Militia regiment but given the consequence of many of the residents, Bath is garrisoned with regulars.”

He looked over at Lady Napier.

“With the war finally over, there are many men worrying about the future.”

“Worrying? Is it not more likely that they will be happy?”

“Yes, to a point. The risk of death in battle is over. But over the coming years, the men will be released back into civilian life. Britain does not retain large standing armies like those of the continental empires. Most of the Army is involved in garrison duties throughout the Empire; Canada, the Caribbean, India and Australia. And of the troops kept in Britain, large numbers are needed in Ireland.

“But as men are released from the Army, and sailors from the Navy, there will be too many men chasing too few jobs. It is that aspect that is worrying the men, and many of the officers as well.”

“I had not considered that aspect. A Regiment disbanding at Bristol, that would release how many men?”

“Depending on the actual strength versus the book strength.”

“Sorry to interrupt, what do you mean?”

“Men are lost to two main factors. And death or injury from facing the enemy is not the main killer of men, far from it. Something between five times and ten times as many men die from disease and illness as die from wounds in battle. As a result nearly every formation is not at full strength. That has been what I have been doing for the last year, training replacement troopers for all the Dragoon Regiments. So in the example you cited, a full Regiment would at least 3,000 men, maybe more, depending on the number of battalions. But after 20 years of war? Some Regiments will be lucky to have half that number. But it is still a large number of men, new to the city and all looking for work.”

Elizabeth saw what he meant. She was already thinking of the note she was going to send to Lawrence.

“So you have escaped the social aspects?”

“Forgive me for being forward, but I was enjoying spending time with you specifically. And the way you described it was in line with my own nature, a gradual process. My brother and cousin are men about town, they know how to play the game. Mind you Andrew is better at it than our cousin Darcy.”

Elizabeth felt her stomach clench slightly. The Colonel was making conversation, he had no idea that she knew his cousin. She saw him eying her carefully.

“You had dinner with my brother, is that correct?”

“That sounds rather more intimate than the occasion merited. I attended a dinner at Matlock House and I was seated next to Viscount Stonehaven.”

He would feel guilty later but right at that moment he was very pleased at her indifferent tone when talking of his brother. He could cope with his family while he was the only one of them allowed passed the gate.

--

Denny was beginning to have his doubts about the wisdom of loitering around Bath. Or rather following the lead of Wickham when it came to the situation. He acknowledged that the cottage was close to the town, free room and board was never to be scoffed at. But they would have found a mark by now if they had been in Bristol. It was the second largest city in the country, there was significant wealth in the town, around the docks and in the surrounding districts. Yes there was more wealth concentrated here in Bath, but Wickham seemed to be afraid of his shadow. Enough was enough.