Samuel wondered the same thing.
Wellington pulled out several maps of the local area and pointed out the best spots for a defensive action. ‘I have sent several spies to watch over Napoleon’s army. We must know which road he will take, so that we can choose the best possible ground to meet him. When word arrives, we need to be prepared to immediately spring into action. All men on my staff must be in constant readiness.’
The general then dismissed his staff, but held a hand on Samuel’s shoulder to detain him.
‘Pelford, I would like you to stay,’ Wellington said in his softest, most penetrating tone. ‘I wish to have private speech with you.’
Samuel watched Wellington close the door after every other person had left the room and walk around the large oval table.
‘You have been a member of my staff since our days in the Peninsula, and you know I consider my staff to be family,’ Wellington said and waited for Samuel’s nod of affirmation. ‘I would not ask this of you if I did not think it was imperative to our success. I would like you and your betrothed to do more than simply courier information for Grant. I want you two to travel deeper into France and learn which generals and what roads Napoleon will be taking. Information that Grant cannot get whilst wearing his army uniform.’
Riding alone with Frederica was pushing the line of propriety. Travelling alone with her would be ruinous to her reputation.
‘The Duchess of Hampford would never agree to it.’
Wellington stopped walking around the table and sat next to Samuel. ‘Lady Frederica does not need her mother’s permission. Only her husband’s.’
It took a few moments for his words to sink in. The general meanthim. Samuel would not have to wait until after his army duties were over to marry Frederica. To bed her. To make her his in every possible way. He wanted nothing more—but then he would be placing her in terrible danger. He was not sure he could endure many more days like yesterday.
‘Unfortunately, it will cause a bit of uproar and perhaps some pernicious gossip,’ Wellington continued, ‘but Scovell thought that if you left with Lady Frederica from my party tonight, leaving a note that you were being married privately, then no one would expect either of you to return for a few days. I, of course, will not court-martial you for desertion either.’
Samuel could not even form a small smile at the poor joke. ‘When will we be married?’
The general cleared his throat. ‘Tonight. Scovell has arranged for a Belgian minister to meet you at a chapel not far from the fête. That is, if you are willing?’
Samuel’s muscles felt tense and his stomach heavy. How could he risk the life of the woman he loved? How could he make such a large decision about her welfare? Blinking rapidly, he realised that he did not need to. The decision was not his in the first place. It was Frederica’s. She did not require his or her mother’s permission. She was an intelligent and independent woman. Yesterday, she had proved that she was a capable spy.
Taking a deep breath, Samuel sat up in his chair. ‘I am willing if she is, Duke. The only permission Lady Frederica requires is her own.’
‘Of course. Of course,’ Wellington agreed, vigorously nodding. ‘But from all accounts she is a formidable young woman.’
That was putting it lightly, Samuel thought.
Chapter Eighteen
Shaking out his clenched fingers, Samuel entered the large ballroom in his dress uniform. The Duke of Wellington’s party was stuffed with fashionable people like a London squeeze. Samuel acknowledged several acquaintances with curt nods before walking over to a large circle where the general stood in the middle.
‘I say nothing about our defensive operations,’ Wellington said loudly, ‘because I am inclined to believe that Marshal Blücher of the Prussians and I are so well united, and so strong, that the enemy cannot do us much mischief. I am at the advanced post of the whole, the greatest part of the enemy’s force is in my front, and, if I am satisfied, others need be under no apprehension.’
Samuel wondered how much was bravado, for the general complained about everything from his staff, to the equipment, to the soldiers, in private. Leaving the circle, he walked on and spotted his friend the Prince of Orange moving his way. Slender Billy put his arm around Samuel’s shoulders and reminisced about the time Samuel had put soap in the officers’ wine and when Fitzroy burped out a bubble. It was during this anecdote that Samuel noticed Frederica standing on the side of the dance floor. Captain Wallace was at her elbow, but she was not dancing with him. Even though her left foot was tapping to the beat of the tune. She wore a light green dress that emphasised her lovely, voluptuous figure. He could hardly wait to take it off this night.
‘Well, old fellow,’ Slender Billy said, giving him a little shove in the middle of his back. ‘You’d best go claim the girl if you are going to ignore who you are speaking to and glower.’
Recalled to his senses, Samuel quickly apologised, but the prince would have none of it. Billy shooed him away with one hand. ‘Kiss her once for me. Make that twice. She’s a looker.’
Trying to suppress a smile, Samuel strode over to Frederica’s side. ‘Ah, Captain Wallace, I believe the first waltz is mine.’
He abruptly took Frederica into his arms, waltzing her away from him. Frederica’s hazel eyes sparkled as she smiled at him. Samuel felt an overwhelming desire to kiss her there and then.
‘Poor Mark, I told him that I was not dancing this evening,’ she said with a wrinkle of her nose. ‘You have made a liar of me.’
Samuel raised his eyebrows. ‘Actually, I hope that I am about to make an honest woman of you. Wellington wants us to elope and go farther into France to discover which generals and what roads Napoleon will take. I told him that I was willing, but that you could decide for yourself.’
Her mouth hung open, but she did not speak for several turns. ‘It would be very hard for you to take a wedding trip by yourself.’
‘And terribly awkward,’ he said with a ghost of a smile playing on the edge of his lips. ‘Not to mention disappointing.’
Bright red circles formed on her cheeks and Samuel had a pretty good idea what his betrothed was thinking about. It was all that he had been able to focus on all afternoon.