Free Jane Austen Mysteries 10 Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron by Stephanie Barron Page A

along the Lewes road to the encampment of the 10th Royal Hussars--being an inveterate Paymaster, my brother must needs renew acquaintance among the officers; he can never be entirely at his ease, even at a watering-place, but must be about the business of winning custom wherever it may offer. As his conversations could in no way include me , I was at leisure to walk about. I had alluded to Brighton Camp in Pride and Prejudice , without ever having seen it--and thought it should prove very good sport to learn how much the truth differed from my invention. 8
    There is much colour in the general scene, for the Prince of Wales Own, as they are called, are scrupulous as to the quality of their horses, their curricles, and their uniforms. They are among the most dashing set of men in England, and betray little sensibility of their losses in the Peninsula, at Corunna and Vittoria. Their manners, when in possession of their senses and not foxed from the bumpers of brandy they are known to take at all hours of the day, are elegant in the extreme; and so I suffered no impropriety or insult--on account of my black clothes, and matronly cap, and general appearance of outworn looks. There are silly girls enough for hanging on the sleeve of every red coat--and one of my advanced years must appear in the nature of deserted chaperon.
    It was with a start, therefore, that I heard my name called in an excited accent. Turning, I observed Miss Catherine Twining, accompanied by her father. She was dressed with extreme propriety this morning, in dove-grey muslin drawn up to the neck and a dark blue spencer; a close bonnet concealed her glossy chestnut curls; her eyes, however, were sparkling with delight.
    "Miss Austen! What good fortune! Is it not remarkable that we should meet again, within a day of our first acquaintance? I must ascribe it to the workings of Fate!" Miss Twining cried.
    "Providence, rather," the General corrected drily, "who sees all and orders all. I wonder you have the courage to call down His notice, unfortunate child."
    Miss Twining's pink cheeks blanched; her imploring gaze fixed on my countenance.
    "General Twining," I said with a curtsey. "Miss Twining. I hope I find you fully recovered from your ordeal of yesterday?"
    "We were not to speak of it!" General Twining looked all his rage. "I wonder at your insolence, ma'am! And your lack of delicacy! Indeed, I must suspicion some dark purpose in your deliberate allusion to events that cannot too soon be forgotten. Understand, Miss Austen, you shall never hope to profit by your shameful knowledge."
    "Profit?" I repeated, bewildered.
    The obsidian gaze swept over my figure. "Was it that hope that brought you to Brighton Camp? A handsome sum, perhaps, in exchange for the preservation of your silence--the alternative being the publication of my daughter's wantonness throughout the streets of Brighton?"
    "Sir!" I gasped, outraged.
    "Papa!" Miss Twining cried, at the same instant.
    "How else am I to understand your pursuit of us here this morning, madam? Disgraceful! On such a day of melancholy importance to the Twining family! If it is not advantage you seek--if it is not interest that has brought you hard on my daughter's heels--then how may you account for your brazen appearance here, in an encampment of soldiers, and entirely without protection? I might almost assume you to have been Byron's confederate, and posted in Cuckfield a-purpose, the better to blackmail your victim!"
    I stared at him, my body rigid with indignation. "I am thankful that my brother, Mr. Austen, is unable to hear your insults, General--for he should not hesitate to answer them with a demand for justice. I have nothing further to say to you but Good day ."
    I would have stepped past the repugnant fellow on the instant, and made my way blindly in any direction opposite the Twinings' own, had not Miss Twining impeded me. "Pray--I implore you, Miss Austen--do not --do not take my papa in bad part--it is only