Free War by Edward Cline Page B

now oppressed the colonies. His bloc of votes in the Commons had grown since repeal of the Stamp Act and adoption of the Declaratory Act in 1766. The Earl, Garnet Kenrick reported, had become much more active in politics, and had even been briefly appointed to the Board of Trade and Privy Council in the confusedtransition from the Grafton to the North ministry. Basil Kenrick had not been invited to the wedding of his niece Alice to Roger. Garnet Kenrick communicated rarely with his brother, and did not even know how the Earl viewed his nephew’s marriage to Reverdy Brune.
    Roger ventured, “I think I wrote you about all the officers who voted against these Parliamentary actions, and who were punished, as a result, with dismissal from their regiments or appointments or with removal from their seats in the Commons. Many have resigned their commissions, or have threatened to resign them, at the prospect of warring against their countrymen here.”
    Hugh cocked his head in acknowledgement of the fact. “Yes, you did write me about that. One can only hope that they are the ablest officers.”
    “Not necessarily all. I showed some of the pamphlets you sent me to other officers, who were either outraged by them or too witless to comment. If there is a conflict, and they are sent here, they would perform their duties with ardor and at times with imagination, according to their lights.”
    Hugh frowned. “Would you, Roger? Would you resign, rather than war against your countrymen?”
    “I cannot yet say, Hugh. I, too, believe in the empire. Like you, I have not given up on the idea. The question of whether the colonies are right to flout the law is one that confounds my sensibilities. I agree with you that a permanent union of the colonies here is neither practical, nor even imaginable, considering the contentions and rivalries I have observed on my travels here. They remind me of all the odd alliances in Parliament that are precipitated by a crisis in England, but which fly apart again when the crisis is past.” Tallmadge paused. “It is a question I cannot entertain an answer to, not until I have returned to England. It might be that I
would
resign, and take up your offer to join your father’s bank in London.”
    “You flatter me by remembering it, as well. Gads, it seems like ages ago!” Hugh said. “Then, before you leave, I shall write a letter of recommendation for you to give to my father.”
    Roger nodded. “Thank you.”
    Hugh sat twirling his top on the green baize blotter of his desk, weighing the wisdom of introducing Roger to Jack Frake and Etáin. He was unsure of the reception Roger would receive. He decided to postpone a decision, and said, “Well, are you too tired for a tour of the plantation, Roger? Lieutenant Manners is invited, as well, if you aren’t. But, it can wait until tomorrow.”
    “I am not too tired, thank you. Your company has refreshed me. All these years, I have tried to imagine what Meum Hall looked like, and here I am! We came through the fields from the stream that borders your south pasturage.” Roger beamed. “Reverdy is looking well. We were having a glorious chat before
you
interrupted!” he added in mock accusation.
    Hugh smiled dolefully. He announced with reluctance, “Reverdy will soon sail for England, Roger. She has not seen it or her parents for nigh on ten years. Her family are near frantic to see her again. You know that she was too ill to accompany me to your wedding, and on my brief visit to the Continent.” He sighed. “The troubles here have made her homesick.” He added woodenly, “And, she…disapproves of my actions.”
    “It saddens me to hear it, Hugh,” Roger replied after a stunned moment. The character of some of Reverdy’s comments now made sense to him. After a pause, he remarked, “I am surprised by this. She gave me to believe that she shared your views on Lord Dunmore.”
    “She is critical of the man, not of his office.” Hugh shook his