Free Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh Page B

If I were in his shoes, I would attack at the weakest point of defense, which is, perhaps, at the juncture between Wellington's defending forces and those of Field Marshal von Blücher. If he can bludgeon his way through at that point and turn their flanks and cut their communications with each other, he will stand a good chance indeed of winning the victory."
    It was not the sort of gloomy prediction he would normally make to a woman, especially to a very young and delicately nurtured lady. But she was not as other ladies were-he was increasingly aware of that.
    "Thank you," she said gravely. "Thank you for not making disparaging references to my pretty head, Lord Rosthorn, and for answering my questions without softening your replies. Sometimes I think the officers of my acquaintance are like toy soldiers playing at war games. But I suppose that is unfair. They merely make light of reality in the presence of ladies because they think us too delicate to face the truth. I daresay they talk more sense among themselves."
    A loud burst of laughter from Lady Rosamond's group illustrated her concern.
    "They will acquit themselves well if they are called upon to fight," he said.
    "If?"
    "When," he conceded.
    She looked grim and pale about the lips.
    "For years," she said, "when I was growing up I used to worry and worry about Aidan. War seemed so pointless to me. Why should the brother I adored be away from me and the rest of his family for so long when we needed and wanted him? Why should his life be in danger every single day? Why should I live in constant dread of seeing someone in military uniform ride up to the doors of Lindsey Hall, bringing word of his death in battle? I still think war pointless. Do you not, Lord Rosthorn?"
    "Of course," he said. "But inevitable nonetheless. It is human nature, unfortunately, to fight. There will always be wars."
    "It is inmen's nature," she said. "Women do not fight wars. If women ruled their countries, there would be a great deal more common sense in our dealings with one another."
    He smiled.
    "You find that idea amusing, Lord Rosthorn?" she asked sharply.
    "Only because I believe," he said, "that women are sensible enough to stay out of politics. They have better things to do with their time."
    "Like stitching at their embroidery, I suppose," she said, "and drinking tea with their neighbors."
    "And nurturing their children," he said. "And keeping their menfolk in line. And making sure that the world does not neglect the beauty of art and music and poetry."
    "I wonder," she said, "if we are not thereby damned with faint praise, as the saying goes."
    But the officers were taking their leave of Lady Rosamond and were turning to include Lady Morgan in their farewells and to assure themselves that she was indeed to attend a certain regimental dinner that evening.
    Gervase took his leave at the same time, receiving an amiable nod of farewell from Lady Morgan as he did so.
    Ah, he thought, as he rode away, resuming the direction he had been taking when he met the ladies, that had gone very differently from any of the flirtatious encounters he had imagined. It was a little disconcerting to discover that the lady had a mind and that she liked to use it. But if she chose to treat him in something of the nature of a friend, then so be it.
    He had never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
     
    ON THE MORNING OFJUNE 13LORDALLEYNEBedwyn called at the house on the Rue de Bellevue and spoke privately with the Earl of Caddick before being admitted to the ladies' presence in the morning room. They were all at home, it being a drizzly sort of day that had not yet cleared out enough to allow for a ride or even a visit to the shops.
    "The Kieg-Densons, acquaintances of Sir Charles Stuart, are leaving Brussels at first light tomorrow, ma'am," Alleyne explained to Lady Caddick after greetings had been exchanged. "They have a daughter of their own and a governess whom they credit with a great deal of