Free By Eastern windows by Gretta Curran Browne Page B

– no matter what your old commanding officer says about you! Because if you were a real gentleman, you would desist in paying such particular attentions to my sister-in-law in view of all society. Since that first night your attentions have stimulated every tongue in Bombay to wag and are causing her family great distress. Do you not realise, sir, that your conduct could prevent offers of marriage being made to her!’
    Morley had clearly come prepared for battle, but as Lachlan was so unprepared he decided to answer with the truth. ‘It is my understanding, sir, that my conduct has done no more than secure your sister-in-law's affection.’
    ‘And for what bally purpose, may I ask? Do you have the means of proposing marriage to her?’
    ‘Compared with other suitors, I could not offer her – ‘
    ‘Anything more than a modest competence to live on! Are you unaware of the fact that my wife's sister is not only the daughter of Antigua's late Consul, but also the younger sister of Thomas Jarvis who owns a very substantial sugar estate on that island? And although he is her legal guardian, I am her physical and moral guardian here in India. And therefore it is my duty to prevent her from connecting herself to one who could not support her in a respectable and comfortable lifestyle.’
    ‘Yes, I do realise that Jane is far beyond anything I have a right to expect...’ Lachlan paused, wondering why he was excusing himself to this blethering bigot who judged all men solely by their wealth and rank.   Well, that may be, but there was another aspect to this situation that Morley obviously had not considered.
    ‘Mr Morley,’ he said steadily, ‘I am a soldier, and therefore not a man used to making pretty speeches or flamboyant declarations of my intentions, so all I can tell you now is that Jane is the person I have been waiting to meet for all of my life, and I have reason to believe she feels the same about me.’
    Morley stared. ‘I beg your pardon?’
    Lachlan explained it simply. ‘We are in love with each other.’
    Morley's face became rigid. For a long moment he fixed the captain with his frozen stare, then snapped,   ‘Many men find themselves becoming amorously attached to a young lady of rank and fortune, but each man soon learns that becoming amorously attached is not enough, not nearly enough. And if he ever hopes to enjoy her wifely favours, he must at least make sure he is sufficiently endowed with worldly goods and an income that would admit any proposal to be an acceptable one.'
    Morley lifted the hat he had earlier flung on the table and turned to leave, without even troubling to find out exactly just how much was the captain's income, or the present amount of his worldly goods.
    At the door Morley placed the hat on his head and said curtly, ‘I think we understand each other now, Captain. You are expressly forbidden to have any further contact with my wife's sister, and she with you.’
    When the door had closed, Lachlan remained where he was standing, motionless and thoughtful for at least a minute, before he shrugged and murmured, `But I intend to marry her, just the same.’  
    It was only a question of finding a way.
     
    *
     
    He was on duty with his company on the artillery ground at Matoonga when the order to report came from Major Auchmuty.
    ‘I thought I would inform you,’ said Major Auchmuty, ‘of a notice that will appear in tomorrow's General Orders, which is...’ he looked down at a paper, ‘that Captain Lachlan Macquarie of the 77th Regiment is appointed to act as Major of Brigade to His Majesty's Troops on the Coast of Malabar.’
    Auchmuty looked up. `Congratulations.’
    ‘Thank you, sir.’
    Lachlan was smiling. He would still retain the rank of captain, but the appointment of Brigade-Major was a promotion, and promotion meant more money.
    ‘Now, you are to immediately attend upon the Commander-in-Chief,’ said Auchmuty, `at Colonel Balfour's