that I come bearing a summons. You are ordered at once to the Commander-in-Chief.’
He noticed Louisa and removed his hat.
‘Good day, Miss Weber.’
Hansam followed suit. Like the rest of Steel’s fellow officers he had accepted her presence in his friend’s tent as readily as they had all welcomed the return of Steel himself. Women in camp were no great novelty. Though for the most part of course they were found among the other ranks. But with Steel, as they all concurred, anything was possible. It seemed only natural that the maverick officer should return to the camp with this beautiful Bavarian angel as his consort. For if Steel was not yet decided as to their future, to his comrades it seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
Steel pushed himself up off the chair. Louisa moved to help him to his feet. She buttoned his waistcoat which hung open and draped his red coat across his shoulders before helping him insert his arms. As, with Louisa’s assistance, he pushed his feet into his boots, Steel ran a hand around his recently shaved chin. He peered at himself in the small piece of mirror-glass propped up on a folding table. Hawkins smiled at him.
‘You hardly present the very perfect picture of an officer, Jack. But I dare say you’ll do for Marlborough.’
‘Colonel. I am not back yet ten days and you goad me.’
He pointed to his leg.
‘I am a sick man. Have you no pity?’
Hawkins laughed. Louisa handed Steel the stout ash stick that, to avoid putting pressure on his leg, he had been using for the past few days to help him walk, and held back the flap of the tent as he lowered his head and felt the touch of the balmy evening air. Hansam held the tent open for Hawkins and Steel who, as he left, turned back to Louisa.
‘Wish me luck, both of you. I suspect that I may have need of it.’
Marlborough’s tent, illuminated by the light of two dozen candles, was empty when Steel and Hawkins entered, save for the General’s soldier-servant who was busy pouring three glasses of wine. Hawkins handed one of them to Steel before he spoke:
‘Truly, Jack, I did not expect this to happen. I knew nothing of Jennings’ intentions. Of course I learnt of his departure, but assumed that Colonel Farquharson had dispatched him. There is no doubt in my mind as to who might be behind this. It is common knowledge that the Margrave is opposed to Marlborough’s strategy. We can surmise that one of his commanders must have stumbled upon our plan. There are Tories in the army but I had not been aware that Major Jennings was of their persuasion.’
‘Nor I, Colonel. Although I did perceive that his way of waging war might be somewhat different to that proposed by our Commander.’
Hawkins looked grave.
‘It is clear that the French Grenadiers, their officer in particular, were pursuing you with a specific prize in mind. Otherwise they would not have dared venture so close to our lines. I can only wonder if Major Jennings is now with the French; whether he has yet been discovered by your Grenadier officer. I do not suppose that he will be very comfortable in his new billet, either way.’
‘A turncoat he might be, Sir, in his loyalty to the Duke, but I cannot believe that even Jennings would turn traitor to his country. Although I am afraid that Colonel Farquharson cannot now bring himself to talk to me, so mortified is he by his relation’s behaviour.
‘But whoever it was alerted the French to my mission, it seems now that Jennings has done their work for them. And in truth, it is I who am at fault, Colonel. I should have been suspicious at his arrival on the march. I should have seen his true purpose. Above all I should not have allowed him to catch me off guard in the heat of battle. I am truly sorry.’
‘I believe, Steel, that I know who may have brought in the French. Jennings had a Sergeant did he not?’
‘Stringer? An accomplice?’
‘The Sergeant, it seems, has been running a racket with the French and selling them supplies. He was dealing through one of the commissaries. Jennings must have let him in on the reason for their expedition and naturally, seeing that there’s money in secrets, he tells his go-between who, for a price, tells the French. It’s not until the second ambush that Stringer realizes he’s signed his own death warrant. Of course the French don’t get him, thanks to you. But the hangman will. Man’s a born traitor. We’ve already arrested his friend. He admitted everything and he’ll swing for it tomorrow.’
‘But not Stringer? You haven’t taken him.’
Steel looked desperate.
‘You must know, Colonel, that Stringer is my chief hope of finding Major Jennings.’
Hawkins placed a hand on his shoulder.
‘Don’t fret, Jack. I guessed that you might have plans for him. Sergeant Stringer believes that he’s got away with it. He’ll be nervous, but that just might make him all the more eager to keep you sweet. He’s yours until you find Jennings. Then he belongs to me.’
There was a cough and both men turned. ‘Let us hope, gentlemen, however we catch our fox that we are not too late to undo the wrong that has been done.’
The voice belonged to Marlborough, who, as they had been talking with their backs to the entrance, had quietly entered the tent. He was alone and Steel turned and met his gaze, giving a short bow.
‘Your Grace. I was not aware …’
‘No, Lieutenant Steel. Indeed. I hear that you have been sorely tried. Two engagements with the enemy. Infantry and cavalry. Hussars if I am informed aright. How did you find them?’
‘They are fine horsemen, Your Grace, but I am of the opinion that too much of their reputation rides upon their appearance. We gave them a good licking, Sir.’
‘And were damn near licked yourself in the process. You were only saved by John Hay’s dragoons. Am I not right? But I do hear that you fought valiantly, Steel. And at least you are safe, eh? How are your injuries?’
Marlborough gestured at Steel’s leg.
‘Have you the proper attention? I have a doctor.’
The icy, grey-green eyes stared deep into Steel’s soul.
‘Thank you, Sir. I have the best of care. And it was no more than a scratch, Your Grace. And a knock to the head.’
‘Given you, I believe, by our friend Major Jennings.’
Steel was at a loss for words. He wondered exactly how much Hawkins had already told the Duke. Marlborough continued:
‘You did everything that was in your power to secure those papers. Everything. Indeed you had them in your very possession. You were not to suspect that Jennings would prove turncoat. You looked at the papers?’
Steel was unsure how to reply but decided on the truth.
‘Yes, Your Grace.’
‘So you know their content?’
‘I saw an address, Sir, in France. The date. Your name. Nothing more.’
‘My
