Army man, Freddy. And besides, there was no reason to come home then.’
‘No reason? What about your daughter?’
‘Now, Freddy, don’t be a gudgeon! You know little Charlotte was with us when her mother died. She was such an easy, contented little thing, and her nursemaid was devoted to her. What was I to do—open up the house and let her rattle around in it with a legion of servants? No, she was better with me.’
‘Better with you?’ spluttered Freddy, almost choking on his coffee. ‘A life travelling around war zones and foreign cities, in goodness knows what danger?’
‘Oh, there was never any danger. She stayed safe with the Army families, far away from any action. Well, most of the time.’ His brow creased. ‘There was that time in Burgos...and once when we had to hide in a cellar. But my Lottie has the heart of a soldier—no airs and vapours from her. We took her home sometimes, when Maria was alive, but Maria didn’t like us to be apart.’
‘Yes, but she was never here long enough.’
‘True.’ Sir Edward looked pensive. ‘After Maria died I established Charlotte with her maid and a governess in Madrid, then Florence, and now Vienna. I sent her to a good school there—she has just finished, in fact. Though, of course you are right. She needs to see London, and she needs English ladies around her.’ He eyed Buxted keenly. ‘How is your family? Mrs Buxted? Your daughters? Both girls are out now, I think?’
‘Yes, and all are well. Louisa and the girls are still abed, as they were at Lady Jersey’s rout last night. A chance for me to enjoy a quiet breakfast. Not that—I mean, of course I prefer to have breakfast with my wife—it is just—’
‘Yes, yes, I too have a dislike of listening to nonsense too early in the day. Actually, I had hoped to ask a favour of you, Freddy.’
‘Of course, of course, Edward.’ He glanced towards the door. ‘That is, anything in my power...’
‘It is the Corsican, you see.’
‘The Corsican?’ His eyes widened. ‘Napoleon?’
‘The very man. Fact is, he is to be exiled. Elba, you know. All agreed this week.’
‘Yes, of course. The news reached us here in London a few days ago, though we didn’t know where he was to go. Just grateful the war is over, really.’
‘Well, Castlereagh doesn’t like it, but the Czar must be magnanimous. I’m with Campbell, who will stay to see it done.’
‘Er...quite, quite. Important business, that.’ Freddy adopted a knowing look.
‘Indeed—and delicate. Can’t let that little upstart think he actually was an emperor! The thing is—I think it is time Charlotte came home to England. I’m going back to Paris with the Foreign Office chaps. Everything seems to be settling down, but I wouldn’t trust the French—not suitable for her at all.’
‘No, no!’ said Buxted, much struck. ‘But is there no one—?’
‘No one in London I would know and trust like you, Freddy. You’re Maria’s cousin, got two daughters of your own. Seems an ideal situation for my Charlotte.’
‘Yes, I see, but—’
‘You needn’t worry. She won’t give you any trouble, Freddy. She is not one of those demanding females. Quiet little thing, but got a good head on her shoulders, my Lottie. In fact, shouldn’t be surprised if you like her, Freddy—everyone does.’
‘But for how long would we be expected to have her?’
‘Not more than a couple of months, Freddy. You know how it is with these things—hard to tell.’ Freddy nodded sagely. ‘It will be my last mission, though. After making sure Napoleon is safely on his way I’ll need to tidy things up—regimental business, you know—then I’ll be coming home for good. The job is done and I’m looking forward to retirement.’
‘To be sure, yes. But—’
‘And don’t worry, Freddy, I’ll stand the blunt. You won’t have to lay out a penny on her behalf. I shall arrange her pin money, but I will need to stable Charlotte’s mare with your horses, if you are agreeable?’
Mr Buxted, his shoulders slumped, could not object.
‘Then it is all settled! I shall ask Charlotte to write to your wife to confirm the date of her arrival.’
Sir Edward, entirely satisfied, took his leave without further ado, leaving Freddy Buxted with the happy duty of informing his dear wife Louisa of their impending guest. He sank back in his seat as the enormity of his task slowly dawned on him.
‘For this,’ he muttered to the empty room, ‘I shall need the assistance of a power greater than myself.’ He raised his voice. ‘Biddle! Biddle! Oh, there you are, man. Get me some ale!’
* * *
A little over three weeks later, on the date appointed in her polite correspondence with Mrs Buxted, Miss Charlotte Wyncroft arrived at Buxted House. She was accompanied by her groom, Joseph, leading a fine bay mare, her abigail, Miss Priddy—who was also Joseph’s sister—and an enormous number of trunks and bandboxes, piled high behind the coach.
‘Finally, Priddy, we have arrived!’
‘Now, then, Miss Charlotte, no need for over-excitement.’
‘But, Priddy, this is London! You know how long I have wanted to visit England, and especially London. It is hard to call oneself English when England is a distant memory. Ooh, there are my cousins—what attractive girls!’
Charlotte peered out through the carriage window, trying to see everything without making it obvious that was what she was doing. Two young women stood with their mama at the top of the steps. Both looked fair, pretty and elegant.
As the carriage door was opened Charlotte overheard snatches of their conversation.
‘Mama, what a lot of luggage!’ exclaimed the younger-looking Miss Buxted.
Faith was her name, Charlotte remembered from the letters she had exchanged with Mrs Buxted these past weeks. A pretty young lady with blue eyes and flaxen curls, she was a paler imitation of her older sister. She glanced anxiously at her mother and sister as they stood waiting for their guest to mount the steps.
Miss Henrietta Buxted, at twenty, was two years senior, and was stunningly beautiful. Guinea-gold curls, wide blue eyes and a stubborn chin—she would be much sought after among the young men, if Charlotte was not mistaken.
Henrietta sniffed. ‘I hope she will not be an inconvenience, Mama.’
‘Charity begins at home,’ said Mrs Buxted.
A stout lady on the shady side of forty, with a certain hardness about her eyes and mouth, she still showed faint traces of the former beauty that, Papa said, had attracted young Freddy Buxted to offer for her.
Standing stiffly in a burgundy Norwich crepe round gown, she remarked, ‘I still don’t understand how your father agreed to this. To have an unknown girl foisted on me, when I have
