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As other gentleman approached Miss Bennet the Colonel stepped back thinking about her dance card. He had swooped in as soon as he saw her enter the ballroom. The card was empty other than the seventh set where the Duke of Desmond was already marked down. Rather than offer him the choice of sets Miss Bennet had all but requested that he dance the supper set, which he was happy to accept. He smiled at the prospect of an interesting evening.
For Elizabeth it was another full dance card and the opportunity for eight new partners, seven of whom were unknown to her. What struck her, even during the sets, was how similar it was to the previous ball. The first four sets followed the pattern, polite conversation within strict confines. The notable difference was two of the gentlemen spent a significant amount of the dance outlining their own consequence. It was not until the next day Elizabeth understood why. Finally it was the supper set and as she and the Colonel lined up Elizabeth was already looking forward to the next two hours, first the dances and then the supper. Once the dance started they were able to converse.
“Do you have any preference for conversation this evening Colonel?”
“Whatever you wish Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you Colonel, may we discuss the latest news from the Peninsula, the capture of Cuidad Rodrigo?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam was happy to discuss the war but was surprised at doing so on the dancefloor.
“I am happy to oblige. Do you have questions?”
The next 30 minutes passed with the two of them verbally bouncing back and forth on the latest news coming out of Spain. It was a circumscribed version of conversations between officers in every regiment in the Army.
“That was an inspired choice of conversation Miss Bennet. I was surprised when the music stopped and I realised that the set was over.”
Once plates of food had been procured their conversation resumed.
“You were well informed on the situation at Cuidad Rodrigo.”
“I had the pleasure, and privilege, of meeting an officer last summer who had been wounded at the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro. Over the course of the evening he explained the campaign in Portugal in ’10 and ’11. I have a good memory and he mentioned the French siege of the Cuidad Rodrigo. Less than two years later we have retaken the fortress, although at great cost.”
“I am at a loss for words Miss Bennet. That is a command of detail both surprising yet very impressive.”
Lady Maria wanted to smack the Colonel around the head. He had just reconfirmed Elizabeth’s fears and done so without malice or thought. She, Elizabeth and both their companions heard the unspoken three words at the end of the Colonel’s compliment, ‘for a woman’. You could not tell it from Elizabeth’s expression or the quality of their discourse.
“What is the role of cavalry during a siege?”
“Scouting, protecting foraging parties and regular sweeps to ensure that the garrison cannot escape, and equally that there are not armies advancing to relieve them. The siege is a tight circle round the fortress while we sweep in wider circles ensuring there is not relief or breakout.”
Supper continued with Lady Maria drawn into the conversation more often. It was a relaxed and enjoyable meal. Once dancing resumed Lady Maria instructed both companions to watch sections of the room when the Duke escorted Miss Bennet to the dancefloor. As usual he was under constant scrutiny, as his dance partner Elizabeth was also watched. The conversation over breakfast would be interesting.
“You have escaped the clutches of your most determined pursuers?”
“You make me sound like a fox.”
“Well if you hear any of the young ladies shout ‘tally-ho’ you know it is time to escape Your Grace.”
The Duke’s smile was broad.
“Not only am I going to imagine that when I approach my next partner, you have planted another seed in my mind. The next time I am out hunting when the shout goes up I will be checking over my shoulder for pursuers.”
“Best not confess that to the other members of the Hunt.”
“How are you finding this evening? Is it similar to your first ball in town?”
“It is Your Grace. Colonel Fitzwilliam and I flouted convention and spoke of the war rather than the weather, but other than that it has been very proper.”
“You spoke of the war?”
“The news of the capture of Cuidad Rodrigo. He was able to explain some of the descriptions, his military knowledge making things clearer.”
“I do not think I have been introduced to the Colonel. You had met him before?”
“Yes, he was one of my partners at the Harrington Ball. His mother is friends with Lady Maria.”
“Fitzwilliam, Fitzwilliam. Oh yes. Sorry, it took me a moment to recall the family. He must be the second son of the Earl of Matlock.”
