AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t care if you are sorry. Idocare to know how long we shall have you under our roof!”
Daniel’s lips pressed together and he swallowed hard. “I have never intended to put anyone, especially Miss Stapleton, under any burden. I will remove as soon as the doctor permits it.”
“Waiting on a doctor’s permission never used to get medals awarded,” the old man jeered. “Not back in my day, anyway.”
“One can afford to be a man of action when one has two legs that work.” Daniel pointed at his splinted leg.
The general straightened, as if prepared to scale a high horse.
“But I assure you, sir, I give you my word I shall leave as soon as it is at all possible.”
“Hmph.” General Stapleton eyed him, with a look likely designed to quell insolence.
But having met Lord Wellesley and the pompous men who served the King, Daniel had learned the best defense was to offer the blandest look possible, all the while unafraid to meet his challenger in the eye.
“I suppose that will have to do.”
“I truly am grieved that my actions have led to Miss Stapleton’s distress.”
“She is not the sort to weep, nor mouth off about her upset, none of Maudlin Meg about her, which is why I felt to warn you.” His eyes narrowed. “Never known her like that before.”
The man was thinking deeply about something, obviously, but for the life of him, Daniel couldn’t tell what it might be.
The general finally nodded, his gaze turning to the letters now neatly arrayed on the bedside table. “Got something from the War Office?”
Daniel offered the paper to him, but the older man shook his head.
“I don’t need to know your business.”
“I felt, given our conversation, that I should share it anyway. My unfortunate injury means I no longer have any great urgency to return to London. My regiment is shipping out without me.”
“What? Give me that.” He snatched the paper and perused it quickly.
Daniel had served under a few superiors whose support and interest could be considered kindly. But it had been a long time since he’d come across a man whose biting words and sharp eyes made him long for his father’s support. Da’s death, so closely following that of his mother’s, when Daniel had just turned sixteen, had precipitated his desire to find purpose and a life beyond his small village. But while General Stapleton might wish for Daniel’s absence from his home, his frown suggested that Daniel might have his support in other ways.
“Fools. This can’t be right.” He handed Daniel back the missive.
“I’m afraid it seems that way to me.”
“Blockheads, all of ’em. How many times do these chuckleheads make decisions about business they have no experience in?”
“I share your sentiments entirely, sir.”
He grunted again, the lines of his face settling deeper into discontent. “So, what’ll you do?”
“I confess I do not know.”
“If it were me, I’d be writing back and demanding an interview and explanation.”
The idea held merit. Inaction had never been his forte. “I’ll pen a response today.”
The general nodded. “And then?”
“Mr. Cleever and I both thought it would be best to sell Mannering and take Becky away. I have a widowed aunt who could care for her, should I set her up in a small house near London. I suppose Becky is too old for boarding school.”
“If you’re asking my advice, I wouldn’t know. Ask Theo if you must. Although she never went to one of those wretched places, so I don’t know how much help she’d be.”
“I’ve noticed she possesses a great deal of common sense.”
