78. We went to a garden party...

The afternoon was warm and pleasant. The general's house was a short stone's throw from Kensington Palace, and stood in its own grounds. It was a very masculine dwelling, which was understandable as Sir George had been a widower for some fifteen years. He was the father to three daughters, of whom only one remained at home, the older two having married.

His remaining daughter, Lydia, was a charming girl, with a mind some years older than her eighteen summers. It was my impression that she was actually the mistress of the house, despite her years. It turned out that she had organised her own Presentation party, with only a minimum of input from her father. He was very proud of her and loudly proclaimed it, however, he wanted me to meet someone else.

"Your Grace!" Sir George greeted me, "May I present my nephew, Captain Richard Carter?"

I turned to the general's companion, a good-looking chap, with a boyish smile.

"Captain." I greeted the man in front of me, in the same uniform that I had once worn, though the lower left arm of the jacket was turned back on itself. Despite his youthful face, one merely had to look into the young man's eyes to see that he had known battle. "You are just returned, sir?"

"Two weeks, Your Grace."

"And will you return?" It was not unknown for men even with missing limbs - as long as they were not too debilitating, to return and fight in the line.

"I do not know yet, Your Grace. A French musket ball," he touched what remained of his arm. "Shattered it below the elbow. I was lucky, the surgeons managed to remove the damaged section quickly, saved the rest of the arm and saved me."

I nodded. "If you do not return, what will you do, sir?"

"I have a living from my father, in Oxfordshire, it will be amply sufficient." I could sense that he missed the army, and that Oxfordshire was seen as the less desirable option, "I believe I shall learn about cows and sheep and how they increase, and make that my future." I wasn't sure whether the slightly sardonic humour was real or forced.

I extended an invitation for the captain to call on me for lunch the next day. "It is my experience that the transition to civilian life is not an easy one, captain, if you feel the need to talk, I will be happy to accommodate you."

I was just giving Captain Carter my card, when Charlotte appeared at my side. "Oh! Hello! Will you introduce me to your friend, William?"

"Charlotte, this is Captain Carter, of the ... er?" I looked at the buttons on the captain's coat. "The 27th Foot!" The 27th was the regiment that my old mentor Thomas Raine had transferred to. He died defending their regimental colours.

"Indeed, Your Grace, the 27th." The young man confirmed.

"Captain Carter, may I introduce my sister, Charlotte?"

"Lady Charlotte." The captain greeted her with a graceful bow.

Charlotte told me that my mother was looking for me, so I took my leave of the captain, while she remained conversing with Captain Carter and I went to find Helena who was chatting with General Bradley.

"Mother?" I greeted her. "You asked for me?"

Drawing me away from the general, with an apology, my mother whispered that she didn't really need me for anything, but that Charlotte had been devouring the young man I was talking to with her eyes, Helena had used it as a chance to get them introduced.

"He reminds me of you very much," she said, guiding me towards Arabella and her mother.

I moved around Helena so that I could see Charlotte and Captain Carter, without appearing to be looking at them. They seemed to be involved in a conversation which absorbed both of them. At one point the captain made a remark which amused Charlotte greatly, though she did not laugh out loud, (that would have been most unpolite of her), she did laugh and it seemed a very natural and unforced humour. If Charlotte - who up to now had shown no interest in suitors - found the captain interesting, then our attendance had been worthwhile.