The Connoisseur

Chapter 33 - Prelude

The messenger shared a hurried word with the Duke.  Wellington immediately left the room, beckoning to an entourage of officers to follow.

Something in the atmosphere immediately changed.  The loving glances Sophia had seen between the officers and their ladies were gone, replaced by concern and nervousness.  Still the musicians kept up the tune, still the dancers watched their steps.

Sophia wanted to ask Alexander what was happening, but she didn’t dare.  She feared stepping in between him and his plans for the evening.  If he had rehearsed these moments before, she would not intervene.

“‘Napoleon has humbugged me, by God,’” murmured Alexander.  “‘He has gained twenty-four hours march on me.’”

Sophia did not reply, but his words triggered something in her head.  She began to realise what was happening, and her head churned with the horror of it.

“Europe has been convulsed for nearly thirty years,” said Alexander.  “Ever since the French Revolution.  Armies have shattered this continent.  Vienna and Berlin have been occupied, Moscow burned down, hundreds upon thousands upon millions killed.  And the dénouement of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars begins tonight.”

Sophia bowed her head.  She might not have known her history very well, but she knew enough.  She looked at the dancers.  “They’re all going to battle.”

“Yes.  Wellington has just been informed that Napoleon has invaded Belgium.  Tonight is the 15th of June.  Tomorrow, the 16th, the battles of Ligny and Quatre Bras will be fought.  On the 18th, it all ends at Waterloo.  It’s barely ten miles south of here, they’ll be able to hear the guns.”

Sophia put a hand to her mouth.  “Jesus.  Do you think these people know yet?”

“They know that Napoleon is nearby, and that a battle is likely.  I doubt they thought it would be so soon.”

The latest dance came to an end.  The dancers immediately retreated to the sidelines, and only a few seemed able to continue.  Sophia saw in their looks that they were doing so only for the sake of decorum.  She could hear them whispering.

“Did you see the Duke?” 

“Did you hear the message?”

“Do you have any orders?”

“Are we marching out?”

The whispers instantly stopped; the Duke had re-entered the room.  To Sophia’s surprise, he appeared to carry on as normal, entering conversation with a group of well-born ladies.  His aides, however, had immediately fanned out, and spoken with other officers.  Whispers sprang up in every corner of the room.

“This is awful,” said Sophia.

“It is beautiful,” said Alexander.

She turned to him in astonishment.  “What?  How?”

He looked at her, and she saw that there was no element of flippancy or enjoyment in his eyes.  “Because it is tragic.  War so often is.  I wish it were always so.”

He shuddered then, so violently that Sophia clasped his hand even tighter.  She bit her lip, and felt her heart thudding against her chest.

The Duke had now come close to the table where they were sat.  Though the music still played, they could hear the conversation he was involved with.

“The Highlanders danced marvellously well, your Grace,” said one older lady.  “I pray you, send Colonel McCarrison my highest regard.”

“I shall do so,” said the Duke.