Short Stories From a Camera

Napoleon's Army

I wait for the Duke of Wellington to walk out of the front gates before I breathe again. I slump in my chair. 

"Don't slump, Elizabeth," Mother says.

I roll my eyes and glance out the window. I see Archie walking through the gates and I perk up immediately.

Sir Archibald Andrews isn't my parents first pick for a possible suitor, but what do they know about my feelings? Reginald opens the doors and announces Archie.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Sir Andrews would like to see Miss Elizabeth."

"What ever for?" Father asks, "Why does he want to see my daughter? Her time would be better used with Sir Wellington."

I roll my eyes. That pig? Never.

"I'll see what Sir Archibald wants," I say.

Father tries to protest as I walk towards the door but I'm not listening. When I walk through the door, Archie grabs my wrist and pulls me after him. He leads me into a cleaning closet.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you but I didn't feel like telling you in front of your parents," Archie says.

"Can you tell me outside? My parents will get suspicious if we stay in here."

We walk out of the closet and out to the grounds. Archie looks nervous.

"Now you can tell me the oh-so important piece of information," I say, smiling.

"I'm leaving," Archie says, looking at the ground.

My smile disappears.

"What?"

"I...I'm fighting in Napoleon's army."

I tilt his head up so that he will look at me.

"When did this happen? Why?" I ask.

"It happened last night and I don't know why," Archie says, "I should go. Got to get ready to go... fight."

He gives a weak smile and walks away. I run back inside. Servants try to dodge me as I barrel down the hall. I reach my room and slam the door. I sit down on my bed and look at the mirror. My neat blonde hair, fair complexion, elegant dress. I stare at myself. As I stare, a plan starts to formulate in my mind. I rush out of my room and find Anna, my personal servant and most loyal friend. I tell her what I need and walk gracefully back to my room. Anna knocks a little while later. She walks in carrying a soldier's uniform. I thank her and she leaves. I start putting on the uniform the second she leaves my room. If Archie is going away to fight, I guess I will too.