Page 7 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Orlando was beginning to understand, or so he thought. Marrying a duke’s daughter, who likely had a large dowry could solve some of those financial burdens.

“John had started out as a low clerk which was well and good since he did not have to fight. When he was given leave to visit his family in England, he had decided that he did not want to return to his post. That is when he met me. He had hoped that by us marrying that my father would insist that he sell his commission and remain in England and then give John a prominent and important position. My father refused to do so while England was at war and insisted that John continue his duty to the King. This angered John enough that he arranged for me to accompany him on his return to the Continent believing that my father would change his mind if his daughter was following the drum and sometimes in danger.” A smile pulled at the corner of her mouth.

“He did not know my father well, or at all, because Father sent us along with his blessing.”

“He was a fortune hunter, or looking for an easier life,” Orlando clarified to which Blythe nodded.

“Something I remained ignorant of until it was too late.” She shook her head and sighed.

“When the Cavalry Staff Corps was established in 1813, John joined more because of the horses, and it was a safer option than actually facing an enemy, and it earned him more pay than a clerk. His duties were to go after deserters and stop the pillaging and looting of towns and bring men back who were breaking the law.”

Orlando had heard of the Cavalry Staff Corps but had not truly understood their purpose.

“The Staff Corps was disbanded in 1814 when it was believed that the Peninsula War had come to an end with the defeat of Napoleon. John could have sold his commission then and Father would not have found any fault in him doing so given we all believed that the war was finally over. But, as my father had not yet decided what he might offer John, we had remained on the Continent, just outside of Brussels, as part of the expeditionary force under General Graham. John remained with the cavalry but was not concerned since he was in a fairly safe location without fear of fighting. Even when the Prince of Orange was given command in August of last year, some British troops remained, including the ones that my husband was assigned to, and he was in no hurry to leave, unless my father offered a better alternative. He also hoped that he would have the opportunity to visit Brussels and because I am the daughter of the duke that we would be invited to Societal events.”

“You were not?”

“I did not make my presence known. He tried to force me, but I reminded him that my wardrobe was quite reduced and that would be an embarrassment to him so unless he wished to provide me funds to visit a modiste, I would not be attending teas and balls.”

“I would think that after following the drum for so long that you would enjoy such entertainments again.”

“I did not want to be fodder for gossip no matter how well or poorly I was dressed,” she explained. “When Napoleon escaped Elba, John realized that we would be at war again and was suddenly anxious to return to England, especially after the Cavalry Staff Corps was reestablished.”

“That was a safer position that he had not minded before.” “Why it would be different now?

“Their duties were expanded to include going behind enemy lines to gather intelligence on Napoleon’s movements.”

“I thought Exploring Officers were the ones who did that.”

“As did I, and they do.”

“Your husband did not want to be a spy?”

“He did not want to put his life a risk,” Blythe clarified.

“He could sell his commission,” Orlando reminded her.

“Ah, but that would earn the disfavor of my father.” A sadness lingered in her blue eyes. “That was when he insisted that I write to my father to bring us home immediately. My father’s response was that he would not look favorably on a man who would abandon England and duties at this time.”

“I assume your husband did not take the news well.” Orlando snorted.

“No. He insisted on another letter, that he had to approve. My last one had not been pleading enough.”

“What was your father’s response?”

“That after considerable consideration, and to make his daughter happy, that we could return to England and take up residence in Calder Manor in Yorkshire.”

“That did not please the lieutenant?” It would have certainly been an improvement over their current circumstances.

“John was insulted and thought overseeing an estate and managing a household was beneath him. Further, he did not want to be a sheep farmer.”

“I assume you raise sheep.”

“And sell the wool,” she answered. “John once again ordered me to write to my father and tell him that I wanted my husband to have a position in parliament or the government.” Blythe shook her head.

“I knew every time that I wrote that my father would not cave to my demands and he would know that they were being written at the insistence of John.”

“I assume such an offer was not forthcoming?”

“In my father’s last letter, he stated that he did not believe John worthy or intelligent enough for such a position, nor had he earned such an honor. He further stated that if John insisted on coming back to England with a battle on the horizon, he never would be.”

Orlando pulled back in shock. “Your father wrote that?”

“Yes, and that if we returned to England unscathed, after the English had been victorious, that John would never be offered anything more than the management of Calder Manor where John would have no control of decisions and be forced to rely on my father for any income or allowance he deemed appropriate. I believe Father recognized John as the coward that he was.” Blythe chuckled.

“I find it ironic that John had no difficulty and enjoyed going after deserters to bring them back to be punished, yet when it appeared that he might have to fight the French, he immediately looked for ways to escape the looming danger.”

“I assume that John did not take the news well.”

Blythe snorted. “John was enraged and quickly came to the realization that marrying me was of no benefit to him. He decided that he was done with me, dukes and war. He was going to sell his Commission, sail to America and make his fortune there. Which brings us to where we are now.” She shrugged.

“I am truly sorry you had to endure so much.”

“As am I, but I knew the moment I wrote that first letter what my father’s response would be. I just hadn’t expected John to free me.”

Had he heard her correctly?

Blythe’s blue eyes went wide. “Sell!” she said quickly. “I meant sell.”

Orlando stared at her for a moment. “Did you really?”