Company Of Spears

It was, too, a most promising meeting. The general’s manner was cordial throughout, and when Hervey revealed his disappointment in failing to secure command, Tarleton commiserated with him in the strongest terms, saying that it was the fault of a dozen years’ peace: he would have him command his own regiment had it not been so disgracefully disbanded! Indeed, he explained, it was in connection with this very matter that he intended calling this day on the ‘new commander-in-chief’, the Duke of Wellington (whom he referred to throughout as ‘Wellesley’ in much the way that a colonel might refer to a favourite cornet), for was it not time to re-raise every regiment of light cavalry that had so usefully extended the Line, now that Ireland looked set for trouble once more and so many regiments of Foot were being sent to the colonies?

Hervey had seen no immediate prospects for himself in such a petition – certainly not within a year at least – but he had recognized an opportunity to advance his ‘Africa suit’. He did not know quite how these things were arranged between senior officers – he did not need to, only that they were – but he believed that General Tarleton might prevail on the Horse Guards to assign the duty to him. Indeed, it was in all probability but a mere detail, to be attended to in passing; perhaps a matter for the staff only and not the duke.

Tarleton had appeared delighted by the request. He thought it a capital idea that Hervey should have the Cape commission: he would be glad to recommend him to the duke, and gave his opinion in the most decided terms that the duke would at once concur. And Hervey had felt much relieved that his future lay in the hands of such an eminent soldier. He decided therefore not to call on Lord John Howard: that would be better left until the morning, after the general had visited. He returned instead to Hounslow, but with a vastly lighter heart than he had come up with the night before.

XIII

FRIENDS AT COURT

Next morning

Shortly after eleven o’clock Hervey was shown into a waiting room at the Horse Guards by a civilian clerk who eyed him as if he might be dangerous. He was puzzled: it was, after all, a perfectly routine visit – not even official, merely a call on the assistant quartermaster-general, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord John Howard. After not too long, however, his old friend appeared, with a man he did not recognize. Hervey, in a plain coat (he was visiting privately), rose.

‘Lord Hol’ness, may I present Major Hervey.’

Hervey bowed.

‘Major Hervey, I am excessively glad to meet you at last,’ said Lord Holderness, with an easy smile and hand outstretched.

Hervey observed a man perhaps five years his senior, a little shorter than he, with fine, almost pretty, features, black hair cut quite short, an active sort of frame, and wearing the undress of the 4th Dragoon Guards, in which regiment he had been senior major, though for the last two years he had been on half pay, attending to his estates in Yorkshire. ‘Good afternoon,Colonel.’

‘I wish I had known you were to come. I have to be back in the House, presently. I am here simply to pay my respects.’

‘And I to see my old friend, here. But this is very opportune nevertheless, Colonel. Might I take five minutes of your time? There are two things of some moment that would benefit from an early decision.’

Lord Holderness looked at his watch. ‘If you press me, Major Hervey. They are not matters you are able to decide as acting in command?’

‘One of them is not; the other is the regimental colonel’s business, but he would expect your opinion.’

‘Very well, of course.’

Hervey told him the circumstances of RSM Hairsine’s ‘field promotion’ and the vacancy occasioned by Captain Snagge’s sudden resignation, recommending that Lord George Irvine be advised to appoint Vanneck to the captaincy, and Hairsine to the consequent lieutenancy. Lord Holderness agreed that it seemed an admirable arrangement.

‘And then there is the appointment of a new regimental serjeant-major—’

Lord Holderness held up a hand. ‘Ah, on that I may spare you the burden of decision. I shall want to bring in my own man.’

Hervey was taken aback. The practice was not unknown, but there had never been an outsider, an ‘extract’, come to that appointment. ‘Colonel, with great respect, I would counsel against it. The senior troop serjeant-major is a most experienced and esteemed man.’

Lord Holderness held his smile despite the unexpected and early questioning of his intentions. ‘I’m sure he is, Hervey. And he will have his turn, but I wish to bring my late serjeant-major with me.’

Hervey saw there was nothing he might say now to have his new lieutenant-colonel change his mind. He did not know him: persistence might even prejudice his opinion for good. ‘Very well, Colonel.’

‘And now, Hervey, I really must get back to the House: the Corn-bill, or the Catholics; I don’t recall quite which.’

‘Of course. And you are to come to Hounslow…’