Mistress Agnes Ch. 22: Conclusion

But Dennis was in for a few nerve-wrecking hours, as he was soon to find out.

The buggy in front of them turned up the lane, and John followed. Agnes would want to know whether help had arrived from town, the doctor and the nurse, and maybe word from the army. It was past lunchtime and Dennis was feeling his stomach complain, he hoped the huntsman's wife would have pity on them and feed them before they drove back.

From the box Dennis had an excellent view of Mr Winfield's yard, and what he saw there made him want to run and hide as fast as his legs could carry him. A horse with formal tack was tied to a rail, and a squad of ten red-coated soldiers, armed with rifle and saber, complete with hard-faced sergeant, was standing right in front of the house, apparently waiting for their superior officer.

Never is his life had Dennis been more brave than at that moment, not even when facing an enemy. In battle one had no choice, it was fight or die, but then and there, he could have gotten away, no-one had seen him, yet. In an instant, he decided to stay. If he ran now he would admit who he was to the brigand who had called him out. He would not be able to stay with Agnes, it would be life on the run for him, and loneliness for her.

Cursing the army for moving quickly this one time he suppressed his feelings of anxiety and tried to really become the young nobleman he had been emulating succesfully for months. This was his testing, and failure would mean a quick but humilating demise.

John looked at him in shock and Dennis said calmly, 'Please do not let anyone see that reaction, John. I'm going to bluff my way through with the mistress, will you please keep Dick away from any soldier, he is so honest his face will give everything away instantly.'

With a solemn face and a respectful voice, John said, 'I promise I will, master. I'm yours to command, wherever you came from. I trust you with my life, and so does Dick. We'll be busy with horses and hounds.'

He took Dennis' hand and said, 'Good luck, I'll be praying for you.'

With that, he jumped off the box to tie the horses, Dennis following him down, then to the door of the carriage.

'The yard is alive with soldiers, Agnes,' was all he managed to say.

'Dick, you stay with John, keep the hounds close to you at all times. We'll handle this, you stay away from the sodiers, understand? If you value your friend's life, do not talk to anyone.'

'I'll stay, too, Mrs Beauchamp. I'll keep them out of trouble.'

Guy seemed to have himself in hand pretty well, good. Dick would follow him anywhere.

Dennis felt an arm around his shoulder as Agnes led him to the house.

'I wish you could run away, Dennis, my heart is cold inside me for fear of losing you. But Mr Winfield would wonder where you were, and that deserter would know he was right. We'll have to hope these troops never knew you. It's only a dozen men, there were hundreds of soldiers in that camp, weren't there?'

'A thousand, and I truly don't look at all like I did then.'

'Then be the gentleman you always were inside, my beloved.'

Once in the yard with Mr Winfield, Dennis quickly scanned the youthful, fresh faces of the squad, and instantly knew these were new recruits, on what was probably their first mission, to comb out the woods for a threesome of unarmed deserters. The sergeant was obviously a veteran, but not someone Dennis had ever seen before. And no two men could have a memory for faces and names like the brigand apparently had. If Dennis acted the gentleman to perfection, the fellow wouldn't even be listened to. He was a deserter and as good as dead.

'Can you believe they sent someone to clear up this mess so quicky? We could have spared ourselves the trouble, though I suppose it was great fun in a way. You've taught me a good lesson, Mr Parker, hunting game is not at all like hunting brigands. I'm glad you were with us, I had been thinking of going after them with my boys, and now I'm glad I didn't. I love my boys, you see, and we would have walked right into that ambush.

One of the brigands kept raving about a deserter named Barks that he was very envious of. He seems to have borne an uncanny resemblance to you. I have assured him that you are obviously a true gentleman of impeccable manners, and that his ravings will not gain him any credit in his trial. I am behind you all the way, sir.'

'Thank you, Mr Winfield. I hope my resemblance to this low-life character will not get me into trouble, and I thank you for your trust. Will you hand over the prisoners to the officer on duty? It's thanks to your alertness that we found them in the first place.'

'With Mrs Beauchamp's assistance, I will. It was a true pleasure to meet you, ma'am, you are a very good shot, and I do believe you weren't afraid at all.'

'Indeed I wasn't, Mr Winfield, I trusted you and my fiancée to outsmart the brigands. Your Blackears did a marvellous job, too. Shall we seek out the officer in charge of this squad?'

And so they did, Mr Winfield catching the sergeant's attention and requesting him to keep an eye on the prisoners. As the three of them passed the squad to look for the officer inside, of course the splendidly uniformed man was just on his way outside, accompanied by a woman who had to be Mr Winfield's wife.

The two did not spot the little group coming towards them, they were talking, but when Mr Winfield addressed his wife they both looked up. Dennis felt all the blood drain from his face, for the lieutenant was someone he had known really well. They had served in the same batallion, had lived in the same camp, crossed the channel in the same ship, fought side by side against the hordes of the French. He was doomed.

Still a part of him was amazed, for private Harley had not seemed the kind to progress rapidly through the ranks. He had the right ancestry, and he was a courageous and manly fellow, but his family was impoverished and for that reason he never expected to be promoted, not even to ensign. Harley was a good man, and it pleased Dennis to see him moving up in the world, though he would be Dennis' own downfall. There was nowhere to hide, he could only straighten his face and pretend to be Mrs Beauchamp's noble fiancée.

'Joseph, you're safe!'

Mrs Winfield cried out in relief and fell on her husband's neck.

'I've been so afraid, Lieutenant Harley told me it was a supremely dangerous thing to do, going after a group of highly trained deserters by yourself. I was afraid you'd all be killed!'

'Calm now, Dorothy, calm now. Nothing happened, as you can see, and we did get your men, Lieutenant Harley. But you were right, Lieutenant, they were dangerous, it was a close call, without Mr Parker here we would not have come back I'm afraid, and the brigands would have been armed with our guns.'

Harley looked straight at Dennis, straight at him! And gave not a single sign of recognition. Dennis did not dare feel relief, it couldn't be, the lieutenant had to recognize his former comrade. He was probably contemplating what to do, how to act.

Now the lieutenant spoke, and he sounded very serious.

'You took an enormous risk, gentlemen, and you too, Mrs Beauchamp. I know you are a reputed huntress, ma'am, but game generally doesn't lie in an ambush to kill you first. Game isn't trained to find people and take them out.'

Agnes must have sensed something going on, for she took Dennis' arm possessively and replied gravely, 'I know that now, Lieutenant Harley, and I'll never make that mistake again. But we'd just seen the farmers that had been hit, and we all guessed it would take a week for the army to send help. I'm terribly sorry for my lack of faith, but I was so afraid they'd hit again and again. I felt responsible, you see, most of the farms out here are under my protection.'

Harley was impressed, Dennis could see that. By Agnes' dedication to her people, but he dared hope, also by her obvious love for him.

'I acknowledge the truth in your fears, ma'am, for they were in fact legitimate. The troops you see here were already mustering when your man's message came, tidings of three deserters wreaking havoc on Mrs Beauchamp's borders had reached the command centre a week ago. You certainly had incentive to strike out on your own, and I'm very glad you succeeded. Please do not think I resent your success, I'm merely very glad no-one else got hurt.

Will you allow me to take charge of the prisoners? And will you mail us a written testimony of your actions? You presence will not be required at the hearing, though Mr Winfield's personal testimony would be very much appreciated, as the leader of the expedition, you see.'

He did know, now Dennis knew for certain. And he seemed to be willing to let Dennis escape justice. Should he lie low in London for awhile? A man could hide there like nowhere else. Well, better get out of this situation first, there still was the one brigand who knew him, he was not yet out of the woods.

'No problem, Lieutenant Harley, I'll gladly write down my account of what happened, as I'm sure will Mr Parker.'

Dennis nodded in a way he hoped would look dignified.

'And I'll come to the trial gladly and have my say. You are right that I led the expedition, and I will give you the full tale. The greatest hero is outside, minding the dogs. Mrs Beauchamp's giant servant put one of the brigands out of action unarmed. Without harming him physically, I may add. But he seems very shy, he would not like to be called to testify. With your permission, Lieutenant Harley, I will tell of his brave deed.'

Harley bowed in acknowledgement, entered the yard before either of them, and addressed the three captives.

'You stand accused of serious crimes, for which you will be tried under military law, since you are still part of the army. Evidence will be presented by your victims and by eye-witnesses. We will march as soon as your wounds have been seen to.'

This was the moment, this was when the brigand who had recognized Dennis would try to pull him down as well.

'That man over there is also a deserter! If I am to hang, he will hang, too! You had your chance, Barks, now you're going down!'

Schooling his face to look as free of emotion as he could manage, Dennis awaited the pronouncement of his doom.

To find Lieutenant Harley's reaction the exact opposite of his own.

Former private Harley started to laugh heartily.

'If that soft, immaculately groomed gentleman over there is a deserter, I'm a Spanish buccaneer!'

The squad judged it safe to join their superior in his laughter, since their sergeant obviously thought his words outrageously funny. But the lieutenant wasn't done. He walked towards the indignant deserter and addressed not just him, but everyone present.

'I knew private Barks intimately, you idiot, and he was a restless, gaunt, hard-bitten soldier. He was the nightmare of the French, he could hit an eye at a hundred yards, with a musket, not a rifle. Private Barks was as stealthy as an owl on the wing. Telling me that the man who saved my life, and that of countless other comrades, would let a middle-aged hunter, a five-foot noblewoman and a shy giant servant do his dirty work for him is an insult to his memory. If that man,' and he looked straight at Dennis, pointing a finger to emphasise his words, 'had been private Barks, all three of you would be dead. And you wouldn't have seen it coming. Unless he wanted you to, to make you understand what kind of scum you were before he ended your miserable existence.

If you desacrate the memory of our comrade again, you will hang with your back freshly striped.'

Even Dennis thought that was going pretty far, to threaten a doomed man, and he had seen his share of cruelty and harsh justice. He did not try to hide his dismay, Mr Parker would be shocked at both the accusation and the lieutenant's reaction.

'Get these men ready for a march, if it can be done. I want to see this gentle giant for myself. Subduing a private barehanded is not a mean feat. Mr Parker, I'm very sorry to have raged in front of you, you must think everything you heard about life in the army is actually true. Will you do me the honour of introducing me to your brave servant?'

Dick would die if confronted with this impressive officer, but there was nothing Dennis could do to prevent it. Harley put an arm around his shoulder familiarly and led him towards the far corner of the yard, where Dick was waiting with the others. He had sat himself down on a log, a fierce black head in his lap.

As soon as they had left the others behind, even Agnes didn't dare follow them, Harley looked at Dennis and said softly, 'Dammit, Barks, we all thought you were dead! The sarg and five of us thought we'd get you back before you were missed, so we traced you to the moors, and a good two days' march in, but the weather was atrocious and there was nothing to eat, just bogs everywhere. The sarg called off the search after three days, and listed you drowned. You look well, man, imagine, Mrs Beauchamp! Are you happy?'

All the bluster had gone from Harley's face, he looked seriously affected. Dennis could not but be honest.

'I almost did die, Harley. I was lost on the moors for five days, too far gone to care, not just physically. My mind was cracked, I was broken inside. Mrs Beauchamp eventually saved me, but it wasn't easy. Do you all hate me for deserting you?'

'Oh my God, Barks, or should I say Parker, we hated ourselves for letting you get away to die. You did not run to save yourself, you ran like an animal seeking a quiet place to wait for death. We took turns, you know, looking out for you when you were still at the camp, we expected you to do something desperate. May I tell a few of the guys you're happy now?'

'Harley, I thought you'd hate me, but instead you save my life. How can I not trust you with it? Please be gentle with Dick, he knows.'

Dennis felt a strong hand touch his chest quickly and gently.

'You did keep in shape. Good. You understand I had to insult you just now, don't you?'

'You spoke the absolute truth. Three people acted before I did. I've lost my edge, Harley, I find it hard to take a life nowadays. Even a fish's.'

'You haven't lost a thing. You disarmed their ambush through clear thinking, you kept moral high, you supervised the action. You acted like an officer, Parker, not a private. Now introduce me to your friend, he's about to drop dead with fear.'

It was true, both statements.

'Dick, Lieutenant Harley wants to meet you, you're something of a hero. Don't be afraid, Dick, he knows me but he's not going to arrest me.'

'Your master was my friend, Dick, and I was devastated to lose him to the moors. You cannot imagine how glad I am to see him well. But my men must not know, this is between us.'

Dick carefully pushed Fury away, and got up to properly greet the lieutenant. Dennis grinned to see Harley realize how big Dick was, but the lieutenant didn't show his surprise much and merely shook the enormous hand he was offered.

'If I call Dennis master he talks brogue at me. Thank you for letting him go, Lieutenant, he has had such a terrible time of it, with nightmares of being killed and killing. He deserves to be happy, and raise his baby.'

'Is that your true name, Dennis? It sounds right. And you're going to have a baby? With Mrs Beauchamp? Dammit, man, you are a lucky fellow!

And Dick, I know what you mean with the brogue, he used to do that to me all the time, you know I was from a gentle family and I just couldn't understand it, how could such a fine man come from the worst alleys in town?'

Dick was smiling by now, Harley knew how to put him at ease.

'I'll act very jovially for the audience over there, but I want to ask you a big favour, Dick. Will you keep an eye on Dennis? Make sure he takes care of himself, and keep him out of trouble? We, his friends, failed him, and the army failed him, and we were very sorry about that. Will you do better than us, will you help him to be happy?'

Dear Dick, he was so serious, and so cute. He took Harley in a bear hug and promised solemnly, 'I will, Lieutenant, I promise I will do whatever I can to keep him safe and happy. Thank you so much for letting us keep him.'

'Don't worry, either of you. Private Barks is officially dead of exposure in the moors. No-one will be looking for you ever again. Just be careful around the camp and the town, there are plenty of folk still around who remember private Barks. I wish I could hug you, but it's just too dangerous. A handshake will have to do. Fare well, Dennis! My first name is Jonathan. Strange how we never knew.'

'Fare well, Jonathan. Thank you for my life, and what you told me. It's very heartening that you don't hate me for what I did. I do think you're right, when I ran away I did expect to die. It makes me feel less guilty, somehow. I'm glad you made lieutenant, you deserved it. Good luck!'

Harley quickly shook hands with the stunned Guy and John, then turned on his heels and went straight to Agnes. He shook her hand, too, then turned his back on the lot of them and talked to his sergeant. That was it, his past was now officially a closed chapter.

Agnes did not loiter, she gestured to Dennis that she wanted him in the carriage, and Guy climbed the box without waiting for an order. They all got in and John drove off, Dennis almost giddy with relief at having escaped capture but also at knowing his former comrades remembered him with respect, and not with anger and contempt.

Chapter 23

As soon as the carriage was moving she was in his arms‎, clutched to his chest.

'Oh my love, I died a thousand deaths when he led you to Dick. I thought he was going to cross-examine poor Dick to get the truth of it, until they hugged. Only then did I feel a tiny spark of hope you might yet live to see your child grow up.'

She cried quietly, and he settled her in his arms, not only to soothe her, but to support himself, since he wasn't in a better way at all, shaking like a leaf in reaction to his fear. After about five minutes of silence, Agnes said, 'Though he didn't show it, I knew he knew you, I guess I saw it in you. I was waiting for him to caution you as he had those brigands.'

Dennis still couldn't believe how mild Harley had been towards him.

'He didn't even blame me, Agnes. Told me they reproached themselves for not being careful enough protecting me, for letting me get away to find a quiet place to die. He told me they'd searched for me as if they searched for a lost friend, not a cowardly deserter.

Agnes, he was right. I did get away to die, I had nothing to live for. I've come such a long way. You know I felt perfectly safe with you and Dick, when we turned the ambush around on those brigands? I knew you'd take out your man, and when Dick went for the other I expected he'd need my help, but I wasn't worried for him.'

'It wasn't my idea to go for him, Dennis,' Dick observed, 'I was planning to let you take them out. But then the dog escaped and since that was my fault I had to save her.'

Dennis wondered how much Dick truly understood of what had happened. Had he realized how close Dennis had been to being caught?

'Well, Dick,' Agnes said, very familiarly, she seemed to sense he needed that, 'now you know you can subdue a man without hurting him too badly. I'm amazed you didn't break your hand on that club, you must be truly strong. Does it hurt very much?'

'It does hurt a bit, yes.'

'Is that what is bothering you, Dick, or is there something else? You seem a bit off colour.'

Now Dennis could see it, too, he had been too self-involved to notice Dick wasn't feeling well.

'It's not the hand, mistress, though it does hurt. I just feel a bit left out. I've had a terrible shock, I was so afraid they'd take Dennis and hang him. And all because he wanted to help those poor farmers. You hug and kiss and comfort each other, but I've no right to be in here, I'm in your way. That makes me feel bad, and unwanted.'