Marlborough was alone in his quarters, leafing through some despatches. After giving Abigail an effusive welcome, he offered her his chair and perched solicitously beside her as she told her tale. Emily hovered in the background, interested to hear how many of the details she had been told were kept from Marlborough because her mistress was too embarrassed to divulge them. Though her voice trembled, Abigail maintained her poise.
When it was all over, Marlborough told her his decision.
'You'll begin your journey home tomorrow,' he told her.
'Tomorrow?' she said in alarm. 'But I need to stay here in case Captain Rawson is released.'
'There's no question of your remaining with us, Abigail. I've already delayed your escort long enough. Reports have come in that Marshal Tallard and his army are on their way here. If you do not leave soon,' he pointed out, 'you may find the road north blocked by French soldiers. The decision has been taken.'
'What if Captain Rawson comes back and I'm not here?'
'He'll be relieved that you're safely out of harm's way.'
'But I have to see him — I have to apologise to him.'
'There'll be no time to listen to any apologies,' he said. 'If he does manage to return — and we all pray for that outcome — then he will immediately join us as we besiege Rain. He is here, like the rest of us, to fight a war. That will take all our energies.'
There was an authority in his voice that deterred her from further argument. Marlborough did not criticise her in any way but she knew that she was viewed as a distraction. The fact that she was leaving only served to exacerbate her feelings of guilt. While she would be riding off to safety, Daniel Rawson was in peril of his life. It was as if she were deserting him and the thought sickened her.
'I'll see you before you go,' said Marlborough, rising to his feet to indicate that it was time for her to leave. 'I'm sorry that your stay with us has been so troublesome. An army on the march has little to offer in the way of comfort to a young lady such as yourself.'
'I care little for that, Your Grace,' she said, getting up. 'I was happy enough with the accommodation you kindly provided.'
'You'll be even happier when you reach home.'
Abigail stifled a reply. As long as she was unaware of Daniel's fate, she knew that she would never be happy. She glanced at Emily who was patently delighted that they would be returning to England again even though she was uncertain of the welcome they might receive from the family. Abigail had to concede defeat.
'You must think very badly of me, Your Grace,' she said.
He shook his head. 'I think very highly of you, Abigail.'
'Eve been a nuisance to you and to Captain Rawson.'
'If that's the case,' he said courteously, 'then you've been a very charming nuisance. But I'm glad that I'm able to write to Sir Nicholas to tell him that his daughter is on her way home.'
He crossed to the tent flap and pulled it back for her. After a brief farewell, she went out with Emily at her heels. Walking back through the camp, Abigail tried to accustom herself to the notion that she would soon be leaving it. She remembered her last fleeting contact with the man who had offered his life in return for hers. Over and over again, she kept asking the same question.
'Where are you, Daniel?'
Edward Marston
Soldier of Fortune
Daniel Rawson knew where they were going. Having crossed the Danube by means of a pontoon bridge held by the French, the three of them continued south. Their destination was Augsburg, the city to which the Elector of Bavaria and Marshal Marsin had fled after the Confederate victory at Donauworth. Among those who had been compelled to retreat with them was General Armand Salignac whose pride had been badly wounded by the experience. Daniel would therefore be handed over as a prisoner of war to a man who wanted him for personal as well as for military reasons. He was not looking forward to the encounter.
His companions were in a hurry. They had stalked him long enough and were now eager to collect their reward before returning to France. Charles Catto dictated the pace. They rode for a few hours, stopped to feed and water the horses, allowed themselves a rest then pushed on hard. Darkness slowed them but they continued on their way through the night, pausing at regular intervals to eat rations they had bought at an inn. Daniel was not offered food and the closest he came to a drink was when Frederic Seurel poured water jokingly over his head. As it ran down his face, Daniel was grateful to catch some drops on his tongue.
They were not held up by French or Bavarian patrols. Catto had documents that guaranteed them safe passage. Augsburg was situated at the confluence of the Rivers Lech and Wertach, occupying a prime strategic position. When the city finally came into view, Daniel could see why the retreating army had chosen to stay there. Surrounded by a high wall, Augsburg had impressive outer ramparts and defensive ditches. During the Thirty Years War in the previous century, the city had been invaded by marauding Swedes and had lost half its entire population. To ensure that it was never stricken in such a way again, its citizens had strengthened its fortifications so that it was almost impregnable. The Confederate army lacked guns heavy enough even to attempt an assault.
Though the meeting with Salignac was at the forefront of his mind, Daniel did not ignore the opportunity to gather information about the enemy. On entering the city, he took note of the troops and their deployment, paying especial attention to the artillery mounted on the walls. French and Bavarian uniforms were everywhere. In spite of his humiliation at Donauworth, it was evident that the Elector had not yet been persuaded by Marlborough to change sides. Safe inside the solidity of Augsburg, the Elector was standing by his allies.
General Salignac's quarters were in an upstairs room in a large house. When the visitors arrived, he was involved in a discussion with some senior officers but, on learning that his wife's lover had been captured, he dismissed them summarily. Catto and Seurel held an arm apiece as they dragged Daniel into the room. Salignac's face had tightened and veins stood out like whipcord on his brow. Fire was dancing in his eyes as he glared at the prisoner.
Without warning, he raised a hand and slapped Daniel hard across both cheeks time after time. Held firmly by the others, all that Daniel could do was to take the punishment. His cheeks were stinging and his head reeling. The final slap was the hardest of all. Seurel tried to ingratiate himself. Standing behind Daniel, he put an arm around his throat and applied pressure.
'Would you like me to snap his neck?' he asked.
'No,' said Salignac. 'That would be too easy a death. Leave go'
'Yes, sir.' Disappointed, Seurel released his hold.
'We thought he might be able to tell you what you need to know about the Confederate army,' explained Catto. 'That's why I decided to bring him alive. Captain Rawson has Marlborough's ear.'
'I'll send the Duke of Marlborough both of the captain's ears — along with other parts of his anatomy.' Salignac's threat made Seurel cackle. 'So what have you to say for yourself, Captain Rawson?'
'I can only observe that your wife was mistaken,' said Daniel.
Salignac grabbed him by the throat. 'Don't you dare talk to me about her!' he howled.
'Many others have made the same comment about you,' Daniel continued, speaking with difficulty until Salignac relaxed his grip. 'You have a reputation for being a fine soldier, General Salignac — a fine soldier and a true gentleman.'
'That reputation has been well-earned.'
'Not by striking a defenceless man when his hands are tied.'
No,' said the other, taking a couple of steps back, 'perhaps not.' He snapped his fingers and both Catto and Seurel stood away from their prisoner. 'Given the circumstances, there's a much more honourable way to settle this.'