Once A Soldier Part 18

Jean Marie Paget found a water-scoured hole in the stony landscape that was a good fit for five bodies; next to it was a pile of stony scree. Together he and Will wrapped the fallen Frenchmen in their blankets and carried them to their final resting place.

Though the burial site wasn't visible from the clearing, Athena could hear the sounds of earth and stones falling on the grave. It was another reason to be grateful that Sofia had persuaded the young Frenchman to change his loyalties. If he'd been killed, Athena would have had to help Will, since Justin wasn't up to the effort and it was unthinkable to ask a princess to bury bodies. Though Sofia would have helped if asked, honorable princess that she was.

After the burial came a brief service for the dead. Jean Marie spoke their names and told a little about each man. Will gave a quiet soldier's requiem. Sofia prayed for their souls. Justin didn't go to the graveside, saying he needed to preserve his strength. Though Athena attended, she didn't speak, but mentally she d.a.m.ned the old men who created wars in which young men died.

She was grateful that by the time they returned to their campsite, the sun was setting on the long summer day and they could retire for the night. Jean Marie was wrapped up in a ragged blanket a tactful distance away from the others, near the horses. Sofia dug her two blankets from her saddlebags and said defiantly, "I'm going to sleep by Justin."

Athena smiled. "I wouldn't dream of arguing about it. If his condition worsens during the night, wake me, but I hope you both sleep well."

Justin laughed, then coughed again. "I hope so, too. And you needn't worry, I'm in no shape to compromise anyone, even if she is the most beautiful girl in the world."

Sofia's tension dissolved into a giggle. "There is nothing wrong with your flattery, Mr. Ballard." She fussed over Justin's blankets until they were smooth and even, then lay down on her own blanket within touching distance.

Justin took Sofia's hand and said in a soft voice that wasn't meant to be overheard, "No matter how long I live, I shall never forget the night I slept with a beautiful princess." His words elicited another giggle.

Athena moved out of hearing range so she couldn't discern their soft voices over the rush of the waterfall. They would have a simple breakfast of bread and cheese and head out in the morning as soon as there was enough light to ride, so she packed away everything that wouldn't be needed.

After she'd done the essential packing, she glanced around for Will and saw that he'd settled against the boulder nearest the fire and was feeding wood to the flames. Wondering if his nerves were as frayed as hers, she approached and said, "I was thinking of making tea. Would you like some?"

He gave her a tired but welcoming smile. "Indeed I would. After the day we've had, we're all in need of a soothing cup of tea."

The last light of sunset had gone and they seemed to be alone in the night, even though three other people were resting nearby. The constant low roar of the cataract made their location seem even more private. As she hung the small water pot above the fire to heat, she said, "I gather you're standing guard tonight?"

He nodded. "Jean Marie said he didn't think any other French scouting teams were in this area, but there might be other brigands around." He gestured to the stack of French rifles to his left. "Cleaning those weapons, as well as mine, is a good way to pa.s.s the time."

She frowned. "My carbine needs cleaning. Ordinarily, I would have done it by now, but it's been a distracting day."

"Bring it over and I'll do the cleaning while you make tea."

She brought him her weapon and he cleaned it while she relaxed and waited for the tea water to heat. "It's hard to remember that we set out from the castle just this morning," she mused. "The day seems to have lasted a week."

"A long, hard week at that," he agreed. "I have bruises I don't remember acquiring."

"So do I!" The water came to a boil, so she added tea leaves and set the pot on the ground to steep.

Will caught her hand and tugged her back to sit on the folded blanket beside him. "Your day has been particularly beastly," he said in a low, serious voice. "How are you faring?"

She started to say she was fine, then stopped, unable to speak. She tried again to talk and began shaking violently. Will's right arm wrapped around her shoulders and he drew her close against him.

"I . . . I hope you don't mind me having strong hysterics," she said in a choked voice. "When I think of how close we all came to dying . . ." Her voice broke.

Will's arm tightened, lending her warmth and strength and support. "You've earned the right to strong hysterics," he said firmly. "What you did today was quite extraordinary, you know. If not for your courage and quick thinking, we'd all be dead. Or worse."

Athena thought of what the French wanted to do to Sofia and barely refrained from throwing up. "It all happened so quickly, I'm not quite sure what I did."

"Let me remind you." He exhaled roughly. "I was a d.a.m.nable fool and allowed myself to be lulled by the apparent peacefulness of this country, and that almost got us killed. I barely avoided being shot by that sniper up on the boulder. I managed to get out of the way and take him down, but I would have been killed by that other fellow while I was reloading if you hadn't thrown your hot griddle into his face."

"Sheer instinct." Her screaming nerves were starting to ease thanks to Will's warmth and closeness. "I grabbed and threw without even thinking."

"Thank G.o.d you have good instincts! You would have made a superb soldier. Though that would have been a great waste." He began stroking his palm down her right arm. She felt like a cat being petted.

"I went after the other attackers, which had to be done, but you're the one who saved Sofia from being dragged off."

"Justin is the one who saved her. I just took advantage of a clear shot when he managed to free her from her captor." Athena s.h.i.+vered again at the memory.

"I don't think it's the first time you've killed a French soldier to protect the ones you love," he said softly. "But that doesn't make it easier to do, or to live with after."

She remembered the French soldier she'd killed in Porto when he invaded the convent, and buried her face against Will's shoulder. "I'd rather not get in the habit of killing marauders," she said, her voice m.u.f.fled against him. "But with what lies ahead for San Gabriel, who knows?"

"Who knows indeed?" he said wryly. "I give thanks for your courage and quick thinking because you may need them."

His words confirmed her earlier suspicions. "How bad is the situation? I suspected you were simplifying earlier when we had our war council."

He frowned. "It's hard to predict how well the ambush will work. We'll have to be in position at the right time and place, which will mean good scouting to know the exact time. Our men will have to arrive early, and likely they'll have to lie in wait for hours through a chilly night. They'll need to be very still and very quiet. The French are seasoned troops and they'll be wary of the sunken road precisely because it's an obvious ambush hazard. The least sound or sight of one of our men will put them on full alert and ruin the advantage of surprise."

Reluctantly she moved away from his comforting arm and poured the tea in pewter mugs, then added chunks of sugar. Handing him his mug, she said, "You know the troops you have to work with. What do you think is the most likely outcome?"

"If all goes well, we'll reduce the numbers of French troops substantially, but as they fight back, there will be serious casualties on our side. Some of the militiamen will flee because they've never been in battle. They'll be terrified," Will said bluntly. "The worst case is that virtually the whole militia breaks and runs and the retreat will turn into a bloodbath."

Athena gripped the pewter mug between both hands, needing the warmth. "If that's the worst, what do you consider the most likely?"

"Each small militia unit is built around one of the soldiers who served with da Silva. I hope there are enough such men to steady the others so there won't be a ma.s.s retreat," Will said slowly. "But the French will fight back hard and well. They've marched a long way to take San Gabriel, and they will not easily turn and run. Like Jean Marie, where do they have to go? Since they didn't lay down their arms with the abdication, they're now outlaws in the eyes of the Allies. They'll fight like cornered rats."

Athena took a deep swallow of the half-cooled tea as she thought about the possibilities. "Surely, there will be opportunities to use that black powder you've been yearning to explode."

Will chuckled. "Yes, and after I've surveyed the ambush territory, I'll know how to use it to maximum effect. But five or six hundred troops marching along a narrow mountain road will be strung out a great distance. I haven't anywhere near-enough black powder to blow them all to h.e.l.l at once. I can improve our odds, but explosions alone won't be enough to win the battle."

"What if enough French soldiers survive to overrun the country?"

Will shrugged his broad shoulders. "We pray that the safe houses and caves will protect most of the population until Colonel da Silva returns. My best guess is that the army will arrive in two to three weeks."

Athena wished it would be sooner. "So the situation isn't good, but it isn't hopeless."

Will swallowed the last of his tea. "Prospects are better than when you were fleeing the French across the collapsing bridge of boats and I was in a cellar waiting to be executed at dawn. We both survived then against the odds, and we'll do the best we can to survive this time. It's all anyone can ever do."

"Hear, hear!" Athena swallowed the last of her tea, then covered a yawn. "All of a sudden I can barely stay awake. I need to sleep for a few hours, and so do you. Wake me up when we're halfway to dawn and I'll take over."

"If necessary, but I don't need a lot of sleep." He smiled with quiet intimacy. "Lie down beside me, Athena. My thigh will make a tolerably good pillow."

"That's an offer that I should but won't refuse." She covered another yawn. Then she rolled into her blankets, resting on her side with her head on his right thigh. "You really are comfortable," she murmured. "But I can be relocated if you need to move. And wake me up so you can get some rest!"

He rested his hand on her shoulder and could feel her muscles relax as she slid quickly into slumber. Part of his mind listened for any sounds that didn't belong to the river or the stealthy creatures that moved through the night, but mostly he thought of how very peaceful it was to be here with Athena sleeping trustfully against him.

She was a remarkable woman who would have made a superior soldier, but it was so much better that she was female. Under her blankets, he could see the lovely length of her strong, graceful body. Such wonderful, long legs. Such courage and resilience. So little confidence that they could build a life together.

Tonight the possibility of a life together seemed moot. San Gabriel was going to war, he was commander in chief of its very limited forces, and a good officer did not lead from the rear.

If he'd refused Duval's request to come to San Gabriel, he could have been safely back in England by now. But then he wouldn't have met Athena, and he could not be sorry to have her in his life, even if it was for too short a time.

"Sleep well, little owl," he whispered. "Sleep well."

Athena slept soundly and woke early enough to force Will to rest for a couple of hours. She also made a good pillow, he informed her before dozing off.

She loved having his head on her lap, though it was a powerful temptation to caress every part of him within touching distance. The man needed his rest.

In the dark hours before dawn, she thought of the brief, magical days she and Will had known each other. Her resistance to his courts.h.i.+p had deep, anguished roots. But now the two of them faced an invasion that was a mere four days away. Life was fragile. A single lead ball could have destroyed the bright spirits of Will or Sofia. The ball that had grazed Justin's skull would have been lethal if it had struck half an inch closer.

They had survived today, yet they might be dead in a week.

She studied Will's handsome face, weary with responsibility even in sleep, and swore she would not waste any of the precious moments remaining.

Chapter 27.

The long ride back to the Castelo Blanco was agony for Sofia-not for herself, but for Justin. He was clearly in pain, yet being an abominably stoic Scot and refusing to admit that anything was wrong. Not that much could be done to ease his pain when they needed to return to the castle as quickly as they could. Sofia rode at his side and prayed that his wounds wouldn't reopen and begin bleeding again.

Interestingly, Jean Marie was equally solicitous, riding on Justin's other side and keeping a keen eye on him. He had the instincts of a really good personal servant.

Will also cared about his friend's welfare, but even more, he cared about San Gabriel and its defense, so he took Justin at his word. They rode at a brisk pace with few breaks, and those more for the horses than the riders.

Sofia was intensely grateful when they finally reached the castle. Justin was gray with pain and fatigue and in danger of pitching headlong from his horse. Will helped him to dismount safely and held him upright until both grooms emerged from the stables, looking worried.

"Mr. Ballard was wounded in an attack," Sofia explained. "Miguel, help Corporal Paget get Mr. Ballard up to his room. Sancho, ride into town and bring Dr. de Ataide here as quickly as you can."

The grooms stared at Jean Marie in horror. "A French soldier!" Miguel said, aghast. "Have you gone mad, your highness? Is this brute threatening you?"

"Senor Paget is no longer a French soldier," Sofia said flatly. "He has pledged a solemn oath to San Gabriel. He will help you guide Mr. Ballard upstairs to his room."

Miguel opened his mouth to say more. Sofia cut him off sharply. "Do you question my judgment?"

Miguel swallowed hard. "No, Princess." He moved to Justin and slid an arm around his waist, while Jean Marie took a similar hold on Justin's other side.

Speaking English, Justin said with a whisper of mischief, "You sound more like a queen every day, my princess. The frightening sort."

As the men started moving him toward the castle, Justin's coat fell away from his torso and she saw fresh bloodstains on his bandaged chest. Horrified, she said, "That means I can give you orders, you Scottish peasant! You are going up to your room and you will stay there until the surgeon p.r.o.nounces you fit!"

"Or you'll have me beheaded? Yes, your majesty," he said meekly, but his eyes glinted with humor before he started up the steps and had to suppress a gasp of pain.

Biting her lip, Sofia followed Justin and his helpers up to his room. He groaned as they laid him gently on the coverlet of his bed and his eyes closed. He was still gray with exhaustion, but at least he was lying down rather than jostling along on horseback.

Sofia thanked the two men, adding, "Miguel, you're needed with the horses. You saw that we came back with more than we left with."

He nodded. "Skinny beasts, but with proper care they'll be useful. What happened to their riders?"

"Six renegade French soldiers made the mistake of attacking our party," she said tersely. "Five of them didn't live long enough to regret it. Jean Marie, will you help Mr. Ballard take his coat off?"

Miguel left for the stables and Jean Marie gently raised Justin enough to remove the coat. The bleeding seemed to have stopped, but Sofia wouldn't be happy until the surgeon had examined his wounds and given him fresh bandages.

When Justin was resting again, Sofia said, "Jean Marie, you'd best take off your French uniform coat now. No one has forgotten the French invasion last year, and I don't want you to be killed by accident."

"I don't want that, either, Princess," he said fervently as he peeled off his worn blue coat.

Eyes still closed, Justin said, "If you don't mind removing the bloodstains, you can have the one you took off me. It will be a little large now, but should fit well enough once you've put on some weight."

"You would give me your own coat, sir?" Jean Marie examined it. "It is a very fine coat."

"Made in London with good fabric and cut," Justin agreed. "But I won't be able to wear it again without thinking of being shot and stabbed, so you're welcome to it."

"Thank you, sir!" Jean Marie pulled it on. The material was a dark brown so the stains didn't show too badly, and it would fit well when he got some meat on his bones.

"Welcome to civilian life, Senor Paget," Sofia said.

He stroked the fine wool of his left sleeve. "I was conscripted into the army against my will. I will not miss it."

"I think you will like being a Gabrileno much more," Sofia said. "For now, go down to the stables and help with the horses. After, ask where to find Senor Oliviera and tell him I said to put you to work and find you a room and meals." She waved a hand tiredly. "For the next few days, life will be rather chaotic."

"Anything you wish of me, you have but to ask, Princess." He bowed deeply, then left the room.

As he did, a small furry gray shape darted inside the room. Sofia breathed out her tension in a long sigh as she scooped up the cat. "Querida Sombra!" she said as she rubbed her cheek against the soft, striped fur.

"Someone else is your querido, my princess?" Justin's rusty voice asked.

Smiling, Sofia perched on the edge of the bed. "My watch cat has arrived. When I'm not here, he spends his time in the kitchen, where he works diligently on the mouse patrol, but he always knows when I've returned and he finds me." She held the cat out and talked to him seriously. "Mi Sombra, stand guard over this man. Keep him company, offer comfort, and if he tries to get up, bite him!"

She set the cat on the bed. Sombra promptly marched up to the pillow and began licking Justin's chin. "Sombra thinks you need a shave," Sofia said. "He's right."

Justin laughed and began scratching Sombra's head and neck. He was rewarded with a mattress-rattling purr. "I see I have a rival for your affections. Your bedmate, I presume?"

"Indeed he is." She took Justin's hand. "I'll stay here until the surgeon arrives. With an invasion on the way, I have much to do. I have a thought. Would you accept Jean Marie as a body servant? You're going to need extra care for a few days."

Justin considered. "I like the idea. He seems inclined to please, and he knows a well-made coat when he sees one."

"He is also desperate to find a place where he belongs," Sofia said softly. "If he is treated well, he will serve you all his days."

Justin squeezed her hand. "You have a gift for inspiring loyalty, my princess. As Athena said, you turned an enemy into an ally."

"Would that I could do that with the rest of the French!" She sighed. "I'm frightened, Justin. Terrified. Baudin returns with many soldiers at his back and a desire to claim San Gabriel and me. If he becomes entrenched here before Colonel da Silva returns, he will be hard to dislodge. There will be a war with many deaths."

"Don't underestimate Will. He's a fine officer, skilled at getting the most from his men." Justin paused to catch his breath. "And your people are fighting for their homes. That gives them extra strength."

She hoped Justin was right. She prayed he was right.