‘I shall appeal to the king,’ said Lowen, and Mulgrave could hear the fear in his voice.
‘It will do no good, sir, I fear. In his twenty years of rule the king has only ever forbidden one duel, and that because of a technicality. As I recall, the challenger was a disgraced colonel who had been demoted to captain. He challenged his accuser, another colonel. It was decided that since the demotion made him the colonel’s inferior the duel could not take place. It did, of course, for the colonel – that is the challenged colonel – arranged for himself to be demoted for a day. So they fought as captains. Shall we say an hour before noon, sir? General Macon has a second duel to fight tomorrow at noon.’
‘A second duel?’
‘Yes, sir. General Person has issued a challenge to him.’
‘Person is one of the king’s favourites,’ observed Lowen.
‘Indeed, sir. Is the time suitable?’
‘Wait, wait, wait,’ stammered the general, moving to a cabinet by the far wall and removing a crystal decanter. With trembling hand he filled a glass with brandy and half drained it. Turning towards Mulgrave he forced a smile. ‘A drink, captain?’
‘Thank you, sir. Most kind.’
Lowen filled a second glass, refilled his own, and moved back to stand before Mulgrave. The swordsman sipped his brandy. It was very fine. ‘Surely you see, captain, how . . . disastrous such a duel would be? Who would supply the king’s army were I to be killed? I am not afraid, you understand, but the king’s needs must surely be considered paramount.’
‘I agree with you, sir. Wholeheartedly. But the matter is set. You could, of course, arrange a time following General Macon’s duel with Lord Person. It could be that Person will win. Unlikely, though.’
‘Why?’
‘When I said that General Macon was a fine shot I rather underplayed his talent. He is probably the finest pistol shot in the army.’
‘Sweet heaven! This is a nightmare!’
‘Once again I agree, sir. I do take your point about the king’s needs. It is widely known that you have excelled in the role of quartermaster general.’ Mulgrave paused. ‘Perhaps I could prevail upon General Macon to reconsider.’
‘Yes, that would be wise,’ agreed Lowen.
Mulgrave sipped his brandy then sighed. ‘I don’t think I will be able to convince him.’
‘But you will try?’
‘I will, sir. Of course, had General Macon only waited until tomorrow we could have removed the cause of the problem.’
‘In what way?’
‘The warehouse would have been open and the mistake in supplies rectified. I’m sure that some ledger clerk merely made an error.’
‘Of course,’ said Lowen. ‘You believe that he would withdraw his challenge if the supplies were available?’
‘I’m sure I could convince him, sir. But it is after midnight, and the challenge is already made.’
‘There are guards within the warehouses. And stable hands. I could write an order now, and the gates would be opened.’
‘An admirable idea, sir,’ said Mulgrave. ‘It would have weighed heavily on me to have been party to the death of the king’s quartermaster.’
An hour later Gaise Macon and Mulgrave led the convoy of eleven wagons down into the Eldacre Company camp. Gaise had said little during the ride, and once they were back in the ruined country house, the fire relit, he had sat staring sombrely into the flames.
‘What is troubling you, my friend?’ asked Mulgrave. ‘You have your supplies.’
‘The girl made me feel like a fool, Mulgrave. I did not like it.’
‘All men are fools sometimes, sir.’
‘Aye, I know.’ The young man grinned. ‘I am glad I didn’t have to kill Lowen. Crooked as he is he is still the best quartermaster in the land. Without him the king’s cause would be sorely damaged. I am grateful that he lacked the courage to fight.’
‘Give yourself a little more credit, sir,’ put in Mulgrave. ‘You read him right. You knew he would crumble. Even so, it was . . . rash. You have also made another enemy.’
‘A man is said to be judged by the enemies he makes,’ replied Gaise.