Tender Torment Read Free Page B

jewels to discover that besides the legendary Straeford emeralds, which
     were entailed to the estate, there were a few good pieces he could pawn along with the last of the Van Dycks. After that he
     would try his luck at the gaming tables.
    Harding was not enthusiastic about this plan, but he had to agree with Straeford that there was little else he could do under
     the circumstances. They speculated about his chances of winning a fortune, and Harding volunteered to investigate the clubs
     most likely to accommodate his friend in this matter.
    “When do you return to London?”
    “The inquiry begins next week.” Straeford scowled.
    “Just, I’ve been thinking. You ought to defend yourself against these attacks in the press. Cromwell and I are only too willing
     to give character references for you.”
    “But you and Cromwell were not there when the Nangore incident took place.”
    “Yet we know what Seton is like!”
    “Hearsay. The facts will have to speak for themselves.”
    “And if they don’t?”
    “I’ve survived slander before.”
    “Damn! I’d like to tell them a thing or two.”
    “But you won’t. I can count on you.”
    “You know you can.”
    Straeford smiled and brought the discussion to a close by inviting Harding to join him for dinner.

2
    “And did you not on the morning of February 18, 1807, two days after the total rout of the rebel forces under the leadership
     of Dashrami al Singhe, deliberately order the public execution by hanging of twenty-three of those rebels? And was not that
     order in direct disobedience to the express orders of General Seton, your commanding officer in charge of the expeditionary
     forces to the Madras territory of continental India?” Major Ross Covington of the Judge Advocate’s Office droned on in the
     near-empty chambers of the military court at the Horse Guards.
    “The statement as read by Major Covington is in partial error—the execution was ordered by me, but
not
in direct disobedience to General Seton’s orders.” Lord Straeford directed his reply to the seven-man board before him.
    “My lord, I hold here a direct communiqué from General Seton, charging that you were given explicit orders to take no reprisals
     in reestablishing British control over the village of Nangore.” The major regarded the earl with a quiet disdain.
    “I take it you have those exact charges in writing, sir?” Straeford’s reply in the form of a question was not what Major Covington
     had expected.
    “I have here General Seton’s letter…”
    “But does the general make formal charges of misconduct, Major Covington?”
    “They are not charges by writ of military code, but this represents the word of your commanding officer. Do you choose to
     question the word of General Seton, sir?”
    “I choose to defend myself, Major. Do you deny me that right?” The cold authority in Straeford’s voice struck the assembled
     board with surprise. Whatever Lord Straeford had done in that distant Indian village, it was obvious that shame bore no part
     in it.
    “I should think your right to defend yourself is apparent since it is an inquiry and not a court-marital we are conducting
     here, sir,” Major Covington sneered.
    “In that case, I assume I have the right to explain my actions during that operation and why I ordered the execution of twenty-three
     Indian rebels.” Again a statement delivered with absolute authority.
    “Very well, my lord, suppose you tell us your…” the major paused significantly, “… version.”
    “I will tell the board the facts, Major. I do not deal in versions.”
    “Pray then, proceed.”
    “It is necessary that I start with the attack on midnight of February 15, preceding the battle at dawn on the sixteenth. It
     was shortly after the midnight attack that twenty-three members of His Majesty’s 74th Foot were captured by Dashrami…”
    Straeford disregarded the startled looks of the board as he thought back over the events of