13th June, afternoon - Prisoners return

Edward looked unconvinced, but at least put her carefully down, keeping his arm around her shoulder until he was certain that she could stand on her own.

"At least allow me to escort you to his tent and have somebody deliever a message to him. If his servant is there, he will surely know where the lieutenant is."

"I don't need the lieutenant. I just need sleep," she explained wearily. "And his servant isn't there. He was a prisoner of the French like me." She rubbed her eyes, but the pain had subsided somewhat. Her thoughts were still muddled, but she needed to think of a way to get rid of this man so she could simply sleep, alone. "He's gone to find the lieutenant, and they'll both be back shortly."

Lt Knox, looking up just in time to avoid colliding with the couple, took a step back, only just managing to avoid stammering as he spoke. "Your pardon. Is everything alright, sir? Miss...uh...Ross," added with a nod.

"Lieutenant," Jenny replied, wracking her agonized brain to remember his name, but all she came up with were curses.

Edward gave a polite greeting, silently cursing the man if his appearance meant that they had to stop; he was quite sure that Jenny would prefer a bed to his conversation at the moment, and if truth be told he would not in the least object to being able to go back to his own camp and see what was happening there.

"Miss Ross is a bit under the weather from the long march she had to endure. We are on our way to Lt. Woodmarsh's tent", he offered, hoping that this would cause the man to either excuse himself or at least offer to accompany them. Even though Jenny seemed steadier now, he didn't care to test to put it to the test, and as lovely as she was, he thought that carrying her unconscious body once was enough for the day.

Knox frowned in momentary confusion before realizing that the woman must have been one of those captured by the French. That being the case, he supposed he ought to feign pleasure over her return, or concern, or something equally useless. "Do you know the way, sir?" he asked instead.

"I'm afraid not. Would you direct us, Lieutenant?"

Edward mentally revised his opinion of the man's appearance a bit. The lieutenant seemed to have a good grasp of the necessities of the situation and was actually helpful.

"Of course, sir," he replied automatically, privately trying to recall what on earth had possessed him to get involved. "It is not far. This way." He started off with his usual impatient stride only to realize that he was quickly outdistancing the captain, handicapped as he was by the woman. Swallowing a sigh, Knox adjusted his pace so that after several moments he was walking in step with the other two.

Edward had just opened his mouth to thank the lieutenant when he was presented with a back clad in beautiful scarlet, striding ahead impatiently. The engineer had to hide a smile - here was another one who believed everything needed to be done at high speed, it seemed.

He kept to a slow pace that Jenny could easily manage, however, and only when the lieutenant realized his error and was by their sides again, responded gravely:

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Very obliging of you."

"Is Woodmarsh nearby, lieutenant?" Jenny asked, hoping the answer would be negative.

Knox' face flushed, but he could read no mockery in the captain's expression and his initial sense of embarrassment faded uncertainly. The woman's question was an almost welcome distraction. "I'm afraid I have no idea, Miss."

"Ah well," she answered vaguely, following as he led them to the tent. One tent generally looked like another, but this was not the particular tent she remembered. But of course, his things had been lost in the baggage. For some reason that thought amused her ever so slightly.

Edward escorted her silently. When she stopped in front of one tent, he asked, politely fighting back his impatience:

"Is it here? Thank you, lieutenant! Shall I send somebody to find Lieutenant Woodmarsh or his servant, Miss Ross?"

"No," she answered emphatically. Then she moderated her tone and gave him a weary smile. "No, you've done more than enough, thank you... Captain..." Damn, she could not remember his name either. "And Lieutenant. Thank you both. I'll just..." She made a vague and jerky gesture toward the tent. She was aware of its strangeness, but she did not care. "I'll go in and sleep," she said, feeling that an explanation of her plans was proper.

She smiled at them both again. And without waiting a moment longer, she vanished into the tent.

At last!


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