ENGLAND, AUTUMN 1865
“On duty?” Mary"s eyes were as acidic as Jack had ever known. “What do you mean, called back to the colours? You"re meant to be on leave.” Her long dress rustled as she stood up, with the crinoline brushing against Jack as she stalked past. She stopped at the window, with her back turned.
“We can combine both,” Jack said. “I have only four barracks to visit, and we do have a house in Berwick.”
“Only four barracks to visit.” Mary"s emphasis on the first word could not have been more explicit.
“And Hereford is near Netherhills.”
Mary was having none of it. “It"s too much, Jack; it really is. Can your precious army not leave us alone to enjoy some time together without sending you on more missions? I thought we were finished with all that nonsense when we left India.
