''On the night of our wedding, I was petrified. I knew I had to go to France and that at some stage I would in all probability lose my life. I was scared. Very scared indeed. It would have been wrong of me to make love to you, and never return to you. It was better to leave you whole. When I didn't return, you could have started a new relationship, and given yourself to your new husband in the knowledge that he was the only one that had made love to you.''
''Why didn't you talk to me, David. Why didn't you tell me you were scared? I would have understood. I could have comforted you instead of acting like a selfish schoolgirl. Of course, how ridiculous of me. Of course you were petrified, I can see that now. Oh David. Will you ever forgive me?”
''Yes. Of course. What do you know of war? You could never have known how I felt. To you I was just useless. A man who couldn't, get it up, shall we say?''
''Well, you certainly don't have that problem anymore. What you did to me was most......impressive.''
''Sophia, I love you. On the day of our marriage I fell in love with you. You looked so beautiful and you spoke so gently to me. I am sorry I treated you badly at the alter.''
''Oh, David, how happy I am to hear those words. I love you too. You are the most dashing man I have ever seen. And now, you are my lover, as well as my husband. It's perfect. Let life begin here and now.''
As David slept, Sophia lay awake. She was wracked with guilt. She told herself she should have been a more understanding wife. Now, it was obvious to her why David had been like that on their wedding day. He was probably going to be killed a few days later. How mean she had been to him. Now she would end her ridiculous affair with the Duke and be faithful to her husband for the rest of her life.
*****
Sophia left David to rest at home and took the carriage to Alice's house. It was a manor house just three miles away. When the carriage stopped, Sophia jumped out, ran up the steps and rang the doorbell. Alice's parents were not as wealthy as her parents, and they could only afford two maids. It was Alice's father who opened the door, not a butler.
''Sophia, how pleasant to see you. I so enjoyed your wedding, it was splendid affair. And now you must be very proud of David. A war hero and no mistake.''
''War hero? He has returned, but he won't speak of what happened.''
''Then come in and I will show you what a brave man he is.'' They walked into the drawing room and Alice's father rummaged through some papers and handed her a newspaper cutting.
Sophia read it eagerly.
News has reached our correspondent of a deed of the utmost bravery by a Captain in the Coldstream Guards during the Battle of Waterloo.
Captain David Marshall is to be decorated with the highest military honor after he single-handedly held onto a position whilst thirty of his men escaped certain death. He himself was captured but escaped.
He is the only officer to be awarded an honor of the magnitude after this most difficult battle.
''What do you think of that, then?'' Alice's father asked her, when she'd finished reading.
Sophia was too emotional to answer. ''Is Alice at home?'' she asked after a short time. I must speak to her.
''I believe she is. Alice,'' he shouted at the top of his voice.
''Father why do you have to shout so.....oh hello Sophia. What a hero David is. I am so pleased he has returned to you safely.''
''So am I. Alice can I please talk to you? I need your help most urgently.''
The two ladies walked into the garden and sat under an apple tree.
''Alice, I have been most senseless and shortsighted. May the Lord strike me down for the injustices I have done to David. When he returned to me he was magnificent in bed and totally exhausted me.''
''Then why was he so pathetic on your wedding night?''
''He was afraid. He knew he would go to war and the poor man was frightened. It is totally understandable, if you give it some thought.''
Alice looked at Sophia and nodded. ''Indeed it is. Oh, I have just realized your problem. You and the Duke.''
''Yes, precisely. I now have the most enormous problem. I do not want to be unfaithful to David. He is the most wonderful man. Sensitive and brave. But I know you told me how difficult the Duke can be. What am I to do?''
''Go to him and tell him. All you can do is throw yourself at his mercy. Your husband is a national hero, he may understand and let you go.''
''Very well, I agree. I have no choice but to ask for him to be sympathetic to my situation.''
*****
12 Greys Inn didn't look so inviting as it had when Sophia stood outside the door. She knocked and waited. After what seemed like an age, the Duke answered. His shirt was open and his hair disheveled. He had lip rouge on his neck.
''Sophia, it isn't' our day. Go away, I'm busy.''
''Please, my Lord. I need just the briefest moment of your time.''
''Then prey speak woman. I haven't got all day.''