Chapter 35
Who Won the Battle?The first real news reached Petroc on the tenth day of June when his study of the logs and ledgers was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Mr Wilson, his senior clerk.
“Bonaparte is marching north!” The clerk’s voice was almost falsetto with the excitement of his news.
“Then let us thank God that the Duke and his staff are in Brussels and the army is now assembled to meet him.” Petroc maintained his calm demeanour and continued to read the large ledger containing all the stores landed under his care. Deliberately, he marked his place and took a sip of tea. “I dare say we will hear soon enough what he intends. Who brought this news? Have we a signal from the Commodore or from Brussels?”
“A merchant and his family, sir. They arrived an hour ago from Brussel
