Ruth, Karnal: 17 August
Ruth sat in the shade of the Rosewood tree, fanning herself as she picked through the pages of a familiar novel. Though she knew well enough the outcome of Pride and Prejudice she couldn't help delighting in the witty observations of Jane Austen and in the charm of her characters, who had by now become like old friends to her.
She had reached the proposal scene where Mr Darcy is rejected by Elizabeth when she looked up to see a young girl standing in front of her, rocking from side to side with her hands behind her back. Her expression was one of barely suppressed excitement.
"Namaste," Ruth greeted the little girl, waiting to see what the cause of her excitement was.
"Namaste," the girl replied, smiling, then produced a letter from behind her back. "For Miss Memsahib,' she added as she gravely placed the letter in Ruth's hands.
"Shukriya," Ruth replied, thanking her, and offered her one of the sweets her friend had left out here with her.
The girl accepted one with a grin and having accomplished her mission skipped off back to the Palace, disappearing into the lush garden canopy.
Ruth turned over the letter, her heart skipping a little as she recognised the handwriting on the exterior, then opened it.
13 August
Delhi
Ruth,
I hope this letter finds you well. I have been very negligent in not writing to you sooner to let you know how we are faring, but as you can appreciate communication is difficult. We have been in Delhi for two months now and the rebels still hold the city. It is a wearying business but we must continue to hold our position.
I am afraid that the news is not what you may have hoped. After we arrived we launched an attempt to retake the city but they rebels proved too strong for us. To speak frankly it was bloody mess. When that proved unsuccessful we set up camp on the outskirts of the city. We have lost several dozen native soldiers to the other side and I am afraid that we will likely continue to lose more.
Most worrying of all has been the illness which has swept the camp. The monsoon and summer heat has created fearful condition for cholera to thrive in and we have had over 40 deaths already, with many more of our men stricken down. As far as I am able I have tried to keep the news of the disease hidden from our enemy. It would be fatal for us if they were to appreciate the true gravity of our predicament.
As you might imagine we are all hanging on for some relief in the form of British troops – whether they come from the Crimea, from the south or from England I do not care, so long as they come soon.
Through these long days I feel an old man, though I remind myself that I still have vigour and good health.
It is my fondest hope that you will keep safe and stay as always my dear Ruth.
Yours etc
Harry.
Ruth put down the letter, her hand moving to her throat. Harry's hardships felt like a physical pain to her and she felt guilty that she was here, safe and protected from the horrors he was experiencing.
She wanted to go to him, to save him from the situation, but she knew that she was being foolish. It would hardly help things if she was to go to Delhi – for she would just be another body to feed and another potential victim of sickness or hostility for Harry to worry about.
She must find some way to help Harry from where she was, something to keep her busy.
She would think on what that could be and try to put Harry and the terrible anguish he was causing her from her mind.