From Col. Edward Mustard’s Correspondence File
15: Lieutenant-Colonel Pepper on Betrothal in London
Horse Guards, London
1st November 1768
Dear Ned,
First of all may I offer my hearty Congratulations to you and Lady Diana on your Betrothal. I hope the Ring met your and (more importantly) Lady Diana’s expectations. I am most glad for you both although I understand – as with all you do it seems – there are Complications.
I also gather that Lord Althorp’s Summer Rout was an eventful Affair. The Broadsheets are full of it but I have, of course, young Wainthrop’s eye-witness Account. I must say that his version is scarcely less sensational than Grub Street’s efforts. I gather you brought the fun and games to a climax by charging down a Fellow – Jack Ripshaw was it? – brandishing a Pistol at Yourself and the Lord Althorp. Lopped his Arm off – according to both the Press and Wainthrop – for his Effrontery. He was very excited – Wainthrop that is – and I hope that in all he was more Help than Hindrance on the Night. It certainly gave him a Taste of Action – though perhaps not the normal Action a Soldier might expect.
He also came away firm in the Expectation that you were planning to turn some Country Rector into a Toad. I confess that I have rather lost track of your Progress in the Matter of Practical Philosophy. Is that really Something within your Compass? If so I have a Number of Recruits (and some Officers) who would be of considerably more use to me as Horses or Mules. Or were you simply giving vent to your spleen? Wainthrop did say that you also threatened to horsewhip the Fellow and to make him eat his Marriage Bans, while you used your Carbine’s Ramrod to ensure he swallowed them.
As satisfying as any of these Courses of Action might be, I would suggest that perhaps a Word with his Bishop might bring about perfectly satisfactory Outcome without risking your good Reputation. After all you are a Gentleman of some Repute and Connection, and I cannot imagine that the Anglican Church is Content for its Rectors to issue patently false Marriage Bans without the Consent or Knowledge of one of the Parties involved.
I don’t know who his Bishop is but let’s face it – have you ever met a Church of England Prelate who didn’t love to ride at Hounds. Chances are it’s old John Thomas at Winchester. He’s getting on a bit but he never liked to miss the Hampshire Meet in his younger Days.
No news of any new posting for the regiment. As ever, there is Trouble in the Americas. I know you have your Views on Treasonous Colonials, but I have to say that I am not keen to find myself in Conflict with fellow English Speakers. I understand that the Russians and the Turks are at War once more – hard to see how that might affect us. So in the absence of a decent War we can join it’s back to these tedious Requisitions for me.
I once more wish You and Your Lady every Happiness – and Confusion to Your Enemies.
Your Friend and Obedient Servant,
Nathaniel Pepper, Lieutenant-Colonel, Mustard’s Dragoons