Rumours of War

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In 1826, Europe faces renewed tensions as Matthew Hervey returns to the Peninsula, where he must confront both Spanish aggression and the memories of his first military campaign. Recently back from India, Hervey joins a group of officers to assess and support their Portuguese allies, aided by his new friend, Lady Katherine Greville. The Peninsula holds significant memories for Hervey; it was here that he first experienced battle as a young Cornet during the Napoleonic Wars. The British forces, initially pushed into retreat by the French, found their resolve under Sir John Moore at Corunna, where Hervey and the Sixth Light Dragoons played a crucial role in a pivotal moment of military history. As he prepares for battle against the Spanish threat at Elvas, the sights and sounds of the Peninsula evoke a flood of recollections. However, Hervey must navigate not only the looming conflict but also the complexities of his relationship with Lady Katherine, who seeks rewards for her assistance. The fragile peace in Europe hangs in the balance as old ghosts and new challenges converge on the battlefield.