Alexander Kent - Command a King`s Ship

Bolitho looked around the cabin. Tiny compared with the residence ashore.

'Yes.' He swung away from the windows. 'D'you object?' Just for a second it was there again. The same voice which Bolitho still remembered.

'No, sir.' He smiled. 'I have been waiting to broach some wine I have brought from London, I '

'London?' Conway sighed. 'That cursed place. I've not set foot there for five years. A plague on it and its selfishness!'

'Perhaps it has changed since-'

'People do not change, Bolitho.' He touched his breast. 'Not here, inside. You, of all people, should know that. When I learned who commanded my transport, I knew you would be as you are. Not so merry-eyed and trusting perhaps, but you've not altered.'

Bolitho stayed silent, watching the emotions on the other man's face, each one perhaps representing a memory.

'Gorgon seems an eternity back in time. The best moments were with her, although I did not realise it was so.'

yBolitho said carefully, 'Your new post will probably make ou believe otherwise, sir.'

'You think that?' Conway smiled, but no humour touched his eyes. 'It is given to me because I will succeed. I must. There is nothing else left. When you make a slip, Bolitho, you sometimes get one final chance to redeem yourself.' He pounded one hand against the other. 'And I intend to succeed!'

There was a tap at the door and Allday stepped into the cabin.

'Who is this fellow?'

'My coxswain, sir.' Bolitho had to smile at the incredulous look on Allday's face.

'I see.'

Allday said, 'Mr. Herrick's respects, and could you come on deck to receive Bedford's captain.'

Bolitho excused himself to Conway and followed him from the cabin.

Allday muttered, 'Fellow, Captain? He was a trifle hard, I thought.'

Bolitho grinned. 'I am sure that when he knows you better he will call you by your first name!'

Allday faced him guardedly and then chuckled. 'No doubt, Captain.' He lowered his voice. 'A message has been sent aboard.' He held out an engraved card, tiny in his broad palm.

She had written across the back, Eight o'clock. Please come.

Bolitho stared from it to Allday's masklike face.

'Who gave you this?'

'A servant, Captain.' His eyes did not even flicker. 'The lady knows she can trust me.'

Bolitho turned away to hide his expression. 'Thank you.'

Allday watched him hurry up the quarterdeck ladder and grinned. 'It will do him good.' He saw the marine sentry watching him and snapped, 'Who are you gaping at?' He grinned again. 'My good fellow?'

One hour before the morning watch was relieved Bolitho came on deck to enjoy the most peaceful time of the day. With his shirt open to his waist he crossed to the weather side and studied the set of each individual sail before going aft to consult the compass. Madras lay twelve days astern, but the wind, which had begun so promisingly, had lulled to a gentle breeze, so that even with all sails set it was unlikely they could maintain more than four knots.

Fowlar was scribbling on the slate beside the wheel, but straightened his back as Bolitho approached.

He touched his forehead and reported, 'East by south, sir. Full an' bye.'

Bolitho nodded and shaded his eyes to watch the sails again. The wind, such as it was, came from the south-west, and Undine's yards were braced well round, laying her over to the starboard tack. About a mile abeam the brig Rosalind had no difficulty in maintaining station on her heavier consort, and Bolitho found himself tempted to take a telescope and examine her more closely.

Fowlar seemed to think that he was expected to add something to his report and said, 'Might pick up before nightfall, sir. Mr. Mudge seems to think the wind'll freshen when once we enter the Malacca Strait.'

'Er, yes.'

Bolitho tried to compose himself. FromRosalind's deck Undine must make a beautiful sight under full canvas. But for once this gave him little consolation. He wanted to drive his ship faster to become involved with his mission. Ghosting along like this, even if idyllic for poet or artist, gave too much time for other thoughts.

He saw Davy hurrying towards him, frowning as he said, 'I beg pardon for not seeing you come on deck, sir.' He gestured towards the main mast. 'I was dealing with a complaint from a marine.' He added swiftly, 'Nothing important.'

,you are officer of the watch, Mr. Davy. You should know by now I don't interfere in your affairs merely to excite attention.' He smiled. 'A fine day, is it not?'

'Yes, sir.'

Davy followed his gaze over the nettings. The sea was very blue, and apart from the low-hulled brig there was not a speck of land or another ship to break the emptiness, its sense of vastness.

Davy asked casually, 'Is it true this sort of mission often leads to permanent appointments in the realm of colonial government, sir?'

Bolitho nodded. 'Rear Admiral Conway's appointment is such.'

He watched Davy's tanned features gravely. He was worried about something. It was showing now, just like the time when he had selected Soames and not him for the raiding party.

'I was thinking…'Davy faltered. 'I am of course well content with life as a King's officer. It is what I want. I am the first in my family to follow the sea. My father was a city merchant and had no use for service life. He was loath to allow me to enter the Navy.'

Bolitho wished he would get on with it. He said encouragingly, 'Mr. Herrick is like you. The first sailor in his family.'

'Yes.' Davy looked suddenly desperate as Soames emerged from the cabin hatch, yawning and consulting his pocket watch. 'Well, it is not exactly what I meant, sir.'

Bolitho turned and faced him. 'Mr. Davy, I would be obliged if you would come to the point. In an hour it will be an'oven again. I would like to take my walk before breakfast, and not wait until after dinner tonight.'

Davy bit his lip. 'I am sorry, sir.' He nodded firmly. 'Yes, I will try to explain.' He lowered his eyes. 'May I speak of your brother, sir?'

Bolitho tensed. 'My late brother?'

'I did not mean to offend.' Davy looked up and allowed the words to come out in a flood. 'I heard somewhere that he quit the Navy.'

Bolitho waited. Always it seemed to catch up with him. Now even his second lieutenant was risking a rebuke to satisfy his own curiosity. But he was wrong in Davy's case.

Davy said quietly, 'It was because of his gambling, I was told?'

He looked so strained, so pleading, that Bolitho forgot his own bitterness and asked, 'Is that what bothers you? Gambling?'

'Yes, sir. Like a fool I tried to win back my losses in London. With my father dead I am responsible for my mother's welfare, and that of the estate.' He looked away. 'In time of war I might have gained early promotion, and all the prize-money which went with it.'

'You could have just as easily been killed.' Bolitho added gently, 'Am I to be told how much you owe?' 'Twenty, sir.'

Bolitho stared at him. 'In God's name, you could pawn your dress-coat for more, man!'

"I', Davy gritted his teeth. 'Twenty thousand, sir.'

Bolitho ran his fingers through his hair. 'Undine and the brig yonder would cost about that sum. And I thought you had more sense.'

'Perhaps I should have kept my secret, sir.' Davy was shamefaced. Wretched.

'No. It is better shared. At least you are safe from your creditors out here.' He watched Davy grimly. 'But twenty thousand. It is a small fortune.'

Soames clumped past and beckoned to a bosun's mate. 'Have the watch piped aft, Kellock.' He was careful to keep to the lee side of the deck.

Davy hurried on, well aware that Soames was waiting to relieve him. 'You see, sir, I thought that on a voyage such as ours I might gain some new standing.'