Alexander Kent - Command a King`s Ship

Bolitho was still thinking of that rapid exchange between them. Most of all of Conway, and what he had become.

She squeezed his arm. 'I am waiting.'

'An honour.' He smiled at her impatience. 'And thank you for your defence just now.' He shook his head. 'Although I cannot imagine what has happened to Conway.'

Her fingers dug into his arm. 'One day, some stupid officer will say that about you.' She tossed her head. 'Anyway, it was true. The pompous old bore!'

Bolitho saw the heavy-jowled major watching him and then turning to murmur to a fellow soldier.

'There will be talk, ma'am, if we walk about like this.' 'Good.' She looked at him calmly. 'Do you care?' 'Well, no.'

She nodded. 'And my name is Viola. Please use it in future.'

True to his word, Sir Montagu Strang lost no time in putting his long-standing plan into operation. Two days after Undine's arrival at Madras the Bedford, a heavy transport wearing the flag of the East India Company, dropped anchor nearby and began to take in stores and equipment for the new station.

After his first visit to the governor's residence, Bolitho had had no time for relaxation. So little was known of Teluk Pendang, except by those who had been engaged with local trade there, that it was some while before he was satisfied with his calculations. Mudge, who knew the waters well, gave his cautious approval, and when Bolitho had paid a visit to the Bedford's captain, he had been quick to praise not merely his work, but also his readiness to consult an officer of the Company.

'Not like a King's officer!' He had been greatly amused. 'Most of 'em would rather drive aground than enquire from the likes of us!' Bolitho wondered what his attitude might have been had he known about the twenty extra seamen he had poached from the all-powerful E.I.C.

Before he had left the transport he had caught his first sight of the troops who were being sent to replace the Spanish garrison. They looked as if they intended to make their new station a permanent home, for they were accompanied by as many wives and children, varied livestock, and a great mass of pots and pans, which made him wonder where they could all be stowed. Bedford's captain was unimpressed, so he guessed it was the normal way of doing things out here.

He was in his cabin writing his readiness report when Herrick arrived to announce that a launch was approaching. Its only passenger was Rear Admiral Beves Conway.

Bolitho hurried on deck, half wondering why Conway had stayed away from him since Undine's arrival, and partly concerned at the lack of notice.

To his surprise he saw that Conway was still dressed in his green coat, devoid of decorations or sword. He was not even wearing his hat as he stepped through the entry port and bowed curtly to Bellairs' guard of honour and to the quarterdeck at large.

'Taut ship, Bolitho.'

The eyes flitted this way and that, and Bolitho tried to dispel his sudden resentment at Conway's attitude. Perhaps he had always been like this, even in the Gorgon when Bolitho had watched his regular appearances on the quarterdeck or poop with something like awe.

'Dismiss the side party. This is an informal visit.'

Conway walked to a six-pounder and ran his hand across the breech. Then he looked aloft where some hands were blacking down the rigging, making it shine like ebony.

He nodded. 'She looks well enough.'

He turned his attention to the Bedford, at the booms which swayed back and forth above the boats and lighters moored around her.

Bolitho was able to watch him less cautiously, and saw the thinness of his hair, which was completely grey.

Without turning, Conway asked, 'What is your estimated time of arrival at our destination?'

'Given fair winds, sir, and in accordance with all I have discovered, I hope to make a landfall in eighteen days. Three weeks at the most. I have already been told that I am to sail ahead of the transport.'

'My idea.' Conway turned and looked at him searchingly. 'No sense in dragging our feet with that damned hulk.'

'Then you will be coming in Undine, sir?'

'Disappointed?' Conway shrugged. 'Of course I shall. I have made arrangements for my baggage to be sent out this afternoon.'

Bolitho's picture of his cabin faded. He had thought of it often since arriving at Madras. Somewhere he could examine his mistakes and assemble his advantages. Puigserver was one thing. Conway another entirely. It would be like being Conway's junior officer again.

He said, 'I will inform my first lieutenant at once, sir.' 'Herrick?' He sounded indifferent. 'No need.' Bolitho stared at him. That was not like Conway.

He tried again. 'At least we shall have a rear admiral's flag at the mizzen when we reach Teluk Pendang, sir.'

The effect was startling. Conway spun round, his features working with sudden anger.

"'Was that slur intended? Does it give you some twisted pleasure to sneer? If so, I will damn soon break you for your insolence!'

Bolitho kept his voice calm, aware of Herrick watching nearby with obvious concern. 'I am sorry, sir. I meant no disrespect.'

Conway took a deep breath. 'No flag, Bolitho. I am the governor-elect of Pendang Bay, a place neither you nor most of the world has ever heard of until now.' The bitterness had put a new edge to his voice. 'To all intents I am out of naval service. What respect I receive at your hands will be arranged accordingly.'

Bolitho stared at him. It was suddenly all too clear. Conway had been putting off this moment, not out of haughtiness or from any sort of envy at Bolitho's steady promotion since their first meeting, but because he was a broken man.

'Then it will be done well, sir. That I can promise you.' He looked away. 'I have been fortunate in the Navy, in many cases I have been aided by sheer chance, or luck, as my first lieutenant would say. But I have never forgotten where I first gained the value of experience, and the patience of my own captain.'

Conway fumbled with his waistcoat, apparently oblivious to the sun across his neck and shoulders.

'That was kindly said.' He looked at his hands and then thrust them behind his back. 'May we, go below?'

In the cabin he moved about restlessly, touching the furniture, peering into corners without saying anything.

Then he looked at one of the wooden quakers and snapped, 'This was done for that woman, eh?'

'Yes, sir. But I will see that they remain until you are settled in your new command.' He had meant to say residence, but the word just slipped out.

Conway watched him, his thin face expressionless. Then he said, 'No. Have the guns replaced. I need no bloody pampering. I want this ship ready for anything. A few missing guns might make a world of difference.' He did not explain, but asked in the same abrasive tone, 'That woman? Mrs. Raymond. How did she stand up to three months in a fifth-rate, eh?'

'Better than I had expected.'

'Hmm.' He studied Bolitho grimly, his features in shadow. 'Watch yourself with her. She is three years older than you, but the gap in experience is immeasurably wider.'

Bolitho said hastily, 'Might I ask when sailing orders will arrive, sir?'

'Tomorrow probably, but I can tell you now. You will weigh the day after you receive your orders. No delays. Maximum haste. We will have company on the passage.'

'Sir?'

Bolitho was certain that Conway's thoughts were elsewhere, even though his ideas came out in perfect order.

'Brig. Don Puigserver has chartered her for his own use. Partly my suggestion. It is too close to the war for me to take a Don as a friend.'

'I see, sir.'

'You don't. But no matter.'

He walked to the stern windows and stared at the shoreline, at the countless tiny craft which jostled the waterfront like busy insects.

'I would like to stay aboard, Bolitho.' 'Until we weigh, sir?'