Alexander Kent - Sloop Of War

As she moved from the table he saw her stagger but recover instantly. It would take more than wine to break her, he thought anxiously?

The doors closed again and the men moved their seats closer to the head of the table?

More brandy, and some black cheroots which Blundell said had come from some damned rascal who tried to avoid his dues?

"I hear you are now on our local patrols, Bolitho.l Blundell's harsh voice reduced the other guests to attentive silence?

"Yes, Sir James."

Bolitho eyed him evenly. Blundell was well informeds considering he had only received his orders that forenoon?

"Good. We need a few captains with the will to guard our lifelines, what!" Blundell's features were crimson from the extent of his dinner." These damn Yankees have had too much their own way, I say!"

There was a growl of approval, and someone called tipsily, "Thash th' bloody truth, shir!" He shrank under Blundell's withering gaze?

Bolitho asked quickly, "Colonel Foley, sir. Is he still in America?"

"He has a battalion under Cornwallis." Blundell seemed disinterested." Best bloody place for hims too."

Bolitho allowed the conversation to flow around him like a protective cloak. He heard little about the war? Horse breeding, and the cost of keeping house in New York. The affair of some unfortunate artillery captain who had been found in bed with a dragoon's wife. The growing difficulty of obtaining good brandy, even a?

smugglers' prices?

Bolitho thought of Christie's summing up. Two armies, he had said. How true it now seemed. Colonel Foley, whether he was a likeable man or not, was one of those fighting for his country's cause, and his life? Around this table sat a goodly proportion of the other sort. Spoiled, cosseted and completely selfish, he wished he could be rid of them?

Blundell heaved himself upright." We will join the ladies, God help us!"

When Bolitho glanced at the ornate French clock he saw it was almost midnight. It seemed incredible that time could pass so swiftly. But despite the hour there was no lessening in the pace. A small string orchestrZ struck up a lively dance, and laughing noisily the guests pushed and jostled towards the sound of music?

Bolitho walked slowly through the connecting roomss watching for Susannah Hardwicke and keeping a wara eye open for his earlier companion?

As he passed a book-lined study he saw Blundell speaking with a group of men, most of whom were prosperous-looking civilians. One, very tall and broad1

shouldered, stood partly in shadow, but the side of his face which was visible in the candlelight made Bolitho start with shock, then pity. It had been scoured aways the skin burned almost to the bone from hairline to chin, so that it had the appearance of some grotesque mask. He seemed to feel Bolitho's eyes on him, and after a quick glance turned his back, hiding himself in shadow?

No wonder he had not joined the others at dinner. It was easy to imagine the agony of that disfigurements the torment which had left him so scarred?

"Ah, there you are!" She came out of another room and rested her hand on his arm." Take me into the garden."

They walked in silence, and he felt her dress swishing against his legs, the warmth of her body?

"You were absolutely splendid, Captain." She paused and looked at him, her eyes very bright." That poor woman. I thought for an instant you would fall to her."

"Oh, you saw." Bolitho felt uneasy." She has gone, it seems."

"Yes." She led him into the garden." I sent her off.l She laughed, the sound carrying through the shrubs like an echo." I cannot have her interfering with ma captain, now can l?"

"I hope you were easy with her?"

"Actually, she burst into tears. It was all rather pathetic."

She turned inside his arm, her full dress spreading out behind her like pale gold?

"I must leave you now, Captain."

"But… but I thought we were going to talk?"

"Later." She studied him gravely." I have plans for your future, as I told you earlier, did I not?"

"I weigh anchor tomorrow." He felt wretched? Helpless?

"I know that, silly!" She reached up and touched his lips." Do not frown. I cannot allow it. When you come back I will introduce you to some friends of mine. You will not regret it." Her gloved fingers moved gently to his cheek." And neither, I trust, shall I."

A servant appeared through the gloom." Carriage ready, Missy."

She nodded. To Bolitho she said, "After you have left I will try and clear these dreary people from the house.l She tilted her head and faced hint calmly." You may kiss my shoulder, if you wish."

Her skin was surprisingly cool, and as soft as a peach?

She twisted away from him and called, "Be goods Captain, and take care of yourself. When you return] will be here." Then she laughed and ran lightly up the terrace into the house?

The coach was waiting for him as he walked dazedla through the shadowed garden and on to the carriageway. His hat and cloak were on the seat, and strapped to the boot was a large wooden box?

The footman's teeth shone in a white crescent? "Missy Susannah had the kitchen pack some food for you, Sah." He chuckled." Nothin' but the best, she said."

Bolitho climbed into the coach and sank against the

cushions. He could still feel her skin against his mouths smell the perfume from her hair. A girl who could drive a man mad, even if he was not halfway there already?

At the end of the jetty he found a waterman nodding over his oars, and had to call severyl times to attract his attention?

"Wot ship, sir?"

"Sparrow?

Just saying the name helped to steady his racing thoughts. Before he stepped down into the dory he turned to look at the coach, but it had already disappeared. Like one more part of the dream?

The Waterman was grumbling to himself as he hauled the heavy box down the steps. Not enough to offend a ship's captain, but enough to add slightly to his fare?

Bolitho wrapped his cloak around him and felt the seabreeze cold against his face. Still westerly. It would be good to get away again. If only to find time to collect himself and examine his hopes for the future?

SPARROW'p mission to investigate the strength ob French shipping at Newport proved to be more difficult than Bolitho had expected. The passage from Sanda Hook to the eastern extremes of Long Island showed nothing but promise for a quick completion and an equally swift return. But the weather decided otherwise, and in a savage westerly gale the little sloop was driven and battered continuously, so that Bolitho had to run with it rather than risk damage to spars and canvas?

Even when the wind moderated it took many more days to beat back again, and hardly an hour passed without the need to shorten sail or lay the ship on a tack which would take her away rather than toward her goal?

New York 's entertainment seemed a long way behind, and Bolitho found the reality of driving his ship against wind and tide more than enough to occupy his energy. Even so, he found plenty of time to think about Susannah Hardwicke. Pacing the deck, hair whipping in the wind, his shirt often drenched with spray, he remembered their parting, the hint of an embrace which he could recall as clearly as if it had just occurred?

He suspected that his officers knew or guessed what had happened in New York, if only because ob their careful silence?

The drudgery of fighting against the wind, the constant demands on every man aboard, were eased in part by the presence of their passenger. Rupert Majendie, true to his word, had arrived within minutes of weighing, complete with sketching and painting materials, and a repertoire of stories which did more than pay for his keep on board. When the sea and wind calmed he would be seen with his pad, sketching seamen at their daily tasks or catching them at their relaxation off watch, dancing or making small models and scrimshaw work. If the weather was less friendla he would disappear below to find fresh scope for his busy hands with only a swinging lantern to guide his pencil or brush. He and Dalkeith had become firm friends, which was hardly surprising. Each came from another sphere of culture and high intellect, with far more to discuss than the averyge sailor?