Alexander Kent - The Only Victor

He smiled at Allday and knew he would have liked to be in charge today as was Keen's own coxswain, organising a carriage decked with ribbons, to be drawn on boat ropes by some of Keen's midshipmen and petty officers to carry them to the squire's house.

He saw a dark shadow slip along the wall and enter the pew shared by Adam and Catherine; he sat among other shadows with his face half averted and the collar of his boat-cloak turned up. He did not need to be told it was Tyacke, paying his respects in his own special way no matter what the cost to himself. A true friend, he thought with sudden affection and admiration.

He touched his injured eye and tried to ignore it. It was pricking painfully in the smoke of the many candles which lined the church.

There were many others in the shadows today who would remain equally silent. Friends he would never see again; would never be able to share with Catherine.

Francis Inch, John Neale, Charles Keverne, Farquhar, Veitch, and now poor Browne… with an "e." And so many more.

He thought too of Herrick, who would be at his own home recovering from a flesh wound, but with a far harder disablement to endure forever.

He gave his place to Keen as the clergyman, whom he did not know, opened his book and beamed nervously at the unusually illustrious congregation.

Bolitho stood beside Catherine and they clasped hands as the familiar words were spoken and repeated, and the ring was offered and received to seal their vows to one another.

Then the ancient bells were chiming overhead and people were leaning out of the pews to call their best wishes to the bridal couple.

Bolitho said, "Wait a while, Kate." He saw that Adam had already gone, and of Tyacke there was no sign, although almost lost in the joyful clamour of the bells he heard the beat of hooves as he galloped away; like the devil's highwayman, he thought.

"Young Matthew will bring the carriage for us after the others have left."

He looked past her at the empty church, a child's glove fallen between some stacked Bibles.

"What is it?" She watched him, waiting, believing he had seen and recognised Adam's despair.

He said quietly, "This is for you." He raised her hand and held the ring above it, a glistening band of diamonds and rubies. "In the eyes of God we are married, dearest Kate. It is right that it should be here."

Allday watched from the porchway. Like young lovers.

He grinned. And why not? A sailor and his woman. There was no stronger bond.

And he shared their joy: and somehow, it dispelled his own envy.