Dewey Lambdin - The French Admiral

Next afternoon, the evacuation fleet reached Charleston, and there was a long bustle to clear all the passengers off the ship. The Chiswicks were among the last to debark, with Mr. Chiswick seeming sprier than in past, as though eager to get ashore and see his sons, or take his pleasures in the larger city. Treghues was hovering around them, but Alan did get to say his good-byes before they were hoisted over the side and into a waiting boat with their belongings. Caroline was fetching in a blue velvet gown, her hair tied back loosely and her eyes shining.

"Mistress Chiswick, allow me to say how delighted I was that I could enjoy your company aboard the Desperate these two days past," Treghues said, doffing his hat to her. He had turned out in his best coat, had shaved closely, and was immaculate from head to toe, fit to appear at the Admiralty or the palace. "All my best wishes go with you and your parents for better fortune in future."

"Thank you, Captain Treghues," Caroline replied.

"I would appreciate your informing me of your progress," Treghues went on, almost squirming with unfamiliar embarrassment as his crew bustled about to assist her into the bosun's chair. "As I told you and your father at supper last night, there may be much I could do to alleviate your distress, perhaps aid in finding your brothers suitable commissions in the regular forces. Governour, pardon my familiarity at using his Christian name, ha-ha, your elder brother sounds like a proper Tartar, the sort we need in a good regiment. And your second brother, Burgess, if he has, as you said, any interest in the Sea Service, there is always the possibility of a berth as a marine lieutenant."

"We would appreciate any interest you could take in us, Captain," Caroline replied. "I cannot speak for my brothers. After Yorktown, I do not know how enamored they are of a continued military career. And truthfully, we do not know where we shall light if the rebellion has any more successes."

"I could write and keep in touch," Treghues suggested. "And, in the meantime, allow me to present you with this, a token only, you know, but every little bit helps, ha-ha."

Treghues was trying to press a small purse of money on her, and Caroline was blushing with embarrassment as well.

"I could not accept such a gift, sir," she said directly, though not eager to pass up free guineas, not in their straitened financial condition. "I wish you had made offer to my father. He is head of our house still, sir. And as to writing to us, that is also his decision, and I am governed by my father's will."

"As a God-fearing girl should be, in faith," Treghues agreed, booming too loud and firm. "I commend your spirit, Mistress Chiswick, but please believe that I lay no conditions on the acceptance of such a paltry gift, but only do it from a heart… a sense of admiration of your plucky… er, spirit in the face of adversity."

God, I almost feel sorry for the artless bugger, Alan thought grinning in silent amusement. It's a wonder there's a Treghues alive if that's the way they court their women. He couldn't get fucked in a buttock shop!

"What conditions could you lay, sir?" Caroline asked archly, getting a little vexed and anxious to be in the boat with her father, who could be heard grumbling about something already.

"A thousand pardons, Mistress Chiswick, if I offend by generosity, but it is a sin of excess only in the sense that…" Treghues blundered on, not knowing how to stop or get himself out of the hole he had dug with his tongue. "You would do me a great honor if I knew you and yours were secure for a time. What else could a fellow Christian mean to another?"

"Then I shall accept, sir, though it is not my place to do so," she finally said, as long as there were no strings attached to that purse. "And I shall consider it a loan made in fellowship and human kindness, as all mercy should be."

"Just as long as you do not consider me a total Samaritan, I beg of you, Mistress Chiswick," Treghues said, sounding almost humble.

"I shall not, sir. And I thank you kindly for all your ministrations to us in our time of need and salvation," she said.

"I shall keep you and your family close in my thoughts and in my prayers, Mistress Chiswick," Treghues said, taking her hand.

"And we you, sir. Ah, Mister Lewrie."

"Mistress Chiswick," he said formally, though their eyes danced at the sight of each other as he doffed his cocked hat.

"Bless you for everything you have done for us, Mister Lewrie." She spoke warmly, though she tried to hide her emotions as the captain was still standing there like a catch-fart waiting for an errand. "We shall never forget you."

"My regards to Gov and Burge when next you meet. Tell them to write to me and let me know how they're faring. And all my thanks to your parents for showing me true hospitality and what it is like to be in the bosom of a family once more," Alan said, stepping close to her as she sat swaying in the bosun's chair before the hands tailed away on the stay tackle to lift her out of his life.

"Hoist away, bosun," Treghues snapped.

Caroline looked annoyed as she began to reach for Alan but she was hoisted out of his grasp before their fingers could even begin to touch. He waved to her and she to him as she went up and over the side.

He stepped to the bulwark to watch her into the boat, and she looked up at him, pantomiming speech, saying "Write to me, please," and much in that warm vein, while he returned her sentiments as well.

"As the Spaniards say, Vaya Con Dios . Go with God," he shouted down to the Chiswicks, then mouthed silently "Caroline."

He watched the civilians begin to row the loaded boat towards the shore, feeling suddenly deprived of her presence. Damme, I wish we'd had longer together, he suddenly thought. There goes the only girl I've ever met who was interesting to talk to for more than half an hour. Easy to talk to, comfortable like. And smart, smart as paint, and don't make no bones about it. A good, sweet nature. Maybe a little artless compared to most I've known, like a country girl. Holds herself so stiff, but I'll wager there's a passionate side hidden deep. Might be amusing to be the one to bring it out. Ah well, that'll be never. If only her daddy had some chink, she might be worth keeping up with.

He waved once more and she waved back, and then their boat swept round the stern of an anchored brig out of sight, so Alan turned back inboard to meet Treghues, who was regarding him with an annoyed look of his own. The captain turned away and stalked off.

Oh shit, Alan thought. The silly clown's jealous. He'll make my life a living hell. He wanted her himself, though for what I can't imagine. Might take him a year to aspire to holding her hand.

Alan felt a cold chill in his innards as he further realized that Treghues had to have heard her pass his jury-rigged cabin during the night to go on deck, and could have peeked from the door to see them embrace as he said good night to her.

There was nothing new, however, in Treghues making his life a living hell; he had had months of it already, so he shrugged philosophically and headed aft. Neither of them could have her, and by the time the war was over, both could be either dead or out of contention, while she followed her own mind thousands of miles away. It had been, Alan assured himself once more, merely an idle flirtation, a passing dalliance just because she was there and grateful to him, nothing more meaningful than what passed in society at any drum or rout among the fashionable in London. He vowed to put her out of his mind. He had duties to fulfill, a ship to run, and an irked captain to mollify, if he wanted to keep his new rating.

CHAPTER 16

English Harbor at Antigua was like an old shoe, familiar and comfortable. Storm season was over and the island was beginning to green up after all the rain. After the chill of the American coast, the lush warmth felt good, and the sun baked the decks daily, not as hot as it had been when they had departed for the Chesapeake back in August, but warm enough to thaw out the tired blood.