Julian Stockwin - Quarterdeck

Liston paused, considering Kydd. "And in this, as in all things, you will consult your honour as to how on foreign soil you will best conduct yourself in furtherance of your country's interests."

Something in the smooth flow of words alerted Kydd and he listened warily. "I will, sir, be assured."

"Then if this is your prime motivation I can rely on your loyalty to the Crown?"

"Sir."

"Then let me lay out the issues before you. You are in a unique position to allay the fears of your government on certain matters concerning the effectiveness of this armament . . ."

"Sir!" Kydd said tightly. "You're askin' me to spy on th' Americans?" The warmth of a flush spread, but he did not care. Spies and betrayal, this was not how he saw his duty.

Liston's face tightened. "Have a care, Lieutenant! Recollect you hold the commission of King George. And in it you have sworn certain loyalties that cannot so easily be cast aside. What I am asking is no more than any officer of honour is bound to do when on foreign territory, whether on parole or any other basis— simply to keep his eyes open." The crack of aristocratic authority in his voice remained as he went on, "And if I might remark it, you appear surprisingly deficient thereby in your understanding of the bounds of gentlemanly conduct."

Kydd stiffened, then dropped his eyes.

Liston's tone softened: "We're not asking you to report back on the number of ships and guns and so forth, if that is your scruple. It is something of far more significance. I desire that you will return to me with an opinion as to whether you believe the United States is determined in this matter, has resolved to establish an armed force of credibility, or is merely embarked on a ploy to deter the French." He fixed his gaze on Kydd. "And if you conceive that they are in earnest, your professional opinion as to their effectiveness at sea. In short, whether they can fight— should the world take notice."

Kydd returned the gaze steadily. "I will do that, sir." It was not an act of spying: it was an opinion.

Liston relaxed a little. "Then as we seem to have come to an understanding, would you care to join me for coffee? The American bean is generally accounted superior, and we have the remainder of this hour before your hosts make their appearance."

Twenty minutes later there was a firm knock on the door. Thornton appeared, with an indistinct figure behind him. "Sir, a gentleman for Mr Kydd." It was Gindler.

Outside they shook hands gleefully. "Well, this must be the strangest coincidence of the age," laughed Gindler, but his knowing look gave the game away.

"So, what has the American Navy in store for poor Lieutenant Kydd?"

"Ah, the United States Navy is what we call it—you English will have reason to remember the Continental Navy of the revolution; this is now the Federal Navy but some take exception to the term."

"Noted."

"And you are now talking to L'tenant Gindler, third of the United States Frigate Constellation, Captain Truxtun, now fitting out in Baltimore." He smiled wickedly. "And I am talking to the mysterious supernumerary on our first voyage . . ."

Kydd laughed but his interest swelled fast. This was not to be a pettifogging political appointment but a real seagoing situation. "When-"

"Not so fast, good sir. I'm instructed that our new secretary of the Navy wishes to make your acquaintance before we hazard the briny deep."

"Do excuse this mare's nest of a room—my wife has not yet arrived in Philadelphia to take charge of my household." Stoddert made ineffectual attempts to clear a space at one end of a plain table where a stout chair stood. His manner was distracted but his gaze direct as he greeted Kydd.

"Secretary Stoddert has only recently arrived in the capital," Gindler murmured, standing clear of the welter of papers and furniture.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Pray call on me before you leave Philadelphia. I may have something for Captain Truxtun." Gindler bowed and left.

"Now, you are Lieutenant Kydd of the Royal Navy."

"Sir."

"And you must be wondering why you are here, not to say concerned."

"Aye, sir," Kydd said, uneasy at yet more attention from on high. Stoddert lowered himself into his chair. "Then, first, the wider issue. We are in the process of creating our own navy. We have chosen to follow the example and traditions of the Royal Navy as a starting point for our own. It would be of the utmost value to us were an officer of that illustrious service to signify to us our success in this endeavour. As to why your own good self, Mr Gindler was good enough to render me a full and satisfying account of what transpired in Exbury—in confidence, of course. There can be no question that the United States is implicated in any way."

"I understand, sir."

"But more to our liking are Mr Gindler's remarks upon your character. Let me be candid, sir. The Royal Navy is a proud and ancient service, but there are many of its officers whose superior attitude is both lamentable and abhorrent to us as a nation. It is a trait that regrettably seems to appear more prominent with seniority, and this is why we have chosen to request a less senior officer.

"Mr Gindler tells us that your conduct ashore was circumspect and respectful to the feelings of the people even to the point of joining the merriment in a tavern—in short, sir, you have the common touch, which we as a people do prize so much." Stoddert rose, gripping the edge of the table and wincing as he did so. At Kydd's concern he gave a low chuckle. "Ah, this. A souvenir given me by the English at Brandywine Creek."

He drew the chair to a more confiding proximity. "Let me be frank, Mr Kydd. Your position as a King's officer in a warship of the United States Navy is anomalous, not to say irregular, and there are those who would put the worst construction on your presence. Therefore you are entered as a supernumerary on board, specifically a friend of the captain. You haven't yet the pleasure of an introduction to Captain Truxtun, but he will be advised of you, and will be encouraged to take full advantage of your knowledge and experience of the Royal Navy. I'm sure he will appreciate your assistance." He leaned forward further.

"Before you go, I should like to make it very plain that on your return I would deeply appreciate your sincere appraisal of our efforts. Do you think this will be possible?"

"Sir." Kydd felt resentment building at the way so many seemed to be treating him like a pawn in a higher game.

"Then, sir, it only remains for me to wish you God speed on your voyage. You will find Lieutenant Gindler waiting in the drawing room below."

"Was all that necessary?" A figure moved out from behind a covered escritoire.

Stoddert closed the door. "I think so. The military of any race should not be overburdened with considerations of politics." At times Murray, his political agent, could be insensitive to the perceptions of others.

"Be that as it may, Mr Stoddert, you didn't warn him of the Republicans—he should have been told."

"That we have an opposition in Congress so lost to honour they would stop at nothing to ruin our navy for crass political gain? Jefferson has done his worst to try to prevent America reaching for a sure shield against the world—how can I explain that to a man whose country continues to exist only because of her own power at sea? I cannot. In any case, this talk of subverting crews and so on is probably from unreliable sources and should be discounted. What most concerns me are my captains. A prickly, difficult bunch, Murray. Especially Truxtun."

"A fighting captain," Murray interposed strongly.

"Oh, indeed. But as a privateer. And pray bring to mind the fluttering in Congress there was during the English war, on hearing how he set John Paul Jones himself to defiance over some notion of which ship was to fly some pennant. Not one to be led easily—and too damn clever by half. Did you know he was once pressed by the Royal Navy?"