He stared out to sea, his eyes blind. “Too many. I don’t know how many exactly. Perhaps thirty or forty.”
She wanted to taDarcy, the Admiral
ke the conversation away from the dead.
“I’m sorry to give you more to think of, sir. But I wondered if you have any amply built sailors who might spare breeches and a shirt for us to wear — just in the cabin — while our gowns are washed.” She lifted her gaze to his. “We have lost everything.”
“I will see what can be done, madam.” He bowed and took his leave. Elizabeth stared after him. Had she been too forward in asking for clothes? But theirs were stained and stiffened with dried salt. She must get Charlotte into warm and dry things.
She’d been up here long enough. She hurried down the companionway and tried to find her way aft. Everywhere she tried seemed to lead nowhere, and she was followed by curious stares from the sailors, many of whom were just in wide-legged trousers, with bare, sun-darkened backs.
Eventually, she gave up. “Can you tell me where to find the cabin we are in, please?” The sailor she spoke to looked startled and glanced round at another man. He nodded. “I will take you, Miss. Next time, ask someone on the deck to show you the right way.”
“I will,” Elizabeth risked a smile. “I didn’t realise it was so confusing.”
“The men will not talk to you,” he said abruptly. “There is a risk if it gets reported.”
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Elizabeth’s hand was at her mouth. “Please leave me. I don’t want to get anyone into trouble.”
“I don’t think anyone will report the quartermaster, Miss,” he guffawed, and she smiled appreciatively.
“I will remember your advice, sir.”
His eyebrows lifted at the salutation, but he said nothing, having reached the two marine sentries guarding the door to the cabin. “These marines are here for your protection, Miss. This is a big ship, with some seven hundred souls crammed into her hull.” He nodded and left her abruptly.
She stared after him thoughtfully. Was he warning her to stay below?
In the cabin, Charlotte was stirring. Elizabeth dreaded telling her once again that Sir William had not survived the storm. Each time, Charlotte wept, then appeared to forget.
“Here I am, Charlotte. I think it’s important that we get your gown washed.” She turned to the child.
“Pember, do you think you can ask someone about the possibility of borrowing a nightshirt for my friend to wear while you wash her gown?”
The child’s eyes were wide and fearful, but he nodded determinedly and left the cabin.
Elizabeth crossed to the berth, and looked at her friend. She smiled cheerfully, but didn’t feel cheerful. Charlotte seemed feverish, and Elizabeth wondered how she could have expected otherwise.
Perhaps the surgeon might have something to give her when he called in later. He had said he’d return. Meantime, Elizabeth would encourage her to drink as much as possible.
She crossed the cabin to the pitcher of water, wedged in a special table to stop it sliding around. But the sea was still today, after the storm. Elizabeth could barely understand how the same seas could be so different.
She heard voices up on deck, shouting to others. Perhaps the lookouts had sighted something. She sighed, and turned to her friend.
“Wake up, Charlotte. You need to drink something. You do not want to get ill.”
5
It was only the Orestes. Darcy sighed, hoping the brig had the rest of the squadron in his sight over the horizon.
“Signal the Orestes. What ships is he in company with?” There was no one else within view who might read Hibernia’s signal.
He strode to the edge of the bridge and stared at the tiny flaw on the horizon, the reflection of the sun blinding him. Landsmen wouldn’t understand how the sea could be so calm after a storm like the one just passed, but no one who’d been at sea would be surprised.
He stared up at the sails. Almost becalmed, how long would it take them to catch up with the others?
While he was considering the thought, Hargreaves nodded at the second lieutenant. “Get the men up there. We’ll shake out the last reef, get another knot, perhaps.”
Darcy ignored the exchange and waited for the lookout’s call on the signals he waited for.
“Orestes has the Bellona and two frigates, sir!”
Darcy stared up into the rigging and nodded. Undoubtedly those ships had other ships of the squadron in their sights, but for now he was in contact again.
He turned to Hargreaves. “I’ll call Haines on board for a conference as soon as we’re in contact with the Bellona.” He turned away. “Until then, I’ll go down and have something to eat.” He grimaced; it had been a long time since meals had consisted of anything but salt pork and dry biscuit. But an active life at sea made any food palatable. He spun round. “And find out from the surgeon when those two women will be fit to move ship so I can send them home!”
“Aye, sir.”
In the captain’s cabin, Darcy chewed his food mechanically, thinking about the dark-haired young lady who’d ventured onto the deck earlier in the afternoon. The surgeon had reported her name to be Miss Bennet. She was the friend of Miss Lucas, and it was the other girl’s father who’d brought them on the tour.
She must be a gentleman’s daughter, he supposed, or she would not have been deemed suitable to be thought of as a friend to Miss Lucas. But it was evident that without their friendship such a tour wouldn’t have been possible.
He frowned and crossed to the stern windows. The view was almost the same as from his own cabin, but a deck higher. Being those extra feet above the waves there was not the same feeling as being part of the sea. But it would have to do.
Perhaps the ladies would be gone soon. He could not get her out of his mind: her steady, calm gaze, her upright posture. His mind took him back to when they’d come aboard, her soaked gown clinging to her body.
With an exclamation, he turned back to the cabin. It was inevitable, he told himself. He, like all the other men aboard, had not seen a woman for many months; anyone would attract his attention.
When they were gone, he could regain his equilibrium. He stared at the door. Where was the surgeon? He barely noticed his servant, padding around to pour him some coffee.
The marine sentry stamped his feet as he drew himself to attention.
“Ship’s surgeon, sir!”
“Come in, Mr. Newsom. I hope you have good news for me.” Darcy glanced at the chart on the table. He’d better send a frigate to London, he supposed. The accommodation would be better for them. He smiled as he recalled the tiny hutch which was the captain’s cabin in a small brig. It certainly wouldn’t be suitable for two ladies.
“I am afraid it will be a while yet, sir.” Newsom was sombre. “Miss Lucas is recovering slowly from the blow to her head. That is not what will prevent her being moved. But she has a fever, and it will mitigate against her being moved — perhaps for a week.”
Darcy stared at him in consternation. “How will you treat it? I must have them away soon. We may be called into action at any time.”
The surgeon nodded. “And if they are still on board, they will have to take their chances with the rest of us. We need to plan what to do when we beat to quarters. Of course, your cabin is cleared for the guns. The sentries will have to be detailed to bring the ladies to me on the orlop deck. Miss Lucas can go in a cot at the side.” He smiled wryly. “Miss Bennet will be the main obstacle.”
“How so?” Darcy’s attention was piqued.
“She is an — interesting young lady.” Newsom made a face. “I will have to keep her occupied and busy.” He picked up his bag. “It was she who summoned me, having noticed the change in her friend. And she had already begun the best treatment of all, encouraging her to drink more water, and removing her soiled and heavy clothing. She has set the boy to getting the gown washed and repaired as far as is possible.”
“Is
it very badly damaged?” Darcy didn’t want to think of the ladies, but he must.
“It was badly torn when Miss Bennet dragged her across the cabin to the hole in the deck. Then she assisted one of the sailors to get her through the hole alongside the fallen mast and rigging. I understand it was quite a task.” He glanced at his admiral. “She is very saddened by the fact that the sailor who took the time to find them and assist them to the lifeboat must have been lost in the other boat. She knows he could have saved himself, and no one would ever have known.”
Darcy’s lips tightened. He’d thought when he spoke to her this morning that she’d only been concerned for her friend and the father. But it seemed she was aware of the sacrifice made by hundreds — thousands — of sailors each year, utterly ignored and forgotten by all but their families.
The sentry clattered to attention again. “Captain, sir!”
Darcy looked up. “Yes, Hargreaves?” He nodded at the surgeon who took his farewell.
“Orestes has signalled that she has received dispatches from London, sir.”
Darcy put down his cup. “Signal him to close with us and send them over.”
6
Elizabeth helped Charlotte into the nightshirt that was much too big for her, but was very much better than nothing at all. “There you are! It’s clean and fresh — I wonder which sailor wore it last.” Her smile tried to cheer her friend. Charlotte was improving each day, and now remembered between waking periods that she’d lost her father. She was very melancholy.
“Do you think Father suffered at all?” she asked Elizabeth again.
Elizabeth didn’t like to think of it, and Charlotte’s repeated questioning was hard for her.
“I don’t think so, Charlotte. The sailor that assisted us up through the hole in the deck said the mast had crashed right through his cabin. He probably knew nothing about it at all.” It might well have been true — and there was no one who could contradict her. It was better that Charlotte believe it; she might accept her loss more quickly.
After she’d encouraged Charlotte to have another glass of water, she sat with a borrowed needle and some thread to mend Charlotte’s gown with a little more skill than it had been on the first day.
She bent to her work, looking up often to stare out of the great stern windows. She’d managed to open one of the panes, and the wild tang of the ocean swirled round her. She wasn’t frightened of it; the awful storm and the wreck seemed so far removed from the comforting permanence of this great ship — the Hibernia, Mr. Newsom had told her it was called.
At that moment, the sentry outside announced the surgeon. He was the only person they saw in here; it was as if they were cut off from the rest of the ship and her company.
She greeted him with a smile and laid down her needlework.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet.” But his gaze went at once to Charlotte, who seemed to be dozing. “Are you able to give me encouraging news of your friend?”
“Oh, I think so,” she said. “I believe the fever has broken, and she is definitely more lucid when she is awake.” She frowned slightly. “I had expected she would be saddened once she remembered the loss of her father, but I confess I am anxious that she seems to need to sleep so much. It’s very unlike her.”
Mr. Newsom indicated the other chair with an enquiring look.
“Of course,” she said hastily.
“I think you ought not to worry,” he spoke briskly as he sat down. “It is a very common thing following a bump on the head. And I’m happy her fever has broken.” He looked satisfied. “It’s been a long five days for you, Miss Bennet.” He regarded her closely.
“I’m all right, sir. I will be glad of more fresh air when I get home, perhaps. Going up to the deck seems to be frowned upon here, so I will not cause any trouble.”
He smiled. “I think you will get your wish very soon, Miss Bennet. The admiral has been trying to find a good solution to be able to send you home as soon as possible, but sparing a ship from the squadron …”
“I understand, Mr. Newsom.” She smiled at him. “Although it would be nice to get home and out of everyone’s way.”
The man nodded. “It’s been interesting to hear your story, Miss Bennet, but the place for you now — and especially your friend, is with your respective families.” He stood up and spoke briskly. “I believe you will be embarking on one of the smaller ships and going directly to Chatham dockyard in Kent.” He frowned. “Do you have friends or family there who might be able to assist you?”
Elizabeth knew her face lit up. “Oh yes! My aunt and uncle live in London. I believe it is not too far.”
He looked relieved. “I’m glad. Most of the crew will be anxious to get back to the squadron. There are few who would wish to leave it.”
She rose to her feet, too. “Why is that, Mr. Newsom?”
He shuffled his feet. “Well, the admiral’s a good man. He cares about his crews in a way some others don’t. He’s fair. And lucky. A good man to stay near in this war.”
Elizabeth stared at him, but the man just looked a little embarrassed. “Don’t tell him I said so, Miss. He’ll think I’m losing my mind.”
“I won’t tell him,” she said softly.
He cleared his throat. “Well, I came to tell you to get ready. You’ll be crossing to the new ship tomorrow, now your friend is recovered enough not to need my attention.”
Elizabeth smiled, although she felt rather nervous. “Well, we do not have much to pack away!”
He looked relieved. “Don’t be too anxious, Miss Bennet. A naval ship is much better equipped to withstand any weather that might blow in. But the cox’n and the admiral are agreed that such a storm is not likely in the next few days, and it should not take long to reach the safety of the English Channel.”
“Thank you, Mr. Newsom. That’s reassuring, and you’ve been very helpful to us. I’m grateful.”
The next morning, she and Charlotte stood close together on the lee deck as a frigate wallowed close to the big three-decker.
Sweating pig-tailed sailors seemed to be taking aboard a large number of trunks and packages, and a small man stood by, anxiously counting boxes, as the ship’s boats crossed the gap between them.
The swell seemed very high, and she glanced at the waves dubiously.
The thought had obviously occurred to Charlotte, too. “However are we to cross over, Lizzy? The sea is much too rough. I’ll never be able to hold on.”
“Of course you will, Charlotte. Look, none of the trunks have been holding on and not one has been dropped.”
There was a quiet chuckle beside them. “The weather is not fair enough to bring her close alongside.”
Elizabeth jerked round in surprise. There was only one man it could be, and she was not surprised to see the admiral standing there, lean and tall. But he was in full uniform today, the insignia glittering on his epaulettes, and the bright blue jacket with gold cord piping over the white waistcoat. She dropped her eyes. The white breeches were just as tight as before, and she hurriedly looked further away.
“Good morning, sir. I understand it’s not possible to know for certain what the weather will do.”
He smiled. “Indeed not.” He turned and stared into the teeth of the wind. “I believe the tide is running out past Ushant and that’s why the swell is higher. But it means we will have a fair wind to run down towards the Channel.”
“It must be wonderful to know your vocation so well as to be able to state with confidence what will happen,” she said wistfully. She became aware of Charlotte standing quietly beside her. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir. Might I introduce my friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas?” She turned to Charlotte.
“Mr. Darcy, rear admiral of the squadron.”
He bowed politely, his eyes distant. “Miss Lucas. I am very sorry for your loss.”
Charlotte managed a creditable curtsy, although her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, sir. Lizzy tells me it was your forethought which placed this
ship close to where we needed assistance.”
He dipped his head in acknowledgement. “It was a very sudden storm, and much more violent than anyone could have expected.” He turned his head towards the boat, full of sailors rowing strongly towards the Hibernia. “Ah, I see my cox’n has taken charge of that boat.” He smiled slightly. “You will be safe with him.”
Charlotte clutched at Elizabeth’s arm. “Can we go together?”
“I don’t think so, Charlotte. We will just have to do exactly as we’re told, and let the sailors do their job.”
He stepped forward. “Only the regular seamen swarm up and down the rope ladders. But we’ve rigged the bosun’s chair for you. Stay a moment, and I’ll make sure my servant goes across first. Then you can see what will happen.”
“Thank you. That is thoughtful.” Elizabeth was surprised at his consideration; she’d assumed sailors, so long aboard ship, might have not mastered the social graces.
She turned and regarded the frigate thoughtfully. It looked very small against the huge three-decker — and it was a very long way down.
She felt his amusement. “She may not be as large as the schooners were, Miss Bennet, but she has a much faster and more efficient rig. And she has much more suitable accommodation for you than the brig would have.”
She nodded. “Is that a brig over there?” She looked towards a tiny ship some yards away rolling in the swell. Cables, they called them, didn’t they? Units of measurement — she ought to try and learn them.
He smiled. “She is. She’s the Orestes. I would have taken passage in her when I was recalled to London. But since you need to go home, too, I decided to take the frigate. She’s almost as fast, and has twenty-two guns. She can give a good account of herself in battle. Her name is Porcupine.”
She stared up at him in interest. His face was much more animated when he was talking about his ships, and she noted the fact in her mind. But duty was calling him. A sailor had swarmed up the ladder to the deck and saluted him.
Darcy the Admiral Page 3
