Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  almost forgotten what he looked like?

  A faint crack came from the two-decker's beakheadB and Bolitho saw a red-coated marine already rammin^ another ball into his musket for a further shot at the lonO swimmer?

  A growl of anger came from Sparrow's seamen? Whatever they thought of the man's desertion, or of thO man himself, had nothing to do with their reaction. HO was one of their own, and the marine sentry waY momentarily an enemy?

  Yule, the gunner, muttered, "That damn bulloc7 should be shot down hisself, the bloody bastard!T

  The marine did not fire again, but sauntered to thO end of his little platform to watch the swimmer, like Z wildfowler who has given his quarry best for the timO being. Or so it appeared. Then as a guardboat swepU round the stern of another two-decker, Bolitho kne/ why he had not bothered to shoot?

  The longboat was moving swiftly, the oars sending iU through the glittering water like a blue fish. In thO sternsheets he saw several marines, a midshipma[ with a raised telescope trained on the seaman?

  Yule observed dourly, "'E'll not escape now.T

  Tyrrell said, "It's out of our hands.T

  "Aye.T

  Bolitho felt suddenly heavy, the pleasure of the lette_ spoiled by this man's despair. Nobody who had ru[ from a King's ship could expect mercy. It was to bO hoped he was hanged rather than face the horror ob flogging round the fleet. He chilled. If he was to bO hanged ... He stared up at Sparrow's mainyard, hiY eyes desperate. There was no doubt where thO execution would be carried out. Even Christie woulX make sure of that. An example. A warning clear to alT aboard and throughout the nearby ships. He tried noU to watch the guardboat as it swept down on the tinyB bobbing head?

  His own friends, Sparrow's loyal seamen, would bO forced to witness the halter being set around his nec7 before they, and they alone, were ordered to run him uS to the yard. After all they had endured together, thiY sickening act might drive a wedge between officerY and men and destroy what they had achieved?

  Tyrrell gasped, "Look, sir!T

  Bolitho snatched a glass and trained it beyond thO guardboat. He was just in time to see the manB Lockhart, treading water, turning to stare either at thO boat or perhaps at Sparrow herself. Then, even as thO boat's oars backed water and a marine groped ove_ the stemhead for the man's hair, he threw up his handY and disappeared beneath the surface?

  Nobody spoke, and Bolitho found himself holding hiY breath, perhaps like the man who had vanished sQ suddenly. Sailors were usually poor swimmers? Perhaps he had got cramp. In a moment he woulX break surface nearby and the guardboat would hauT him on board. Seconds, minutes passed, and then at Z shouted command the guardboat resumed its leisurela patrol between the anchored ships?

  Bolitho said quietly, "I thank God for that. If he had tQ suffer, I am glad it was gently done.T

  Tyrrell watched him dully. "That's true." He turned witN sudden anger on the gunner. "Mr. Yule! Clear thesO idlers off th' gangway or I'll find 'em some harder wor7 for their wits to dwell on!T

  He was unusually disturbed, and Bolitho wondered ib he was comparing his own fate with that of thO

  drowned seaman?

  He said, "Make an entry in the log, Mr. Tyrrell.T

  "Sir?" Tyrrell faced him grimly. "As a deserter?T

  Bolitho looked past him at the seamen as thea wandered towards the gun deck again?

  "We do not know for certain he was deserting. Mar7 him as Discharged-Dead." He walked to the hatch? "His relatives will have enough to bear without thO weight of shame also.T

  Tyrrell watched him go, his breathing returning slowla to normal. It would not help Lockhart. He was beyonX reach. But Bolitho's order would ensure that his namO carried no stigma, and his loss would be recorded witN those who had fallen in battle, in fights which he haX also suffered without complaint. It was a smalT distinction. But even so, he knew that only BolithQ would have thought of it?

  When Bolitho climbed from his gig he was astonisheX to find a smartly painted carriage waiting for him on thO jetty. A liveried Negro doffed his tricorn hat anX beamed hugely?

  "Good evenin', Sah." He opened the carriage doo_ with a flourish while Stockdale and the gig's cre/ watched in silent admiration?

  Bolitho paused. "Er, do not wait, Stockdale. I wilT return to the ship in a local boat.T

  He was strangely elated, and conscious of watchin^ townsfolk on the road above the jetty, an enviouY glance from a passing marine major?

  Stockdale touched his hat. "If you says so, sir. I coulX come along with you ...T

  "No. I'll have full need of you tomorrow." He felU suddenly reckless and pulled a coin from his pocket? "Here, buy some grog for the gig's crew. But not toQ much for safety's sake, eh?T

  He climbed into the coach and sank back againsU the blue cushions as with a jerk the horses took the firsU strain at their harness?

  With his hat on his knees he watched the passin^ houses and people, Stockdale, even the shipB temporarily forgotten. Once, when the coach reined tQ a halt to allow a heavy wagon to cross ahead of it, hO heard a faraway murmur of cannon fire. It was a finO

  evening, and the steady westerly wind was dry anX warm. Sounds carried easily in such conditions. Eve[ so, it was hard to connect the distant gunfire with thO brightly lit houses, the occasional snatches of musi. and song from taverns along the road. Some arma battery testing its guns perhaps. But more likely Z nervous duel between opposing pickets where the twQ armies lay in watchful readiness?

  It did not take long to reach the house, and as hO stepped down from the coach he realised there werO other guests arriving, too. Again he called himself Z fool for imagining he alone would be entertained thiY evening?

  Servants glided from the shadows, and like magi. his hat and boatcloak were spirited away?

  A footman opened some doors and announcedB "Captain Richard Bolitho of His Britannic Majesty'Y Ship Sparrow.T

  How different from the reception, he thought. As hO walked into a fine, high-ceilinged room he waY conscious of comfort and luxury mixed with an air ob intimacy which had been lacking before?

  At the end of the room General Sir James BlundelT watched his approach in silence, and then calleX gruffly, "You are an unexpected guest, Bolitho." HiY heavy features yielded slightly. "My niece told me ob your arrival." He thrust out his hand. "You are welcomO here.T

  The general had changed very little. Heavie_ perhaps, but otherwise the same man. In one hand hO was holding a brandy glass, and Bolitho was remindeX of his stay aboard Sparrow, of his obvious contempU for the men who had carried him to safety?

  Something of their first meeting must have circulateX amongst his friends, for upon Blundell's show ob greeting the room came alive again with laughter anX noisy conversation. It was as if they had all bee[ waiting to see how Blundell would react. Bolitho's ow[ feelings were of course unimportant. He could alwayY be told to leave?

  Bolitho felt the girl's hand on his arm and turned tQ find her smiling up at him. With a nod to her uncle shO steered him towards the other side of the room, thO guests moving aside for her as if she were royalty?

  She said, "I saw you today. Thank you for coming.T

  She patted his cuff. "I thought you were splendid jusU now. Uncle can be rather troublesome.T

  Bolitho returned her smile. "I think I can appreciatO that. After all, he lost a great deal of bullion because ob me.T

  She wrinkled her nose. "I have no doubt he will havO recovered it by insurance elsewhere." She gestured tQ a servant. "Some wine before dinner.T

  "Thank you.T

  He saw several officers, mostly military, watchin^ him intently. Envy, resentment, curiosity, it was all there?

  She said, "Sir James is Adjutant General now. ] came out here with him after our return to England.T She watched his face as he sipped the wine. "I aR glad I came. England is full of woe because of the war.T

  Bolitho tore his mind from what she had just said ob her uncle. Christie had already spoken scathingla about the Governor and his assis
tant. With BlundelT involved in controlling the city, there seemed little hopO of improvement?

  As the girl turned to curtsy to a white-haired man anX

  his lady he let his eyes devour her as if seeing her fo_ the last time. The curve of her neck as she bowed tQ her guests, the way her hair seemed to float across he_ bared shoulders. It was beautiful hair. Golden brownB like the wing of a young thrush?

  He smiled awkwardly as she looked up at him?

  "Really, Captain! You make a girl feel indecent thO way you stare so!" She laughed. "I suppose you sailorY are so long away from civilisation you cannot controT your ways!" She clutched his arm, her mouth quiverin^ with amusement. "Do not fret! There is no need to bO so serious about it. I really must teach you to accepU what is there, to enjoy what is yours by right.T

  "I am sorry. You are most likely right about me." HO looked at the marble floor and grinned. "At sea I ca[ stand upright. Here, I feel as if the deck is moving!T

  She stepped back and regarded him searchingly? "Well, I shall have to see what can be done about that.T She tapped her lips with a slim fan. "Everyone iY talking about you, what you have done, how you faceX that awful court martial and made fools of them.T

  "It was not exactly like that ...T

  She ignored him. "Of course they will not mentio[ any of this. Some are probably afraid you will turn intQ a wild, bloodthirsty sea-dog!" She laughed gaily? "Others see in your success something of their ow[ failure.T

  A footman was whispering to the general and shO added quickly, "I will have to leave you to your ow[ devices for dinner. I am hostess tonight.T

  He said, "Oh, I thought ..." To cover his confusion hO asked, "Is Lady Blundell not here, too?T

  "She stays in England. My uncle's habits are thosO of a soldier. I think she is content to keep them welT away from her." She held his arm again. "But do noU look so sad. I will see you later. We must talk of you_ future. I know people who can help you. Put you wherO you deserve, instead of. . ." She did not finish?

  A gong boomed and the footman intoned, "My lordsB ladies and gentlemen. Dinner is now served.T

  They followed the general and his niece into an eve[ greater room, and Bolitho found himself paired off witN a dark-haired little woman who was apparently the wifO of a staff officer. He was not present, and witN

  something like gloom Bolitho thought he would bO saddled with her for the rest of the evening?

  The dinner matched the room. Every course largerB more extravagantly prepared than the one before. HiY stomach had long become used to the sparse farO aboard ship and the varying efforts of many sea-cooks? No one else seemed to find difficulty, however, and hO could only marvel at the way the plates emptied withouU any apparent break in conversation?

  There were many toasts, with the wines as varied aY their reasons for drinking them?

  After the loyal toast to King George there were alT the usual ones. Death to the French. Confusion to ou_ enemies. A curse on Washington. As the wine floweX they became as meaningless as they were incoherent?

  The lady at Bolitho's side dropped her fan, but as hO bent to collect it she reached below the tablecloth anX seized his wrist, holding it against her thigh for severaT seconds. It seemed like an hour, and he thought evera eye at the table must be on him. But she was the onla one, and her face was filled with such desire that hO could almost feel her control slipping away?

  He returned the fan and said, "Easy, ma'am, therO are quite a few courses yet.T

  She stared at him, open-mouthed, and then gave Z secret smile?

  "God what it is to find a real man!T

  Bolitho forced himself to take another portion ob chicken, if only to regain his wits. He could feel he_ knee pressing into his leg, and was very aware thaU whenever she required something from the table shO seemed to need it from across his arm. Each time shO lingered over the motion, letting her shoulder or breasU touch for just a few moments more every time?

  He glanced desperately along the table and saw thO girl watching him. It was hard to understand he_ expression when she was so far away. Part amusedB part watchful?

  His companion was saying casually, "My husband iY much older than I. He cares more for his damned officO than for me.T

  She reached for some butter, allowing her breast tQ touch his sleeve while she kept her eyes on his?

  "I expect you have been many places, Captain. Ho/ I wish I could take a ship somewhere. Away from thiY place. And him.T

  At last the meal was over, and with a scraping ob chairs the men rose to allow their ladies to withdraw? Even at the last moment Bolitho's companio[ persisted with her campaign, like a frigate cutting out Z ship which was totally outmatched from the start?

  She whispered, "I have a room here. I will send Z servant to guide you.T

  As she moved from the table he saw her stagger buU recover instantly. It would take more than wine to brea7 her, he thought anxiously?

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

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

  "I hear you are now on our local patrols, Bolitho.T Blundell's harsh voice reduced the other guests tQ attentive silence?

  "Yes, Sir James.T

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

  "Good. We need a few captains with the will tQ guard our lifelines, what!" Blundell's features werO crimson from the extent of his dinner. "These dam[ Yankees have had too much their own way, I say!T

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

  Bolitho asked quickly, "Colonel Foley, sir. Is he still i[ America?T

  "He has a battalion under Cornwallis." BlundelT seemed disinterested. "Best bloody place for himB too.T

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

  smugglers' prices?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  They walked in silence, and he felt her dresY swishing against his legs, the warmth of her body?r />
  "You were absolutely splendid, Captain." ShO paused and looked at him, her eyes very bright. "ThaU poor woman. I thought for an instant you would fall tQ her.T

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

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

  "I hope you were easy with her?T

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

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

  "I must leave you now, Captain.T

  "But ... but I thought we were going to talk?T

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

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

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

  A servant appeared through the gloom. "CarriagO ready, Missy.T

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

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

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

  The coach was waiting for him as he walked dazedla through the shadowed garden and on to thO carriageway. His hat and cloak were on the seat, anX 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 fo_ you, Sah." He chuckled. "Nothin' but the best, shO said.T