“And you say, Captain, that Captain Phaelan made no formal request for your counsel prior to the battle?” One of the panel members questioned, looking up from where he continued to scribble notes on his paper.
“Correct, sir. As mentioned, the captain did occasionally invite me to dine at his table, but I can only view those meetings as informal and having no bearing on the everyday proceedings of the ship.”
“And how would you characterize your disciplinary actions?” Another questioned.
“In what context?” Daniel hedged
“In the context of reprimanding behavioral issues aboard ship,” The man clarified, skewering Daniel with a sharp look. “Would you say that your punishments ever exceeded those allowable through the regulations and policies of the Admiralty?”
Daniel heated under the surveillance. An incident came to mind of a disorderly boatswain who refused to go quietly to the ship’s brig. Daniel had been called in for assistance, but the situation escalated to blows and ended with Daniel being forcibly removed from the other man, at that point cowering in a corner.
“My naval career spans many years, sir, is there a specific event to which you are referring?”
“I’m referring to an incident in which you, according to witnesses, blatantly over-exerted your punishment on one Boatswain Carter.
Daniel did his best to remain calm, a shiver of unease rising up his spine, the back of his shirt beginning to stick to his skin. He’d been reprimanded for his conduct, but even he had seen that the captain had been lenient with him. Preparing his words, Daniel took in a breath to respond, feeling the weight of the world begin to fall on him and his knees weaken.
“Boatswain Carter was a thieving, lying, hound of a sailor like no other,” a familiar voice boomed from the entrance to the hall. The officers on the panel as a unit raised their eyes to that voice and scurried to stand at attention. Daniel turned to find Admiral Robertson marching through the hall, movements clipped and eyes aflame. “What in the world is the meaning of this?” He challenged as he bypassed Daniel to reach the panel.
“Serious allegations are alleged against Captain Langdon,” the most senior of the panel members responded with only a slight waiver in his voice. “And a panel was convened immediately to deal with them.”
“Allegations previously considered and dealt with,” the Admiral pointed out. “Under whose authority has all this been resurrected?” The admiral asked, “and what allegations were so grievous that you neglected to request a formal panel?”
The leader of the group cleared his throat. “Under my authority, sir, which was in this case required, as the commander for this region and given the allegations against Captain Langdon were such that they posed a significant threat to those around him and the reputation of the Admiralty.”
“And those would be?”
“Possible insanity, and at a minimum reprehensible and unpredictable behavior.”
“And you thought it necessary to bring together an immediate panel? With the captain currently on furlough, approved by the Admiralty for an extended period, and neither working with other military members nor commanding a ship?”
“The concerns of the person reporting these allegations, along with the statements of witnesses—”
“A person who I assume didn’t bother remaining in town for this event, am I right?”
“That’s of—”
“And the witness statements were likely transcribed, you didn’t take the testimonies yourself?”
“As the witnesses were unable—”
“Spare me your excuses, Admiral,” Admiral Robertson snarled. “You’ve done your part. This investigation is over, and Captain Langdon is urgently needed elsewhere. I shall escort him. For any further concerns on this matter, you may write to me directly.” Without allowing time for a response, the Admiral whirled about and retraced his steps, nodding for Daniel to follow as he paraded by.
A fine view of Inverness harbor and docks met Daniel’s gaze once he caught up with the Admiral on the opposite side of the street.
“Such gall,” the Admiral huffed, staring out over the sea. “And from a permanent port admiral with no hope of commanding a squadron.” He shook his head, then acknowledged Daniel with a smile. “The sea after a storm is a fine sight, isn’t she?” he questioned.
“Yes sir,” Daniel responded truthfully. The crispness of the colors over the sea, the still slightly choppy texture of the water and the muted beauty of the deep hues, not so blinding as they would be in full sunlight, offered a distinct beauty. His eyes skimmed over the harbor before returning to settle on the Admiral. “I thank you for your assistance, sir, but I worry it may cause more harm than good.”
“In what way?” He responded, amusement broadening his grin.
“No matter the source of this latest allegation, it’s no secret my behavior has been erratic in recent years and come up against question.” The admission pained Daniel, who wished to follow in his father’s footsteps and present a praiseworthy picture of a naval officer. But he wasn’t about to shy away from his responsibilities for the sake of shielding part of his history from the Admiral. “I would hate to think that my misfortune becomes somehow attached to you sir.”
Admiral Robertson looked over Daniel for a long moment before responding. “My boy, it’s true I remember you fondly from the brief time we served together, and while I haven’t heard your name mentioned frequently in recent years, I did hear it a time or two and always connected with favorable impressions. But please don’t misunderstand my interest. I don’t know you well enough to put my own name into question for you without significant reason.
“Captain Phaelan, on the other hand, was a dear friend. We corresponded fairly often, and I recalled him mentioning a praiseworthy young Lieutenant shortly before his loss, though not by name.”
Daniel colored. “Then you likely also know the rumors of the Captain accepting advice which led to the ruin of the ship and loss of his life.”
A moment passed in which the Admiral considered his words, again contemplating the sea stretched out before them. “I know Captain Phaelan would not accept council from a source he didn’t trust implicitly. I also know he would not carry out that council, unless he came to the same conclusions. He took the weight of his rank and responsibility too seriously to put their maintenance on the shoulders of others. You’d do well to accept that truth and forgive yourself one demon at least. My guess is the war left you with enough others to take its place, and running from them will only serve to put you into the ground before your time.”
Daniel took in a breath, astounded at the familiar echo of the admiral’s words. He’d heard variations of the same from all his family members at some point or other. But years spent wallowing in guilt for his captain’s death clung to him with an iron grip.
The admiral appeared to sympathize with Daniel’s plight, and as though reading his thoughts continued. “The entire world about you can debate the goings-on aboard that ship on that day, he commented in a low and soothing tone infused with authority. “But in the end, the only thing which truly matters is the extent of the punishment you assign yourself. We are none of us perfect, Daniel, there are always mistakes to be made and some of them prove detrimental or deadly in our trade. But we are of no use to our King, our country, or our loved ones, if we allow those decisions and events to dictate our self-worth and the future of our careers.”
He paused, grimacing as he turned to face Daniel fully and squinting up into the mottled sky before settling on his next words. “There are some events that remain with us, and always will. They keep us awake at night, they take over our senses, and sometimes even our rationality. Not everyone is able to overcome it, and they are lost to the rest of this world and their lives for it. One day we might find a better way to exorcise these demons, but right now the options are extremely limited.”
Daniel stared at him, his words eerily mimicking the last conversation he had with
his brother-in-law, Gavin.
“I spent a time in my younger years in a state not dissimilar from yours,” the Admiral continued. “I never found a proper solution, but what I did find may provide you some small hope or consolation.” He looked over at Daniel, again considering his words for a moment before continuing. “The first thing I know with certainty, is that there is no port far enough away on this earth to outrun the specters in our minds. So, before you waste years attempting it as I did, take that into consideration. The second,” here he paused to smile, a twinkle appearing in his eye. “And far more appealing, is the regenerative power of an exceptional woman’s love. I think I was in luck that I asked my Kate to marry me before I went off to the worst of my battles. If she hadn’t already been shackled to me, I don’t trust she would’ve stayed. Even with the bonds of matrimony I honestly don’t understand why she stayed,” he continued with a chuckle. “But she did, and I tell you the strength and steadfastness of that woman inspired in me far more strength and optimism than I could ever pull from the depths of my own will. Count yourself lucky to have Miss. MacAllister at your side.”
Daniel agreed with that. He’d witnessed the stabilizing power Lenore held over him simply from sharing the same space with him. An achievement none of his dearest family members had been able to accomplish. A thought occurred to him as he considered Lenore and her estate.
“Forgive me, sir, but how did you know about this?” He gestured toward the hall they’d recently left. “How is it that you came here?”
The Admiral blinked as though recalling for the first time his purpose in coming to this port. “Yes, you have the right of it, well, I went to call on you and found out about the summons. Your womenfolk seemed unduly upset by it, which put me in mind to investigate further. It sounded strange to me that you would be called away so suddenly and now with you already furloughed for several weeks. So, I sent off to an acquaintance of mine to find out more, and he sent back a quick dispatch that you were under investigation. The whole thing sounded suspect, so I decided to come here myself. In addition, I was prodded by your soon-to-be relations, who unfortunately have not fared well in your absence.”
Apprehension rising, Daniel demanded, “What happened? What’s wrong?”
Raising his hands to forestall continued questioning, the admiral responded, “I’ll tell you about it along the way,” and gestured toward his coach.
A sense of foreboding descended upon Daniel as he hurried to accompany the admiral to his coach. The instant they shut the door, the conveyance took off at a fast clip, Daniel leaning into Admiral Robertson’s recitation.
Chapter 14
“This is all mah fault,” Lenore lamented as she followed her aunt about the room. Her mood dipped progressively with the sun after they’d returned home that morning, until Lily, desperate with frustration, sent her to search the spare rooms for an old valise she had a mind to keep in her armoire. Despite the obvious exile, Lenore began her piteous wailing the instant she barged into her aunt’s bedroom with the requested item. “I should hae done as ye asked in th’ first place.”
“Aye, ye should hae,” Lily concurred without sympathy. “But ye didnae, sae there’s nae sense in wailin’ about it now.”
“How can Ah nae wail about it? Ah set all ay this intae motion an’ now thanks tae mah selfishness our family could very well lose its home,” Lenore flopped herself face down on Lily’s bed, annoying even herself with the show of childishness, but all the guilt she’d attempted to subdue over the weeks since arriving at Dailemor all bubbled to a head with their visit to the magistrate. Something shifted around her and everything which had seemed so far off and unlikely now loomed ominous before her.
“Nonsense, lassie,” Lilly tsked as she glided from one side of the room to the other, intent on her task of putting away a stack of freshly laundered clothing. “Ye didnae set this intae motion, ‘at mutton-headed neighbor ay ours did, an’ he would hae done sae wi’ or without ye. This is simply th’ way it worked out an’ we hae tae believe it happened in th’ way it was meant tae. Everythin’ will turn out as it ought tae be.
“Does turnin’ out as it ought tae be mean our family keepin’ this home?” Lenore questioned, reaching out to take a few folded items from her aunt.
“Ay course it does,” Lily asserted. “Our family has been here fur generations an’ is going tae stay here fur generations tae come.”
“Then why are we packin’?”
Lily paused in her actions and blinked up at her. True to Lenore’s observation, the older woman stood frozen in the midst of folding a gown removed from her wardrobe in her last passing of it. Staring the piece of clothing in her hands as though wondering where it had materialized from, she dropped her gaze to find the valise half-full with clothing. Clearing her throat, she let her hands fall, tossing the gown across the bed as she did so.
“Ye ne’er met yer great-grandfather,” she began after a moment’s thought. “An’ even if ye had ye would’ve been too young tae remember his stories, but Ah remember them.” Her hands drifted up to hug her upper arms as her gaze shifted to some unknown distant memory. Lenore pushed herself up to sitting and leaned toward her aunt.
“He didnae often talk about th’ witch frenzies ‘at periodically passed through durin’ his lifetime, but on th’ rare occasions he did, such a mixture ay anger an’ sadness overtook him.” She shook her head. “He couldnae understand then, as we cannae understand now, how anyone could come tae believe somethin’ so far-fetched. How even their friends would turn against them for such an accusation. It truly has th’ ability tae scar a person for their entire life, to destroy everything ye might hae understood or thought ye understood about friendships and community.”
The haziness of her eyes receded somewhat, and Lily offered Lenore a weak smile. “Ah cannae say Ah understand it, an’ Ah never had tae go through it, but th’ details...” she cringed. “An’ th’ look in Grandfather’s eyes, were enough tae sear a lastin’ impression intae me. Ah would rather be prepared in case we hae tae make a hasty exit.”
“Dae ye think it will come tae ‘at?” Lenore whispered, gooseflesh erupting on her arms.
Lily walked around to where Lenore sat on the bed, settling in beside her and enclosing her in a hug. “Ah hope it doesnae,” she assured her, running a comforting hand over her back, “but Ah cannae say, an’ Ah just hope yer Daniel gets back soon.”
“Will it make any difference?”
“Ay course,” Lily nodded, rising to her feet with an exaggerated smile. “People around here hae a tendency tae get bored. ‘At’s what allows these rumors tae tak’ root an’ spread. E’en sae, Ah dinnae doubt folk around here would think twice about spreadin’ rumors wi’ ‘at man in residence.”
Lenore smiled, standing and moving toward the window. “You’re right about ‘at, an’ if Tyrsdale is spreadin’ rumors, which he undoubtedly is, he would ne’er be brave enough tae dae sae wi’ Daniel around. He learned that a long time ago.”
“There now, ‘at’s th’ spirit,” Lilly nodded before turning to refocus on her work. “Th’ Admiral set a good pace when he left, Ah dinnae doubt he’ll hae Daniel back here in time fur our case. All we need dae in th’ meantime is wait an’ be prepared fur whatever may come our way.”
“What if whatever comes our way wi’ torches an’ pitchforks?” Lenore asked, staring out the window in disbelief, a scene from a Gothic novel taking shape before her eyes.
“What?” Came Lily’s voice rushing up behind her.
“Well, perhaps nae pitchforks, but torches at least, look,” she nodded toward the flickering lights approaching Dailemor along the roadway. The dark obscured any detail, but there was no mistaking a small crowd marched toward them, torches lifted high against the night.
“’at doesnae bode well,” Lily whispered. “Come wi’ me, lass, we’ve got tae get downstairs an’ see what this is about.”
With a nod, Lenore tore her gaze from the window and f
ollowed behind her aunt as the woman hurried out of the room, racing down the hall toward the staircase. It seemed counterintuitive to race in the direction of the small mob, especially given the information Lily just shared, but she reminded herself the dark ages were passed, and any rational person would no longer believe in witchcraft. Surely the townsfolk who had been their neighbors for generations, could be spoken to in a reasonable manner.
As they entered the hall, the glow of torchlight already reflected through the windowpanes and across polished metal surfaces in the front entry. The group gathered outside the front door, and from somewhere in its midst a disembodied voice rang out.
“Come out ay there, ye witches! We’ll nae stand fur yer residin’ here!”
Lenore stopped dead in her tracks, jaw going slack as she blinked at her aunt.
“Lenore,” Lily straightened her back, “dae ye ken th’ gun case in th’ study?”
“Aye, ay course.” She breathed.
“Th’ key is in th’ side drawer ay th’ desk. Fetch it an’ bring out a pistol an’ one ay th’ rifles.”
“Ye cannae be serious, Aunt Lily,” Lenore hesitated, eyes wide. “What dae ye mean tae dae?”
“Ah mean tae defend mah home. “Now get tae it, lassie!”
Daniel pushed his mount to the extent of what he deemed safe given the darkness. He held a lantern aloft but could hardly see more than a few yards in front of him. Upon arriving at the admiral’s estate a short while earlier, a distressed and frantic Lady Robertson greeted them as they disembarked the coach.
“Oh, thank heavens you’re back!” The admiral’s wife called, running out the front door.
“Here now, Kate,” the admiral rushed to console his wife, who clutched a handkerchief in her hands and appeared on the verge of tears. “What’s all this?”
The Captain's Surrender (Currents of Love Book 6) Page 12
