'He should be well on his way to Bombay by now.' The admiral appeared indifferent, but his voice was sharper. 'A most important position with the Honourable East India Company. Extremely lucrative, I would surmise.'
Bolitho could not imagine Godschale willingly exchanging the pleasures of London for the intense heat and fevers of India. Hamett-Parker remarked, 'I believe it was not unexpected. An indiscretion can often be overlooked. A political scandal cannot.' He gazed at him coldly. 'As I said, one must lead by example! '
'Is Captain Keen to be here tonight, Sir James?'
Hamett-Parker offered a faint smile. 'No. He is not long married, and I can spare him a while.'
'I had hoped that he would be promoted directly to flag rank.'
'Were you?'
Bolitho prayed that someone would come and interrupt this verbal fencing match. 'No, I was not. I was commodore first.' Hamett-Parker would know that better than anyone. He contained his anger and added, 'I have known Captain Keen for a long time. He was a midshipman under my command. He is a fine officer and a decent man.'
'And comes from a powerful and influential family, yes? I respect your concern, of course, but you must accept that Captain Keen must be more than a fine officer to hoist his flag as rear-admiral. But we shall see. He will have every chance to prove himself, that I promise you.'
A footman came towards them, a single goblet in the centre of his tray. The admiral took it and said, 'Refreshing at times like these.'
Bolitho noticed that he was drinking lime juice. Perhaps so that he could watch the antics of his subordinates and equals as the hock and madeira flowed freely.
Hamett-Parker frowned but instantly contained it as Sir Paul Sillitoe, elegantly dressed in dark grey silk and wearing a slender court sword at his hip, strode across the floor.
'My apologies for my late arrival, Sir James.' Several guests nearby were making a pretence of not listening. They were not to be disappointed. 'I have been with the prime minister we saw His Majesty together. The King will not be coming here after all.'
Hamett-Parker regarded him balefully. 'What ails him now?'
Sillitoe smiled at Bolitho for the first time, then said, 'We have just received word, Sir James, from Talavera. General Wellesley has won a great victory over Marshal Soult. The war on the Peninsula is all but won.'
There was a stunned silence, then as the word spread across the room and into other parts of the house a great burst of wild cheering made the chandeliers quiver like pieces of ice.
Hamett-Parker nodded. 'Earlier than expected.' He sounded completely unmoved.
Sillitoe took a glass of wine and smiled again. 'A perfect way to celebrate your appointment, Sir James. Congratulations! ' He looked at Bolitho. 'A great moment for you also, sir. Without you and your seamen no soldier could have set foot on enemy soil! '
Hamett-Parker said, 'We shall sup very shortly, while some of them can still stand. Pass the word! '
As the admiral turned away to play the host, however ungraciously, Sillitoe said lightly, 'You are alone tonight, Sir Richard?' His hooded eyes gave nothing away.
'I came only because Lady Catherine insisted.'
He nodded impassively. 'Very wise. There are times when discretion is worth more than a squadron.'
Bolitho was suddenly tired of it. 'I'll not wait. I shall make my excuses.'
Sillitoe shrugged. 'We shall meet again very soon. There is work for both of us now that Arthur Wellesley has dished up his old enemy.'
'What is it to be?' He wanted to leave, but needed to know.
Sillitoe took his arm and guided him to an anteroom where the din of cheers and tipsy laughter were muffled, if not quenched completely.
'Advise me, Richard, and I will advise the Duke of Portland. The French intend to strangle our trade our lifeline, if you like.'
'I read of the latest attacks. If we had not captured the French rear-admiral Andre Baratte I would see his hand in this.'
Sillitoe smiled gently. 'You are very shrewd. But Baratte was released, exchanged for Lord Derwent who was captured in Spain. You see? So soon back in England and already you are proving your worth.' The smile widened but did not reach his eyes. 'Especially to me! '
He pulled out his watch and yawned. 'My carriage is outside. I will take you to Chelsea, if you like. We can talk in peace.'
In sight of the Thames again, the street deserted in an unexpected rainfall, Sillitoe lost no time in questioning Bolitho about the threat to merchant shipping.
'I am all ears, Richard, eager for knowledge. I would never make a sailor in five hundred years! '
Bolitho was still pondering the stupidity of those who had chosen to exchange Baratte for some English aristocrat. Baratte had had a high reputation as a frigate captain and then as commodore of a squadron before being promoted to his rank. Several attempts had been made to capture him in battle, all unsuccessful. It had fallen to Bolitho's Tybalt to change matters by seizing Baratte's frigate and the man himself when all the odds had decreed otherwise. It was said that Baratte hated the English as much as he loved France; and now he was gone, probably better aware of England 's strength or weakness than before his capture.
Sillitoe remarked, 'We hold Good Hope, largely thanks to you. Surely that should be enough?'
Bolitho saw the straggling trade routes in his mind, from India and the East Indies, as far as New South Wales and the expanding colony there. Baratte would have the pick of any ship or cargo he chose to attack. But he would need a base, somewhere to water and provision his ships and unload his prizes. It could be no half-hearted operation like the haphazard killing and plunder practised by common pirates.
He said, 'We would need a small, fast-moving squadron, a flotilla even. Six frigates with a competent captain…' He sensed Sillitoe's reaction and said, 'I know. It is like asking for the moon. But without a planned and practical strategy the losses will become worse and their lordships will be forced to release more men-of-war, no matter how badly they are needed in home waters.' He glanced out of the window and wished that Sillitoe were sitting on his right. His eye was sore, and he wanted to touch it even though he knew it would not help.
He said, 'Like Baratte, I suppose I have always been a frigate captain at heart. I commanded three. It was like nothing else.'
'Oh? What of SparrowT
He tensed. 'She was a sloop-of-war, not even as big as a sixth-rate.' Like Hamett-Parker, the mysterious Sillitoe had done his research well.
'I see.'
Bolitho continued. 'There are the anti-slavery patrols that run out of Good Hope and Freetown. Their aid could be useful. They would know all the likely anchorages, if only from interrogating the slavers when they catch them.' He was reminded again of Tyacke. A dedicated seaman, alone because of his terrible disfigurement, and yet able to command respect and a kind of strange affection from the men who served with him. That day when they had been close to death, the sight of Lame had made even the hardest survivor gasp out his thanks to heaven.
Sillitoe was saying, 'That is one of the things I like about you. You don't merely toss away ideas without consideration. You think them through, as only a professional officer can. Our new lord of Admiralty is not yet ready to bend. In time he will have to.'
'Why did Godschale leave?'
Sillitoe said coolly, 'You are also very direct. Godschale, as I think you know, was fond of the ladies. But he was neither consistent nor careful. He compromised a lady of quality, then spurned her for another. It was unfortunate that the one he turned his back on was the wife of a certain member of the House of Lords. More I cannot say.'
'He will not like Bombay.'
Sillitoe watched him from the shadows. That is an understatement.'
It was very dark when they reached the house but the rain had stopped, and there were stars already showing between the clouds.
'I have a favour to ask you, Richard.'
Bolitho half-turned, one hand on the carriage door. 'Well?'
'You will need a good flag-lieutenant when you take up your next appointment, now that young Jenour has
