inside the Huron's main hold and she is fully equipped for the trade, she said, her voice low but clear, and Kemp felt a sour feeling rising within him.
He wondered that he had thought this young woman enchanting at their first meeting. Kemp liked young females and he had personally instructed his Secretary to send the invitations to the Ballantynes, brother and sister, but now he regretted it. He could see, of course, that what he had mistaken for spirit was in fact the mischievousness of the born troublemaker, and that far from being pretty she was in fact downright plain, with a large nose and heavy jaw. He had found her a refreshing change from the simpering and giggling young ladies of the Colony, and realized now that the preference had been unwise. He wondered if he could have his Secretary withdraw the invitation. I would think, Admiral Kemp, that it was your duty to send a search party aboard the Huron, Robyn told him, and Kemp leaned back in the big chair and breathed heavily through his mouth. As an Admiral of the Blue it had been some years since anybody had dared point out his duty for him. His grip on his self- control slackened.
He stared at the young person. Did he detect a peculiar venom in her voice? He wondered. She had been a passenger on Huron.
She had left the ship the instant it reached Table Bay. There was no doubt the woman was 'fast' and that Captain St. John was a handsome man.
There was a fine story here, Kemp concluded, as he asked drily, 'is it true, Miss Ballantyne, that you assaulted the surgeon-general in a fit of ungovernable rage? ' Robyn gaped at him for a moment, the change of direction taking her completely off-balance, and before she could reply he went on, You are clearly a highly emotional young lady.
I would have to consider very carefully committing a hostile act against an important citizen of a friendly nation on your unsupported testimony He pulled the gold watch from his fob pocket, and consulted it with his full attention. Thank you for calling on me, Miss Ballantyne. ' Once again he did not use her professional title. 'We look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening. Perhaps you would allow me a private word with Captain Codrington.'
Robyn felt her cheeks burning as she rose from the window seat. Thank you, Admiral, you have been very kind and patient, she said tightly, and swept from the room.'
Kemp was not so mild with Codrington. While the young Captain stood to attention before him, he leaned forward in the throne and the veins stood out like twisted blue ropes in the back of his hands as he gripped the arms of the chair. You were misguided in bringing that young person here to discuss navy business, he snapped. Sir, I needed to convince you. 'That's enough, Codrington. I have heard all you have to say. Now you listen to me. 'Aye, aye, sir. 'You are naive not to take into account the changed circumstances in the American administration. Are you not aware that Mr. Lincoln is likely to be elected to the presidency? 'I am, sir. 'Then even you may be dimly aware that very delicate considerations are in the balance. The Foreign Office is confident that the new administration will have a markedly changed attitude to the trade.'
Sir! ' Codrington agreed stiffly. Can you imagine what it will mean to us to have full right of search of American shipping on the high seas? 'Sir. 'We will have that, once Mr. Lincoln takes the oath, and if no junior officers of this service take independent action to prejudice the attitude of the Americans. 'Sir. ' Codrington stood rigid, staring over the Admiral's head at a painting of a lightly veiled Venus on the panelled wall behind him. Codrington, Kemp spoke now with cold menace, 'you have had one very close shave at Calabash. I swear to you, if you let your wild nature get the better of you once more, I will have you hounded from the service. 'Sir. 'You are now under the strictest injunction not to approach closer than a cable's length to the trade clipper Huron, and if you should encounter her again at sea, you will pay her passing honours and give her a wide berth.
Do I make myself sufficiently clear? Sir. ' Only Codrington's lips moved, and the Admiral took two long controlled breaths before going on. When will you sail for the Mozambique channel? ' he asked, his voice more reasonable. I have your orders to take the flood on Saturday, sirCan you advance that sailing? 'Yes, sir, but it would mean leaving without fully charged magazines, we expect the powder barge alongside at dawn on Saturday Kemp shook his head, and sighed. 'I would feel better with you at sea, he muttered. 'But, very well then, I will look to see you flying the Blue Peter at first light on Saturday morning.'
Robyn Ballantyne was waiting for him in the borrowed Cartwright carriage, under the portico of Admiralty House.
Codrington came down the steps, with his cocked hat under his arm and climbed stiffly into the buttoned leather seat beside her.
The Hottentot coachman flicked his whip at the shiny rumps, and they swayed in unison as the carriage jerked away down the tree-lined driveway.
Neither of them spoke until they had left the Admiralty grounds, and were whirling down the hill towards the Liesbeeck bridge with the coachman holding them on a light brake.
What do we do now? ' Robyn asked.
Nothing, said Clinton Codrington.
Twenty minutes later as they came around the shoulder of the mountain and looked down at the bay where Huron rode at anchor, Robyn spoke again. Can't you think of anything to stop this monster? 'Can you? ' he asked sharply, and neither of them spoke again until they reached the landing-place.
The fishing-boats were in and beached already, their catch laid out on the sand, a glittering silver and rubyred pile around which the housewives and their servants bartered and bargained with the brown barelegged fishermen, while the fish horns blared to summon more customers down from the town. The two in the parked carriage watched the commotion with unnatural attention, avoiding each other's eyes. You will be at the Admiralty ball tomorrow night?
I heard Slogger Kemp say so. 'No, Robyn shook her head fiercely. 'I cannot abide the frivolous chatter and silly behaviour of these occasions, and I particularly do not want to be again the guest of that man!
Codrington turned to her for the first time since they had reached the landing. She was a fine-looking woman, he thought, with that clear lustre to her skin and the thoughtful dark-green eyes under their dark curved brows. He liked a tall strong woman, and he had learned enough of her spirit to accord her respect, a respect that could easily become fascination, he realizedCould I prevail upon you to change your mind? ' he asked quietly, and she glanced at him, startled. 'I would undertake to provide sober conversation and a dignified dancing partner. 'I do not dance, Captain. 'That is a great relief, he admitted. 'For neither do I, when I have a choice. ' He smiled. She could not remember seeing him smile before. It changed him completely.
The coldness went from the pale blue eyes and they darkened with merriment while two deep laughter lines formed at the corner of his mouth and arched up to touch the thin straight nose. Slogger Kemp keeps a wonderful chef.'
