Herrick said, 'There’ll be no wind before dawn. You can rest assured of that.'
'I see.' Manning seemed irritated. 'This is my sister, by the way, Mrs. Boswell.'
She threw back the hood of her cloak and gave a quick smile.
Manning continued, 'Better be off then.'
She said, 'I am sailing in the Harebell, Captain Herrick, but my brother is remaining in Sicily for the present.' She looked sadly at Manning. 'Though how the poor dear will manage, I cannot imagine.'
He glared at her and then snapped, 'Are you coming, Dulcie?'
'No.' She walked further into the cabin, her boat cloak swishing behind her. 'I will have enough of cramped quarters. and boats before I reach England again. And I have seen enough of Captain Farquhar anyway.' She gave Herrick a smile. 'I should like to remain here until you have finished your business, John. If the captain has no objections?'
Herrick shook his head. 'No, Ma'am. My pleasure.' She was a very pleasant looking woman, with the fresh cheeks and bright eyes of someone raised in the country. He wondered what she was doing out here. Perhaps her husband was like Manning, a man who served the King without wearing his coat.
Manning tutted and grunted and then said, 'Oh, very well. I’ll be back in an hour. '
The silence closed in again, and Herrick felt as if he was too large to be in the cabin.
She watched him thoughtfully and then loosened her cloak before sitting easily in one of the chairs.
'so you are Captain Herrick. I have been hearing about you. One of your men told me you are sailing soon. I hope you have a safe voyage. '
Herrick looked at her, wanting to be left alone. Needing her to stay.
'Aye, Ma'am. There's plenty of talk in ships.' He changed the subject. 'I gather you are bound for England?'
'Yes. We live in-' She dropped her eyes. 'That is, my husband died two years ago. So I am returning to Canterbury. I have been dreading it in many ways. I came out to live with John. He has never married, poor lamb. But he insists that the war is getting closer each day.' She sighed. 'so home I must go.'
Herrick sat down opposite her. 'But, Ma'am, I come from Kent, too. My home is in Rochester.' He smiled awkwardly. 'Though I fear not as fine as yours will be.'
She watched him, her skin very pale under the lamplight. 'That young officer who brought us to the cabin.' She lowered her eyes. 'I couldn't help hearing what you said to him.'
Herrick flushed. 'Ma'am, I do apologise.' He recalled his anger. Bring these damned visitors aft. 'Had I realised.'
No, Captain. Before that. You were deeply upset, as I believe that good-looking boy was, too.'
Herrick nodded slowly. 'He is the commodore's nephew. A fine young man.'
She,said quietly, 'I’ve heard about your commodore. I was very distressed. I understand he was greatly liked. '
'Aye, Ma'am. None better. None braver.'
'There's no hope?'
'Not much. Your brother would have heard something by now.'
.Tell me about yourself, Captain. Do you have a family in England?'
And that was how it all began. Herrick speaking his thoughts and memories aloud, while she sat quietly listening.
When someone cried a challenge and a boat surged alongside, Herrick could. hardly believe an hour had passed so fast. He stood up' anxiously.
'If I have bored you, Ma'am… '
She patted his sleeve and smiled at him. 'I should like to call upon your sister, if I may, Captain. It will help to keep us both cheerful until-' She fastened her cloak. 'Until you return.to Kent again.: She looked up at his face, her gaze level. I hope you’ll not forget us.'
Herrick grasped her hand. It was small and firm and made him feel all the clumsier.
'I’ll not forget your kindness to me, Ma'am.' He heard Manning's voice drawing closer. 'I’d like to think we might meet again, but-'
'No buts, Captain.' She moved back from him. 'I can now understand why your commodore is sadly missed. With friends such as you, he must have been a man indeed.' Herrick followed her on to the quarterdeck where her brother was speaking with Major Leroux.
Pascoe called, 'Boat's ready, sir!'
Herrick said roughly, 'Go with this lady in the boat, Mr. Pascoe. My compliments to Commander Inch. Tell him to take care of his passenger.'
She touched his arm. 'Inch? Another friend?'
'Aye.' Herrick guided her around the projecting humps of gun trucks and ring-bolts. 'You’ll be in good hands.'
She moved her elbow gently in his grip. 'No better than now, I think.'
The nightmare was rising to another great climax. Leaping patterns of dark. red, like solid flame, interspersed
