Yovell said, 'I'll have this lot sent across in the duty boat, zur.' He watched Bolitho's profile curiously, as if startled by his change of demeanour.
Yovell was not so simple that he did not understand some of it. At first he had imagined Bolitho had been unable to conceal his relief over the duel's outcome. But for Roche's cowardice he might well be dead and the repercussions from the Admiralty would have affected everyone, even a lowly clerk.
Bolitho said, 'Good. If being at sea is a hardship, it also favours those who hate wording despatches, especially as they may never be read.'
There was a tap at the door and Herrick entered, his uniform glittering with spray.
'I am ready to up-anchor, sir. Just as soon as you are ready.'
Bolitho nodded to Yovell who swept the despatches into a canvas bag and hurried from the cabin.
'Very well, Thomas. We shall rejoin the squadron and resume our original duties.' He tapped the drawer of his table. 'I received a full set of instructions from Admiral Beauchamp. I think he is so eager to get me to sea he will not spare the time to see me.' He smiled wryly. 'But I cannot complain. He has been more than patient.'
Herrick exclaimed, `Patient, sir? After all you did? Bless me, I should damn well think so!'
Bolitho called for Ozzard and said, 'I am glad of your loyalty, Thomas. However, but for our successes and the information I put in my report about the Danish galleys, I fear even Beauchamp's importance would not have protected me.'
'Back to the squadron, eh?' Herrick watched as Ozzard poured two glasses of madeira. 'It will be different for you this time, sir.'
Bolitho nodded. 'It was good of your wife to assist in this matter.'
`Good?' Herrick grinned. 'She loves organizing poor sailormen! She is even bent on arranging my sister's wedding.' He became serious. `God, your lady is a beautiful one, sir. You will be so right for each other.'
Bolitho let his mind drift away. In just a few days his whole life had changed. Belinda Laidlaw had left her employment as the judge's wife's companion and had accepted Mrs Herrick's offer of accommodation with only the briefest hesitation.
She had said, 'Only if I am allowed to help you in return.'
Dulcie Herrick had laughed. `Bless you, my dear, you'll be worn out with my whims and fancies.'
But they had both been pleased at the arrangement.
Bolitho had managed to hold his one real fear at bay. That after he had been at sea for weeks, even months, she might regret her decision and go elsewhere. As Herrick had said, she was beautiful, and desirable.
As the fear re-entered his thoughts he said, 'I am grateful as well as proud, Thomas. I tried to write to her, but it took two attempts before I could find the words. Even so, they are empty against what I feel.' He looked at his friend. 'I talk like a lovesick midshipman. I cannot help it.'
Herrick downed his drink and said, 'It shows, sir. In your manner, on your face. It suits well.' He stood up. 'I will be ready to weigh as soon as the boat returns.'
He hesitated by the door. 'It will seem better somehow. Knowing they're both keeping company with each other while we're on that damned blockade.'
Bolitho sat for a long time sifting through his thoughts. There was a lot which Herrick did not know. For instance, that Damerum was back in overall command of the station, that he would decide where the Inshore Squadron might best be placed. No, better for Herrick to be left in peace for as long as possible. To have to look over his shoulder at a hostile authority when he should be watching the enemy was asking for an early grave.
Two hours later, as her great anchor broke from the ground, the Benbow staggered heavily downwind, her canvas thrashing in apparent confusion until under full rudder and close-reefed topsails she ploughed contemptuously through the first deep trough.
Bolitho stood at the side of the quarterdeck, oblivious to the wet wind and the bustling seamen at halliards and braces.
He took a telescope from the midshipman of the watch and moved it slowly across the walls of the Portsmouth forts and batteries. They looked like gleaming metal instead of stone, he thought, and already so far away. Beyond reach.
Something moved in the corner of the lens and he trained the glass carefully towards it.
It was too far to see her face, but she was wearing the same blue cloak as she had worn in the overturned coach. Her hair was free and streaming in the wind as she waved a kerchief high above her head.
Bolitho took a few paces further aft as part of a flanking battery wall moved inexorably across the side of his lens, attempting to shut her off like a door.
He hurried up the larboard poop ladder, and with the glass to his eye removed his hat to wave it slowly back and forth, even though it was unlikely she would see him.
Bolitho returned to the quarterdeck and handed the telescope to the midshipman.
When he moved to the nettings the angle from the shore had increased even more, and the small patch of blue with the streaming chestnut hair above was hidden from view.
He remembered her as he had last seen her, the feel of her supple body in his arms.
'Belinda.'
Lieutenant Speke turned towards him anxiously.
'Beg pardon, sir?'
Bolitho had not realized he had spoken her name aloud.
'Er, nothing, Mr Speke.'
Herrick had heard him, too, and turned away to hide a smile and to thank the good fortune which had given Bolitho such unexpected happiness.
Old Ben Grubb did not miss much either. He blew his nose noisily and remarked, 'Fair wind, all bein' well. An' 'tis only right an' proper in my book.'
Back on the spray-soaked ramparts Dulcie Herrick called, 'Better come down now, my dear. You'll catch your death of cold otherwise.'
She had desperately wanted to share Benbow's departure, to wave at the ship as she spread more canvas and heeled ponderously to the wind. But she knew from her own short experience how important this moment was. Too important to share with anyone.
The girl turned and looked down at her, her brown eyes misty as she said, 'Did you hear the sailors singing?'
'A shanty, yes. It always moves me. Especially now.'
The girl climbed down the stone steps and slipped her hand through her arm.
'There is so much I want to know about him. About his world.' She squeezed her companion's arm and added huskily, 'I was nearly such a fool, Dulcie. I could have lost him.'
The days which followed Benbow's return to the squadron were marked only by their emptiness, their dreary similarity. As they dragged into weeks, and Bolitho's weatherbeaten ships beat back and forth on their endless patrol, it seemed to many that they were the only living beings, that the rest of the world had forgotten them.
Even the sloop and lively frigates found little to report. Nothing moved in or from the Baltic, and only by keeping their people busy or otherwise engaged in contests amongst themselves could the captains cling to a disciplined routine.
Bolitho released one ship at a time for a brief call to a home port. As each vessel left the little squadron the remaining ones began to count the days for her return and their own chance of parole.
Relentless, being the larger of the two frigates, was employed around the Skaw and down into the Kattegat. Whenever she made contact with the flagship, which was rare, it was through the Styx or the sloop Lookout, and Bolitho often wondered how his nephew was getting on, and if he was still brooding over the duel and the cause of it.
The last ship to return from her short reprieve in an English harbour was Captain Inch's sixty-four, Odin. As Bolitho stood on the quarterdeck and watched the two-decker running down towards the squadron he felt in his bones that she was to be the last, and it was with no surprise that he heard Oughton, the new lieutenant, call, 'Signal from Odin, sir! Captain requests to come aboard!'
Herrick moved to Bolitho's side. 'I wonder what news he has for us, sir?'
Bolitho saw some of the off duty hands on the weather gangway, so hardened now to the bitter weather that most were bare-armed, some even without shoes. They would also be wondering. The blockade was to be
