disorder and strewn across the pillow beside him. There were red marks on her skin although he could not remember how they had been caused, and her face, when he combed some hair from it with his fingers, was that of a young girl, with no hint of the unspoken anxieties they must always share.
Somewhere a clock chimed, and he heard the grind of iron-shod wheels in the street.
Parting.
18. Fire And Mist
BOLITHO stood by the Black Prince's stern windows and half listened to all the familiar sounds as she made more sail again and got under way. In the quarter gallery he could see the ghost-like reflection of the frigate Tybalt, as she stood off from the flagship and prepared to return to the Nore for orders.
Her new captain was doubtless relieved to have delivered his passenger without mishap or risk of any blame for delays, and that he could now resume his own individual role.
Bolitho thought of that last farewell in the house on the river. Catherine had wanted to drive with him to Chatham, but she had not pleaded when he had said, 'Go to Falmouth, Kate. You will be amongst friends there.' They had parted as passionately as they had lived together. But he could still see her. Standing on the stone steps, her eyes filling her face, her high cheekbones holding shadows as the sun reflected from the river.
Bolitho heard Ozzard banging about in the sleeping compartment: he seemed to be the only one of his little band who was actually glad to be back with the squadron.
Even Allday was unusually depressed. He had confided that when he had seen his son aboard Anemone, the younger man had confessed that he wanted to quit the navy after all. It was like a slap in the face for Allday To discover a son he had known nothing about, to learn of his courage when he had first suspected him a coward, and then to see him made coxswain to Captain Adam Bolitho-it had been more from life than he had ever hoped.
His son, also named John, had explained that he wanted an end to war. He loved the sea, but he had said that there were other ways of serving it.
Allday had demanded to know what they might be, and his son had replied without hesitation, 'I want to fish, and one day own my own boat. Settle down with a wife-not like so many.'
Bolitho knew that last remark was what had really hurt him. Not like so many. His father, perhaps?
Allday had described his son's enthusiasm as he had relived their too-brief encounter after the battle. He had ended by saying, 'When he told me that Cap'n Adam agreed with him, I knew I was beaten.'
Maybe Allday had been comparing his own life, and what might become of him one day.
There was a knock at the outer door, and Keen entered and gave his hat to Ozzard.
'Come in, Val.' He watched him curiously. Keen looked more relaxed than for a long time. Even his face was untroubled by the duties which lay heavily on any squadron's flag captain. Bolitho had carried a letter for him which Catherine had been holding in her care.
Bolitho said, 'You can scan these papers at your leisure, Val. But to cut it short, it seems that Admiral Godschale's prophesies and plans have been put into motion.' They crossed to the table and looked at the chart. 'A large fleet, including some of the ships released from Good Hope, has been gathered at North Yarmouth in
Norfolk. It's about the nearest anchorage of any size to Denmark. Admiral Gambier has hoisted his flag in Prince of Wales, and he has some twenty-five sail of the line under his command.'
He smiled at Keen's alert profile. 'I gather the admiral originally intended to take Black Prince as his flagship, but he feared she would not be completed in time.' He became serious, thinking suddenly of Herrick as he said, 'There will be many transports and troopships-some will carry all the flat-bottomed boats they will need for landing the army as well as artillery for laying siege. It will be the biggest combined operation since Wolfe took Quebec in fifty-nine.' He thought of the general at Good Hope and added slowly 'Lord Cathcart commands the army and I'm told he has some ten major-generals in company one of whom is Sir Arthur Wellesley I,,, believe that Cathcart and many others will see this attack as a preparation for the eventual assault on Europe.'
Keen said gravely, 'Then God help the Danes.'
Bolitho slipped out of his heavy coat and tossed it onto a chair.
'We will remain on station until Gambier's fleet is through the Skagerrak, in case the French attempt to pounce on the supply vessels-it would leave the army high and dry if they succeeded! Then we follow in support.'
'As ordered, sir, Captain Crowfoot's Glorious is still with our second division to the north'rd.'
'I know.' He rubbed his chin vigorously. 'Have a signal repeated to Anemone, Val. Recall her to the squadron and I will send Adam with my despatches for Crowfoot. I think it best if we stand together until we know what is happening.'
As Keen made for the screen Bolitho asked, 'What other news, Val?'
Keen looked at him searchingly and then gave a huge grin. 'I have heard from Zenoria, sir.'
Bolitho gave a wry smile. 'I rather gathered so! '
'The date is arranged.' The words seemed to flood out of him. 'Lady Catherine's hand was in it, it seems. They talked together, and she has asked her to visit her at Falmouth.'
Bolitho smiled. 'I am glad to know it.' He walked around the table and clasped Keen's hands. 'There is nobody who better deserves the love and happiness she will offer.'
When Keen had gone to have the signal made which would eventually be repeated to Anemone beyond the horizon, Bolitho wondered what the two women had spoken of. Catherine had said little about it, but had obviously been very pleased about their meeting. Something in her tone had suggested that Zenoria's uncle, newly returned from the Indies, might have tried to discourage the marriage. Had he wanted the lovely girl with the moonlit eyes for himself, perhaps?
He went back to the canvas-covered folder, which he had carried in Tybalt in its lead-weighted bag in case they had run into a stronger enemy force again, and turned over the pages. A door opened and closed and he heard Jenour whispering, Yovell's deeper response. They were gathering around the wheel's hub again, the spokes waiting to reach out to other ships and different minds from the man who led them.
But Bolitho was seeing reality in the beautiful writing. Twenty thousand soldiers, artillery and mortars, with all the small vessels like bombs and gun brigs to support their landings.
They would batter their way ashore between Elsinore and Copenhagen itself. If the Danes persisted against a long siege, that lovely city of green spires would lay in ruins. It did not seem right. The Danes were good people who wanted only to be left alone.
Bolitho slammed the cover shut. But there was no other way. So be it then.
Keen returned and said, 'Signal made, sir. The visibility is good, so Anemone should be here before dusk.'
They were still discussing tactics and the correct wording of his orders to the squadron's captains when the midshipman-ofthe-watch entered to report that Anemone's topgallants were in sight.
Bolitho realised it was his nephew, and asked, 'How are you settled, Mr Vincent?' Then he saw a dark bruise on his cheek, and several scars around his mouth.
Vincent answered sulkily, 'I am well enough, Sir Richard.'
As he left the cabin Bolitho suggested mildly, 'A little altercation, no doubt?'
Keen shrugged. 'It is difficult sometimes to watch over all young gentlemen at once, sir.'
Bolitho observed his discomfort and said, 'That young fellow is a bully, with a conceit as wide as this cabin. Because he is related to me, it makes no difference in matters of discipline. And I will share something else with you. He will never make lieutenant unless you believe in miracles! '
Keen stared at him, astonished by such frankness, and that Bolitho could still surprise him.
'It was a fight, sir. A sort of gunroom court of law. The other one was Mr Midshipman Segrave.'
Bolitho nodded slowly. 'I should have guessed. No one would understand better how to deal with a petty tyrant! '
The mood left him and he touched Keen's arm and grinned. 'Just be thankful you do not have to be the one to tell my sister Felicity! '
Lanterns were being lit when Anemone finally hove-to under Black Prince's lee and rounded-up into the wind.
Yovell was sealing the despatches for Captain Crowfoot when the calls trilled at the entry port, and Keen led
