genuine pleasure at meeting them together for the first time.
'Don't you let him go back, my dear! Let some of the others do their dirty work instead! '
An anonymous voice had called from the rear, 'Huzza for our Dick an' 'is lovely lady! '
Obviously a sailor, probably one who had served with Bolitho at some time. It was like a ghost calling out for all the others who would never see his face again.
In the carriage again with Allday sitting opposite, fast asleep and smelling strongly of rum, Catherine asked softly, 'Shall we know soon?'
Bolitho squeezed her arm. She did not have to explain. It was always there like a threat, while they made each hour of every day their own.
He said, 'I think so. Sir Paul Sillitoe has spoken of a new flag lieutenant, so I suspect he knows more than he is prepared to tell.'
'Will you take his nephew?'
'I'm not sure. Sometimes it is better not to know people too well, to care for them in a way which can hurt, even harm.' He hesitated. 'We have discussed the Indian Ocean too much for coincidence. A quick campaign to cut out further attacks on our shipping.'
'That will mean returning to Cape Town?'
They both fell silent, each reliving the nightmare of the shipwreck.
He said, 'It will be in a King's ship this time. We shall stand well clear of the hundred-mile reef! '
She pressed closer and said, 'I wish I could be there, wherever they send you.'
He watched the houses passing in the red glow of sunset and wondered how many sailors and would-be admirals had rolled along this very road.
'A friend at the Admiralty told me that Adam's ship will sail under orders very soon. He thinks it will be to Gibraltar.'
He thought of Adam's face when he had remarked, 'On my birthday last year I was kissed by a lady.' He ought to have realised what he had meant, when in response to his question Adam had said that he did not think anyone really knew the lady. It had been tearing him apart even then. How much worse it would become if he could not learn to control his feelings.
He added, 'I will speak with him, Kate. Whenever I think it prudent.'
But she had fallen asleep against his shoulder.
Three days after the christening Bolitho received his expected summons to the Admiralty.
Catherine had insisted that she should accompany him, and he was surprised that he had made no protest. If they were to be parted in the name of duty, he wanted needed every possible moment with her.
The day was fine and warm with some of those who walked and loitered in the tree-lined squares wilting in the dusty sunshine.
Bolitho watched as she descended the staircase with Sophie hovering behind her.
She looked directly into his face. 'Well, dearest of men? Will it suit?' She wore a gown of deep blue which almost matched his own coat, with facings of gold lace. 'The admiral's lady, or his woman in any case! ' She flicked open the fan he had brought her from Madeira to hide the lower half of her face, so that her eyes seemed overpowering. Beneath the fan only the shadow between her breasts moved to show her true emotion.
He took her shoulders. 'I have never been more proud.'
At the Admiralty he was conscious of the eyes watching them, and he felt suddenly reckless and defiant.
He bent his head and kissed her on the neck, and spoke only one word. 'Together.' Then he replaced his hat and walked up the steps.
There was no delay and he was met by the same elegant lieutenant. It was pointless to ask why he had not told him about Baratte's release when he had first greeted him here. An oversight, or was someone afraid he might make trouble about it?
The acting Controller of the Navy, a big florid-faced admiral, and two other lords of admiralty with Hamett- Parker and his secretary sat at one end of the table. As he had anticipated, Bolitho saw Sillitoe seated slightly apart from all the others, his face set in an impassive mask.
Hamett-Parker raised his eyebrows questioningly, a habit he had displayed at Herrick's court-martial. 'You are very prompt, Sir Richard.'
One of the other admirals who was unknown to Bolitho said, 'On behalf of the board I must thank you for your patience and your invaluable help since you came to London. Your experience, not merely in the art of war but also in your past dealings with the military, make you an obvious choice for this appointment.' They all nodded soberly except Hamett-Parker. He continued, 'We understand from Sir Paul Sillitoe that you were thinking of a force of perhaps eight frigates? That, of course, would be out of the question.'
Bolitho thought of Godschale. One cannot do everything.
He leaned his elbow on one arm of his chair and touched his eye. He had not been to see the surgeon again. Had he accepted that it was hopeless?
'The army is gathering its strength in Cape Town, Sir Richard. You are senior enough to assist but not necessarily conform to their strategy, for it is the intention of His Britannic Majesty's government to invade and overthrow the French island of Mauritius. But before that we must seek out the enemy's naval strength in that ocean and destroy it.'
Bolitho said abruptly, 'Nobody could do that without ships.'
Hamett-Parker commented, 'Frigates, and perhaps some smaller vessels?'
Bolitho looked at him. 'Yes. Otherwise…'
Hamett-Parker snapped, 'There is a new frigate, Valkyrie. She has been accepted into the fleet and now lies at Plymouth.' He gave a small smile. 'She is captained by one of your fellow Cornishmen, no less! '
Bolitho had heard something of the new frigate. She had been designed originally as an experiment, to compete with the enemy's larger frigates, which in turn had been copied from the latest contenders in the new American Navy. Bigger than any other frigate in the fleet, Valkyrie carried forty-two guns, but was said to be faster and more manoeuvrable than even thirty-eight gun ships like Anemone.
Hamett-Parker continued, 'Captain Aaron Trevenen, d'you know him?'
'I know of him.'
Hamett-Parker pressed his fingertips together. He was enjoying it. 'Another of your curt summings-up of a proud man's achievements?'
Sillitoe said, 'Many, many months ago it feels like years we met at Godschale's house by the Thames. You may recall that Lady Catherine Somervell scolded me for…'
Hamett-Parker snapped, 'We require no personal references here, Sir Paul! '
Sillitoe ignored him but raised his voice slightly. 'Scolded me for sending you, Sir Richard, to yet another demanding appointment. I protested that we could send no other, there was none better or so qualified for the task. After the terrible experiences she shared after the loss of Golden Plover, I am certain that she would not disagree with me again.'
Hamett-Parker swallowed his anger. 'I will send orders to the Valkyrie. You and your staff can take passage in her as Trevenen will be the senior officer of our eventual flotilla. I shall let you know what I think will be required when and if…'
Bolitho said, 'If I am to command this enterprise against Baratte…' He saw two of them start with surprise. Did they really not know what was happening, and what to expect? 'Then I will inform you, Sir James.'
He bowed his head to the table and walked to the door. Sillitoe followed him as he knew he would.
Outside the door Bolitho said, 'I appear to have talked myself into something I would have wished to avoid.'
'I meant what I said. The sailors respect you, and you have their hearts. They will know that you will not betray them merely to satisfy some crude craving for glory, nor will you sacrifice their lives for no good purpose.'
He watched Bolitho's profile, the arguments matched only by the sensitivity on his sunburned face.
Sillitoe persisted, 'If it can be done, you will do it. If not, we shall have to think again.' He added indifferently, 'By which time the King will be raving mad and, more to the point, there may be those not afraid to mention it! '
They paused by a tall window on the stairs. Sillitoe looked down and said, 'How I envy you, Richard. For
