The lieutenant glared at Allday. 'And what are you doing?'
Allday replied calmly, 'Listening, sir.'
'Why, you insolent…'
Avery took his arm and pulled him aside. 'Stow it. Unless you would like a personal introduction to Sir Richard Bolitho?'
'Is that a threat, sir?' But the irritation was giving away to caution like sand slipping from an hour-glass.
'Rather, a promise! '
The lieutenant stiffened as Bolitho and two army officers came into sight. Avery saw immediately that there was dirt on the vice-admiral's sleeve.
'Are you well, Sir Richard?'
Bolitho smiled. 'Of course. The military provided too much hospitality. I should have watched my step in more ways than one! ' The army officers grinned.
Avery turned and saw Allday staring at Bolitho, the anxiety like pain in his eyes. It was like a cold hand on the spine -but why? There was something else here he still knew nothing about.
But he had observed the exchange of glances before. As strong as steel. What bond did they share on top of all else, he wondered?
Bolitho said, 'I see that Anemone is in her rightful berth.' He looked at Allday. It was like an unasked question.
Allday nodded, and tilted his hat further to cut out the glare.
'Captain repair on board was hoisted, Sir Richard.'
'Good. I want to see him myself.' He glanced idly at the anchored army transports, the rigging decorated with newly washed shirts and blankets. Almost to himself he said, 'I do not think we have an army of professionals. Not yet in any case.' He seemed to change his mind about something. Two brigs are arriving to complete our little squadron. The Thruster and the Orcadia.'
Avery stared, as did the lieutenant in charge of the boat, even more as Allday exclaimed, 'Can't get rid of Mr. Jenour, sir! '
Avery understood: for once he could share it. Jenour had been his predecessor. He had heard that even when promoted to commander and given a ship after that last battle with the French rear-admiral, Baratte, he had not wanted to leave Bolitho. Promotion was something every officer dreamed of, and he had been prepared to throw it all away.
If they fell in with Baratte again out here where one great ocean met another, might he himself be offered the same choice? He looked at the bottom-boards to hide his bitterness. If the chance did come his way, he would take it with both hands.
Allday muttered, 'Anemone'?' gig is still alongside, Sir Richard.'
Bolitho's jaw tightened. What had the two captains been finding to discuss throughout the forenoon?
'Watch your stroke, man! '
Bolitho saw the oarsman in question blink, afraid of spoiling the final approach in case the captain was watching.
The fourth lieutenant was probably just as worried, but determined not to be found wanting.
Bolitho touched his waistcoat pocket and felt the two letters there from Catherine. Now she would join him through her words, and the six thousand miles between them might seem like nothing, if only for a while.
He heard the stamp of feet and the clink of weapons as the marines joined the waiting side-party.
He glanced up at the tapering masts and furled sails. How different from any other frigate, he thought. With a company of two hundred and seventy officers, seamen and marines, she would be a formidable weapon if properly used.
In the first frigate he had ever commanded there had been only three lieutenants, as was usually the case today. He frowned. One of them had been Thomas Herrick.
He looked at his coat and wondered if anyone had guessed about his failing vision. He had not seen the step, just like the time in Antigua when he had slipped and would have fallen, but for a lady who was waiting with her husband to greet him. Catherine.
Allday whispered, 'Ozzard'll soon have that cleaned off, Sir Richard.'
Their eyes met and Bolitho answered simply, 'It is nothing.' So he knew.
On the frigate's deck seamen barely paused in their work to look at the vice-admiral who had come amongst them. The marine guard waited to be dismissed, and Bolitho saw some men swabbing the deck below the larboard gangway. Blood, by the look of it. Another flogging then.
Captain Aaron Trevenen wasted no time. 'I have logged Anemone's time of arrival. Having sent for her captain, I rebuked him for his failure to comply with his orders and make all haste to join us.'
There was more than anger in his voice and eyes. Was it triumph, perhaps?
Trevenen said loudly, 'As the senior officer in your absence, Sir Richard…'
Bolitho met his stare and said, 'A lot seems to happen when I am not present, Captain Trevenen.' He glanced briefly at the seamen with their swabs. 'I am all ears to hear my nephew's explanation perhaps more than you realise.' His tone hardened, and later Avery was to remember it. 'We will discuss it in my quarters, not here in the market-place! '
The marine sentry stamped to attention and Ozzard opened the screen door for them. Every window, gun port and skylight was open but with little effect. Adam stood beneath a skylight, his dress coat with its gleaming epaulettes making him look even younger, rather than more mature.
Bolitho gestured to Ozzard. 'Some refreshment.' He knew Trevenen would make an excuse to withdraw after he had said his piece. 'Be seated, the pair of you. We will fight the Frenchies if need be, but not, I pray, each other.'
They sat down, the one avoiding the other. Bolitho studied his nephew and thought of what Catherine had told him. Sitting here, with an incipient crisis to deal with, he marvelled that he had not seen it for himself.
Trevenen said abruptly, 'Captain Bolitho entered Funchal in Madeira without orders, Sir Richard. So he sailed out of company, and our progress would have been curtailed had a strong enemy force come upon us! ' He glared at the young captain. 'I reprimanded him.'
Bolitho looked at his nephew. The wildness was still there, defiance too. He could well imagine Adam provoking somebody into a duel regardless of the consequences, just as he could easily see him with Zenoria. He tried not to think of Valentine Keen, so proud and happy, a dear friend who must never know.
He asked, 'Why did you make for Funchal?'
Adam faced him openly for the first time since he had come aboard.
'I believed we might discover some shipping, vessels which perhaps might not be all they seemed.'
Trevenen exploded, 'A likely story, sir! '
Bolitho felt vaguely troubled. Adam was lying. Because of me, or Trevenen?
Trevenen took his silence for doubt.
He said, That island is always a place for loose tongues! By God, I expect that all France knows what we are about by now! '
Bolitho said, 'Well?'
Adam shrugged, his eyes hidden in shadow. 'Maybe not all France, but the Americans are certainly interested in us. I was entertained by a certain Captain Nathan Beer, of the United States frigate Unity.'
Bolitho took a glass of wine from Ozzard, surprised that he could remain so calm.
'I know of him.'
'And he of you.'
Trevenen snapped, 'Why was I not told? And if it's true…'
Adam retorted, 'With respect, sir, you seemed more concerned with upbraiding me in front of as many of the people as possible! '
Bolitho said, 'Easy, gentlemen.' To Adam he asked, 'Was the Unity a new ship? For I have surely never heard of her.' It gave Adam time to control his sudden anger.
'She is the biggest frigate afloat.'
Trevenen scoffed, 'And what do you imagine Valkyrie to be?'
Adam glanced around the cabin. 'She is larger even than this ship. She mounts at least forty-four guns.' He
