or excitement, he was not certain. Like the silence which had fallen over Plymouth's busy harbour and jetties as Unrivalled was moved slowly to her allotted anchorage. Her company had worked without complaint, for him, for the ship, and for one another, but they could not conceal the scars of battle, and only the most pressing tasks could be accomplished while the ship was still under way.
It was the first anyone had known of the action, and he had sensed the shocked stillness of those same vessels which had seen them depart less than three weeks ago. Some store ships had stopped work when the frigate's shadow had glided slowly abeam, the hoists and derricks motionless, as if it were a mark of respect.
The request for his appearance on board the flagship Queen Charlotte had been brought by the guardboat and not by any signal, and the officer of the guard had signed for and carried the secret despatches to this very cabin.
Lord Exmouth sat back in his chair, outwardly relaxed, but his keen eyes missed nothing.
'I read your report, Bolitho. Very thorough, especially under the circumstances.' His hand moved very slightly and a tray with two fine glasses appeared on his table. Another small movement, and the servant began to pour wine. 'You might like this. I keep it for myself, usually.'
He continued, 'I also read other things which you did not put in your report, and I appreciate how you felt, feel, about the sly and unprovoked attack made under false colours.' He shook his head. 'An old trick. But you were under orders. My orders. Which is why I selected you in the first place. Any other vessel, brig or fast schooner, would have stood no chance at all.'
There was a discreet tap on the door and a lieutenant moved soundlessly to the table and placed a note by the admiral's glass. He left the cabin just as quietly, giving Adam only a brief glance in passing.
Lord Exmouth read the note and screwed it into a tight ball.
'It is as I surmised, Bolitho. The Dey has gathered more ships to his flag, like the frigate which attacked Unrivalled. French, Dutch, who can say? But I don't have to explain that to you, do I?' He made another small gesture and the glasses were refilled.
Adam tried to stretch his body in the chair, testing it, feeling the immediate drag of the bandages. He did not remember even drinking the wine. It was almost cool in the great cabin, but he felt as if his body was burning.
The admiral was observing him calmly. 'You did not mention that you were wounded. I am not a mind-reader, Bolitho, nor should I have to remind you.' Ile did not wait for any reply. 'Time is running out. I intend to sail from here at the end of the month. To Gibraltar, where we shall be joined by a Dutch squadron under Baron van de Capellan, an officer who is known to me, and whom I greatly respect.' His eyes crinkled in a smile. 'In your report you mention that you did in fact see some Dutch ships at the Rock. Very astute of you-perhaps you had already guessed what their purpose might he?'
'I had good cause to remember one Dutch frigate, my lord.'
'Indeed, indeed. But as Our Nel was given to say, war makes strange bedfellows. And peace creates even more!'
He glanced at the skylight as the trill of calls drifted down into this remote cabin. The admiral was a great man, but perhaps still a frigate captain at heart. The sound of running rigging in the middle of the night watches… someone calling a command or a warning… Like young Cousens, who had seen the danger before anyone. And had paid for it.
'I have a good squadron already, Bolitho. To say that I need a certain captain is too frivolous a term for my taste. You have the experience and the skill for this venture. I want you in the van when I begin the attack on the Dey's defenses and his ships. If your ship is not in fit repair by the time I make that move, then I will find you another!'
Adam caught his breath, astonished and dismayed.
'She will be ready, my lord! With some local help, I can…'
The admiral held up one hand. 'I will arrange that. Shall you be fit enough to follow the flag?'
His whole world was suddenly compressed into this moment, with this famous man, and the threat of losing Unrivalled.
'I will be ready, my lord. You have my word.'
The admiral frowned and pressed his fingertips together. 'Your word may not be enough. I knew your uncle, and I can see something of him in you. You'd not rest and leave the routine to others.'
Adam stared around the cabin, the truth stark and very real. He would lose Unrivalled…
The admiral stood up and walked aft to the tall windows. The big three-decker had plenty of headroom, even for him. Perhaps he was still with his own frigate, somewhere…
He turned swiftly.
'Your first lieutenant, Galbraith. I met him. He seemed competent enough.' It sounded like a question. 'I read somewhere that you recommended him for promotion, even though you were short of trained people at the time? So you must have confidence in the fellow's ability.'
'Yes, sir.' Why was it so strange, that he had hesitated? 'He is a fine officer.'
'That settles it, Bolitho. You will take a week or so, and spend the time ashore. Cornwall is my home too, y' know.' He smiled, but his eyes never wavered from Adam's face. 'I am not giving you an order, Bolitho. I want you in the van. If you do not think you can do it, then tell me now. I would not hold it against you, not after what you've done.'
'I can, my lord. So will Unrivalled.'
Discreet voices. It was time.
Adam stood up and gasped involuntarily with pain.
Lord Exmouth held out his hand and took Adam's between both of his own. As Allday had done.
'I will make certain that your ship has all the aid she needs. I may even be able to hurry up the bounty money owed to your people. It will not raise the dead, but it will lift a few spirits, I daresay!'
The flag lieutenant had returned; the door was open and ready.
Then the admiral released his grip and said almost curtly, You will go to your boat by bosun's chair. This time. Pride is one thing, Bolitho, but conceit is an enemy!'
The servant was already leaving with the tray and the two glasses; the next visitor was to receive other than the admiral's own wine. Lord Exmouth smiled, almost sadly.
'He is a good fellow. Lost his hearing back in '93, after we captured the Cleopatre when I commanded Nymphe.' He glanced around the spacious cabin, and his eyes were momentarily wistful. 'Now, she was a fine little ship.'
Adam went on deck, past two other captains waiting to see the admiral. Unbelievably, the great man would have been the same age as himself when he had commissioned Unrivalled
Ile turned and raised his hat to the flag, and to the assembled side party.
Then, hardly trusting himself to hesitate, he walked directly to the group of seamen waiting with the bosun's chair.
One, a boatswain's mate, made a quick adjustment and raised his fist to those handling the tackle.
Only for an instant, their eyes met. Then he whispered, 'You showed 'em, Cap'n! Now us'll do it together!' He cupped his hands and yelled, ''Andsomely, lads! 'Gist away, there!'
The marines presented their muskets but he barely noticed. The flagship's people were cheering him as he rose above the gangway and then swung easily above the waiting gig.
Jago steadied the tackle until he had freed himself and reached the sternsheets.
Midshipman Martyns was at the tiller, and looked as if he was about to say something, his face full of excitement and pleasure as the cheers echoed over and around them, as if the whole ship was joining in. But Jago silenced him with a scowl.
Adam felt the gig move away from shadow into sunlight, and thought of the unknown seaman who had spoken to him. Together.
He looked at Jago and shrugged. Like hearing someone else.
'So be it, then,' he said.
The girl sat facing the tall mirror, her hand moving steadily up and down, the brush running through the full length of her dark hair. Brush… brush… brush, unhurriedly, in time with her breathing. She wore a long, loose gown; this was a private moment, and there would be no visitors.
Around and beneath her, the old glebe house was very still. Empty. Montagu had ridden into Falmouth to speak
