'Shall I pass the word to the captain, sir?'
'He's about to leave the ship. I'll deal with it.'
At the entry port, the side-party was already in position, boatswain's mates moistening their calls on their tongues, eyes on the approaching boat.
Vincent saw that Onward'?, gig had been moved to clear the way.
He was calm again, under control. He should get used to it.
What did they say about promotion? Not what you know, but who you know…
The oars were tossed, and the calls trilled in salute.
'I apologize for appearing without any warning. My ship is under orders to sail, but I knew you were lying here…' He looked around. He was even younger than Vincent had thought.
Vincent said, 'I am the senior here, sir. My captain is about to leave the ship.'
'I know. The flagship. I have just been aboard Tenacious myself.'
'Francis Troubridge! Of all people! Here, let me look at you! 'They all stared as the captain strode amongst them and seized the visitor by his shoulders, and the two bright epaulettes they bore. 'Commander Troubridge, by God! And rightly so! Well deserved, if people don't know the real truth!'
They both laughed.
'This is Mark Vincent, my right hand. 'Then, more quietly, 'So many things I want to know, to ask you. 'He took his arm and together they walked inboard, as if they were completely alone.
Jago had appeared on deck, and stood near Vincent, watching impassively.
'Vice-Admiral Bethune's flag lieutenant, sir, in Athena. Afore we was given Onward.'
And it was all over just as quickly.
Another rough hug, then stepping apart and saluting one another. Friends. Equals.
Vincent watched with the others, and heard the captain call, 'I shall tell her, when I see her!'
Then the boat was pulling away, with Commander Francis Troubridge waving his hat like a midshipman, as if he could not restrain himself.
Jago said, 'We'd best do the same, Cap'n.'
He had seen most things, could take them head on if need be.
Ships that pass. Something his father used to go on about, when he was sober enough to make sense.
'I'm ready, when you are. 'Adam was looking in the direction of the boat, but it was already hidden by the lateen sails of a Gibraltarian trader.
He thought of the last time they had all been together, in Bethune's London house, captain, coxswain, flag lieutenant, and the vice-admiral's servant, Tolan.
The navy was like that. The family. It meant something, Jago thought. A hand on the shoulder.
Vincent was saying, 'His first command, sir? 'But some one called out, interrupting him, as the gig was warped alongside again.
Adam saw Morgan hurrying toward the entry port with the old sword in his hands. There would be some peace in the great cabin for a while. Morgan deserved it… He recalled Vincent's words. Admiration or resentment? He climbed down into the gig, the salutes ringing in his ears.
'This will not take long.'
Jago turned to look at him. How does he know? He said, 'Do ‘em good, Cap'n. Work off some o 'that pork!'
As they pulled away from Onward's side and out of her shadow, Adam looked toward the anchored brig, her paintwork like glass in the sunlight. There were tiny figures aloft on her yards, and he guessed the capstan was already manned.
Troubridge was cutting it fine, and under the eyes of the flagship, too. His brief visit had been important enough to him to delay sailing.
To both of us.
His first command. Like Firefly. He thought of that last walk on the waterfront, those same reminders. shall tell her, when I see her. But who would see her first? He climbed swiftly up and around Tenacious'?, tumblehome, and found the side-party waiting.
The flag lieutenant hovered as the salutes were carried out, and then guided him aft with an urgency very unlike his previous visit. As if there was not a minute to spare.
'The commodore is waiting to see you, sir. I shall take you straight to him.'
Adam had already seen a midshipman standing by the flagship's belfry. He was speaking with some seamen, and obviously in no hurry to strike the four bells of the time arranged for this meeting.
He could hear Carrick's voice long before he reached the lobby. The Royal Marine sentry was staring straight in front of him, face impassive. Maybe it was often like this.
'I don't give a saint's damn what he says! Get him here, now!'
A lieutenant hurried past without even sparing them a glance. Carrick was standing in the centre of the cabin, feet astride and with his fine coat unbuttoned, breathing hard, as if he had been running.
'So here you are, Bolitho. Not quite what we expected, eh?'
He gestured to the flag lieutenant. 'Get something to drink, for God's sake, Flags. That fool of a servant is ashore, damn his eyes!'
'I believe you sent him, sir.'
It was not a wise thing to say, but Carrick apparently did not hear him.
'After all the care and preparation! TreacheryЦ remember what I said, Bolitho? There's no other word for it!'
He walked to the side of the cabin, still breathing raggedly, while the flag lieutenant found and placed a full glass on the table. He had already seen Adam shake his head. This was not the time.
Carrick slammed down the empty glass.
'If I hadn't sent you to accompany the Frenchman to… to Aboubakr…' He stumbled over the name. 'The trick would have succeeded, and Nautilus would be lying in charred fragments, like that piece you showed me! The best bloody thing that could have happened, if you ask me!'
The flag lieutenant waited while Carrick strode to the stern windows and leaned out over the quarter, and said patiently, 'The French government is concerned about the uprising, and is eager to strengthen its alliance with the present ruler.'
Carrick swung round, his face shining in the filtered sunlight. 'They're going to give Nautilus to him, for God's sake! A token of trust and solidarity! Like the Algiers fiasco.'
He jabbed a finger. 'You were there, BolithoЦ you saw the scum who tried to use a just campaign to cover their own crimes! There'll be others this time, you mark my words! 'He glared at the door. 'Say that again!'
A voice called, 'Merlin has just weighed, sir.'
He breathed out very slowly. 'Good. Her commander's a friend of yours, I gather?'
'My last ship, sir. 'Adam watched him compose himself, as if it were a physical effort requiring all his strength.
'Well, he's under my command now. 'The anger was still simmering. 'While am still making decisions here!'
He pointed to a litter of papers scattered across the table.
'I have ships undergoing or awaiting repairs. Captains running damned errands for those who think they know what is needed. 'He changed tack just as sharply. 'I was told that Onward is taking on supplies?'
Adam felt the flag lieutenant's eyes on him.
'The usual replenishments, sir. Fresh water too, of course.
My purser is dealing with our immediate requirements.'
Carrick was not listening.
Instead, he asked, 'How soon can you weigh and put to sea?'
Another challenge, and Adam felt an overwhelming desire to hit back, reciprocate measure for measure, despite the consequences.
'Now, if so ordered, sir.'
It was so quiet he thought he could hear Carrick's breathing.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled. 'That was bravely said. I might hold you to it. 'He loosened his coat. 'But two
