the officer laid with his face blown away.'
Allday said, 'There were a few things like that. Some of us…'
Flinders interrupted, 'It was murder. A long time ago, but you witnessed it.'
Grimes said uneasily, 'Bad times. A lot of men were pressed, an' they hated the navy an' the discipline.'
Allday said: 7 was pressed. With my old friend Bryan Ferguson, rest his soul.'
Flinders said abruptly, 'Another round. 'Grimes was shaking his head, peering around for the clock. Flinders ignored him. 'There's a Rear-Admiral Herrick staying at the house. You know him pretty well, I believe?'
Allday nodded. The house. As if he still belonged there. Part of it.
'I wonder what he 'd have to say if he knew the man who shot down an officer in cold blood was still alive.'
Grimes said, 'We don't know that!'
Flinders waited as the other John strode heavily to their table, refilled the glasses and poured a measure for Allday. A door banged shut. The two lawyers were gone.
Grimes said, 'I can't be sure. What would people say if I was mistaken?'
Flinders shrugged. 'I think Rear-Admiral Herrick should be told. It is his duty. 'He turned hard eyes on Allday. 'There are others we should consider, don't you agree?'
He stood up suddenly. There was wine on his immaculate waistcoat, like blood.
He grinned, showing his strong teeth. 'I've got work to do.
They'd all fall asleep if I didn't watch ‘em!'
He picked up his hat and walked to the door, and Allday heard him calling out to some one, maybe the dark- haired Nessa. She would be coming back from her walk with little Katie. He would get no encouragement there.
Grimes repeated, 'I can't be sure. All those years.'
He was feeling in his purse. Unlike Flinders, who seldom paid.
'Some one you met?'
Grimes looked past him, avoiding his eyes.
'He came to the Bolitho house, brought a letter from Captain Bolitho. Needed work. Dan Yovell seemed to think it was fair and square, and you know nothing slips past that one. But I can't swear to it. 'He stood up, shaking his head. 'These times, you can't be certain of anything. 'He dropped some coins in a plate and Allday watched him leave. Probably just gossip, and they should be used to that here. And Sir Richard's sister would know or sense if there was some one flying false colours under that roof.
He touched his cheek, remembering Captain Adam's lady, when she had kissed him in front of all those folk after Bryan's funeral.
'What did you make of all that? 'His brother-in-law must have had his ear to the door. 'Henry Grimes doesn't seem too certain, specially after a glass or two. 'He laughed and tipped the plate of coins into his apron. 'I can think of several bloody officers I could've shot, given half the chance!'
'But you didn't, did you?'
He listened to the horse clattering past the windows.
'You've made up your mind, then?'
'I was going up to the house anyway. 'He was surprised that the lie came so easily.
The other John looked at him keenly, but said only, 'Thought you might.'
Allday went out, and he heard him talking to young Jack in the yard; otherwise the inn was silent. Until work on the road stopped for the day.
He looked along the room, at the cheerful prints and polished brasses, and turned to join the others in the kitchen.
Nessa would be there. He tried to put the latest piece of gossip out of his mind. It was best left alone, forgotten. But some people could never let things die.
He glanced again around the room, so quiet now, and stooped and touched his wooden leg. 'We won, didn't we?' For some, it was not enough.
Herrick stood by one of the tall windows watching the steam rise from puddles on the terrace. The rain had been sudden and heavy, but the sky was almost clear again, the sun as brilliant as before. He had heard a carriage: Nancy was back, and he was relieved. Even the best horses could be difficult when there was thunder in the air.
She hurried through the door, throwing off her cape and shaking out her hair.
'Oh, Thomas, you're here already! I so hoped…' She broke off, gazing at the loose wrappings on the floor. 'What's this? 'And then, recognizing it, 'She said it was on its way.
Thank you for dealing with it, bless you!'
'Special carrier, 'he said rather stiffly. 'All the way from London. I hope it was worth it.'
She tugged the remaining wrappings away. The harp had arrived before Lowenna.
She brushed some straw from her sleeve. 'Well, I'm no expert, but it looks undamaged…' and turned toward him as he said, 'I would have done that. ButЦ'
She came to him and touched his face gently.
'I know that'
Neither of them looked at his empty sleeve.
Then she said, 'She should be here today. I hope the roads are clear.'
She ran her fingers over the harp, seeing the other, twisted and burned, in the Old Glebe House.
'It belongs here now.'
Herrick said, 'I was early. The storm… the builders had to stop work.'
'And I was late. 'She glanced at the bell-cord, but changed her mind. 'I was over at Magpie Cottage… Tresidders'. She's just had a baby. 'She shook her head and her hair fell across her shoulder like a young girl's. 'What would you know about that? You sailors are all alike!'
'I don't know what they would do without you, Nancy.'
She said in a low voice, 'Or I without them. The house will be finished soon… and I'll be a visitor here once more. So you see…'
'Your sonЦ 'he tried to soften it, hearing the austerity in his own voice 'ЦJames has great plans for theЦ your estate.
Some of it will be used to train and berth young doctors. He says the scheme would be welcome, and successful.'
'He never gives up. Like his father.'
Herrick said, 'I shall have to be moving along, too.'
She took his hard hand in both of hers.
'You belong here with us, Thomas. Can't you feel that?'
He returned her grip, and could not meet her gaze, afraid that he would hurt her, lose her.
She is not mine to lose.
He said awkwardly, 'He's offered me a position there.
If…'
She tightened her grip.
'I thought there was something. So you see?'
'I shall be getting my pay. Half-pay, from now on.'
There were voices in the hall, a dog barking, some one laughing. He had left it too late.
'What do you want, Thomas?'
'I want you, Nancy. I have no right, but…'
The door swung open and somebody coughed, perhaps apologized, and withdrew. Herrick heard none of it. She was holding him.
Only her words: 'You have every right, dear Thomas!'
George Tolan quickened his pace as the first heavy drops hissed into the long grass at the roadside. He had seen a disused barn close by on one of his previous walks; it would offer some cover until the storm had blown over.
Tolan enjoyed walking, despite, or perhaps because of, his time as a foot-soldier. Even aboard ship he had tried
