“I don’t care. I want to share everything with you. I’ve been in the surgery with my father when the blood ran so thick on the deck, even the sand we threw down couldn’t keep the decks from being deadly slippery. None of those men knew I was a woman, and even if they did, they wouldn’t have cared, as long as I kept the saw blades sharp and Papa did amputations wicked quick.
Cullen pulled her onto his lap and covered her neck with kisses. “Point well taken, wife. We’re just going to have to take this married life thing one day at a time.”
May 4, 1821
The Arethusa
Somewhere Off St. Helena
Captain Still called Cullen and his other officers into his cabin on the morning of May 4 to explain he would have to leave the ship abruptly for a meeting with St. Helena’s governor, Hudson Lowe, Napoleon’s controversial gaoler. He put First Lieutenant Dalton in charge and left with a shore party of marines.
When the captain did not return that night, the gossip amongst the sailors aboard the Arethusa was wild with speculation and rumors.
And then, finally, during one of the the ship’s passes in front of Jamestown harbor, the flag officer reported the semaphore messaging indicated Napoleon was dead. After a few more passes, the shore launch bringing the captain back was sighted, and Lieutenant Dalton gave the order to head into the anchorage.
After Captain Still was piped back aboard, he disappeared into his cabin for the rest of the day. When he emerged the next morning, he announced they would be sailing back to Portsmouth, per his sealed orders which were to be opened only on the occasion of Napoleon’s death.
Chapter Twenty-Four
First Lieutenant James Dalton waited anxiously outside the door to Captain Still’s cabin. He’d been summoned in a note to meet with his commanding officer about an “opportunity.” Perhaps, finally, the Admiralty had seen fit to promote him to captain and give him his own ship.
When finally the marine swung open the door, the captain’s servant, Jenkins, showed him to the table in the great cabin and offered a cup of tea. Dalton did not particularly care for tea, but dutifully downed the steaming liquid. After a wait of at least an hour, he wondered what the devil the captain was about. The sun had set, and darkness had descended on the harbor.
“Ah, Mr. Dalton.” The captain appeared suddenly from his private cabin.
Jenkins materialized with a bottle of brandy and two glasses. He poured a tot of brandy into each and then disappeared again.
When Captain Still joined Dalton at the table, he lifted his glass. “A toast?”
“Of course.” Dalton’s hopes soared. “To what are we toasting?”
“To old times, to new adventures.” Captain Still sat back and stared a long minute after downing the dark, amber liquid. Then he rose and walked toward the long row of windows along the stern. “Do you see those lanterns over there?” He pointed toward the Chilean warship anchored several hundred feet away from the Arethusa and motioned for Dalton to join him.
“Of course. They’re leaving tomorrow as soon as they’ve taken on fresh water and provisions.”
“I think they meant to try to liberate old Boney, but gave up when they found out how sick he was. Otherwise, the captain is an Englishman, former Royal Navy. Good chap to have alongside you in a fight.” Captain Still turned back to face Dalton. “A fair, honest man to work for. He’s looking for a first lieutenant. He just lost his to fever.”
Dalton’s heart started thumping in double-time. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I think this would be a great opportunity for you.”
Dalton took a step back. “My loyalty, and my career, lie only with the Royal Navy.”
After a few moments, Captain Still continued. “That’s too bad, because sailing back to Chile on that ship would be infinitely preferable to sailing back to England for a court martial, shackled in the Arethusa’s brig.”
“Why? On what charges?” Dalton took on a blustering tone.
“Behavior unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, to start. And I’m sure I can think of more before we get back to Portsmouth.”
Dalton sagged and sat back down hard.
“The coxswain will take you over tonight in a small boat. Don’t make him wait.” The captain returned to his private cabin, and the marine guarding the door came to make sure Dalton followed his orders.
Cullen could not speak for the rest of the crew, but he for one would be more than happy to put the sight of this island behind him.
When he and Willa received an invitation to the captain’s table for supper that evening, they assumed the other officers would be joining them. However, when they arrived, they were greeted by Captain Still alone.
Once they were seated, the captain asked all of the servants to leave the room once glasses of Madeira had been poured.
“I brought the two of you together tonight to toast your new lives back in England. I’m sure you’re both looking forward to sharing a real bed for a change.” He smiled and honored them with a slow wink
Cullen stole a sideways look at Willa and saw the pink flush spreading from her cheeks down to the creamy skin above the low bodice of her wedding gown.
“On a more somber note, there are two things I have to report.
“First, I regret to say that last night, my First Lieutenant, Mr. Dalton, jumped ship to join the Chilean warship that has been anchored in the harbor seeking word on Napoleon’s condition. They sailed for home with the early morning tide.”
Willa’s face turned so pale, Cullen feared he’d have to take her out into the fresh air.
