The Admiral's Daughter

duty . . . to th' end.' The unblinking eyes watching him gave no indication of the seamen's thoughts. When he clapped on his hat they returned down the little road to Penzance.

Kydd stood for a moment longer by the graveside. Then his eyes met Renzi's. Wordlessly they turned and followed.

CHAPTER 5

WITH SIX SAIL-OF-THE-LINE at anchor in Cawsand Bay, and Plymouth Sound alive with wartime shipping, it was probably too much to expect any to notice the arrival in port of so modest a vessel as the brig-sloop Teazer, but Commander Kydd didn't care. Pacing his own quarterdeck in his best coat and breeches, he was ready for any summons from the admiral after a not uneventful first war cruise.

The challenge flag fluttered up the mast of the signal station at Mount Wise and Teazer's reply shot up the lee halliards as she eased to larboard to avoid an ungainly Indiaman working her way seaward. Then, within a few hundred yards of the grassy sward of Plymouth Hoe, Teazer's helm went over for the final mile to the notorious Devil's Point and the entrance to the Hamoaze—and rest.

Kydd concentrated on the approach. The vicious currents in the narrows had claimed many victims—their bleached timbers could still be seen on the banks.

In the fine weather people were thronging the pleasant gardens on the point. 'Why, there's a beauty wants to be noticed!' Standish exclaimed. He had his telescope trained on one particular lady who was waving both arms enthusiastically. Distracted, Kydd turned back to the conn but something about that figure . . .

'If y' please?' he asked, and took a peek. It was Cecilia.

'Mr Prosser, dip th' ensign!' Standish looked at Kydd with alarm. 'My sister,' he said defensively. Obediently Teazer's colours lowered six feet and proudly returned.

He had no idea why she was there but her gaiety did not seem to indicate a family crisis. After Teazer had picked up her moorings, he penned a quick note to go ashore with the first boat, inviting her aboard after the flurry of official business, which always awaited a warship returning from a cruise.

'Boat ahoy!' blared the mate-of-the-watch, at the approaching pinnace—there was really no need, for it plainly bore only an assortment of passengers, but its coxswain Poulden bellowed the required 'No, no!' to indicate that no naval officer was coming aboard.

Cecilia climbed daintily over the bulwarks, handed across by an attentive Kydd, who tried not to notice the look of admiration she received from Standish. His elaborate bow, however, was lost on her: she threw her arms determinedly round her brother and kissed him soundly, to the delight of the seamen on deck. 'Dear Thomas! I'm so thrilled—you have no idea! Captain of your ship—'

'Why, yes, er, welcome on board HMS Teazer, Cecilia,' Kydd said hastily. 'An' this is . . . ?' He turned to the two other passengers stepping aboard.

'Oh, you must remember Jane! She invited me to stay, and how could I refuse?' The lady dimpled with pleasure at the introduction and shyly held out her hand as Cecilia continued, 'In Jamaica, I helped at her wedding to William. And we all had dinner together that time . . . ?'

The thickset man grinned broadly. 'I was a lowly ensign o' Foot.' He chuckled, clearly impressed to know the captain of a King's ship and apparently not recalling that in Jamaica Kydd had been but the quartermaster's mate of a tiny cutter.

Cecilia took his arm with determination. 'Do take us about your ship, Thomas,' she said, with an impish smile.

Kydd cleared his throat importantly. 'Mr Standish, let me know if ye have any troubles—I'll be takin' these people f'r a tour.'

His visitors showed every delight at the sights to be had in a man-o'-war: towering masts with their incomprehensible tracery of rigging; the soaring, naked bowsprit so immensely long at close quarters; the deadly fascination of the line of guns at either side; the compass binnacle and spoked helm, now motionless.

Heads were bumped on the deckhead below but they were able to see for themselves the clean expanse of the mess-deck with its tables triced up and ditty bags against the side. The boatswain affably displayed his store and they witnessed at first hand the procedure for the issuing of victuals to the mess-cooks for preparation.

Finally they entered the great cabin of HMS Teazer, and admired the noble appointments accorded the ship's captain. Cecilia's eyes shone as she looked up at her brother. While her friends peered hesitantly into Kydd's sleeping cabin he whispered, 'An' ye're invited t' the captain's table at eight bells tonight, sis.'

It called for sherry all round before Kydd had regretfully to announce that, owing to pressure of work, he must conclude their tour and send them ashore. They returned on deck, blinking in the sunshine, but Cecilia hung back. 'Thomas,' she said in a small voice, 'we haven't seen Nicholas.'

'Aye, well, he doesn't like t' be disturbed, y' see,' he said uncomfortably. Renzi's instructions had been clear.

She met his eyes levelly but said nothing.

'Ah, b' chance he might be at leisure t' see you,' he said, and excused himself to his visitors and went below, hearing Cecilia's footsteps tapping behind him.

The tiny cabin had its curtain pulled across but Kydd cleared his throat and said brightly, 'Nicholas—er, here's someone desirous o' speaking with ye.'

There was movement and Renzi's head poked out. He paused when he saw Kydd's sister, then turned and looked accusingly at Kydd. Cecilia gave an encouraging smile and said sweetly, 'So kind in you, sir, to receive us without notice. Do I find you in health?' Her eyes were already straying beyond the curtain, and Renzi, with a curious air of dignity yet defiance, answered, 'I do thank you for your politeness but as you may see I cannot in all civility invite you to enter.'

Kydd hastened to say, 'Oh, er, you'll understand, Cec, we don't have an overplus o' room aboard, an' this is how Nicholas wants it.'