The Admiral's Daughter

Kydd turned abruptly and went to his cabin. 'Ah, Nicholas! We're afloat again. Have you your sufficiency of ethnicals, do y' think?'

Renzi rose from the table, his manner cold and detached. 'Here are the returns for stores demands. You should be aware that in your absence eleven men have deserted. And we have received an instruction from Admiral Lockwood that the instant you returned aboard you were to present yourself at his office immediately.'

'Thank you,' Kydd said, with as much dignity as he could muster. 'I will go now, o' course.'

'Get out!' Lockwood roared at a frightened clerk, when Kydd had been announced. 'You too,' he savagely snapped at the flag-lieutenant. Lockwood strode across and slammed the office door. 'How dare you, sir? How dare you show your villainous face in public after your unpardonable behaviour towards my daughter?'

'Sir,' Kydd said stiffly, 'there was no engagement.'

'But there was an understanding!' Lockwood shouted, his face white with fury. 'As well you knew, sir! You have been dishonourable in your intentions. She is upset—quite undone—and I will not let it pass. As God is my witness I will not let this go.'

Kydd swayed under the blast.

Suddenly Lockwood turned and stamped over to his desk.

He waved a copy of the Telegraph at Kydd. 'Have you any conception of the ruination you have caused my family? The distress this has caused my beloved wife? No? Then read this, sir! Read it!' Kydd took the newspaper.

Our intrepid spy, LOOKOUT, climbs aloft to the crow's nest in his unceasing quest for those furtive proceedings of the world most likely to surprise and concern the public. He trains his powerful telescope and before long a most lugubrious sight catches his eye. Readers of a delicate disposition should now avert their eyes for what must follow is a heartrending tale of desolation and woe. A comely maiden stands weeping, and to LOOKOUT's astonishment and anguish he sees that it is none other than our fair Miss Persephone L—, who when she last graced this column was expecting the joyful sound of wedding bells. What is this? he asks, bewildered, and turns his glass around and about. Aha! Can this be the reason? The dashing and notorious Captain Kidd has vilely abandoned her and is now making wicked advances to another. And who is it for whom he has spurned our lady of quality Miss L? None other than a simple country girl with no prospects but a saucy figure. Can it be believed? We can only beg our Readers to contemplate the feelings . . .

Kydd reddened. 'Sir, this is no —'

'You've shamed us to the whole world, sir!' bellowed Lockwood. 'And cast my dear wife to her bed with mortification. And I can assure you I'll see you in Hades before I let it rest.'

Kydd stood rigid as he continued. 'And when I'm finished there won't be a soul in the land who'll think to let you pass their door! And as for your sea service, I promise you, my report to their lordships concerning your fitness for command will spare not a single detail. None, sir!'

'Sir, this is monstrous unjust,' Kydd said thickly.

'Your ship has been at moorings these last two days awaiting her commander. This is intolerable and demonstrates to me a complete and utter contempt for your position as a commanding officer. Permission to sleep out of your ship is therefore revoked—you understand me, sir?'

'Yes,' Kydd ground out.

'What was that?'

'I understand, sir,' Kydd said, suppressing his anger savagely.

'Then, if you find the time, perhaps you might bring your command to sea readiness. I have a special service in mind.'

The midshipman of the boat quailed under his captain's fury, and as they returned to Teazer Boyd gave his orders to the crew in a hushed voice.

Kydd had come to a cold, hard understanding of how things now were. He had chosen his path—and it had cost him dearly. The dream-like past, with its promise of elevation to the heights of gentility and aristocratic privilege, was now but a memory. All he had to look forward to was the remainder of his commission in Teazer before the admiral's malicious actions took effect at the Admiralty, then gentle penury for the rest of his life.

But it would be with Rosalynd. He clung to the radiance of her laughing image, his eyes misting. Be damned, it was worth it—a hundred times worth it!

'Um, sir—we're alongside,' the midshipman said uncomfortably.

'I c'n see that, blast you,' he said, and clambered inboard over the bulwark. 'Send f'r the sheer hulk, we're taking in masts,' he snapped at Standish. 'Now, sir!'

He plunged below and sat in his chair, breathing heavily. 'Tysoe!' he roared. 'Brandy!'

Renzi glanced up from his quill, face blank.

Kydd glowered at him. 'As y' said! An' I'll thank ye not t' preach it!'

Renzi looked at him for a moment, then said coldly, 'I'm sorry to hear it.'

'I don't think you are,' Kydd said venomously. 'You're satisfied t' see me on a lee shore, now I've made m' choice.'

'I take no pleasure from your predicament.'

'Then why the wry looks?'

'Since you ask it, I believe you have done yourself a grievous harm—no, hear me out for I shall say this once only.'

Kydd's expression tightened as Renzi went on remorselessly, 'It has been too rapid, too precipitate. It is my firm belief that taken, as you no doubt are, by one of nature's children, you have progressed too far in your acquisition and appreciation of the higher arts of civilised conduct, and later you will find yourself quite unsatisfied and morose with your lot, shackled to one for whom the graces will mean so little.