-This story is by several people, myself included.
By: Kiddo39, capital, papergrl74, Sophia, Blackthorn
Captain Pellew ate his dinner in silence, his steward
Fiennes across the room, picked at his finger nails. Pellew raised his eyebrow
at the site of the middle aged man. He knew he was bored. But then again, so
was he.
His window had a thin layer of dew from the cold weather. But he could see
young Hornblower and Kennedy looking out over the railing towards England.
'Towards home' Pellew thought.
The captain threw down his cloth napkin. "I'm down Fiennes. Please clear it
away." He said with a yawn. Fiennes, startled out of his previous engagement,
nodded his head with a "Very good, sir."
Pellew looked at him with extreme annoyance. 'Why did I ever choose this moron'
he thought to himself. With a sigh, he walked to the window. Using his kerchief
he wiped the moisture off the window. Hornblower and Kennedy still stood there,
laughing occasionally and huddling their shoulders together to keep warm. 'Why
don't they just go to their quarters? Its warmer…' Pellew wondered.
From nowhere he got the urge to speak with his junior officers. He lifted his
great coat from a chair. Fiennes mouth dropped open. "I'll be back after I get
some fresh air."
"Yes, sir." Fiennes said. Pellew opened the door once he got his coat on. The
cold wind made the hair on his neck stick up. The sentry posted outside
saluted.
"Thank you." and Pellew saluted back. He quietly made his way towards the young
officers. "Good evening gentlemen. Nice night eh?"
Horatio snapped his head around towards his captain. "Sir!" he said. His eye
caught Archie's. They were full of fast coming worry. What had they done??
As he approached them, Pellew saw his two young lieutenants
exchange a worried glance. It was the normal reaction of two lieutenants
addressed suddenly by their captain, and this momentary panic did not usually
trouble Pellew. He didn't like to see it, just as he didn't like to eat alone,
but he'd accepted both as part of his station.
Tonight, however, the startled exchange troubled him. It was over in a blink of
an eye, maybe it was even a trick of the dim twilight--at least, there was
nothing to suggest that the two lieutenants actually feared or despised him.
And he was fond of them in a paternal way. Surely, they sensed that!
The two lieutenants stood frozen at attention. Pellew nodded.
"At ease, Hornblower and Kennedy."
The two relaxed nothing more than their stance. Pellew nodded again and glanced
across the dark ocean in the direction of their destination, England.
"Glad to be going home?"
At this friendly question, Kennedy and Hornblower replied almost in unison,
"Yes, Sir," in a tone of voice curbed in enthusiasm. Obviously, both
of them wanted to go home, they had been freezing themselves on deck peering
and motioning towards home, though England was still invisible to the naked
eye, but, at the same time, neither of them wanted to admit that remaining on
the ship was less than their fondest wish.
Pellew smiled. "It will be a nice change. The salt's too thick in my blood
to retire ashore just yet, but a few days with headroom and comfort and real
bread...that's something to look forward to. However we love the Navy, we
aren't automatons."
At that, Pellew saw the two lieutenants relax slightly.
"Unfortunately," Pellew continued, "I suspect that the Admiralty
won't allow more than a few days. The Indy is coming home in one piece, which
is more than can be said for some of the riddled hulls limping across the
Channel. All that is required are provisions and some new hands. I'll have a
bit of paperwork on my hands, too, some mail, prize money, nothing much. You
and your fellow officers will have scant shore leave, make the most of
it."
Pellew nodded as they smiled and replied "Yes, Sir," and strode back
to his cabin.
Fiennes had cleared off his table with his usual flair--there were crumbs in
some of the cracks. Pellew was not a fussy man, but Fiennes never failed to
strike a nerve. The ship was coming home in good time: the crew and even the
officers' mess was scraping at the bottom of the barrel. Everyone's clothes
were hanging looser than before, nobody was leaving crumbs because all they had
to eat was crumbs. And yet, here were crumbs on his table. Bad enough that
Fiennes had not successfully cleared them away--it was as if he had put them
there.
Pellew sighed. Good men were always scarce. And captains and admirals were
vultures in this respect. He was wary of praising his officers too loudly, for
instance, in fear that some other captain higher up in the list would request
their transfer.
If he got rid of Fiennes, what then? Captain Cook had sent back a one-legged
cook, only to receive another with one hand. Fiennes was a bit thick and
coarse, but he didn't steal or swear.
Pellew glanced out of his window. The night had fallen, it was dark, but he
could still see, faintly, the two young lieutenants, still standing at the
rail. The shorter Kennedy was waving his arms about, Hornblower was more
restrained in his motions (as always), but it was obvious that the two of them
were excited by the prospect of a few days shore leave.
Pellew realized that he envied them. While he worried about trading in his
dimwit Fiennes, they anticipated good food and rum and beer and pretty girls
and everything that he himself thought of when a lieutenant. Meanwhile, his
shore leave would consist of a few hours in an airless room with his seniors,
many hours concerning minor repairs, the new hands, and the restocking of the
ship's larder, and, if he was lucky, one or two pleasant suppers with his
colleagues, in which much port would flow with the reminiscences of their
rollicking lieutenant days.
What was worse, Pellew wondered, that he couldn't go back to being a
lieutenant, or that his present lieutenants would always treat him with the
deference that was expected. Hornblower and Kennedy were good lads, and if he'd
been a tailor or chef or cabinet-maker or whatever, he could quasi-adopt them
and cuff them about with sincere affection. But, he was not only their captain,
but captain of over three hundred other men, and he could not forget that.
Straightening in his chair, he chided himself and tried to convince himself
that he didn't want more than two days' shore leave.
Pellew sighed as he wiped the crumbs from the table
carefully into the palm of his hand. The last thing he wanted was rats or other
unwanted guests in his cabin. Silently he swore at Fiennes and his lack in
keeping his cabin as neat as he liked it.
With another sigh he retrieved his orders and sat back down at the table. He
read the first line again. "To Captain Sir Edward Pellew."
His eyes strayed from the paper and he found himself watching his young
lieutenants again. Somehow he couldn't keep his mind from them and their happy
conversation. How he wished for someone he could engage in such happy talk. No
one on aboard would dare to talk to him in that manner. Being captain had its
good points and bad. He enjoyed every moment at sea. Unfortunately he had no
one, such as Hornblower had Kennedy, to confide in.
In fact Hornblower didn't know how lucky he was to find such a friend as
Kennedy. A smile crossed his lips as he thought of the two officers. They were
so different and yet so alike. Kennedy was innocent and gentle while Hornblower
was no nonsense and strict. Put them together and they balanced each other out.
Yet another sighed escaped Pellew as he stacked his papers into a neat pile. He
knew it was no use trying to read them again. His mind was else where tonight.
Silently he cursed himself and the pains of loneliness that crept into his
soul.
Portsmouth! Why did it have to be Portsmouth? It was like being stranded in
no-man's land, at the Admiralty's beck and call. And with the likelihood of but
a few short days, there was no way of getting home - by the time he'd finally
arrive upon his own carriageway, it would be time to turn right around again.
Ah, but it would not still be worth it? He sighed at the thought of just a
glimpse of his beautiful wife, a quick smile at their rambunctious but
precious, oh so precious, children.
Plymouth, why could they have not just ordered him to Plymouth instead - where
home was a mere hop and skip away. Could he somehow still get diverted there.
And then, perhaps? He was weary. These latest campaigns had been exhausting,
and with little to show for them all. But a meager handful of prize ships in a
what seemed a mind numbing and endless series of days. But, no use wishing for
what could be. He was His Majesty's Captain, and a darn good one, thank you
very much, and it was wartime and his duty was unquestionable - more than that,
it was sacred. And, if there were not, could not be, any close friend on board
to confide in whilst sailing towards a shore leave that no doubt provoked an
entire arc of hopes and expectations from everyone aboard - from the cook, the
lowest ship's boy, to Fiennes (sigh), the crew, and his officers, well there
was always paper, and a pen - and the time to pour his heart out to the only
person who had ever had it - still had it - his beloved, his Susanna.
He settled in at his desk, with one last glance back at Hornblower and Kennedy,
taking in the bracing salt breezes. Their easy companionship cheered him now -
ah the joys of youth, he recalled. And then, as he drew out a fresh clean sheet
of paper, and a barrel full of endearments tumbled from his pen as he wrote to
his wife, he perked up his shoulders and smiled. Why then, I'm not so old am I?
Dear God, a few words of love and I can still blush like a schoolboy! He wrote
on.
Before he knew it The Indy had arrived in Portsmouth and he
was sitting in a rowboat being taken ashore. With dispatches in hand Pellew was
all business now. He sat silently, thinking of his day ahead. First things
first, he must report to the Admiralty and give a full report on the Indy's
last few months at sea. Next he had to deliver the dispatches to Admiral Hood.
From there he would most likely be dragged with the Admiral to some God awful
meeting with a bunch of old geezers. It wasn't that he disliked the Admiral so
much as them reliving their glory days. With a sigh Pellew prayed he would not
end up like them when he finally had to give up his life at sea. Then the last
thing on his list was taking care of his personal food stores. Remembering the
list he reached into his pocket and pulled it out. This only reminded him of
Fiennes who sat in front of him in the boat. Pellew would never get everything
done in one day. With great hesitation he decided a new plan of action.
Clearing his throat he addressed the man," Fiennes, I will need you to attend
to this." He handed the startled man the piece of paper. "Do you think you can
handle it?" he questioned regretting his decision already.
Fiennes eyes grew big and were about to pop out of his head. "Yes sir!" he
finally answered. "You can depend on me sir!"
Pellew gave the man a fake smile then turned his attention on the all too far
away shore. "Dear God, can we row a little faster men?" He thought silently. No
use cursing the men at his discomfort. Fiennes continued to stare at him with a
goofy grin the rest of the journey in the boat.
As Pellew climbed out of the boat he gave the steward one last order. "Make
sure all these are taken aboard the Indy by tonight. Understood?"
Fiennes nodded eagerly, so willing to please his captain. For a moment Pellew
wondered if the man knew how much he disliked him. "Very good Mr. Fiennes, on
your way."
The man nearly bolted down the dock. Pellew watched him leave and tried to put
him out of his mind as he walked in the opposite direction. "Sir?" a voice rang
out behind him.
Pellew turned half-expecting Fiennes but was happy to see young Kennedy
instead. "Yes Mr. Kennedy?"
"I was just curious sir and thought that if you liked, I could maybe help
Fiennes out with your list, if that was alright with you."
Pellew could not hide the smile that sprang across his lips. How he wanted to
hug the young officer. "You may have just saved my life Mr. Kennedy! Yes,
please assist him in his task."
Archie stared in disbelief at his captain's words but smiled quickly at his
enthusiastic tone of voice. "Yes sir!" he replied and quickly turned to catch
up with Fiennes. Pellew watched him go feeling so relived. He overheard
Hornblower tease Kennedy. "Trying to be the Captain's favorite eh Archie!"
They laughed and both ran to catch up with the steward.
Pellew, at loss for words, blinked and swayed on his feet.
If only his young officers could see him now! He hadn't had the deck shot out
from under him so horribly, so to speak, since he took his lieutenant's exam.
His vision swam as the stifling air crushed his head and lungs. The hall, sunny
and large and unbearably airless, echoed mercilessly Pellew's faint exhalation.
Pellew collected himself and forced himself to focus at the table before him,
at which sat the Admiral and three grave and venerably ancient captains. All three
were staring at him in an impersonal yet prying matter. Doubtless, they
expected nothing but a cheerful response from Pellew, and, accordingly, they
were waiting for him to change his doubtless crestfallen look.
Leave the Indy! Pellew swallowed and tried to remember how he used to long for
a ship of the line. He had been not thrilled when he first came aboard the
Indefatigable, as she was more unwieldy than his previous command, the
Arethusa. Since then, however, he had acquired an admiration for the trim
frigate, a slew of prizes, and a fine crew, and the thought of parting with the
latter struck him especially painfully. It had taken much time and effort to
work the ship up to her high standards, and the thought of having to start all
over again tired Pellew.
Worse still, the ship that the Admiralty now offered him, the Impetueux,
captured from the French, was a den of mutiny.
Pellew inhaled calmly and met the Admiral's pale myopic stare.
After what seemed like an eternity, Pellew answered. "I am greatly
honored gentlemen. But if I may, I would like some time to think this over?"
Silence filled the room as Admiral Hood contemplated his answer. "Very well,
Captain Pellew. You have 24 hours to decide. We shall meet here again tomorrow
at this same time."
Pellew nodded and saluted before retreating from the room. As he exited the
huge building he let a sigh of relief escape him. "Dear God, what am I going to
tell the men?"
************************************
Archie and Horatio glanced about the store. Somehow they had lost Fiennes in
all the crowds. "Do you see him anywhere?" Archie asked sounding a bit
panicked.
Horatio, who towered over everyone around them, shook his head. "Nope, don't
see him anywhere. Let's try the next shop."
They were in the only part of Portsmouth that sold the goods the captain had
requested on his list. Quickly they entered the busy street, trying not to get
lost themselves. It was a Saturday and it seemed that all of Portsmouth was
there shopping. Archie had to practically elbow his way through the throngs of
people.
Suddenly Horatio cried out with excitement," I see him! Come on Archie, follow
me!"
Archie watched as his tall friend bolted out of sight. It was no use; Archie
just couldn't keep up. Slowly he headed in the direction Horatio had gone. It
was as if the crowd had swallowed him up. He felt like a fish swimming
upstream, but instead of fighting currents, he was fighting people.
Suddenly he heard a huge commotion ahead of him. The crowd had cleared out
enough for him to squeeze through. As he stepped into empty space the scene
before him made him ill. Horatio was kneeling next to Fiennes who had blood
gushing from a wound in his neck. Quickly he ran to his friend's side.
"Horatio! What happened!"
Fiennes gasped for breath as Horatio held his head off the filthy ground. With
one hand he applied pressure but blood still squirted from the gaping wound.
"No time to explain, get a doctor! Quick!"
Archie turned and ran as fast as he could. Now he shoved people out of his way
as he ran through the crowd. "No time for politeness," he thought.
Archie found a doctor and lead him back to the gruesome scene. As he approached
Horatio, he knew it was too late. Horatio's crestfallen face said it all. The
doctor looked over the dead man then shook his head. "Sorry young man," he said
simply and left them to grieve.
"What are we going to tell the captain?" Archie asked, not really wanting to
know.
"I don't know."
They lingered for a moment more before picking up the man. Back aboard the
Indy, they waited for the captain to return. No one knew how much Pellew's life
was about to change and all because of a steward he despised.
Pellew stood beside the long boat, staring out at the Indy
as she waited near the mouth of the port. In the boat below the oarsmen waited
patiently. If Sir Edward Pellew wanted to stare out at his ship for hours, that
was his business.
Looking back Pellew heaved a sigh. Twenty-four hours. That was not enough time
to make such a monumental decision. Biting his lip he stepped down into the
boat, determined to sequester himself for as long a possible. This was
something he could not allow himself to be distracted from. Pellew smiled wryly
to himself. That was a joke. He was the Captain of the Indefatigable, and for
the next twenty-three and a half hours at least, he was still responsible for
everything that went on around her.
He did not noticed anything different about the ship when he boarded, at least
not at first. Then, slowly he could feel the very essence of the ship changing.
On his way to his cabin he stopped and looked around. A few crew members stood
watching him, but none said a word. Scowling, Pellew glared at the man closest
to him. The poor seaman nearly fainted. Pellew spun and continued on his way.
He had only gone a few feet when Hornblower appeared out of the shadows and
Pellew had to admit, at least to himself that the young man's sudden appearance
nearly scared him out of his skin.
"Ah, Mr. Hornblower... what can I do for you?". The young lieutenant
saluted, his face set in a grim mask.
"I think you should see this sir.", he said simply and without leave
turned and headed toward the doctor's quarters. Pellew was not sure of the
reason for this unseemly behavior, but he said nothing, he simply followed.
When they arrived he found Kennedy leaning against a wooden table, his head
down and his arms crossed over his chest. it was only at that moment that
Pellew saw the blood on both men's clothing and ands.
"What happened?", he demanded as Kennedy stood up and offered him a
salute. This Pellew ignored. Hornblower pointed across the room. Pellew could
not believe it.
"What on earth?". Hornblower shook his head.
"I don't know sir.", he replied, then pulled a worn and stained
packet from his coat. He looked at it for a moment before handing it over to
the Captain.
"Please don't tell me my steward was killed for a grocery list.",
Pellew said as he took the packet. Hornblower shook his head, a dark curl
falling across his forehead.
"I don't think so sir.", he replied. Pellew looked at Kennedy, then
back to Hornblower. Neither man looked happy. Pellew unfolded the papers and
started reading...
He sat in silence, still holding the papers. He could not
believe what he had just read. Five minutes went by as he remained silent and
unmoving. Shocked and stunned he had to let the information sink in. Hornblower
cleared his throat making him jump. Slowly he folded the papers and stuffed
them neatly back into the worn packet.
"I take it you and Mr. Kennedy have read these?"
Horatio nodded his face even more grim then when he had first come aboard.
Pellew stood up and paced. He had to find an answer to this whole mess that was
fast becoming a nightmare. He knew he had lost his promotion now and that the Admiralty
would start an immediate investigation of him, his ship, his crew, and Fiennes.
"How could this happen!" he whispered in anger. "Why didn't I see this!"
Horatio spoke softly. "It's not your fault sir."
Pellew whirled around to face him. "Anything that happens on my ship and to my
crew, is my fault Mr. Hornblower and you'd do well to remember that!"
"Yes, sir," he replied with fear evident in his voice.
Pellew sighed," I'm sorry Hornblower."
Kennedy, who had remained quiet so far, stood up. "Sir, what is going to happen
now?"
Pellew closed his eyes, knowing all to well what was about to hit them. "Well
Mr. Kennedy, I must inform the Admiralty. They will read these papers and
cancel my promotion." At this Archie and Horatio exchanged questioning
glances. "Yes, I was being promoted and given a ship of the line. Never
the less, the Admiralty is very sensitive when it comes to spies, especially
when they are the Captain's steward. They will most likely send either another
captain or someone higher in rank to come aboard. Then the witch hunt will
begin."
"Witch hunt sir?" Horatio asked.
Pellew opened his eyes and stared his officers in the face.
"Yes. Usually where there is one spy, there are more. At least in the
Admiralty's eyes. So gentlemen, as of now I suggest you get some rest. Because
it will be the last good sleep you get for quite some time."
Archie and Horatio nodded and saluted. Before closing the door Horatio gave him
one last glimmer of hope. "Maybe this isn't as bad as it seems sir?"
Pellew gave him a half smile. "Yes, maybe."
But Pellew knew better. He had seen the Admiralty go too far before. This
wouldn't be the first time he witnessed a witch-hunt and it wouldn't be the
last.
Early the next morning Pellew took to his grim task. All happened exactly as he
knew it would. Admiral Hood canceled his promotion and informed Pellew to
return to his ship. He also said someone would come aboard to start examining
evidence. This someone was what worried him now. Who would they send? Would it
be a friend or an enemy? Pellew waited impatiently on deck, pacing mercilessly
back and forth. It was nearing dusk when the cry finally came out. "Rowboat
starboard!"
"This is it," Pellew thought silently. What would his fate be now? He could
only wait.
He watched as the boat came along side. It seemed all eyes were on the boat and
it's passengers. Pellew prayed silently, "Dear God, let it be someone I know."
His prayer was answered as the man, a captain, stepped onto the wooden deck of
the Indy. Horror came upon Pellew instantly as he recognized the man. It was
someone he knew all right.
The broad arrogant grin of Captain Dreadnought Foster beamed up at him. "Ah my
dear Captain Pellew! So nice to see you again!" he announced in mock comradely.
Pellew wanted to die, right then and there. With a heavy sigh he thought," So
it begins."
Dreadnought Foster swept into Pellew's cabin with a mocking
grin. "So, Sir Edward, let's find out how your flunky pulled the wool over
your eyes. I hear that he was something of a dimwit." Inhaling, Foster jut
his jaw out and glared at Pellew. "Always suspect a man who is too stupid!
Always! Always!"
Foster strode to Pellew's table and pushed a few plates aside. "He didn't
even clear off yesterday's lunch. He was too busy rifling through your
papers."
Pellew nodded, but did nothing more to interrupt Foster's soliloquy.
"What kind of a ship do you run, Sir? How can you expect to trounce those
Frenchies when your left-hand man is running a bazaar selling your
dispatches?" Foster coughed noisily. "Dammed crying shame."
"Sir--" Pellew was about to add "that is excessive," but
thought better of it.
"What's that, heh? Cat got your tongue as well as your correspondence? Har
har!" Foster crowed, pushing the debris off the table. "I, sir, by
order of the Admiralty, claim this cabin for the duration of the investigation.
You, sir, by order of the Admiralty, are to remain on board. I trust that you
can manage the logistics."
"On board?" Pellew inquired, as tonelessly as possible. "Under
guard?"
"My dear captain," Foster swiveled in his seat to face him. "We
are both gentlemen."
"I understand."
"Here's a consolation for you," Foster continued, withdrawing a small
packet from his pocket and tossing it on the table. "Letter from your
wife."
Pellew reached for it and almost opened, but the mocking gleam in Foster's eye
halted him.
"I thank you." Pellew bowed and made to withdraw, "Will you
excuse me?"
"Oh, that's not necessary. You'll find that it's quite short, and I'm
willing to wait." Foster settled back into the chair and watched Pellew
silently, gleefully.
With deliberate slowness, Pellew opened the letter, which, unsealed, had been
hastily folded. It was, as Foster said, quite short.
My Dearest Edward,
I have been these eight months without sight of you, and though your letters
have been a great consolation to me as well as to our children, I cannot bear
the thought of you coming ashore and then leaving. The Admiral, upon my
inquiry, informed me that you would have but scant leave here at Portsmouth.
So, please forgive my impudence in quitting our home and in engaging
accommodations at the Mermaid Inn, where I
hopefully awaiting your arrival, remain, &c,
your loving wife.
Pellew re-read the short paragraph several times, and heard Foster chuckle.
Lieutenant Kennedy lay back in his hammock as Hornblower
continued to pace back and forth. Cramped in the small space, Hornblower kept
bumping against Kennedy's hammock, interfering with its rocking motion caused
by the roll of the ship.
"Horatio, please..."
"Sorry, Archie."
Hornblower sat down, but was on his feet scarce seconds later.
"Hornblower!"
Surprised to find himself pacing, Hornblower glanced down at his feet. Archie
laughed.
"Why don't you go for a swim?"
"I'm terribly sorry, Archie, but I am worried about this business."
"Do you think that Dreadnought still holds a grudge about that beef? You
saved his life afterwards, and he passed you on your exam, and I dare say he
doesn't even remember it anymore. As long as we keep him well-fed."
"No, it's Captain Pellew. He's not himself." Hornblower looked up at
Kennedy and sighed. "I would rather not tell you this, and I probably
shouldn't, but I can't drive it out of my mind..."
"Horatio--" Kennedy propped himself up with his elbows. "If you
musn't, then you musn't. If you must, then you must."
Horatio smiled at his friend sadly. "It's probably a trifle, Archie. And
I'm foolish to dwell upon it, and maybe it doesn't even have to do with Foster
or the spy, but it sits so heavy--"
"Tell you what, Horatio," Kennedy interjected, lying back down in his
hammock, "I'll block my ears, and you can say whatever you like, only have
a care that you don't say it too loud."
Horatio nodded, and Kennedy plugged his ears with his fingers.
"Archie...the captain...maybe he was depressed about getting the ship of
the line, or maybe he's depressed that he didn't get it, although I think he
enjoys being a frigate captain, so it would probably be the former, if
anything..."
"I can't hear you!" Kennedy sang.
"...and I wasn't there when he met with Foster in his cabin--"
Horatio paused, suddenly remembering that Captain Pellew was now occupying the
lieutenant's cabin next door, which he, Hornblower, had offered him. He didn't
know if Pellew was presently stationed there, but he knew that the walls were
thin. Accordingly, he pitched his voice lower, without noticing Kennedy
withdraw his fingers from his ears ever so slightly.
"--but I was there when he came out, and I saw him, and he gave me an
order and walked away, and there was nothing out of the ordinary. Except...and
I'm not sure, the light was bad, but maybe he had..."
Horatio paused for a few seconds, glancing at the wall that separated his
(Kennedy's) cabin from Pellew's. He respected and admired his captain, indeed,
Pellew was his model, and he knew, he hoped, something of his character. Pellew
was proud of his ship and of his men, but he took little pride in himself
beyond these subjects. Yet, he maintained a strict code of conduct as a
captain, and part of this was disguising weakness. Horatio, for instance, had
never heard him complain that he was hungry, except in jest or in praise of a
meal set down before him. He had rarely heard him complain that he was
fatigued--sometimes, Hornblower could see that his captain was weary (who
wouldn't be, after thirty, forty hours with little or no sleep), but Pellew
never alluded to it until after the task or trial was done, if at all. And
Pellew had never, not even once, bemoaned his absence from his family. In fact,
he rarely mentioned them at all, save briefly "Oh, a letter from my
wife--". Hornblower had heard that Pellew had two sons serving in his
Majesty's Navy, perhaps about his own age, but Pellew never talked about them.
"I can't say for sure, maybe he was thinking of his family or his
frigate," Horatio continued.
"Yes?"
"And the light was bad, so maybe what I did see wasn't really there, but I
thought I saw tears in the captain's eyes. He wasn't crying--"
"He wouldn't cry."
Hornblower shot a glance at Kennedy, who shrugged apologetically.
"He wouldn't want us to see him cry, that's for certain."
A rap on the cabin door startled Kennedy and Hornblower,
bringing them to their feet.
"Yes?"
"Lieutenant Hornblower!" barked Pellew. Hornblower lunged for the
door and flung it open. Kennedy swallowed and straightened, smoothing out his
waistcoat.
"Sir?" Hornblower inquired politely. Pellew handed him a small folded
piece of paper.
"Take a boat ashore and go to the Mermaid, where you will find Mrs.
Pellew, deliver this and remain at her service. Is that understood?"
"Aye, aye, Captain." Horatio nodded, relieved to see that Pellew's
spirits were rejuvenated, or, at least, heartily aggravated.
"And thank you again for the cabin, Lieutenant. It's much more to my
convenience than bunking down with Bracegirdle. Upon your return to the ship,
and you will return, you and Lieutenant Kennedy will have shore leave until
tomorrow noon."
"Thank-you, Captain."
"No, thank-you, gentlemen." Pellew grinned and strode away, humming
to himself.
Hornblower reached once more inside his chest packet - felt
for the Captain's letter for what must have been the thirtieth time in the last
twenty minutes, or so Styles noted with an understanding grin as the boat crew
rowed him ever closer to the waiting docks. His ship was in turmoil - dear God,
to be in the midst of a raging storm or in the heat of battle suited him better
than this wallop of intrigue. And focused on his Captain, no less! It was
impossible to imagine, and no doubt as to it being unbelievable. He would act
as a character witness for the Captain himself, if he could. He had already
told Archie so, as if Archie was not already well aware of Hornblower's
devotion to his Captain. And now Pellew had trusted him to carry his letter to
his wife, to Lady Pellew. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of meeting
her.
He had wondered often enough what she was like - the woman married to such a
man as his Captain. He knew they had several children, not just two boys newly
entered into the Navy. He had also heard through snippets of conversations
overheard in the Officer's Mess - mostly nuggets gleaned from Bracegirdle - who
had served with Pellew before he had been given the Indy - that his estate in
Devon was impressive. Well, that stood to reason, given all of the prize money
he had amassed in his career thus far. But an estate needed running, didn't it,
and he had heard a few times that Lady Pellew was an indomitable force in her
own right - a true match for her husband and fiercely independent and self
sufficient in the managing of their lands, and most successfully, too. And
within minutes he would be introduced to her. He gulped.
The Mermaid was blessedly close to the waterside, so while the walk was quick,
it was yet enough of a distance so as to give Hornblower the chance to rehearse
his greeting. He only hoped he would not stutter.
He announced himself to the innkeeper, and was told to wait in the foyer, while
the man sent some young wait servant scurrying up the stairs. Shortly
thereafter, a young woman in a pleasant but simple gown with a pleasing face
came down the steps towards him. "Mr. Hornblower?" she inquired.
He clicked his heels together. "My Lady," he began, "It is
indeed an honor to make your acquaintance -" The woman held her hand out
to stop him.
She giggled softly and curtsied. "My dear Sir," she said, "I am
Charlottle, I have come to take you to her Ladyship." She smiled at him.
He blushed. Fiercely. What a fool I am, he thought. What a blithering idiot! As
if Lady Pellew would just saunter down the steps and shake my hand. Oh, help.
Charlotte knocked gently on the doorway and then with another curtsey ushered
Hornblower into the room. "Mr. Hornblower, My Lady," she announced,
and then took her leave.
"Mr. Hornblower! You have no idea how glad I am to make your
acquaintance!"
She was stunning - there was no other word to describe her. She may have had
six children, some already in their teens, but she was a beauty. Lustrous brown
curls, wonderfully expressive brown eyes that crinkled at their corners, and
slightly tanned skin as though she spent a fair amount of time outdoors as
well, God love her. She offered her hand. Hornblower took it, with a slight
bow. "My Lady," he murmured softly. "I am honored. I have a
letter from your husband." And he handed her the note as she beckoned him
to a small settee at the far end of the sitting room.
"How is he, Mr. Hornblower? I have just taken tea with Lady Spencer, and
she has told me some of what has happened - so dreadful! And so unfair! Surely
they cannot think my husband could have employed this man deliberately -
knowing he was a spy?" Her eyes pierced him with their intensity - good
God it was like being stared at by the Captain - what a pair they were!
"I could not agree more, My Lady. But, please, you must read his
note."
And so she did, as she told him to help himself to refreshment from the
sideboard table.
"My dearest Susanna,
You cannot know the joy I felt on receiving your letter. No doubt in the time
you have arrived you have managed to learn of the inquiry being conducted
against me. My Love, I pray you do not worry yourself - you (and I) have
nothing to fear and I feel certain that soon the truth will be discovered and
all of this nonsense laid to rest. In the meantime, it seems that your
friendship with Lady Hood may be of assistance to me, and to that end, and
saying nothing of the fact that I long to hold you in my arms, I have asked Mr.
Hornblower to attend you and to offer you escort to Indefatigable. I regret
that we shall not have as much time together as I should long for, but surely a
little is better than none at all?
Your own,
Edward"
She looked up at Hornblower. "Well, my dear Sir," she said with
resolve, "We have a ship to get to, do we not?"
Lady Pellew felt her pulse quicken as they neared
Indefatigable. It had been eight months since she had last seen her husband,
and to see him now, under such trying circumstances as these did not ease her
longing one bit.
As they came alongside, Hornblower told her to remain seated and was about to
call for the hoist, when Susanna stopped him.
"That's not necessary, Mr. Hornblower. I am perfectly able to manage the
sideladder," she smiled.
"But, Ma'am, your cloak, your gown, are you s-sure -"
"Quite sure! I'm not a dowager yet, Lieutenant, I'll have you know!"
"Of course, My Lady!" Hornblower grinned back. Lord, but she was
something!
And fit, it seemed, for she hitched her skirts up with nimble ease and hiked
her way up that ladder with such grace and finesse as neither Hornblower, nor
any other member of the boat crew - who were staring intently, to a man, it
must be noted, had ever recalled in their numerous years at sea, all told. And
not a one of them saw anything they ought not to have seen in the process – a
result that several of them would have said left them rather disappointed,
truth be told, for God Almighty, the capting's lady was a looker, she was!
Pellew had heard the boatcalls and rushed out to see her climbing aboard. She
stepped onto the deck and came into his arms without a word between them. They
embraced for quite some time, in silence. Hornblower had followed up behind her
and saw that Pellew's eyes were closed, though his face had that tightness that
Hornblower had glimpsed with such concern earlier in the day. He overheard
Pellew murmur "My Love," and then saw as the Captain guided his Lady
below decks.
"I apologize, my dear, that I cannot offer you the comfort of my usual
quarters," Pellew said as they came into Hornblower's tiny, cramped cabin.
He doffed his hat and frock coat, setting them both on the small desk.
"Not to worry, Edward, please," murmured Susanna, seeing the lines of
strain in his face. "Just to see you is -"
He came to her in a rush and held her close again.
"my Love," she said, after a few seconds, loosening her cloak,
"What has happened?"
"Fiennes was a spy." He sighed. "I did not know it. For God's
sake, Hood told me to take him on! If it were not for the fact that we were at
sea I should have sacked him after the first week - the man was a dolt - didn't
know a hot towel from a cold napkin." He turned away for a moment.
"Because he wasn't a steward, of course, never was. Playing at it all the
while. And I fell for it."
"But, darling, if you fell for it, then that means that Hood fell for
it!"
Yes, dear, but no one knows that except for you, me and Hood. And if I speak
out against him it is my word against his and in my situation now, I don't
suppose as my word counts for much."
Susanna sighed, and sat down, carefully, onto the cot. "Well, then, so
they will investigate - as Foster is doing now. They will not be able to find
anything!"
"No….nothing legitimate. But, it's Foster, we're talking about, Susanna.
The man is-"
"Jealous. Insanely jealous of you, Edward."
"Well, we were mids together. He expected to match me, rank for rank.
Match me, what am I saying, he thought to have been made admiral by now!"
"And yet you made Captain first." Edward nodded slowly. "And
then," continued Susanna, "you had the audacity to get yourself
knighted for bravery!" He smiled, and sat down beside her, letting out a
long sigh.
"So you understand that he will be in no hurry to confirm that he can find
nothing. And from what I am told he has it in for Mr. Hornblower as well, sad
to say," said Edward.
"No!" cried Susanna. She brought her hand alongside her husband's
cheek. "Well then, my dear, I should like to try and help you. You have
already thought of it, have you not?"
"Yes, I confess it. Lady Hood is your friend."
"She does not have the relationship with her husband that you and I do, my
Dear. I doubt she will be privy to much of what her husband knows. But I can
try. Why would Hood want to prolong this anyways?"
"That, my dear, is the question I cannot answer. They had offered me
Impeteaux - did I tell you?" he nodded, at her raised eyebrows. "They
did. You knew I would hesitate, and so they gave me 24 hours to decide. Now, of
course, it is off the table."
"And have they named a new Captain?" she asked.
"Not that I know of. And yet they spoke of urgency in having her off to
Plymouth to meet up with the rest of the squadron! But, I am not likely to be
aware of any new information, being stuck here at present." He looked into
her eyes. "Perhaps you could -"
"Find out?" she answered playfully, her eyes dancing. "It will
be my mission, sir!"
He caught her up in a searching kiss. "My dearest," he said, covering
her face and throat with kisses. She returned them with her own urgency, and
set her hands to roaming down his front, stopping at each of the golden buttons
on his weskit. "Is it true, darling," she murmured, between kisses,
"that these cabin walls are thin as sandpaper?"
"I'm afraid so, my Love," answered Edward, now breathless and
flushed.
"Well then," she whispered into his ear, "I suppose we shall
have to be quiet…." And he lost himself in her arms.
Horatio was rudely awakened by the sound of someone pounding
on his door. He stumbled out of the hammock. Forgetting he wasn't in his
quarters, he slammed his toe into Archie's sea chest. "Ah Hell!" he screamed in
pain, waking poor Archie immediately.
"Horatio? Are you ok?" he asked still half asleep.
"No I'm not!" he said loudly and hopped to the door and the persistent knocker.
He bent down and held his throbbing toe as he opened the door. "Yes, what do
you want!" he greeted angrily.
Captain Foster stood in the doorway with a wicked smirk upon his face. Horatio
instantly straightened and saluted him. "I-I'm sorry sir. I didn't know it was
you. Please forgive me."
Foster only laughed at the young man's apparent embarrassment, enjoying how his
mere presence caused the man such distress. "If you please Mr. Hornblower,
report to the captain's cabin." Slowly he eyed Horatio's ruffled appearance and
grinned his evil grin. "Uh, as soon as you are properly dressed, that is." And
with that he turned and walked down the hall, leaving Horatio totally
humiliated. With a sigh he closed the door. Archie by this time had awakened enough
to light a candle. It was still dark which meant it was very early in the
morning.
Quickly Horatio began throwing on his uniform. Archie only sat in his hammock
and watched him. Finally he spoke. "What do you think Foster is up to?"
Horatio was pulling his trousers on as he answered. "Well Archie, you weren't
lucky enough to be here when the Indy rescued Captain Foster out of the sea.
And you also lucked out not having him give you your lieutenant's exam."
Archie frowned, remembering how he was locked away in Spain. "Excuse me
Horatio, but I don't consider it lucky being in a Spanish prison. I would've
traded places with you in an instant."
Horatio paused with one pant leg on and realized what he had just said. "I'm
sorry Archie. You are right. I didn't mean anything by that. It's just that
Foster seems to have a vendetta against me. I guess I will find out for certain
anyway."
Archie watched as Horatio swung his other leg into the trousers and stood up,
stuffing his shirt in. He tried in vain to press the wrinkles out of the
material. "I take that back Horatio. I would never have wanted you in that
prison. Nor would I have wanted you to experience what I did."
With a smile he accepted the apology. "I know Archie. Now go back to sleep.
There are still 2 hours till watch."
Archie smiled and pulled his blanket over his head. "Put the light out when you
leave," he chuckled. Horatio only shook his head and blew the candle out,
leaving the room properly darkened for his friend.
Shutting his door, he jumped at the sight of Captain Pellew coming out of the
room next door. "I'm coming with you Mr. Hornblower." He said, answering
Horatio's question before he even asked it. "Aye, aye sir."
Foster sat at Pellew's desk, trying to make himself look as menacing as
possible. He wanted to scare the tar out of Pellew's young upstart. He laughed
to himself thinking of what must be racing through the scared youth's mind at
this very minute. A knock on the door wiped the grin off his face. "Time to
have some fun," he thought. "Come," he bellowed, doing his best Pellew
impression.
But his jaw hit the floor when he saw Pellew enter with the lieutenant. Quickly
he recovered. "What on earth brings you here this early Sir Edward?"
Pellew gave him a half grin, knowing full well what Foster was trying to do.
"Well Captain," he said sarcastically," as the admiralty stated, I am entitled
as the Captain of the Indefatigable to be present at every single interview you
give. Unless you are questioning their orders sir?"
Foster's face grew red with anger. "No Captain. You are quite correct. Please
have a seat and we will begin." Pellew offered the seat to Hornblower,
preferring to stand were he could keep a watchful eye on him.
Foster stood and began pacing behind the desk. "Now lieutenant, I understand
that you were the one who saw Fiennes stabbing, correct?" Horatio nodded, as he
answered," Yes sir. I reached him just as he fell."
A sly grin crossed Foster's face. "So Mr. Kennedy did not see this happen?"
Horatio thought a moment. "No sir, he did not. The crowd was overwhelming and…"
Foster cut him off with a wave of his hand and glared down at him from over the
table.. "So you could have easily put those papers on Fiennes, putting the
blame on him and off yourself!"
Pellew roared to his defense," That is ludicrous!"
Horatio sat stunned and could not believe that he was being accused.
Foster roared back," He had plenty of time to do it and you know it! I intend
to see Mr. Hornblower hang!"
..Hornblower stared past Foster's left shoulder with a dead look in his eye.
"SIR!" Captain Pellew roared, "you have accused one of my officers purely out
of grudge! You have NO proof!"
Foster tilted his head, as to crack his neck. "Careful Sir Edward, you must
keep in mind that I am here TO investigate and I will prove that your
lieutenant placed those papers on your serving dog." His voice was foal of an
icy glee. Next he mumbled, "Real men, ones who don't take pride with little
titles, don't have serving men,"
Pellew eyed the hateful man. How dare he thought, how DARE he! But using the
control he had adapted over the years, he simply said, "Sir, I trust that you
will perform fair and perfectly legal investigation." Pellew leaned across the
table, "Or else I could destroy you with a word," he let his voice end in a
rasp.
Foster looked up at the bigger man, "I will not take threats, go back to your
quarters, Pellew. I'm questing Hornblower without his daddy here." Foster got
up and opened PELLEW'S door. "Out, Papa!" Pellew watched in disbelief. He had
to obey his superior, but what about his son, oh my god, he thought. I DO think
Horatio as my son! Pellew looked at Hornblower who now held a look of dread in
his almond colored eyes. "OUT!" Foster roared again.
Pellew walked out. The wind hit his face with a sting he had not felt for a
while. Winter was indeed coming. He turned slightly to glance into that window
he had seen Kennedy and Hornblower in just a week or so again. Foster was
looming atop Hornblower, surely making the lad scared. "Have heart, my lad,
have courage. Be brave," he whispered every so softly. Inside his head the
thought of be safe rang out as well.
Foster smiled with delight as Pellew left the room. Slowly
he turned back to the frightened youth. He now paced behind him. "Now Mr.
Hornblower, how long have you been a spy?"
Horatio stammered and tried to speak. "I-I am not a spy, sir."
"Really," Foster cooed, caressing his chin. "Prove it!" He pounced on Horatio
like a lion on its prey.
Horatio couldn't speak. He froze in fear. His mind racing as the panic welled
up inside. This was his greatest fear come true. The sting of Captain Pellew
leaving him tasted bitter in his mouth. He felt betrayed. How could Pellew just
desert him like that! Did he believe he was a spy too!
"Well boy! Answer me!" Foster growled, looming over him bigger than life.
Pellew stood a moment longer on the deck of the Indy. The wind chilled him to
the bone. But not as much as Foster's cold demeanor. "Dear God, what am I
doing?" he prayed. Somehow Pellew had to put a stop to this. There was no way
in hell he was going to let Hornblower be accused of spying. Pellew tightened
his jaw and made his decision. The Admiralty be damned, along with Foster and
his orders! This was HIS ship and he WAS the captain. If they wanted someone to
hang, then it would be him, not one of his officers.
Pellew had had enough. If Foster wanted to play, so be it. With rage in his
eyes he stormed back to his cabin. Instinct took over as he reached his door.
Pellew practically kicked the door down as he entered the room. Foster jumped
in surprise. Horatio's face was ashen white with fear.
"Out Edward! This is my…"
Pellew didn't let him finish. "No. Go back to your quarters Mr. Hornblower," he
said calmly.
Pellew stood in front of Foster, ready to hit him if he had to. Horatio did as
he was told, giving Pellew a quick glance as he left the men alone.
Foster was ready to fight. "What's the meaning of this Edward," he hissed. "You
have no right and no authority."
Pellew narrowed his eyes. "This is my ship and I am the captain. The only way
you will investigate anything on MY ship is if I am there. Is that understood?"
Foster took a step closer, trying to intimidate the bigger man. " You know my
orders and the Admiralty's orders. You must OBEY me."
Pellew half smiled. "As I recall, you are only a Captain, like me. I obey the
Admiralty. Now ease off on Hornblower!"
Foster stepped back, allowing Pellew his small victory for the moment. "Very
well Captain. But the admiralty will hear of this. Don't count Hornblower safe
yet." He turned to leave.
As he opened the door, Pellew stopped him. "Why are so damned set on killing
his career. Did he or did he not safe your life at Gibraltar?"
Foster glared at him. "Yes he did."
"So why the witch hunt?"
"None of your damn business!" he hissed and brushed past him out the door.
Pellew sighed at the relief of his retreat. But something wasn't right. It
didn't make sense for Foster to go after Hornblower like that. Most of the time
he was an honorable man, most of the time.
"Sir..." Hornblower ventured into the cabin
hesitantly. Foster, in his flight, had left the door swinging on its hinges.
Pellew smiled at him ruefully.
"Hornblower--I know you are innocent. And probably Foster does, too.
Yet..." Pellew sat down at his table, leaning his head on his hand.
"But why...dammit...blast it...not enough time to think, even, much less
act..."
Horatio, watching his captain muse, felt intrusive and obliged to leave--yet,
at the same time, he felt compelled to stay, knowing that he was the subject of
Pellew's thoughts. Thus torn, he wavered and swallowed.
"No, stay, Hornblower," Captain Pellew interjected. "Shut the
door and sit yourself down."
Hornblower obeyed, Pellew continued. "Now, who knows how many minutes it
will take for Dreadnought (though I care not for such overblown titles!) to
pull himself together. Your future may be plucked from the furnace yet. But not
by my hands. Lady Hood is a close friend of Lady Pellew."
Remembering Lady Pellew, Horatio smiled involuntarily. Pellew shot him a
faux-glare.
"Confound it if it smacks of French Court politics, the women working the
strings backstage, but I can't fire at Foster head-on. Not to save you, at any
rate. But it will stall him."
"Yes, I understand, sir."
"Good. What I fail to comprehend is Foster's spite. In short, his first
impressions of you were favourable, especially after you admired his reckless
destruction of that supply ship--"
"Admired--Sir--"
Pellew chuckled. "Please don't take offence just yet, Lieutenant
Hornblower. Foster leaves my ship, his shot heated more by me than by you, and
then your courses collide over two sides of beef. Finally, you manage to light
the man's fuse, just in time for him to foul you with the Lieutenant's
examination, but that is fortunately curtailed by the fireship, which you both
courageous board, and while aboard, you save his life. Which he subsequently
acknowledges. And then your commission (though you did make a hash of your
exam. Dismasted!) is confirmed. He and Captain Hammond had a duel, I believe,
and maybe they had an argument over your results, too, I don't know. Perhaps
Hammond was in your favour, and Foster was forced to conceed. Or perhaps he
merely resents you for fishing him out of the fire ship. But I feel that
there's something more. Foster is quick to fire, but his explosion is just as
quick. It's not like him to fester."
"Sir, if I may add...when I was in the boat, I overheard the argument
between Foster and Hammond which led to the challenge. I must confess that
their conduct left something to be desired. Perhaps Foster resents my
witness?"
Pellew shook his head. "There's got to be something more. Pray that
Mrs.Pellew will manage to drag it up."
"I hope so, Sir," Hornblower nodded, remembering
her keen brown eyes, so similar to the captain's, who routinely picked out rust
and frayed lines, the most distand and faded of ships' colours and the smallest
points of decay in dim light. If Lady Pellew could match her husband's powers
of acuity, then both Pellew and he were safe.
Pellew eased back in his chair. "Perhaps Susanna is right," he
pondered, "maybe Foster is jealous. Of me. But what does this have to do
with Horatio?"
Hornblower, surprised at hearing such familiarity, shifted in his seat, causing
a loud creak. Pellew was snapped out of his thoughts; he turned to face
Hornblower, whose eyebrows were well raised by the two first names.
"What do you gape at, Hornblower?" Pellew chided with a mixture of
amusement and irritation.
"S-S-Sir?"