Disclaimer: C.S. Forester is the mastermind behind everything Horatio Hornblower; I just attempt to expand on it. Also thanks to A&E for their expansion on our beloved Mr. Kennedy.

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BLUE EYES AND BLOOD

Chapter 2

Captain Edward Richardson – Blue Eyes

The Insufferable was a Third Rate Ship of the Line, with 74 guns in total. She was a ship that Bush greatly admired the minute he set eyes on her. Hornblower, Bush noted to himself, was still very quiet, but Bush could hardly keep himself from expressing his delight. The day itself seemed to be warmer than it had been for the past few weeks. The water lapped up around the jetty as it pulled along side the great three-decker.

Bush watched his captain climb up the side of the ship, then clambered up after him, hearing the twittering of the bosun's whistles as he did so. His foot touched the deck, and he looked up at the party awaiting them.

The man at the front was tall, his weather beaten hat giving the impression of being even more so. His hair was not grey, but so blond that it almost appeared white, and a long scar ran across one of his cheeks. His uniform was shabby, Bush noting that a piece of lace looked ready to fall off. He was smiling; a broad, inviting smile, and Bush felt a smile come to his lips in return. But it was his eyes that startled the unmoving Bush. His eyes were so very blue, and so very familiar. He could almost see Kennedy looking out at him from behind those eyes…

But then it was gone, and the man was saying something, which startled Bush out of his thoughts.

"Captain Hornblower I presume?" The man said, still smiling. Bush looked at his Captain and saw, not surprisingly, that he wasn't smiling.

"Yes, sir. And this is my first Lieutenant – Mr. William Bush."

"At your service, sir." Bush added.

"Good, good! Welcome to the Americas, gentlemen!" He paused and then gave a short laugh, "You will excuse me, of course. I am Captain Edward Richardson, your service, I'm sure."

This, thought Bush, was a man of impeccably good humour, and he pondered on how he kept any discipline at all. Still, those eyes…

Suddenly, however, the kind and homely face lost the smile. Without it, the scar seemed to pull at his skin, giving him a scowling impression.

"I am afraid, Gentlemen, that you come at a most inopportune time… Though, I suppose, if it was not you would not have come at all…" He paused, "If you will care to have a small lunch with me, I shall explain your duties as we dine on the quarterdeck."

Bush looked to Hornblower, before murmuring his agreement after his Captain.

Richardson's attendant, Mr. Hardy, served them as Richardson outlined the problem. Halifax, he said, was prime ship building ground, what with the endless amounts of forests around the area. However, there were many things that you couldn't get here, so the merchants made fortunes shipping luxuries to Halifax, and then shipping lumber back to England. However, a band of Pirates had stumbled onto this, and were capturing any traders it saw. Everyone was in an uproar, and the Government decided that military action had to be seen to. "So," he said in conclusion, "they sent me."

"Why did they send us?" Hornblower asked.

Richardson gave a shrug. "A ship of the line and a frigate against these pirates? We're just not enough… They're too smart to engage in battle, and if they need a port they just head down to New York were we can't touch them. The Americans either don't know they're pirates, or don't care… I suspect the last."

"Sir," Bush said, already sorry for intruding as he felt Hornblower's eyes on him, "But there are two Ships of the Line… surely…"

"Ah, you talk of the Poison. No, she is not of the Royal Navy. Captain Rosser, a British Privateer, leads her. They also are looking for the pirates, but for their own gain, I'm afraid. Rosser, however, is fairly amiable. You should endeavour to speak to the Captain. I'm sure you would find it to your pleasure." He added, once again looking at Hornblower. If he had any thoughts on this idea, Horatio didn't acknowledge them.

The conversation turned to different matters, mostly discussions of 'good old England', before Hornblower stood to take his leave.

"Very nice to meet you, Mr. Hornblower, and you as well, Mr. Bush." Richardson said, his smile returning in force as he shook their hands. "I expect I shall much enjoy having you here under my command. Though, I dare say, you'd do well on your own, eh?" He laughed to himself, "You have free reign, Mr. Hornblower! Do signal us as you come and go, but otherwise your orders are to merely find the buggers. Find them, Hornblower, and destroy them."

"I will do my best, sir." Hornblower replied, finally allowing a small smile to come to his lips. At least, Bush thought it was a smile, but it was so small that it might have just been his imagination.

"Good, good. And do pay a visit to Rosser. He may be able to help us, and god knows he doesn't like me very much. Good day!"

Hornblower and Bush each gave a small salute before they clambered their way back down to the jetty-boat.

Hornblower didn't say anything on the row back to the ship, merely looking deep in thought. Bush tried his hardest to bite back the urge to speak to his Captain – he could see he would only be snapped at, anyway. But he wanted to comfort himself that he was not alone in seeing it – that twinkle of Archie among those eyes. He wanted to know what Hornblower intended to do. Would he go and speak to the Privateer? Would he try and blockade them from New York? But Bush knew his Captain better than he did himself, and knew that if he asked his Captain it would only irritate him – something he would much rather not do.

"Mr. Bush…" Hornblower's voice startled his First Lieutenant out of his thoughts. "I am going to retire once we are back aboard the Lydia. If you would be so kind as to send a message over to the Poison with the request that her Captain join me for dinner? Do they have officers on a Privateer?"

"I don't know, sir. I suppose so."

"Then ask for them as well. Wake me as soon as you get a reply."

"Aye aye, sir. Should I still wake you if they say no?"

"You shall wake me if they say anything, Mr. Bush."

"Aye aye, sir." Bush repeated. He paused, before continuing. "Sir?"

"Yes, Mr. Bush?"

"Well, sir… I was wondering if… Captain Richardson, sir…"

"Go on."

"I just…" He wanted to say something about those eyes, but couldn't bring himself to do it, "He's a good man, sir. You didn't seem pleased with him…"

"On the contrary, Mr. Bush, I enjoyed his company very much." But it was said coldly, far away, and told Bush that it wasn't the truth. Bush did not try to delve deeper, as the jetty finally came alongside the Lydia again.

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