"Attached? This will—"
"It means no cruisin' on our own any more."
Renzi frowned. Apart from the obvious loss of independence, the natural assumption of honours for the senior in any combat that might eventuate and the halving or less of any prize money, there would be little chance now for challenges and diversions to lift Kydd from the pit of despair. "My commiserations, dear fellow. How shall you—"
Kydd's expression was hard. "I shall do m' duty, as will you, an' every man aboard this barky. Those orders t' be transcribed directly, an' the purser t' lay aft now." Kydd's eyes gleamed fiercely, his drawn features bleak and forbidding—almost callous in their estrangement from the world. Renzi felt deep disquiet.
The papers complete, Kydd left for Cerberus to make his number with her captain. He returned quickly, without comment, in time to receive the seven local men coming aboard who had volunteered. Unlike the general run of seamen in England they could be sure that service would be in their home waters, defending their own kith and kin.
At six bells Mr Queripel, a small but well-built man in nondescript old-fashioned dress, arrived aboard. His certificate showed him approved by the commanderin-chief to act locally as a form of on-board permanent pilot, insisted upon by Saumarez for all non-native naval vessels in his command. Renzi saw Dowse, their own sailing-master, take wary measure of him.
Standish turned to Kydd. "Sir, might I ask—"
"When Cerberus puts t' sea, so does Teazer, " Kydd grated. "Until then we remain in attendance at anchor. Is that clear?"
"Aye aye, sir," Standish said sulkily.
That night there was no invitation for Renzi to dine with the captain; he supped with Standish and the others in what passed for a wardroom, the cramped space outside the cabins below.
"Tut, tut," the master said, after the meal had advanced sufficiently for tongues to be loosened. "Where are our spirits? Why are we cast down? Th' chances are we'll soon have our heart torn out on some Godforsaken rock and out o' this 'un quick enough."
"Mr Dowse! F'r shame!" said the boatswain, Purchet. "Could be th' Frogs are out an' then—"
"And then they fall on these pawky islands?" Standish sneered, from the head of the table. "I don't think so, Mr Hellfire Bosun. No, if they've got a handful of hours to crowd across the Channel, they'll not waste time here." He tossed back his wine.
"Then why's his grandevity Sir James o' Algeciras sent here?" Dowse asked. "Must be f'r a very good reason."
"Ha!" Standish came back instantly. "You really can't smoke it? He's here for just the same reason as we are." He glanced quickly at Renzi, who had taken no part in the discussion, then went on, "In course, he's run afoul of some higher and sent here to keep the natives quiet!" He went on strongly, "Stands to reason, dammit—commanderin-chief of an island four miles thick and not a ship-o'-the-line in his command? What other reason than he's been exiled too?" he said bitterly.
"What's your opinion, if y' please, Mr Renzi?" Dowse asked politely.
By now, in this company, Renzi had been accepted for what he was—an enigma, but no threat. He had kept to himself, scrupulously careful never to take anyone's part, his relationship with Kydd seen as that of an eccentric and needy scholiast taking advantage of the free board and lodging due a ship's clerk. A quiet and amiable manner, however, had ensured him the warmth of these men. "Why, I've seen nothing so far that might lead us to suppose there has been some form of alienation, but this presents a mystery. I fear that without facts I'm as much at a loss as you are."
Standish snorted. "If you insist on making it a mystery, sir, I do not." He banged down his glass. "Rather more to the point is our predicament."
"Our which?" said Renzi, mildly. Over time they had come to see that he did not carry tales to Kydd and were increasingly open in his presence. With his ear to mess-deck gossip and to the confidences of the commander, he was in a unique position—which might well end in an impossible situation if he did not tread circumspectly.
"You do not call this a predicament that we're to spend the rest o' the war flogging up and down this coast while all the victories are won elsewhere? I have my hopes of a sea career, gentlemen, as won't be found here. Remember, out of sight, out of mind. We'll not be noticed in this pawky scow." He took a savage pull at his wine. "And," he paused for breath, "I asked to be appointed into Teazer because I'd heard Tom Cutlass was to be her owner and we'd ride to glory together in some famous mauling. In just six months he's thrown the lot away! In with the admiral's daughter and set fair to be made post into a frigate for his trouble, me as his premier, and he takes up with some country milkmaid!"