The Privateer's Revenge(16)

He hurried round the table, helped Kydd to his feet and led him into a large room with a cheerful fire. "Now, what is this, sir?" Saumarez asked, in a kindly tone.

"I—I can only apologise f'r m' conduct, s-sir," Kydd choked. "Y'see, I've—I've just this month lost m' intended t' drowning—" He fought down the tears and added stiffly, "If you desire, sir, I shall leave y' house immediately, o' course."

"Good heavens, no. I had no idea—here, you shall have a good brandy directly." He hurried to the decanter. "It's one of the faults of our modern society that a man cannot in any wight allow his feelings to display. Do sit, sir—my wife will fully understand when I tell her of your sad loss."

"Sir."

"It will, of course, be a grievous ordeal for you, but remember that for those who trust in the Lord's goodness it will be seen that there is a reason, however hard it is to apprehend at this time." He drew his chair closer and confided, "You will perhaps not at this point easily entertain the notion, but it has been said that my nature is one that in its sensitivity might more readily be seen in a man of the cloth. I can assure you that any distress in my fellow creature I do feel for myself." He touched Kydd's arm lightly. "Therefore I trust you will not take it amiss when I offer my advice. It is that you do seek the humanity and warmth of your fellow man in the healing—the well-springs of charity are deep, and within us all."

Kydd's expression did not change.

"I'm only too aware that for the captain of a ship this might prove . . . difficult, but there is a means to this end. I'm referring in this to the Mermaid's Club, which is a retreat for naval officers in St Peter Port. There you may find solace with your brothers of the sea."

At Kydd's silence his forehead creased in concern. "In fact, you may take it as a species of command, sir. I shall have a word in the right place as will see you introduced. Dwelling on your hurts in the privacy of your cabin is not to be countenanced. Now, I will be bending my mind to the task of finding ways to keep you and your command as active as I can contrive. Never doubt it, Mr Kydd, all things will pass in God's good time."



The room was broad but low, and dominated at the far end by windows that extended the entire width to provide a fine prospect of the busy harbour below. "Ho there, the stranger!" a voice called from the group at ease round a mahogany table towards the back.

Kydd handed his cloak to a steward, stepped forward and bowed. "Kydd, brig-sloop Teazer." A few in armchairs nearby looked up curiously from their newspapers, then nodded politely.

Kydd was the only one in uniform; the others wore shore clothes. He approached the group. "Gentlemen."

"Come to join, I take it," a large man, older than Kydd, said.

"Aye."

"Umm. Of good standing, polite to your betters, not afraid of the bottle? Any habits, vices we should know about?" His eyes were shrewd.

"No."

"A pity. We can do with men o' spirit. Right. Ten livres a month—that's less'n a guinea—feast-days extra, commensal brandy extra. Are you game?"

"Aye."

"Then you're in. I'm Carthew of Scorpion ship-sloop, and chairman o' the Mermaid. This is O'Brien out of Harpy brig and the rest you'll get to know soon enough."

He sat back in his chair and contemplated Kydd. "Sit yourself down, then, Kydd. O'Brien, get the young man a rummer. Now, sir, we'll know more of you. What did you do to be banished to this benighted corner o' the world?"

"I was detached fr'm the Plymouth command o' Admiral Lockwood, agreeable to an Admiralty request—"

"Ding dong bell, man, and what's that meant to say? That you—"

"I received m' orders an' I did my duty, Mr Carthew," Kydd rapped.

Faces turned elsewhere in the room and the talking died away for a space. "Well, well! Do I see a discontented fire-eater before me? If so, you have my condolences, my dear sir. You'll have to work hard to chase up some sport here."

O'Brien murmured something indistinct and Carthew laughed cynically. "Then my best advice to him is to get used to it—the only way he's getting out of here now is to contrive to be wrecked or become the admiral's élève when there's to be a promotion!" He continued to appraise Kydd coolly. "Is it right that you were at the Nile?"

"I was."

"I see. And Saumarez here second-in-command under Our Nel. Fortunate for you, not to say useful," he said smoothly.

"I was fifth in Tenacious, signal luff, an' never clapped eyes on him but the once, if that's y'r meaning."

"Do ease sheets, Mr Fire-eater," Carthew said evenly. "This is a small command and we all have to live with each other."