Rising slowly, Hobart tried to marshal his thoughts. "My lords, er, there is—"
There was a stir at the door and the lord chancellor got to his feet. "The Earl St Vincent," he intoned.
A buzz of interest broke out. The bluff man in the splendid robes of a peer of the realm was Jervis. Honoured by his sovereign, he was a sea hero whose service dated back to before Nelson was born. It had been he who, in the year of the Great Mutiny, had led the fleet against the combined might of the French and Spanish to spectacular success. He now stood at the pinnacle of his sea profession as First Lord of the Admiralty and strategic head of the Navy, feared and respected.
His wintry eyes took in the excited peers as he paced slowly to the centre of the chamber. "My noble lords!" he said, in a voice that had in past days carried through winter gales. "I do not deny that we are faced with a determined and dangerous foe who is undoubtedly resolved on the conquest of Great Britain. You are right to be concerned, to question the power of the Royal Navy to withstand the tyrant."
He paused. "It is not in me to find you agreeable words of comfort—that is not my way. You ask me to assure you that Bonaparte will not prevail. That cannot be in my power to guarantee to you." In the utter silence Earl St Vincent added grimly, "This only am I sure upon: I do not say, my lords, that the French will not come. I say only they will not come by sea."
"Sir, "Teazer's number at the signal tower," Standish said, to the motionless figure on the quarterdeck. A ship's pennants hung out meant a summons for her captain to attend immediately upon the commanderin-chief. Standish tried to hide his curiosity.
"Aye," Kydd acknowledged dully. "Th' gig t' be alongside in fifteen minutes."
"Thank you, Flags. I'll ring when you're needed." Saumarez turned to Kydd, "Do sit, sir," he said formally. He picked up a paper from his desk and regarded Kydd gravely. "There are two matters that I wish to discuss, the first of which is causing me some distress. I think it fair to inform you that I have received a most unusual, that is to say disturbing, communication from the port admiral at Plymouth." He regarded Kydd steadily. "In it Admiral Lockwood has seen fit to disclose to me his views on your moral worth while serving in his command, which are not necessarily to your credit."
"Sir? This is—"
"The wording need not concern you, but it should be understood that I myself hold personal probity and the strictures of honour among gentlemen at the highest possible value, especially so in any of my commanding officers whose moral example will naturally be followed by those serving aboard his ship.
"Now, Mr Kydd, please know that I propose to decide for myself your fitness of character for the dignity of captain of your vessel, as is only right and proper. However, the nature of these views implies a moral transgression of some weight and I therefore do beg you to acquaint me now with the substance of—"
"I have naught t' regret," Kydd whispered, his face pale.
"Why, surely Admiral Lockwood did not—"
"He—There's nothing I've done f'r which I need be ashamed. Nothing!"
"It's very odd, then, that—"
"I swear!"
Saumarez leaned back, plainly mystified. He seemed to come to a conclusion and sat forward. "Er, very well, sir. Then I'm minded to take your word on it." He put down the paper firmly. "And therefore, unless I learn of something to the contrary, you shall hear no more of it.
"Now, may I know if you've been able to find a measure of companionship at the Mermaid's Club?"
"Thank you, sir, I have," Kydd said stiffly.
"Again, you do have my sincere condolences, Mr Kydd, and my wife wishes you to know that she perfectly understands your—"
"Sir."
"Yes, well, perhaps we shall move on to matters more of the moment." He reached across and rang the desk bell. "Ah, Flags. If we could have the Gulf of Avranches charts."
He turned to Kydd with a sombre expression. "You're no doubt aware of the preparations the Corsican tyrant is undertaking for his enterprise against England. I have this day received more news of these evil works, which must not be suffered to continue with impunity." Saumarez selected the large-scale chart and laid it on his desk. "I have not forgotten my pledge to make your command an active one, Mr Kydd, and now I have a mission for you."
He moved the chart round to face Kydd, tapping his finger at a point on the coast of Normandy, a bare forty leagues from England. "I wish you to look into Granville to discover a count of invasion craft and similar assembling there. Should your report warrant, I shall have no alternative but to contemplate action against them."