Renzi's eyes pricked: it had been a hard time for them both but now was the time to move forward. "Er, your opinion. What do you consider the captain of this fair barque would pass in judgement over that iniquitous young mariner, Jacko, now in durance vile?" he said languorously, stretching for another mutton cutlet.
"Why, I believe if th' rascal should make his apologies to his lawful commander, I don't think he will suffer for it." Kydd grinned and raised his glass to his friend.
It was evident that there would be no immediate breakout from Granville so HMS Teazer shaped course to Guernsey, raising Sark in the morning. The flagship was back at her mooring in the Great Road and, like her lesser consorts, dressed overall in bunting, but what caught the attention of every man aboard Teazer, when the smoke of the gun salute had cleared, was the distant squeal of pipes aboard Cerberus, followed by a long, rolling thunder of drums.
"B' glory, mannin' th' yards an' it's all fer us!" came a cry from forward. From below-decks of the flagship her ship's company came racing up, leaping into the shrouds and mounting the rigging of all three masts at once. As they reached the fighting tops they spread out each side along the yards, hundreds of men in urgent motion upwards and outwards. When they were in position the drums stopped and in the sudden silence, atop the mainmast truck at the very highest point of the ship, a lone seaman snatched off his hat, and as he whirled it round disciplined cheers broke out.
Granville was not going to be a great fleet action celebrated by the nation but in Navy fashion these men were recognising their own Teazer 's gallantry in a very public way. The figure of Saumarez was unmistakable on Cerberus's quarterdeck and Kydd made an elaborate bow, which was returned at once.
"Pray allow me to shake the hand of a very fine officer!" the admiral said, when Kydd went aboard to report. "That was the finest stroke this age, I must declare." Looking intently at Kydd he added, "And I do believe that our successful engaging with the enemy has gone some way into laying your own troubles—am I right?"
"Aye, sir."
"Then it will be Lady Saumarez's pleasure to renew your acquaintance in the near future. There will be a dinner given at Saumarez Park on Saturday in grateful token of our victory at which I dare to say you will be guest of honour, Mr Kydd."
In Teazer, Standish was receiving the official visitors and was conspicuously enjoying the task, quantities of young ladies, it seemed, requiring a personal sighting of the ship that had recently fought so bravely. Renzi, however, went below, taking advantage of the quiet in the great cabin to prepare the ship's papers for her return to port.
The wail of a pipe on the upper deck pealed out: this would be Kydd returning from the admiral. A few minutes later he entered the cabin, but his face was bleak, his gaze unseeing. Renzi understood instantly: this was the first triumph he would have been able to lay before Rosalynd.
Then Kydd noticed him and his eyes softened. "Nicholas, m' dear friend, do let's step ashore. I've a yen f'r different faces, if y' understands."
"Why, to be sure. But here are my papers—should our stern captain learn of their neglect in wanton disporting ashore . . ."
They went in plain clothes but their disembarking on to North Pier steps drew immediate attention from the urchins playing about the busy waterfront, and there were gleeful cheers and whoops for two sailor heroes of the hour as they stepped out for town.
It was an agreeable afternoon; Renzi was able to direct their course to take in the colour and bustle of the Pollet, the boatyards and the admirable views to be had from the upper reaches above St Peter Port. Then they supped together at a snug inn with a fine prospect of the castle islet.
They spoke little: Kydd was quiet but Renzi could see that it was part of a process that would end in a new man emerging, hard lines in his features telling of experiences that had not destroyed but changed him, rather as a furnace fires a creation to permanence. Renzi knew that with Kydd's strength of will and depth of character he would eventually come through stronger.
"And so I give you Commander Thomas Kydd, an ornament to his profession and a sea officer whose future can only be bright and glorious in the service of his king!"
Kydd bowed gravely in acknowledgement of Saumarez's fulsome words, while in the splendid room the toast was duly raised by the assembled captains of the squadron, expressions ranging from the hearty and comradely to the envious and grudging. Anointed as the favourite of the commanderin-chief, Kydd could look forward to the plums of appointment on the station.
They clustered about him, exclaiming, laughing, hearing his modest protestations while Saumarez stood watching benevolently. "I do believe you have now proved yourself, Mr Kydd," he called, "so I'm giving you an independent cruise, sir."