“I have ordered charges to be laid in the fortress magazine, sir.”

“Good. We will fire them as we leave.” He sighed. “So be it.”

As he made as if to depart Bolitho asked quickly, I am hoping you may recommend Mr Keverne for command of the brig, sir?”

The admiral turned his eyes instead on the woman. “I am afraid not. You already have shortages, and we will need every experienced officer. I will tell Furneaux to supply a prize officer.”

He nodded to Angus as he came in wiping his hands.

The surgeon said, “He was dead, sir.”

The admiral said indifferently, “As I expected. Now, Mr Angus, Captain Bolitho will remain here until half an hour before sailing tomorrow. Make all arrangements. Then send someone to find Calvert and tell him I wish some orders to be drafted for the squadron immediately.” He smiled suddenly, so that he looked years younger.

“Do you know, Bolitho, I was once tempted to match rapiers with Calvert, just to teach him a lesson! If I had, you would now be in command here, and your head instead of mine would be on the block!” It seemed to amuse him, for he was still smiling as he strode out of the room.

Bolitho leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes, feeling the energy and tension draining from him, leaving him spent.

Half to himself he said, “One more night.”

She touched his hair with her hand, her voice husky. “Yes. One more night.” She hesitated. “Together.”

17

REUNION

LIEUTENANT Charles Keverne stood by the quarterdeck rail with his arms folded while he watched the busy activity around and above him. The Euryalus had not re-entered the bay, but instead had anchored with her consorts off the beaked headland. Now, in the pale morning light, even the barren hills and skyline appeared less hostile, the fortress quiet and harmless.

He took a telescope from the midshipman of the watch and trained it towards the Tanais which was tugging at her cable in the freshening wind, her yards and decks also alive with seamen. He could see the scars on her quarter where Euryalus’s massive bulk had left evidence of the collision, and was thankful he had managed to complete repairs to spars and rigging before the captain’s return.

Like the rest of the watching officers and seamen, he had studied Bolitho’s appearance through the entry port with both relief and anxiety. The smile had been genuine, and there had been no doubting his pleasure at being back on board his own command. But the arm held stiffly in a sling, the twist of pain on his mouth as he had been assisted through the port, made Keverne wonder if Bolitho was yet fit enough for his work.

The ship had been fairly buzzing with speculation since their unhappy return after the fruitless chase, and collision with Tanais. Broughton’s temper had matched the occasion, and for that reason too he hoped Bolitho would be able to advise his superior as well as control the teeming affairs of his own ship.