Gentleman Captain

Gentleman Captain by J. D. Davies Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Gentleman Captain by J. D. Davies Read Free Book Online
Authors: J. D. Davies
that will set out from Dumbarton once the ships arrive. That should be an ample force to nip this foul conspiracy in the bud, whatever its true object might be. If all goes well, our captains will intercept the arms shipment, deter Glenrannoch and any other malcontents and seek evidence against them all for high treason. There will be no rebellion in Scotland, gentlemen, be it of Campbells, Covenanters or any other variety of malcontent.'
    I felt a shiver that might have been fear or hope, and said, 'Our captains, sire?'
    James of York, the Lord High Admiral of England, said, 'The senior captain is Godsgift Judge of the
Royal Martyr,
a strong frigate of forty-eight guns. A good man, highly recommended by his grace of Albemarle and my lord of Sandwich. He served in those waters in Cromwell's day.'
    Prince Rupert sniffed, and took a long draught of wine. 'Men who served Cromwell ... but you know my feelings on this matter, sirs.' It was strange to think that in this one matter my mother was in perfect accord with the man she damned for the slaughter of her husband.
    'Indeed we do, cousin,' said the duke. 'The second ship in the squadron is the
Jupiter,
of thirty-two guns. Her command was given to Captain James Harker, who held our commission throughout the late troubles.'
    I knew the name Harker, and had a sudden recollection of a big, happy Cornishman, easy in his surroundings and his skin. I said, 'I met Captain Harker briefly at the Navy Office, last year. An impressive man, sober and businesslike. Common report calls him one of the best of our Cavalier captains.'
    Prince Rupert nodded. 'A damnably good man. A captain always loyal to the crown, and to me. It makes it all the more tragic.'
    There was a silence before the king said, very slowly, 'Captain James Harker died suddenly on the quarterdeck of the
Jupiter,
the night before last.'
    'The best surgeons of Portsmouth have cut open the body,' added York. 'It seems unlikely to be poison, but they cannot be certain. These days, the deadliest poisons can be hidden from detection.'
    The king looked directly at me, his dark eyes seeming to bore into mine. 'So now you know why we summoned you here, Matthew Quinton. The mission of the
Jupiter
is urgent, and as important a task as can be. The ship needs a captain, and I need that captain to be a man I can trust. True, Godsgift Judge is a good man–you'll find him very different to what you might expect from his fanatical Christian name.' Even the stiff and humourless Duke of York smiled a little at that, and I wondered how this Judge could possibly differ from the dozens of sanctimonious, sober Puritan captains who had served the old Commonwealth, who wore their command of the sea on their sleeves, and had changed their coats with alacrity to serve the king.
    Prince Rupert seemed less than impressed with the argument. 'Of course, we also need a captain for the
Jupiter
immediately, and damned few good men are available, with so many captains in the fleets to southward.'
    A pageboy scuttled up to the Duke of York and handed him a document, which he gave to me. I recognized the familiar text, identical but for one detail to that which had been devoured by Irish fish. It was a commission in the name of the duke, as Lord High Admiral of England, appointing me to the command of His Majesty's ship the
Jupiter.
    I was a king's captain once more.
    I barely had time to register my new circumstances before the Duke of York said, 'There will be no opportunity for you to appoint your own officers, Captain Quinton. The squadron must sail as soon as the wind permits, so you will have to content yourself with Captain Harker's men. Here is a list of the officers, with my annotations for the ones I know, along with your sailing orders.'
    He handed me two sheets of paper, and I saw that on the first of them he had written in his own hand next to three of the names.
    Lieutenant, James Vyvyan, Harker's nephew. A good man, but very young.
    Purser,

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