Heart of Oak by Alexander Kent Read Free Book Online

chair, his fingers interlaced across his stomach. Outwardly unconcerned, but Adam sensed that he missed very little.
    “The last commission was cut short. I am awaiting orders…”
    One hand lifted slightly. “Your recent exploits are well known. Many would suggest you might expect, even demand some release from duty. We are at peace now. But we must never allow ourselves to become complacent or unwary again.” The massive eyebrows wrinkled. “We in the Church must also stand to our guns, as it were, and be ready.” He stared up at the arched ceiling and intoned, “‘God and the Navy we adore / When danger threatens, but not before.’” And chuckled. “I don’t recall who said that, but it is still, sadly, true.”
    He looked intently at Lowenna, and then at Adam. “I cannot promise an early wedding, but I will do what I can. This church is always open if you need help or comfort. I shall send word when we are able to confirm a date.” He gestured to some small, velvet-covered books. “We will join in prayer before you go.”
    The bell was ringing somewhere overhead, and there were whispering voices outside the door, and echoes from the body of the church.
    The curate held out his hand. “A pleasure, Captain. I would have spoken to you before, at Sir Richard’s memorial service, but my time was not my own.”
    The handshake, like the smile, was genuine. How had he managed to remember, and mark him out? So long ago, and among so many people. He watched the big hands take Lowenna’s.
    “I hope we shall meet again very soon. Love is not always the most patient of messengers.” He nodded. “I knew Sir Gregory Montagu quite well.” Adam saw her tense, her chin lifting slightly, as if she were suddenly on guard. “Sometimes our views and concepts were at odds, but he was a man among men. Sorely missed.”
    Adam heard her murmur something and wanted to interrupt, but when he saw her face he knew there was no need. She said quietly, “He saved my life. Now I know why.”
    They stood outside the little chapel and looked along the nave. Nothing had changed; only the sunlight had shifted.
    They began to walk slowly down the aisle, toward the entrance, where Francis was waiting.
    There would be people coming to the house this evening, some strangers, curious or with minds already biased. She gripped his arm. Her eyes were no longer in shadow, and she was smiling with a radiance he had not seen before.
    She reached up to touch his face. “Take me home, Adam.” Three figures walked past, stepping aside to avoid them. They could have been invisible. “Time is an obstacle. It is not an enemy.”
    Francis had the carriage door open and watched them coming down the steps. It was going to be a long day, but he would tell his wife all about it when he got home, if she was still awake.
    He was aware of some passers-by who had stopped to stare or smile. She looked so much the radiant bride.
    Together.

3 A N AME TO R EMEMBER
    R EAR -A DMIRAL T HOMAS H ERRICK walked slowly across the familiar entrance hall, and then hesitated as if to reassure himself. Somehow it was different from the picture he had fixed in his mind. A fire was burning brightly and to one side he saw a half-opened door. The library, shelved books rising from floor to ceiling. And beyond that, the curving staircase. The portraits.
    He turned. “I’m sorry, my dear. What did you say?”
    He remembered the servant who had ushered him through the front door. A round, open face: a local girl with a poise that marked her as one of Grace Ferguson’s assistants.
    “Lady Roxby is not here, sir.” She seemed to know the time, although he saw no clock. “She’m due back directly. If you would care to sit a while, I can fetch you something.”
    Herrick jammed his hat beneath his arm and saw her eyes rest on his pinned-up sleeve. It never failed; so why did he still resent it?
    “A drink, perhaps?” She shifted from one foot to the other. “A dish of tea,