Heart of Oak by Alexander Kent Read Free Book Online Page B

could see the likeness now, the same gestures, the confidence. He was looking at the tankard and the girl explained, “Ginger beer, sir.”
    “After that ride, I think I’ll venture something stronger!”
    They laughed.
    Herrick wondered why he had not remembered. It was not like him. James Roxby was a highly respected surgeon in London. Nancy had joked about it, saying her son occasionally came down to the West Country on a pilgrimage, or to escape his patients.
    “I hear that you have only just arrived.” He did not wait for an answer. “Some one taken your things? This is no way to greet an honoured guest!”
    Herrick said, “I left them at the inn. I didn’t know…” He broke off, feeling like a fool. What had he expected?
    “Somebody will go and get them.” Head on one side, and Herrick could see him in his professional role without effort. Then he nodded. “She’s coming now. She’ll get you settled.” He almost grinned. “My mother gives all the orders around here!”
    He turned. “Comfortable, are you?” He did not look at the empty sleeve. There was no need.
    But Nancy was here, her eyes moving between them. “Thomas, this is a lovely surprise!” She tossed a bag on to a chair, and a parcel to the beaming Jenna. “We were very concerned!”
    Herrick made to take her hand but she gripped his shoulder and turned her face toward him. “Makes it simply perfect.” He kissed her cheek, and she laughed. “For me, in any case!”
    Herrick watched her, her smile, the warmth he had never forgotten. “I’m sorry I missed the reception for Adam…” He faltered. “And Lowenna.”
    She shrugged. “You would have hated it.
They
were wonderful, but I expect it was an ordeal for them.” She sat, facing him. “And what of you, Thomas?” She was leaning forward, her eyes never leaving his. “You are looking so well—we’ll not let you escape so easily this time!”
    Herrick said, rather stiffly, “I am finished with active service. I might be offered some temporary appointments, but…” It was nobody’s concern.
Except my own.
    But she was laughing, one hand to her mouth, shaking her head. “So sorry, Thomas,
dear
Thomas! I remembered what you said to me when we last met!” She shook her head again. “
I can pay my way
, do you remember saying that?” She calmed herself with an effort. “I loved you for it!”
    Her son stood up. “I’ll arrange to have the gear collected from—” His eyebrows went up. “The Spaniards, wasn’t it?”
    Herrick saw the mask slip, heard the keen, incisive voice. The surgeon again. No wonder sailors feared them. Hated them. There was no one else to blame, not when you were pinned on your back, helpless, waiting for the blade.
    But he felt his mouth lift into an unaccustomed smile. It had been so long. Nothing else mattered. “I’ve never forgotten it, Nancy.” Like hearing somebody else.
    She dabbed her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “Adam and Lowenna are down at the waterfront. They’ll be back soon.” She laughed. “It’s
perfect!
”
    More voices, this time Grace Ferguson, one hand holding a bunch of keys. Straight-backed, smiling at him. Altered in some way, but otherwise as he remembered her whenever they had met.
    She said, “Good to have you with us, sir. Like old times.”
    They must all believe that.
    Then they were alone together and Nancy said softly, “We shall make them
better
, Thomas. No more heartbreaks—it’s never too late.” She examined his face, feature by feature. “Don’t mind James. Sometimes even he can forget he is a surgeon and be human again. Until his fingers start itching for his saw.”
    Grace Ferguson paused to rearrange something below the stairs, and listened to their sudden laughter. She remembered when Herrick had first come here, to this house. The young lieutenant with blue, blue eyes and an uncertain frown. And
she
had been even younger than the girl Jenna.
    She thought of the empty sleeve, and began to