Ransome's Honor by Kaye Dacus Read Free Book Online Page A

Captain.”
    William paid the boys who’d rowed him out and then climbed up the accommodation ladder in Alexandra’s side. Once he was on deck, Lieutenant Eastwick saluted by touching the fore point of his hat.
    William returned the gesture and turned to the midshipman holding the lantern. “Pass word for Lieutenant Cochrane to join me in my cabin.”
    “Aye, aye, Captain.” The teen scrambled to obey.
    “Carry on, Lieutenant Eastwick.”
    The man eight years William’s junior bade him goodnight, unable to keep a tone of disappointment out of his voice. William had no doubt that in his day-long absence, the crew had entertained themselves with wild speculations of what orders he was receiving. That not all of the lieutenants were on deck awaiting his arrival came as a mild surprise.
    William walked through the vacant wheelhouse and entered the doors beyond into the dining cabin. The long table surrounded by ten tall-back wooden chairs served as dining table and workspace. He rounded the table to starboard and passed through the day-cabin and into the small chamber behind containing his hammock, desk, sea chest, and washstand—in addition to the large twelve-pound cannon square in the middle, reminding him at all times he made his home on a ship of war. After every action Alexandra took part in, his chamber smelled of burned gunpowder for days.
    The main cabin door opened, and Dawling entered. “Welcome back, sir. I trust your visit to the port Admiralty went well.”
    William shrugged out of his sodden raincoat and tossed it toward his steward. “As well as could be expected.”
    A brisk knock sounded. William nodded, and Dawling admitted the first lieutenant.
    William returned to the dining cabin. “That’s all for now, Dawling.”
    The steward knuckled his forehead in salute and latched the door behind himself. Cochrane reported on the crew’s activity since William’s departure at eleven that morning. While Cochrane gave his report, William stood behind the head chair at the table, forcing himself to concentrate through his fatigue. When Cochrane finished, William unclasped his hands from behind him and rested them on the chair’s high back.
    His first officer—and friend—fidgeted with his coat cuffs and chewed the corner of his mouth. William held back a smile. After two long years at sea, everyone was eager for home leave, but most aboard worried they had come back to Portsmouth to be decommissioned. The thought that William could have entered port with Julia eagerly waiting for him, as the wives and sweethearts of many of his crew were even now waiting, gave him pause; but he brushed it aside in frustration and returned his thoughts to Alexandra ’s new orders.
    “I spoke at length with Admiral Sir Edward Witherington this afternoon.” William’s struggle against his inner turmoil made his voice sterner than he’d intended. But being the practical joker among the officers, Cochrane deserved to squirm a bit. “Tomorrow morning, I would like you to call the entire crew to order at four bells in the morning watch. I know six o’clock is two hours early, but we only have until noon to clear everything and all personnel from the ship.”
    Cochrane swallowed hard. “Aye, aye, sir.”
    “Dawling!” William called, and as expected, the door opened immediately.
    “Aye, sir?”
    “Go to the wardroom and inform the officers—not just the lieutenants, but the warrant officers and captain of the marines also—they are to assemble here in five minutes. Full dress is not necessary. Let Lieutenant Eastwick know as well—the midshipman of the watch can relieve him.”
    Dawling saluted and let the door slam behind him as he hurried away.
    William sat at the head of the table and started looking through the pile of correspondence that had arrived in his absence.
    “You’re going to make me wait for the others, aren’t you?” Cochrane paced the other end of the long, narrow room.
    William looked at him