The Bomb Vessel by Richard Woodman Read Free Book Online Page B

implication he thought little, though it seemed to make sense to his ordered mind as did Pitt’s attempt to emancipate the Roman Catholics of that unfortunate island.
    He descended the companionway into his cabin. Mrs Jex had been evicted. On 27th January the Admiralty had ordered a squadron of bombs and their tenders to assemble at Sheerness. The dockyard had woken to its responsibilities. All was now of the utmost urgency before their Lordships started asking questionsof the Commissioner.
    Tregembo was hanging Elizabeth’s gift, the cause of his delay in joining. Drinkwater watched, oddly moved. Bruilhac’s skill as a portraitist showed Elizabeth cool and smiling with Charlotte Amelia chubby and serious. He was suddenly filled with an immense pride and tenderness. From his position at the table his two loved ones looked down at him, illuminated by the light that entered the cabin from the stern windows behind him, the moving light that, even on a dull day, did not enter his cabin without reflecting from the sea.
    Mr Quilhampton interrupted his reverie. ‘Mainyard’s alongside, sir, and I’ve a letter left for you at the main gate.’ He handed the paper over and Drinkwater slit the wafer.
    My Dear Nathaniel
,
    I’d be obliged if you would meet me at the sign of the Blue Fox this evening
.
    Your brother, Edward
    He looked up. ‘Mr Q. Be so good as to ask the first lieutenant to have a boat for me at four bells.’
    The Blue Fox was in a back street, well off the Dock Road and in an alley probably better known for its brothels than its reputable inns. But the place seemed clean enough and the landlord civil, evincing no surprise when Drinkwater asked for his brother. The man ushered Drinkwater to a private room on the upper floor.
    Edward Drinkwater rose to meet him. He was of similar height to Nathaniel, with a heavier build and higher colour. His clothes were fashionably cut, and though not foppish, tended to the extremes of colour and decoration then
de rigeur
.
    â€˜Nathaniel! My dear fellow, my dear fellow, you are most kind to come.’
    â€˜Edward. It has been a very long time.’ They shook hands.
    â€˜Too long, too long . . . here I have some claret mulling, by heaven damned if it ain’t colder here than in London . . . there, a glass will warm you. Your ship is nearly ready then?’
    Nathaniel nodded as he sipped the hot wine.
    â€˜Then it seems I am just in time, just in time.’
    â€˜Forgive me, Edward but why all the mysterious urgency?’
    Edward ran a finger round his stock with evident embarrassment.He avoided his brother’s eyes and appeared to be choosing his words with difficulty. Several times he raised his head to speak, then thought better of it.
    â€˜Damn it Ned,’ broke in Drinkwater impatiently,‘ ’tis a woman or ’tis money, confound it, no man could haver like this for ought else.’
    â€˜Both Nat, both.’ Edward seized on the opportunity and the words began to tumble from him. ‘It is a long story, Nat, one that goes back ten or more years. You recollect after mother died and you married, I went off to Enfield to work for an India merchant, with his horses. I learned a deal about horses, father was good with ’em too. After a while I left the nabob’s employ and was offered work at Newmarket, still with horses. I was too big to race ’em but I backed ’em and over a long period made enough money to put by. I was lucky. Very lucky. I had a sizeable wager on one occasion and made enough in a single bet to live like a gentleman for a year, maybe two if I was careful.’ He sighed and passed a hand over his sweating face.
    â€˜After the revolution in France, when the aristos started coming over there were pickings of all sorts. I ran with a set of blades. We took fencing lessons from an impoverished marquis, advanced an old dowager some money on her jewels,