The Seahorse by Michael Aye Read Free Book Online Page B

opened the door to find Gabe standing there. He thumped at Gabe’s shiny epaulette.
    â€œHow long you reckon that swab’ll stay shiny?”
    â€œAbout as long as those new buttons I say,” Gabe replied. “Damn if they wouldn’t make a fine target.”
    â€œWe’s already been a target,” Bart said.
    â€œSo I’ve heard.” Then turning to Anthony, Gabe said, “Any thoughts on who may be behind this?”
    â€œNo,” Anthony answered. “I wish I did. Then we’d be on an equal footing.”
    Reaching into his coat pocket, Gabe took out a letter. “This arrived this morning from Dagan. Look at the date.”
    The letter had been written over two months ago. Dagan was fine, he’d enjoyed his visit with Uncle Andrea, and Caleb was going to marry Catherine. Then the last paragraph…the interesting part: “I feel dark days ahead. Days filled with danger for all of us.” He went on to say he’d arranged passage with a merchantman and would meet the squadron in Barbados. Gabe could see the surprise on Anthony’s face.
    â€œHow did he know?”
    Gabe only shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.
    â€œHow does he always know?” Bart said, more a statement than a question. “He does and that’s all that matters, I’m thinkin.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Anthony replied, then reached for the door. “Let’s not keep our guests waiting.
    ***
    The evening meal progressed nicely. Lord Ragland, as the guest of honour, sat on Anthony’s right with Captain Buck on the left. The rest were seated not by seniority but according to the first available chair. This was as planned.
    Thomas Fletcher was in command of the sixty-four gun, Intrepid , which had just completed a three month overhaul. He had been in command of the ship for three years and had until recently been stationed at Gibraltar.
    Francis Markham, who was a good friend and old shipmate, had just been given command of the squadron’s other frigate, Dasher . Markham’s father was a vice admiral so Anthony was sure his appointment had a lot to do with that. Not that he wasn’t a good officer…he was. He and Gabe had been friends since they were mids together on Drakkar . He’d once been Anthony’s flag lieutenant. He was a reliable man and Anthony was glad to have him.
    Ambrose Taylor and Hayward Hallett, as was Jem Jackson, were lieutenants with their first commands. All three had good records as first lieutenants and had sterling recommendations. Jem Jackson was another proven commodity. Anthony was sure the ketch, Viper , would be well commanded. The Alert and Ferret were as new as the lieutenants who commanded them. We’ll see how they measure up .
    As the meal was finished and cigars and pipes were lit, Lord Ragland stood up. “Gentlemen, it has been a pleasant evening, but the morrow promises to be filled with government bureaucracy, so I bid you goodnight with a final toast. To wives and sweethearts...may they never meet .”
    This brought whoops and laughter, as Ragland knew it would. Soon the captains thanked their host and made their way back to their ships. Bart had ducked out earlier and made sure each of the boat crews had a wet to keep them warm. As he returned he overheard Gabe’s offer for Anthony and Bart to stay at his mother’s home.
    â€œWhen Deborah arrives we will, but for now I’ll stay here. I think I’ll be safe. Bart will be here.”
    That’s no error , Bart thought. He’ll be as safe as I can make him .
    ***
    The Admiral’s barge was now in sight of HMS SeaHorse …Lord Anthony’s new flagship. Anthony could already see men moving about. They were dressed in navy blue and the scarlet red of the marines. Soon he’d be back in his world. Then eyeing Bart he changed his thought… our world .
    The barge’s bow hit a small rogue wave and it caused