AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s walk to my cabin and have a talk, shall we? And let’s have no sudden moves. I’m quite a good shot, and at point blank range, your own mother wouldn’t recognize what’s left of you.”
* * *
They were sitting in the Lieutenant’s small, tidy cabin. The walls were lined with shelves holding books and logs. But for the nautical instruments on the little folding campaign desk, it could have been the office of a university don.
The Lieutenant leaned back in his chair and observed Ace with interest. “You just made your first mistake as a sailor,” said the officer. “It could have been a fatal one for you. What in God’s name were you thinking?
“Another officer would have shot first and asked questions later. Or you could have faced the cat o’nine tails. Ever see a flogging? Not a pretty sight.”
“I haven’t seen a flogging. But I’ve seen plenty of men nearly beaten to death in the boxing ring, and it hasn’t stopped me from signing up for the next match.”
“So you have physical courage. What of it? Use it to serve your King and country here in the Navy—not in some London boxing ring.”
Ace had a sudden idea.It may not work. But I think the Duke would back up my story, in the unlikely event he’s ever asked about it.
“I’m already serving my King and country, sir. I’m not supposed to speak of it. But you being a naval officer and a gentleman, I’m willing to trust you.”
“You may, I assure you. Go ahead, please.”
“I told an untruth, sir, when I said my chief employment was as a boxer. I am indeed a boxer, and a successful one. But I’m also in the employ of the Duke of Clover. From time to time, the Prince Regent gives him some...errands...to perform in connection with our overseas relationships.
“He employs me to assist him.”
“You’re saying he’s a spy?”
“No, I didn’t say that, Lieutenant. He is simply an aristocrat from an old family who serves his country when he is asked to do so.”
“The Duke of Clover...the Prince Regent...for a boxer from the streets of London, you know some powerful people,” said the Lieutenant with a smile.
“I assure you, my story may sound improbable, but it’s true. As recently as last Friday evening, I was in Worthington Hall when His Grace and His Royal Highness discussed plans over dinner. I was to assist His Grace with this mission. Imustget back to him. Hence my attempt to escape.”
“Good God,” said the Lieutenant, dumbfounded. “Everything you say must be true—it all hangs together. Why did you not tell me earlier?”
“What good would that have done?”
“We had the Duke of Clover on board this very ship. He was the dignitary who held us up in port at Worthington, the night you and the other recruits were put in the brig. He just got off in Calais—as you know, he received an urgent message while at Worthington Hall, requiring him to travel to France.
“I could have reunited the two of you! Obviously the Prince Regent’s business takes precedence over our filling a berth with another anonymous seaman.”
Ace began to feel the stirrings of hope. “Perhaps it is not too late, sir,” he said respectfully.
The Lieutenant was pacing around the little cabin.
“Indeed it’s not,” he agreed. “I will put you off the ship at Lisbon—we’ll press some Portuguese fellow into service instead. Have you money on you? No? I’ll give you some banknotes out of my own pocket, then, so you can travel from Lisbon to Paris by land. Hopefully, you’ll be able to connect with the Duke in Paris.”
Ace could not believe his luck. Instead of facing the consequences of desertion—which might well be the firing squad or the gallows, with the country currently at war—he would be allowed to leave the ship freely at the next port of call.Just a few days, and then I will see my Josie. That’s a long time—but it’s better than five years apart and an ocean between us.
I just hope she is safe….
* * *
Ace had one other small task he wanted to accomplish before leaving the ship.
He approached the Lieutenant. “Sir, I know you are a very learned man—having gone to university and all. Might I ask you a question?”
“Somewhatlearned, notverylearned,” the Lieutenant corrected him. “But certainly, ask away.”
“I suppose it counts as a legal question. I have heard the word ‘entail’ used a number of times, and I wondered what it meant.”
