Man Of War

I trust this finds you well and timely. I hardly know where to begin, but there has been a most unlooked-for development, a most disagreeable thing has occurred (trouble not, for we are all in good health) and I am at my wits’ end to know how to deal with it. I would that you come here as soon as you are able, for I think that only you have it in your power to put things aright. I cannot put the matter into words but beg you would believe me when I say that it is of the greatest moment to our happiness and standing. Please therefore come with haste, for it is not a matter that can bide without grave consequence to our reputation and position.Your ever loving Mother.

IV

A PASSAGE TO MALTA

Gibraltar, the same day, 28 September 1827

‘Sir Laughton?’ The first lieutenant had returned very carefully upon his half-hour.

‘Just “Captain”, if you please, Mr Lambe.’

‘Ay-ay, sir. I have the old hands assembled.’

Peto nodded. He would read them his commission, as was the tradition, and address a few words to them. But he thought first to address the question of the admiral’s quarters, about which he had given no instructions. By custom when the admiral flew his flag elsewhere the captain of a first-rate had the use of the cabin on the upper deck, but since Peto expected Sir Edward Codrington to transfer his flag to Rupert as soon as she joined his squadron, he had no intention of putting himself to the inconvenience – and, indeed, the indignity – of vacating his accommodation within so short a time.

‘The admiral’s apartments, I trust, are in serviceable condition? I had better take a look at them before beginning on general rounds.’

Lieutenant Lambe looked at him quizzically. ‘They are, sir. I believe Miss Codrington is most comfortable.’

Peto’s expression of indifference turned to one of thunder. ‘What?’

‘Miss Codrington, sir. She came aboard this morning. She is, I believe, comfortable. And her maid.’

‘Maid?’

‘Yes, sir; her maid,’ replied Lambe, even more puzzled by his captain’s inability to grasp what were after all mere domestic details. ‘They are both quite comfortable.’

Peto’s eyes narrowed, and his hands gripped the sides of his chair. ‘Mr Lambe, of what are you speaking?’

Only now did the first lieutenant perceive that his captain might be unaware of their passenger – and that the intelligence was not welcome. He cleared his throat. ‘Admiral Codrington’s daughter, sir: she is on board for the passage to Malta. The orders came when we put in. Forgive me, sir, but I assumed that you had been told of it ashore. Miss Codrington travelled by packet here, but the admiral wished for her to be conveyed on board one of His Majesty’s ships on account of the piracy still off the Barbary Coast. I thought it expedient to accommodate her in the admiral’s quarters.’

Peto boiled, though without (he thought) showing it. ‘Very well.’ He rose. ‘You did right, Mr Lambe. That, I take it, is the reason for the sentry I saw there.’

‘I thought it only proper, sir. We have an ample enough complement of marines.’

‘Mm.’ Peto thought it only proper too – eminently proper. Two women on the upper gun-deck: it was like putting a couple of ripe peaches next to a wasp’s nest. ‘I had better pay my respects. Perhaps you and she will dine with me this evening?’

Lambe hesitated. But a request from his captain was to be taken always as an order. ‘I’d be honoured, sir.’

‘Flowerdew!’

The captain’s steward scuffled in.

‘Three for dinner, one a lady: hock and a light burgundy.’

‘Oh, very refined,’ muttered Flowerdew as he knuckled his forehead and scuffled out again.

‘He’s been with me a good age,’ said Peto by way of explanation, though not as a rule given to explaining himself.

‘Sir, Miss Codrington, she—’

‘Enough of Miss Codrington for the time being, Mr Lambe. But I will say now that we are not putting in at Malta; she will have to transfer to the sloop.’

HMS Archer, sloop-of-war, was to convoy with them for Admiral Codrington’s squadron.

‘Ay-ay, sir.’

‘Very well; let’s to the old hands. And then afterwards I’ll see Miss Codrington while you assemble the standing officers.’