“Chris led in theThistle, since he was the only officer with any knowledge of the river. He lined up on a conical-shaped hill, some six miles inland, with the edge of a sandy beach on the south bank. The current was setting at an angle across the deep-water channel.
“Once over the bar, they moved upriver with leadsmen sounding the bottom and lookouts aloft to warn of hidden dangers. The brigs were in three fathoms of water as they passed midway between Observation Point and Marara Island.
“We stopped a canoe of local traders and bribed them with tobacco to take our letter of demands to Curtis’s trading post. After waiting for several days without an answer, we tried to find their village without a guide and were lost in the bush for hours in an almighty downpour, but finally, we found the village.
“Although they tried to ambush us, and our forces were outnumbered three to one, Chris managed to rescue his wounded crewmen, and our forces did considerable damage to the slavers’ fort.”
Chris stopped the flow of the story. “Of course, you realize, Miss Berry, Tenneh, and Vicar Berry, that high adventure and danger like that are rare. Most of the time, we patrol up and down the coast and wait. It’s a long waiting game.” He gave his friend a wry look. “Captain Bellingham is quite the storyteller…who loves embellishments.”
His friend blushed and laughed. “Yes, I’m sorry. I do tend to get carried away.”
Rachel trembled at the details of his story. What if something had happened to Christopher? What if he’d been injured or killed? Then she chided herself with a realization. This was his work, just as hers was caring for and teaching the never-ending flow of released slaves into Freetown. She touched the small pouch within her reticule containing the braided ring she’d woven. Maybe her token would bring him luck and protection.
Chris was mortified.He had no idea what had come over his old comrade in arms, Arnaud. He’d never even considered the incident he’d recounted unusual or heroic. Honestly, in the midst of all of the problems, danger, and fighting, he’d felt exhilarated at finally seeing action, even if it was only a sea-land fight against the blighted slavers they rarely were able to engage face-to-face.
The Vicar Berry gave him a knowing look. “You should accept your friend’s praise. You’re a good man, you’ve earned recognition.”
Chris laughed. “I don’t know about that, but I do think I deserve another slice of tart.”
He slid a glance at Rachel and saw she was staring intently. He’d give anything to know what was going on behind those beautiful eyes. She probably thought he was a crazy person, racing up and down the coast and into the jungle, jousting at the slaver ghosts who tended to disappear into the bush or behind the flag of some country with a forgiving treaty with England. He couldn’t blame her for dismissing him as husband material.
After biddinggood-bye to Arnaud and his lieutenant, and Chris’s lieutenants had made their excuses of needing an early night, he followed the Berrys and Tenneh to the shore boat. The lanterns of the watches aboard all the ships anchored in Freetown Harbor glittered like a path of fireflies leading them to the quay while his men rowed in relative silence.
He jumped ahead of his bo’sun onto the wood planks of the quay when they reached the row of iron rings for tying off boats. He knew he was showing off, but he didn’t care. He tied off the line at the bow end of theThistle’sshore boat with one snap of his left wrist. He’d learned the many knots a midshipman has to master - one-handed, since the day his life had changed at Trafalgar.
After his bo’sun helped the vicar and Rachel to step ashore, Chris motioned for his crew to await his return and began the walk up the hill to the vicarage with his guests.
“What do you think of my home afloat?” He walked close to Rachel and leaned down to get a glimpse beneath the bonnet she wore tied tightly beneath her chin.
She turned her face up to him. “Your ship and your cabin are nothing like I expected.”
“How so?”
“TheThistlelooks so much bigger when you’re on her deck. From here, she almost seems like a toy bobbing in the water.”
“She’s eighty-four feet long, not even a large ship in comparison with the warships back in the channel.”
“Dinner was wonderful, but I had no idea what beautiful things you carry with you at sea.”
“Oh, that. Once I was commissioned a captain, my mother felt duty-bound to make sure I’d be able to entertain in style. The china, crystal, and silver arrived in barrels, packed in linens and padded with sawdust. Most of the time, I use the standard Royal Navy issue china.” He reached down and placed a finger beneath her chin, hoping her father would not notice. “But tonight was special.”
Rachel did not pull away from his touch but gave her father a furtive look. He seemed not to notice and continued walking steadily ahead of them, next to Tenneh. “Do you entertain often?” Rachel’s eyes were wide with curiosity.
“Whenever we’re back in Freetown for whatever reason, it’s good to be able to gather fellow officers together and compare experiences along the coast, not to mention the vagaries of Prize Court.”
After swatting a mosquito circling his head, Vicar Berry entered the conversation. “I was surprised at the burly young Marines guarding your door.”
“Yes.” Rachel turned her head toward him. “Why are they there?”
“Every captain in the Royal Navy has Marines guarding his cabin door. It’s a hazard of commanding men at sea.” He paused as if considering how much to reveal. “There are times when we need help to ensure cooler heads prevail.”
When they finally reached the vicarage, Rachel’s father looked at Chris and said, “Why don’t you and Rachel say your good-byes inside in the parlor where the mosquitos are not so thick?” Once they were inside, he bade them farewell and retired to his quarters.
“Much thanks for the beautiful supper, Captain Halloren.” Tenneh nodded her head at both of them and disappeared down the vicarage hallway to the chamber she shared with Rachel.
Inside the parlor, Rachel chose an overstuffed chair and Chris sank onto a worn but comfortable settee.
“If you’d like some tea, I could go out to the kitchen for some hot water.” Rachel seemed unable to sit still, or find something to do with her hands.
