No friendly inquiries into Lachlan’s journey or health, and he made note not to waste time on pleasantries with his commander.
“Here at Scapa Flow, the Orkneys and Shetlands Command oversees the security of the harbor and its installations. We must determine any weaknesses in our defenses before the Germans do and ensure our defenses are impenetrable.”
“Aye, sir.” They needed to defend against attacks from surface ships, submarines, and aircraft—and from spies and saboteurs.
Blake inclined his head toward the porthole beside him. “Scapa Flow not only serves as the base for the Home Fleet but offers respite for crews after long voyages escorting convoys. It’s vital that our men feel safe.”
“I understand, sir. I served on theAntelope. We escorted many convoys.”
“Yes.” Blake shifted his gaze to a folder on the desk. “That’s one of the reasons you were recommended for this position. That and your familiarity with these waters.” A note of reluctance lengthened his words.
A note Lachlan had heard too often, and he tensed.
The commander sniffed and lifted his chin. “Your record at sea is exemplary. I see you received the Distinguished Service Cross when your destroyer sank a U-boat in November.” Then he frowned. “You aren’t wearing it.”
“No, sir. Last month we lost seven ships in a convoy we escorted. Dozens of men in our merchant navy died. We couldnae save them.”
Blake leaned back in his seat, his hands slipped into his lap, and his cool gaze stiffened. “I’ll be honest, Mackenzie. You weren’t my first choice. I have concerns.”
Lachlan’s fingers dug into his thighs. At the heart of his reservations lay Lachlan’s younger brother, Neil. “May I address those concerns, sir?”
Blake’s thin nostrils flared. Surely he expected Lachlan to produce a tirade of defensiveness.
Long ago, Lachlan had decided the honorable course was to accept responsibility for the charges, no matter how false. “At the age of seventeen, I was expelled from the Royal Naval College for plagiarism.” Mere months before he was due to graduate.
Pale eyebrows rose. “You don’t deny it?”
Denial wouldn’t illuminate the truth any more now than it would have twelve years ago. “I accepted the punishment and forfeited a career in the Royal Navy. I only have the honor of wearing this uniform because of the war, an honor lasting only for the duration of hostilities.”
Blake’s gaze lowered to Lachlan’s cuffs, adorned with the wavy lines of gold lace of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve rather than the smooth circles of the Active Service.
Then Blake sniffed again. “I would be willing to overlook that as a youthful indiscretion—given your record this past year—however—”
“However, my brother is in prison.”
The commander’s lips drew taut. “Yes.”
A too-familiar heat built in Lachlan’s chest. “He belongs to Free Caledonia, a radical group of Scottish separatists that opposes the war effort. My brother publicly stated Scotland would fare better if the Germans invaded. He went to prison for refusing to register for conscription.”
Blake drummed his fingers on the desktop. “Separatist groups are fertile ground for a fifth column.”
“Aye, sir.” Fifth columnists were as dangerous as spies. Both worked to destroy a nation from within and open it to invasion. “I do not hold to my brother’s views.”
“Is that so?” The drumming hadn’t ceased.
“My brother is wrong. Foolishly wrong.” The heat expanded Lachlan’s chest and rose up his neck. “This is theUnitedKingdom. Our strength is in our unity. The Germans want to divide us so they can destroy us. I’m having no part in that. I joined the Royal Navy to defend this land and her people—all of them.”
Blake studied him, long and probing.
The heat filled Lachlan’s cheeks. If only Blake would interpret the redness as passionate determination instead of embarrassment.
“Very good, Mackenzie.” Blake stood to dismiss Lachlan. “Settle in at your billet and report here at 0800 hours tomorrow.”
“Aye, aye, sir.” As always, Lachlan would have to work twice as hard and be twice as good as the next man.
Thanks to Neil.
3
