‘Captain Tyler’sHartfordsaved theJaunty.’ John took a deep breath and tightened his grip on her. ‘And my dear ones.’
‘For which we are all grateful, Captain Tyler,’ the Admiral said. ‘Welcome aboard. Yes, I am Collingwood, in charge of this pack of jackals.’
‘It’s a fine pack, sir,’ Captain Tyler said. ‘If I could have a moment of your time?’
‘Aye, Captain Tyler.’
It was Anna’s turn for a quiet sigh of relief. She was not one to seek out attention. Better let the men converse. She glanced at the children, suddenly wishing she was young enough to flopdown beside them with Bounce, who groaned with the pleasure of two minions scratching his ears.
But no. Admiral Collingwood included her. ‘Miss Fontaine, our American Captain tells me that you and the little ones had a time of it from a French rogue who obviously didn’t get our distinct message at Trafalgar.’ He turned to Captain Tyler. ‘Now this Yankee tells me that he has appointed himself chief guardian of theJaunty, on its way to the Rock.’
‘With your permission, of course, Admiral Collingwood,’ Dan Tyler said smoothly. ‘I know it isn’t far to Gibraltar, but his ship is not in trim. I would follow him for his safety’s sake.’
‘Butweare the Royal Navy, sir, and you are not,’ the Admiral said, not sharply to Anna’s ears, but more with curiosity.
‘TheJauntywas a ship in distress,’ Tyler said simply. ‘I defer to you, certainly, if you would rather one of your fleet escort her to Gibraltar, but I am willing.’
‘Very well. You have my permission to give aid where needed,’ the Admiral replied. He smiled. ‘Captain Tyler, let me escort you topside and ask aboutyourfleet in the Mediterranean.’
‘Hardly mine, sir,’ Tyler said as he followed the Admiral out of the door. ‘We answer to President Thomas Jefferson.’
‘Upstart,’ Anna heard the Admiral say before the door closed, leaving her with John, the children and Bounce.
‘At least we seamen have gone from fighting each other to teasing, instead. Come here, Anna Fontaine.’ John said it gently, which was part of her wonderment about him. She had seen him at his most desperate, seen him coldly angry at a vile curate, seen him just now on the deck of a ship of the line, taking charge and then relinquishing it because he knew his place. She moved gladly into his arms.
‘I have missed you,’ she said, for his ears only. ‘I was frightened on theJaunty.’
‘I can only imagine,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘Then to physic a wounded man. Captain Tyler said something about a magnificent lady—I believe he means you?’
‘Hardly that,’ she told him, thinking of the fear and uncertainty she’d only admitted to herself and now to him. But did she have to blurt out, ‘Here I am, sir. What now?’
It sounded like a jarring note to her ears, but John said nothing.And you, what do you really think about this?she wanted to ask.
‘Admiral Collingwood is keeping you and Pru here tonight. I’m taking Allan with me to theSwallowfor the night, some father and son time. I have had too few of those.’ He touched her cheek. ‘What say you to a flagship wedding the day after, and then sailing with me to Gibraltar? Aye or nay?’
‘Aye,’ she whispered shyly. ‘I didn’t get seasick and come all this way for nothing.’
He held her close, and she felt the laughter she did not hear. ‘No, you did not. Anna Fontaine, you’re a practical sort. Did you imagine any of this before I knocked on your door?’
Did you?she asked herself, and settled on, ‘These are strange times.’
‘I won’t deny that,’ he told her. He cupped gentle hands around her face. ‘I do not know what lies ahead. Does anyone? Trust me.’
Chapter Twenty
‘Our Navy is frustrating you, Miss Fontaine,’ Admiral Collingwood said as they stood together on the deck of theQueenand watched John and Allan on the quarterdeck of theSwallow, following the strugglingJauntyandHartford.
‘Sir, I would have liked Captain Beattie to remain here,’ she admitted.
He gave a heartfelt sigh. ‘I have a confession, Miss Fontaine; if even the smallest occasion arises between now and his return tomorrow, I would like John to learn what he can about Captain Tyler andhisNavy.’
‘My life used to be simple,’ Anna sighed.
‘He will return tomorrow before noon for your wedding,’ the Admiral reminded her, then laughed. ‘My orders be damned, eh? Don’t tell me you’re not thinking that, pretty miss!’
‘I’m no prevaricator,’ she said.
‘We have put you into an odd situation. Between you and me, Miss Fontaine…’ What, he did not say, because his steward announced dinner. Anna wondered if she would ever know.
