‘Let me be clear about these orders,’ John continued, his voice firm. ‘They are not repeated ashore. Our duty is to hunt downLa Guerre, a French sloop of war labouring under the misapprehension that the French still ruleoursea!’
He bowed when they cheered at that. Anna sat back, stirred to her heart.
‘Men,La Guerreis a pest, a nuisance and a disruption, diligently involved in bullying smaller ships, especially our Fast Dispatch Vessels, and the sorely triedJaunty. It must stop.’
He looked around, gesturing large. ‘Crew, I call this a plum assignment. We can rove at will in search of the foe, who might be planning other surprises for us. Admiral Collingwood states in his orders that we will be based at Port Mahon on Menorca, where wewillconduct ourselves like gentlemen when ashore.’
Anna smiled at that, noticing the grins. She also noticed several nods of agreement at his next words. ‘I wish to forge a working relationship with theHartford, a nimble ship like ours. The Yankees have taken a liking to North Africa—you know of the treaty they recently made with those Tripolitan scoundrels.’
He turned to Anna and doffed his hat in salute. She inclined her head, reluctant to be noticed, but aware how hard she was to overlook, the sole female aboard.
‘As you know, my lady wife sailed on theJaunty, which was attacked byLa Guerre, and saved from destruction by theHartford. As for the Yankees, let us be aware who our friends might be.’ He gestured to the sailing master, standing near the railing. ‘Master Lyon, resume our course for theQueen, and then Port Mahon. That is all, men. As you were.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Much later—why did the officers drag out dinner in the wardroom?—they were finally about to make love when someone knocked at the door from the wardroom. ‘Ahoy, Captain! Captain Tyler is on deck.’
‘I could grumble,’ Anna’s husband said quietly. ‘I swear I could.’ He raised his voice. ‘Coming.’
‘I’ll be here when you return,’ she said, starting to rise. He stopped her. ‘Don’t do a thing,’ he said. ‘I have a robe somewhere. Ah.’ He stood by the sleeping platform, looking down at himself. ‘Calm down, John,’ he muttered. After a minute, he put on his robe and padded from the cabin, looking as well-dressed as if he was.
She wished amnesia on any impressionable midshipmen standing the watch. She lay there, thinking of stories she wouldnevershare with anyone about her watery honeymoon.
She thought of that house waiting for her in Port Mahon, one where Admiral Collingwood had told her he seldom visited, wishing it were a second home for his family. So many hopes dashed, thanks to Napoleon and his imperial aspirations.
It didn’t bear thinking on, especially since John returned soon enough. He shrugged off his robe and sank down onto thesleeping platform again, gathering her close. ‘Let’s see, where were we?’ he asked in the dark.
I wish I knew, she thought.I am a convenience. I believe I want to be more. How?
Anna couldn’t fault his husbandly instincts. His own satisfaction meant hers as well. Later, as he drowsed beside her, his arms around her, she touched his face, which made him turn and kiss her fingers. ‘Mrs Beattie, thank you,’ he said.
She smiled to herself. It wasn’t a loverlike remark, but she was nothing if not an optimist. ‘You’re welcome, Captain Beattie,’ she teased, which made him laugh.
‘Am I insufferable?’ he asked.
‘Only a little. I want to know more about Port Mahon.’ Interesting how bedtime talk was so beguiling. She never would have expected that. ‘Will I like it?’ She chuckled. ‘Have I any choice?’
‘Spoken like a true Navy wife,’ he murmured, his voice sleepy. ‘A house on Menorca? Who knows?’
‘Wasthat Captain Tyler?’
‘Aye. He wanted to warn me thatLa Guerrewas seen sailing east towards Menorca. I thanked him nicely and reminded him that I have a new wife aboard.’
‘You didn’t!’
‘Certainly I did, madam.’ His voice changed, and she heard the captain in there somewhere. ‘He still gave me a lecture, telling me that Menorca is famous for many inlets and bays. I took his warning seriously. We’ll be watching forLa Guerre. Hush now.’ He yawned. ‘I am tired.’
‘I can give you a little space, John.’
‘No. I like to hold you close. You don’t mind, do you?’
‘No,’ she said softly.
He sighed, and she smiled, knowing a contented sigh. In a moment his breathing was deep and regular. TheSwallowmight have been a sloop of war, but Anna Beattie felt only peace and rejoiced.
Morning came at six bells, which she decided was her favourite time of day, at least at sea. No one seemed to want Captain Beattie right then except her, and he required little persuasion beyond a leg thrown over him. How simple was man.
Breakfast in their quarters was boiled eggs and Madeira, of all things. ‘It’s the bottom of the bottle,’ he told her. ‘Cookie said the rum was gone, and who wants rum for breakfast anyway?’
