An Unwilling Alliance by Lynn Bryant

Author:Lynn Bryant [Bryant, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

***

Hugh Kelly, having delivered his prize safely back to the fleet and set his first lieutenant to organising repairs on both the Iris and the Kronborg after the brief action, slept for eight hours and then shaved and changed and took himself over to the Prince of Wales to give a report to Admiral Gambier about the success of his attack. He had already spoken to Captain Heywood of the Comus who was elated about his own successful capture of the Frederickscoarn.

“Poor Ekins is as sick as a dog,” Heywood had said, unable to hide his glee. “Didn’t catch up with us until it was all over. I think he wishes he’d gone with you.”

“I gave him the choice,” Hugh said.

“He said that. Well done though, Captain. Much damage?”

“More to them. But I lost John Randall, the master.”

“Christ, sorry to hear that. He’s been with you a while, hasn’t he?”

Hugh nodded. “Came with me from the Newstead. I’m going to miss him like hell, can’t really believe he’s gone.”

“Have you spoken to the Admiral yet?”

“No, I’m going over there now,” Hugh said.

“He’s not there,” Ekins said. “He’s gone ashore for a meeting with Lord Cathcart and the army chiefs. I think he’s gone to put a rocket up their arses and get them to actually do something.”

“I wish he would,” Hugh said. “Thanks, Charles, I’ll have to wait.”

“I’d go over there,” Ekins said. “I’m told they’ll be spending the night, dining over there and whatnot. You know Dismal Jimmy likes to know what’s going on.”

Hugh thought about it and decided to follow Ekins advice. The ship’s boat took him in as close as possible to Cathcart’s headquarters in Hellerup. There was a gig, drawn by a tired looking nag waiting by the dock for a fare but Hugh smiled and waved the driver away. It was a fine morning and with no particular need to hurry he was happy to walk up to the fine old house where Lord Cathcart had set up his headquarters.

The wealthy citizens of Copenhagen had begun to establish the practice of building themselves elegant country estates outside the city, especially to the north, while maintaining their town houses in the city centre. Hugh admired some of the examples as he passed, some white and some painted in shades of ochre and yellow, set in graceful parklands. The house selected by the army command belonged to a wealthy Danish merchant and Hugh wondered if the owner was still in residence or if he had abandoned the house in disgust until the unwanted visitors had departed.

Red coated sentries were stationed outside the impressive entrance and Hugh was directed to a harassed looking ADC who informed him that Admiral Gambier was currently meeting with Lord Cathcart but that a message should be given to him as soon as he emerged. His duty done, Hugh went back outside for a stroll around the house. He was enjoying the opportunity to stretch his legs and to see something of the countryside and he doubted that he would be summoned to see Gambier or Popham any time soon.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.