Goliath by George Edwardson

Author:George Edwardson [Edwardson, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle
Published: 2023-09-26T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Dr Robert Wharton almost dropped the reins of his smart little chaise carriage as he drew up in front of Exe House. Standing outside the front door was his son Johnnie and another man he did not recognise.

Quite delighted by the surprise, the doctor handed the reins over to his groom, jumped down and hastened over. ‘Back from the sea, my boy? Your mother will be very pleased, I am sure. We had no idea you were coming back to Tiverton,’ he exclaimed grabbing Johnnie’s hand and giving it a vigorous shake.

‘Grand to be home, sir. I had no knowledge before we dropped anchor at Portsmouth a few days ago that our ship was going for a refit. We were off the Camilla within 24 hours and have been travelling here since then. May I present my shipmate Mr Toby Smeeton, formerly of Gray’s Inn and our master gunner.’

A confused frown played across Dr Wharton’s face for a brief spell before he offered his hand to Toby ‘You are very welcome, Mr Smeeton. Master gunner and lawyer? You must explain all over a dish of tea or something rather stronger. Come in. come in,’ he said ushering the two sailors through the front door ahead of him.

Mrs Wharton, taken unawares by the sudden appearance of her son, rushed forward and was about the envelope Johnnie in an enthusiastic embrace when she realised that there was a stranger standing beside him. A brief hug sufficed for the moment, and she waited for the man to introduced himself.

Toby Smeeton bowed to his hostess and complimented her on Exe House and announced, with a wide smile, that he was humbled by the warm and friendly welcome he had already received from the doctor.

Johnnie Wharton, previously rather nervous of how Toby would handle the situation, was surprised and relieved at how well the gunner seemed to cope with the niceties. Indeed, Toby smoothly continued by bemoaning the sad state of the roads between Hampshire and Devon and made a point of praising the view of the River Exe from the drawing room’s bay window.

Dr Wharton dared a quick glance at his son, raised an eyebrow a fraction and gave Johnnie the briefest nod of approval. Toby had passed a test that he may or may not have been aware of.

Over dinner that evening, Johnnie fascinated his parents with stories of fog in the Grand Banks south of Newfoundland, the Canadian wilderness and the great St Lawrence River and the heat in Jamaica and off Haiti.

Questioned by the doctor about Smeeton’s unusual career choice in recent years, Toby entertained the table with tales of skullduggery below decks and the unusual and unexpected places he had visited around the world on his many runs ashore. Mrs Wharton was quite brought over to her surprise guest by the end of the evening.

Finally, Johnnie enquired if there was any news from Silcombe Park and, most particularly, Lady Penelope Marwood.

‘Why, Lady Paignton and Lady Penelope called on us here just a week ago.

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