Bolitho 02 - Stand Into Danger by Alexander Kent

Author:Alexander Kent
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2010-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

10 No Childish Desire

The Destiny's stern cabin seemed unnaturally large and remote after the embattled brig.

In spite of what he had endured, Bolitho felt wide awake, and wondered what had given him this renewal of energy.

All day the frigate had been hove to with the mastless Rosario wallowing in her lee. While the rest of Palliser's party and the wounded had been ferried across to Destiny, other boats had been busy carrying men and material to help the brig's company set up a jury-rig and complete minimum repairs to take them into port.

Dumaresq sat at his table, a Jitter of papers and charts scattered before him, all of which Palliser had brought from the Rosario. He was without his coat, and, sitting in his shirt, his neckcloth loosely tied, he looked anything but a frigate captain.

He said, 'You did well, Mr Palliser.' He looked up, his widely spaced eyes turning on Bolitho. 'You also.'

Bolitho thought of that other time when he and Palliser had been demolished by Dumaresq's scathing attack.

Dumaresq pushed the papers aside and leaned back in the chair. 'Too many dead men. Heloise gone too.' He brushed the thought aside. 'But you did the right thing, Mr Palliser, and it was bravely done.' He gave a grin. 'I will send Heloise's people with the Rosario. From what we have discovered, it would seem that their part in all this was of no importance. They were hired or bribed aboard the brigantine, and by the time they realized they were not going on some short coastal passage they were well out to sea. Their master, Triscott, and his mates, rook care to ensure they remained in ignorance. So we'll release them into Rosario's care.' He wagged a finger at his first lieutenant. 'After you have selected and sworn in any good hands you can use to replace those lost. A spell in the King's service will make a lively change for them.'

Palliser reached out and took a glass of wine as Dumaresq's servant hovered discreetly beside his chair.

'What of Egmont, sir?'

Dumaresq sighed. 'I have ordered that he and his wife be brought across before nightfall. Lieutenant Colpoys. has them in his charge. But I wanted Egmont to remain to the last moment so that he could see what his greed and treachery has cost the brig's company as well as my own.' He looked at Bolitho. 'Our plump surgeon has already told me about the vessel you both saw leaving Rio with such stealth. Egmont was safe while he lay hidden, but whoever gave the order for the Rosario to be waylaid and seized wanted him dead. According to the brig's charts, her final destination was St Christopher's. Egmont was prepared to pay the master anything to take him there, even to avoid his other ports of call in order that he should reach St Christopher's without delay.' He gave a slow smile. 'So that is where Sir Piers Garrick will be.' He nodded as if to emphasize his confidence.

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