For my Country’s Freedom by Alexander Kent

Author:Alexander Kent [Kent, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Novela, Bélico, Histórico
Publisher: ePubLibre
Published: 1995-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Bolitho looked away, feeling the sting in his eye and yet unable to hide it.

He heard Allday ask thickly, ‘What is it, sir?’

But Bolitho shook his head and read on.

The others saw him fold the letter and then raise it to his lips. Then he became aware of his companions. He felt as though he had been absent from them for a long time.

Ozzard held out a glass of brandy and bobbed nervously. ‘Just a sip, sir.’

‘Thank you.’ He could barely taste it. As a child before entering the navy he had often walked with his mother along that path. To Trystan’s Leap. It had been frightening even in daylight, full of legend and superstition. He felt the cold hand on his heart again, and in his mind’s eye he saw her falling, so slowly, her long hair like weed as she came to the surface, her slender body broken on those terrible rocks. He asked, although it did not seem like his own voice, ‘They sighted Anemone, you say?’

Avery responded crisply, ‘Aye, sir. Standing about five miles to the sou’-west.’

Bolitho stood up and crossed to the two swords, which hung on their rack. Adam, he thought, Adam, Adam . . .

How could he tell him? And what of Val, so proud of his first son, who was one day to wear the King’s uniform?

He touched the old family sword. What did fate intend?

He said, ‘I want no talk of this.’ He turned, and looked at each of them in turn. The stooping little figure by the pantry hatch; Avery, on his feet again, his eyes wary, uncertain. Lastly he looked at Allday.

‘I have to tell you that Rear-Admiral Keen’s child is dead.’ He tried not to think of Catherine on the beach with the dead girl’s body in her arms. ‘Shortly afterwards…’ There was no point in telling these honest men that the family had said and done nothing at all until Keen’s father had been located in London. ‘The girl we saw wed Val at Zennor killed herself.’ He saw Allday’s fists open and close as he added, ‘At Trystan’s Leap.’

Avery said, ‘Rear-Admiral Keen will be desolate, sir.’

Bolitho turned to him, calm now, knowing what must be done. ‘Do something for me. Go now and ensure that there is a note in the signals log for the morning watch. As soon as Anemone is within signals range I want Captain repair on board hoisted. Then hoist Immediate when she is anchored.’

Allday offered roughly, ‘I could clear away the barge and collect him, sir.’

Bolitho stared at him. ‘No, old friend. This is a private matter for as long as we may keep it so.’ To Avery he said, ‘Please do it. I will see you tomorrow.’ He paused. ‘Thank you.’

Allday made to follow but Bolitho said, ‘Wait.’

Allday sat down heavily. They were alone, and they could hear Ozzard tidying up in his pantry.

‘You knew… their feeling for one another.’

Allday sighed. ‘I seen ’em together.’

‘There was no intrigue, if that’s what you mean?’

Allday watched him carefully.

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