The Cornish Heiress (H2) by Gellis Roberta

Author:Gellis, Roberta [Gellis, Roberta]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 9781419921001
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Published: 2009-03-26T07:00:00+00:00

Before he introduced himself to the Chef du port maritime, Philip made a number of quiet visits in the surrounding area. He avoided the various army camps and concentrated on the coastline, particularly the little bays and inlets so useful for small vessels that wished to land cargo without “benefit” of government supervision. He made these little trips in civilian clothing and escaped challenge, although he would not have minded being asked to identify himself.

It did not take long to find what he wanted, an abandoned rough shed mostly overgrown with brush and weeds now sere and dead. He was careful not to disturb the herbage at that time, but when he returned, far more secretively, late that night, he boldly broke away a path. Having deposited in the shed the contents of one large portmanteau, carefully wrapped in an English, woolen blanket, he cautiously retraced his steps to the local road. Once on this he no longer took any precaution against being seen, but rode back to his lodging and wakened a servant to let him in. He knew such behavior might rouse suspicion, but he did not deign to explain himself, and the next morning he came down to breakfast in his uniform.

After that there was no need for explanations. Philip rode directly into town and inquired for the Chef du port maritime. When he gained admittance, identified himself, and the usual amenities had been exchanged, he asked the obviously puzzled harbor master whether, to his knowledge, the Customs officers in the area were honest.

Monsieur Fresnoy immediately became more cautious than puzzled. He did not wish to say he did not know. The harbor master was not responsible for the behavior of the Customs officers. His duties were with the ships, assigning mooring and regulation of the building and repair—but no senior officer likes to admit ignorance. Least of all did any official wish to fail, even in peripheral duties, when Bonaparte was virtually breathing down his neck.

Moreover, Monsieur Fresnoy’s nose was just a shade out of joint. Since it had been decided that the main portion of the invasion fleet would be built at Boulogne, he had been pushed very much into the background. The work was being supervised directly by the First Consul. Fresnoy did not resent that, of course, but when Bonaparte’s other duties drew him elsewhere, matters were not passed back into his hand. Monsieur Decrès, Minister of Marine, had special deputies to direct the work. Monsieur Fresnoy thought that was a mistake because he knew the people and the area; however, he understood the Minister’s action.

Before the First Consul had decided to invade England, Boulogne had been essentially a commercial port (except for the brief interval, in 1797 when the Directory had also envisioned an invasion). In addition the Revolution had taken an enormous toll of naval officers; a great many had been executed for royalist sympathy. Thus there were too few experienced officers available for manning port facilities. Men of proper rank

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