The Perils of Command by David Donachie

Author:David Donachie [David Donachie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749018276
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2015-08-22T04:00:00+00:00

The departure of HMS Semele was carried out with the accustomed banging of signal guns, the sound and smoke of which were observed from the balcony of the Palazzo Sessa.

‘Well, Emily, it seems you have prevailed.’

‘Have I? Why, then, do I not feel content?’

‘I know you are troubled but it may be I can advise you, for I have been where you are now.’

Emma Hamilton took her arm and led her back inside, away from the sight of her husband’s ship crowding on sail to leave behind it the Bay of Naples. Once seated, Emily listened as she was told the tale of a girl, young, foolish and besotted, left with a child by a lover who declined to accept he was the father.

‘You do not face that, for which you should be very grateful.’

‘You had the child?’

‘I did and left it with my grandmother.’

‘Who raised no objections?’ Emily asked.

‘I suspect you think your family would not do likewise?’

‘I am near to certain the disgrace would come close to killing my parents.’

‘Which only goes to establish how different are our backgrounds. Though it is never openly spoken of, no one in my home village of Ness will have any doubts as to who is the mother. But as to disgrace? Let us say it is too common to be scandalous.’

‘And you care for her?’

‘Sir William’s nephew took responsibility for the monies required for raising her and her education.’

‘That was kind.’

‘Not entirely, but it was generous.’ Emma Hamilton had never cast down her eyes in Emily’s presence but she did so now. ‘He did it because he thought himself the father.’

Emily did not dare state the obvious; if he thought that he must have had grounds. Perhaps all those rumours had some foundation, perhaps Emma Hamilton had been a— Emily checked herself; she would not allow the word ‘whore’ to be attached to someone who had been so sympathetic.

‘I am sorry.’

‘You will move back to the Palazzo,’ her hostess said, firmly.

‘In a day or two, if you do not mind. I find the seashore peaceful and it aids me in contemplation, which, with what has happened today, I am much in need of.’

‘As you wish, but I would ask you to vacate it if the Chevalier wishes to go sea bathing.’

By the time Emily got back to the residence the sun was sinking in the west, while the sails of HMS Semele were no longer visible even from the hill behind the house. With a profound sense of relief mixed with confusion Emily went for an evening stroll along the strand, for the dilemma of what to do had not been resolved, the only option now removed that she should make up with her husband.

His outburst had shocked her. Emily had not been naïve enough to think that he was going to take the news calmly; she expected fury and if she put herself in her husband’s place that mood was justified. There had been a brief thought that he might relent from his first reaction but that was now laid to rest.

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