The Seahorse by Michael Aye

Author:Michael Aye
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction: Action & Adventure, Fiction: Men's Adventure
Publisher: Boson Books
Published: 2011-08-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

HMS SeaHorse and her consorts arrived in Antigua to find a large welcoming party. Lady Deborah was there with little Macayla, who was turning into a set-in-her-ways little lady. Her mother said she was only showing her family traits…those on her father’s side. Gabe was there with Faith, who showed little of the tragedy that had recently befallen her. Commodore Gardner was there with his wife, Greta.

The carriages and footmen crowded the landing so there was little to gather once the boats from the ships landed. Lord Anthony and Captain Buck was in the admiral’s barge with Bart at the helm, smiling from ear to ear once the welcoming party had been spied. Captain Francis Markham, commanding Dasher, was next. He and Gabe had been friends since they were both midshipmen.

Commodore Gardner had arranged for a luncheon at the inn. It was here Captain Buck renewed an old acquaintance. She was the widow of a wealthy plantation owner. She and Buck had enjoyed each other’s company when he’d been the first lieutenant on Drakkar a few years back. A few more wrinkles in the face caused by the tropical sun but otherwise she had changed very little, Buck thought. She was alone and glad to accept Buck’s invitation to join the others for the luncheon.

Watching Buck and the widow, Lady Deborah leaned over and whispered to Anthony, “Want to bet Captain Buck makes his apologies and leaves early?”

“It’s hard for us simple sailors not to fall into the clutches of you wily women, so I’d not bet,” Anthony replied. All the time he was thinking, Damn you Gardner, it’s been months since I was alone with my wife and you had to arrange a luncheon. Why couldn’t it have been dinner…tomorrow?

Reading his thoughts, Deborah whispered, “Soon my love…soon.”

Glancing up from the table, Anthony saw Bart and Dagan walk through a doorway into another room. They’ll have a wet and bring each other up to date on the happenings since they last talked, Anthony thought. What would England do without the likes of them…them and men like the master, George Jepson?

***

The ride up to the cottage never ceased to amaze Anthony. The peaceful tranquility of the island as viewed from the hilltop. He remembered the first time he and Bart had ridden up this road. How the sea and the sky almost merged. The small island in the distance now covered in clouds…Potters Cay. The rustle as a gentle breeze blew the palm trees. This…this was home. Would the peaceful existence be shattered by French or Spanish cannons?

“I pray not.”

“What was that dear?” Deborah asked.

“Just thinking aloud,” Anthony said, not wanting to worry his wife.

Taking his arm, Deborah pulled her man closer. Something was on his mind. Something to do with the war and something he didn’t want her to fret over. Snuggled close to her husband, Deborah too remembered the first time he’d come up this hill to visit. She also remembered the days Gabe lay wounded and racked with fever in one of the cottage’s small bedrooms.

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