The Trojan Horse by Christopher C. Tubbs

Author:Christopher C. Tubbs [Tubbs, Christopher C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: RO:NAV
Published: 2019-12-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11: What a whitewash!

Marty received a letter from Cochrane asking him to support him at the court-martial of Gambier. He used his position as a member of parliament to publicly accuse the admiral of dereliction of duty and cowardice.

Caroline saw it as a great opportunity for the whole family to return home for a couple of months and Marty for the Formidiable to get a partial refit. They left her at Portsmouth in Wolfgang Ackermann’s capable hands, and set off for Dorset.

Marty wanted to visit his family and catch up on how the Dorset estate was doing. They received regular reports from the estate managers both in Dorset and in Cheshire but for a detailed review, they had to be there. They sent messages ahead so they would be expected.

The coach trip through the New Forest was uneventful. Two coaches full of conspicuously armed people did not make an attractive target for highwaymen and covered the thirty miles to Ringwood comfortably before dark.

They rolled up in front of the White Hart where they would spend the night. Fletcher recommended it and sent a messenger ahead to reserve rooms, shamelessly using Marty’s rank and titles so when they arrived, they practically had the place to themselves.

Marty and Caroline had a suite while the children, Mary, and Tabetha had another smaller suite. Tom and Amara had a room to themselves and the rest of the Shadows shared two rooms.

It took an hour to get everyone in and settled with the Innkeeper and his wife fussing over everything in their attempts to win Marty and Caroline’s approval.

The Inn’s kitchens had a large wood fire, in front of which was a whole young pig on a spit turned by a small boy. On another spit, turned by a spit dog on a treadmill, were a half-dozen chickens. Below the pig was a large tray that caught the fat as it dripped down onto roasting potatoes and parsnips.

Bread was baking in the ovens, and vegetables cooked in pots slung from hooks over the fire. The smell coming out of the kitchen was unbelievable and they all came down to the private dining room with mouths watering in anticipation. The landlord was surprised when earlier, Caroline told him they would all eat together. He wasn’t sure whether to be amazed or to applaud.

The pork was served from large platters with the crispy crackling piled on top. Servants served everyone in order of rank and Marty soon had a pile of Pork, crackling and black pudding on his plate with crispy roast potatoes and parsnips, kale, carrots, and the best gravy he had ever tasted.

Chin found the meal novel; he had gotten used to the food served in the ship but had not yet experienced a classic British roast. He personally would have preferred a bit more spice, but the food was plentiful and delicious, so he tucked in with gusto.

Blaez and Troy were lazing by the fire having been given a bowl of raw meat mixed with cereals each, which they had wolfed down in seconds.

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