Page 38 of Unlikely Heroes
Nick grinned and leaned back, relaxing. “As much as he moved from subject to subject, he left no idea abandoned, did he?”
“That is part of his genius,” Master Ferrier said. “He could cover a subject like no other.”
I agree, Meridee thought, as she threaded the darning needle.It has made him a wonderfully proficient lover, too, but that is my business alone. She felt her face grow hot, and turned her attention to putting the stocking on the darning egg.
“All that genius is locked in a most fertile brain, but us ordinary mortals need more structure. Would you agree with that, Mister Bonfort?”
“I think so, sir.”
“Here is my proposal, Nick. I have observed that you are most thorough in your note taking. What say you share your notes with me? At the end of this course, you and I can turn this hodge podge into a distinct manual.”
“Me, sir?” Nick asked, his eyes wide, becoming a boy again and not just a protector.
“You, Mister Bonfort. You have ability I see in no one else at St. Brendan’s,” Master Ferrier said firmly. “We will put our heads together and create a manual, which will have both of our names on it as collaborating authors.”
Nick was rendered speechless by this news, which warmed Meridee’s heart as nothing else could. Her cup ran over when Mr. Ferrier leaned forward and gave Nick his undivided attention. “There are many ways a lad like you can succeed in the Royal Navy, especially in perilous times as face us now. Don’t ever forget that.”
“Aye, sir,” Nick said in a faint voice.
“Master Ferrier would some grog be in place? You know, to celebrate this collaboration?” Meridee asked.
“I would never object,” the sailing master said.
“Well-watered for you, Nick,” Meridee added.
The boy grinned, his first genuine smile in many days, to her recollection. “I know you, Mam. Well-watered.”
A quick word to Mrs. Perry was sufficient unto the day. The housekeeper returned with cups for three. “Oh, I didn’t mean me,” Meridee said. Her objection ended with a meaningful look from her housekeeper. “Well, perhaps this time.”
They settled back in comfort. Meridee took a sip, and another. Maybe it loosened her tongue. “Master Ferrier, tell me why my husband chose you, above all sailing masters, for this assignment. I know he holds you in vast esteem, but is there more?”
She knew he was a quiet man, not given to much conversation. Perhaps the rum was working on him, too. “I sailed with Sir B on theDefence,” he began, as he settled in. “Your good man was a lad a little younger than Nick here. Ordinary seaman, he was. Nothing set him apart at first. He was quiet, calm and did his duties with no complaint. One of many.”
“I can see that,” Meridee said. She couldn’t help the hard edge that crept in. “No workhouse lad sets himself up to be noticed.”
“He didn’t, at least at first.” Master Ferrier took another sip. “That is, until the day I noticed what he was doing. Let me explain. I conducted my class in navigation for the midshipmen on deck by the foremast. I asked Able to set up my smooth board. He did, then returned to his regular duty.”
“Which was…” Meridee said.
“He was usually to be found holystoning the deck, along with others.” He smiled at the memory. “It took me a few weeks to notice that he always seemed to be working that part of the deck during my lectures. I started watching him. You know, out of the corner of my eye.”
“Master Six was listening, wasn’t he, Master Ferrier?” Nick asked. “He can take in everything, and you’re none the wiser.”
Master Ferrier nodded. “I noticed that he would look up from the pumice stone and the deck – just a quick glance, mind you – then return to his duties. I mean, mere seconds.”
Meridee set aside her darning. “Nick, I can elaborate.” She couldn’t help the warmth that rose to her face. “Let me be candid. I was watching him in my brother-in-law’s study when he came to teach my nephews while he was on half pay.”
“Ah yes, that plaguey Treaty of Amiens,” Master Ferrier murmured. “It grounded many a good man.”
“Precisely. I was watching his face because he, well, he is so handsome.”
Nick and Master Ferrier grinned at each other. “Oh, you two!” she exclaimed. “It’s true. I watched his eyes sort of swoop over the contents of the bookshelves. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“He never forgets, does he?” Master Ferrier asked.
“Never. In an idle moment recently, I asked him if he could name all the book titles from almost three years ago. He laughed and recited them.”
“Impressive. He was doing that with the equations on the smooth board,” Master Ferrier said. “One day I left an unfinished equation and the chalk behind. When I came back, the equation was done correctly, and that young seaman was holystoning farther aft on the deck. He looked back at me and grinned.”
