Page 42 of Unlikely Heroes
Surrounded by good cheer and celebration, Davey Ten’s serious face came as no surprise to Able. He had clambered aboard the captured Spanish man o’ war with him to render aid, and had seen up close what British guns could do. After an initial gasp, Davey had neither flinched nor held back, but worked alongside the Spanish surgeon until one of Admiral Calder’s undamaged frigates sent over a surgeon’s mate to assist. Able knew he would never tell even Meri that Davey Ten had sobbed in his arms back aboard theMercury, after the other Gunswharf Rats were below deck, except for Smitty, who had taken the helm. Smitty understood.
Davey must have sensed Able’s eyes on him, as he sat beside Smitty and Whitticombe. Shyly, the boy who already possessed the heart and mind of a surgeon gave him a small salute, which Able returned with pleasure. A corner of his remarkable brain was already planning an assault on Trinity House to sponsor David Ten at the medical school in Edinburgh.
His eyes went to Tots now, who sat next to Avon March with the younger class. Tots, who never cared what people thought, still seemed to be protecting Avon, his signalman, who Captain Six had told to guard with his life. “Avon is in good hands,” he said, more to himself than to Grace, who had returned her attention to Captain Ogilvie.
“Can’t Grace find someone less prickly than Angus Ogilvie?” he whispered to his wife.
“Hush, my man,” Meri said, soothing her mild rebuke by sliding her hand much higher up his thigh.
Able was no fool. He hushed. He eyed his crew again, pleased with their competence, then settled his gaze on Nick Bonfort, hoping to see him less disappointed that he had not been selected to crew theMercury. Master Ferrier sat with him, both of them looking down at what appeared to be a handle of notes.
“Has Nick found more than a teacher in Master Ferrier?” he asked Meri. “I was hoping.”
“Indeed. Master Ferrier is going to compile Nick’s meticulous notes into something approaching a textbook for your seamanship course,” she said. “Nick is less unhappy.” She smiled. “You know how earnest is our Nick. He told me only yesterday that his life has real purpose again.”
They laughed together quietly. God, how he missed moments like this when he was at sea. He knew Meridee was indulgent of his mistress, the sea, which beckoned him and flirted, as any good mistress would. He wondered if she would believe him if he told her now that he was at sea again, all he wanted to do was come home to her each day.
“I want this celebration to end because I want to bed you more thoroughly,” he whispered to his wife, who blushed and moved her hand closer down to his knee.
He turned his attention to Thaddeus Croker, who must have intercepted his thoughts, well, hopefully the one about adjournment only. The headmaster rose, tapped on the side of his glass with his knife, and achieved instant silence in the noisy hall. He looked around and cleared his throat.
“I believe that our estimable Master Six would tell us that we have just begun to fight,” he said. “We Rats – let me include myself – should be mindful of what lies ahead.” He nodded to the crew of theMercury. “These Rats have a sure picture of what war is. We will all come to know it intimately, I both expect and fear.”
He let the slight murmur die down. “Hard times, lads. Good times. I trust we will weather both well. Good night to you all. Classes tomorrow as usual. Shall we?”
Able felt the lump grow in his throat as everyone stood. Headmaster Croker pointed to a small boy standing next to Avon March, who closed his eyes and gave a perfect pitch.
They sang four verses of “Heart of Oak,” those who could sing. Others, like Able Six, Harry Ferrier and Davey Ten, could only stare ahead, eyes full of what they had already seen. Smitty mouthed the words. Able sighed with relief when Meri’s arm went around his waist. They held Ben between them, not even slightly surprised when he sang along.
Quite a son you have there. He’ll make you proud. Good lad. Able smiled at the voices in his head. Now and then they could be reasonable.
Able and Meri saw Davey off to Haslar in a hackney, with the promise to keep in close contact. “I will need you again, Davey, unless you choose otherwise,” Able said before he closed the door. “You know how hard it is.”
“I choose to continue aboard theMercury,” Davey said firmly, sounding much older than his years. He swallowed, and the years dropped away. “I…I only wish I knew more.”
“Hold that thought, Davey,” Able said. He patted the hackney and the driver started off at a smart trot. “Let’s get through this current national emergency and see what develops,” he said after the hackney pulled away from the curb on a silent, dark street.
Everyone bedded down quickly. Grace and Captain Ogilvie remained in the sitting room, talking and even arguing a little. In the front hall, Able raised his eyebrows at Meri, who put her hand over her mouth, laughed, and tugged him away. “My love, you of all people should never question what it is that sparks attention in a gentlewoman,” she whispered. “Let them be.”
He could tease, too. “You informed me once that my high good looks attractedyou.”
“I did, didn’t I? Thank goodness the genius that came along with them didn’t send me screaming into the night.” She kissed him. “I’ll get Ben to sleep. You tell Euclid he can eavesdrop in the sitting room, if he must.”
Bedding his wife on a mattress instead of the floor of the washroom met and exceeded all expectations. He loved her thoroughly, competently, and fiercely in turn. She held nothing back, not that she ever did, but there was a raw edge to their lovemaking that he could only credit to fear and war. He knew this woman in his arms and heart understood the toll of battle, especially when she whispered, “I worry every day. All the time.”
He could be flippant and tell her not to. That might have assuaged a less intelligent woman, but Meri, in her normal, logical, reasonable way was far beyond that.
“Don’t tell me not to worry, Able. Your ship is small, the Channel is dangerous, and the enemy all around.”
“I would never toy with your intelligence,” he said, as he settled her for slumber close to him. “At this point, all we can do is our duty to king and country.”
“I know. I will wait and worry.”
Chapter Nineteen
Able slept deep and peacefully, holding his wife close, savoring her warmth, even though it was August. They made love again before dawn, then spent the next hour in pleasant conversation. Even he hadn’t reckoned on the bliss of love and conversation. Marriage had many surprises.
As Meri half-drowsed, he told her of his visit to Admiralty House, and the grilling he received concerning Admiral Calder’s one-day battle at Cape Finisterre. “I could only tell them what I saw. I think he did his best.” He put his hand over Meri’s gentle fingers on his chest. “The only problem with Calder is that the threat of Napoleon demands more than our best.”
