Page 88 of Unlikely Heroes
“Aye, he was. A coincidence?”
Jamie shook his head. “No. War and responsibility wear on a man. I feel it, myself.”
“I thought you might, Jamie.”
“You, sir, have a definite sprinkle of gray in your hair,” Jamie said.
“MyTrafalgar medal,” Able said, and they laughed. It was, though, and hard earned.
They walked in silence for a few moments, matching each other’s stride. Jamie had likely reached his full height, since he was eighteen. “Were you nervous when your sailing master died on your return voyage and the job fell to you?” Able asked, curious.
Jamie considered the question in that deliberate way Able had always admired about him. “Would you think me prideful if I said no?”
“Not at all. I know you.”
“I suspect you know all of us Rats is ways we can’t comprehend.” Jamie’s statement was as candid as he was. “You trained me well, sir. I knew I would not disappoint St. Brendan’s. Or you.”
Able nodded, his hands behind his back as they walked on. He told Jamie of the recent birth of a daughter, curly-haired like him, but bonny of face like Meri Six. “Ben is smitten, Meri is delighted, and I am over the moon. I love my family,” he concluded, mainly because he knew all his workhouse lads still needed reminders that family life was well within their grasp.I am ever the teacher, he thought.
“My twin is remarkably content with her little one, her step-daughter, and that constable who tried to nab us both once,” Jamie said. They laughed together, workhouse lads still and pleased to outwit the law now and then. Jamie saw the bigger picture, though. “We’ve changed, haven’t we?” he asked, showing by the question that their master and student relationship continued to grow into a collegial friendship.
“Aye, we have changed. I believe that was what our late headmaster wanted, in addition to sufficient training to serve in the fleet in the best capacity.”
“I cannot argue that.” Jamie smiled. “Perhaps someday I will find someone as good for me as Mrs. Six is for you.”
“I have no doubt you will. But now it is back to sea for you, where women are scarce. Tell me truly, Jamie, are you reconciled to serving as an apprentice sailing master again, after a taste as master?”
Jamie responded as Able hoped he would, with the wide-eyed wonder of it all. “Aye, sir! Aboard Admiral Collingwood’s flagship!” The wonder changed to calm introspection, a superior quality in a sailing master. “I know I still have much to learn.”
“Aye, lad, but you’re on your way to a distinguished career. That is all I ever wanted for you.”
Jamie stopped. “I know I owe you that assignment,” he said quietly. “I know I do.”
“Captain Pettibone recommended you, too,” Able assured him. “Credit me if you wish – I’ll take some of it – but consider more that St. Brendan the Navigator School has a growing and well-deserved reputation for excellence.”
As they continued their stroll, Able told Jamie of Davey Ten’s exemplary service as acting surgeon of theMercury,and how it had recently led to early admission to the school of medicine at the University of Edinburgh. “My grandmother Mrs. Munro is a persuasive woman who knows the chancellor. Davey will shine there; I have no doubt.”
“He’s so young.”
“Trafalgar changed that.”
After requesting and requiring secrecy, Able spoke of Captain Ogilvie and Grace St. Anthony, who had begun a tentative courtship, whenever Trinity House’s dogsbody and all-around thug was in port. “What will happen, who can tell, but Grace has a spring in her step and Captain Ogilvie doesn’t scowl nearly as much. I agree that it is hard to fathom such an odd partnership, but I would never have believed Meri would givemea second glance. Love is strange. Trust me, Jamie.”
“I have a question for you, sir, one that has been batted about in a wardroom or two,” Jamie said, sounding tentative, as if he wondered at the wisdom of plain speaking.
“Carry on.”
“I knowPickletook the news of Trafalgar and Nelson’s death to London. I know he received a full captaincy for his effort, as well as money and certainly fame.”
“Aye, this is so,” Able said, smiling inside. He knew the question coming.
“I, uh, have heard from reliable sources that in a contest,Mercurysailed faster than thePickle. Tell me what really happened, sir. Were you offered the chance to carry the news?”
“I was,” Able said. “I turned it down in favor of Captain Lapenotiere, who was richly deserving.”
“Why, sir? Think of the fame and fortune.”
For all Jamie’s growing maturity, it was a young man’s question. “I have no need of either, Jamie. I am a teacher. Admiral Collingwood and Captain Rose of Trinity House convinced Admiralty that the Royal Navy benefits when I train others for the fleet, rather than serve at sea, myself. At least for now. I can still be recalled to the fleet if necessary, but it is less likely.”
