A Flower for the Queen: A Historical Novel by Caroline Vermalle, Ryan von Ruben Page A
Authors: Caroline Vermalle, Ryan von Ruben
Ads: Link
cries of the caged beasts resounded across the gardens beneath the settling twilight.
C HAPTER 15
“Am I correct, Mr Forster, in understanding that it was you who discussed the objective of our expedition with the Governor, even though it was made abundantly clear that it was of the upmost importance that it remain secret until after we had left the Cape?” Cook’s face was masked by the failing light, but the menace in his voice was unmistakeable.
“I … I may have mentioned something in passing, but only that it was a possibility. When he asked me outright, I couldn’t very well lie, could I? It would have been most improper!”
“Improper?” Cook’s tone went from menacing to murderous. “Let me tell you about ‘improper’! You have betrayed the confidence of his Majesty’s Admiralty, by whose favour you are here in the first place. What is also improper is that once news of this reaches the crew, they will almost certainly desert en masse , heading for the nearest ship that will take them home!”
“Surely, you can’t hold me responsible for the cowardice of your crew, Captain?”
Cook grabbed Forster by his lapels and pushed him so that he fell backwards into the dirt onto his rump, an indignant shriek escaping his lips as Cook pounced forward and held him by the throat. “Do not make matters worse, Forster. I and my crew have borne more than our fair share of you and your pompous strutting. You should count yourself lucky that I am only disembarking you and not leaving you to swim back to England from the farthest reaches of the Southern Ocean.”
Cook stepped back and wiped his hands on a handkerchief. “I will give Mr Masson here a copy of my report so that he can send it on to the Admiralty on the next available ship headed for England.”
Forster stared at Cook. “You can’t do that! I’m the chief scientist!” he screeched.
“As Captain and leader of the expedition, I think you will find that I can. Your son seems perfectly well qualified and he is much preferred amongst the crew, so I am happy for him to remain, unless, of course, you would like to scuttle his career as well as your own?”
Forster remained silent, allowing Cook to continue. “I didn’t think so. I have already ordered your belongings to be offloaded from the ship; I expect that you will be able to collect them from the Customs House within the hour.”
“But I have no letters of credit. How do you propose I pay for my passage back to England?” Forster pleaded.
“I am sure that with your resources, you will be able to come up with something. Perhaps you could ask your new friend the Governor for a loan? What I can tell you is that if you so much as set foot near my ship, I will have you shot.”
Cook then turned to Masson and pulled him aside. “I had hoped to stay a while in the Cape, but with the news of our destination in the open, we must make haste and so will leave on the outgoing tide tomorrow. I will have the report delivered to your lodgings this evening and I trust that you can pass it to the captain of the next homebound ship?”
“Yes, sir. Of course,” replied Masson.
Masson and Cook shook hands and bid each other farewell. A savage wail that was first whooping and then staccato cries echoed from one of the enclosures in the menagerie as Cook and the lieutenant left, leaving Masson alone with Forster. The shaken man got up off the ground and brushed himself down in a vain attempt at retaining some semblance of dignity.
“Well, Masson,” Forster said, standing erect with his head tilted back, that old condescending tone creeping its way back into his voice, “you saw what happened: he assaulted me! I will be writing a letter of protest to Lord Sandwich and I fully expect you to back me up.”
“I beg your pardon?” asked Masson, flabbergasted.
“Well, I’m sure that even a man of your background can appreciate what a scandal this little misunderstanding would cause, not to mention
C HAPTER 15
“Am I correct, Mr Forster, in understanding that it was you who discussed the objective of our expedition with the Governor, even though it was made abundantly clear that it was of the upmost importance that it remain secret until after we had left the Cape?” Cook’s face was masked by the failing light, but the menace in his voice was unmistakeable.
“I … I may have mentioned something in passing, but only that it was a possibility. When he asked me outright, I couldn’t very well lie, could I? It would have been most improper!”
“Improper?” Cook’s tone went from menacing to murderous. “Let me tell you about ‘improper’! You have betrayed the confidence of his Majesty’s Admiralty, by whose favour you are here in the first place. What is also improper is that once news of this reaches the crew, they will almost certainly desert en masse , heading for the nearest ship that will take them home!”
“Surely, you can’t hold me responsible for the cowardice of your crew, Captain?”
Cook grabbed Forster by his lapels and pushed him so that he fell backwards into the dirt onto his rump, an indignant shriek escaping his lips as Cook pounced forward and held him by the throat. “Do not make matters worse, Forster. I and my crew have borne more than our fair share of you and your pompous strutting. You should count yourself lucky that I am only disembarking you and not leaving you to swim back to England from the farthest reaches of the Southern Ocean.”
Cook stepped back and wiped his hands on a handkerchief. “I will give Mr Masson here a copy of my report so that he can send it on to the Admiralty on the next available ship headed for England.”
Forster stared at Cook. “You can’t do that! I’m the chief scientist!” he screeched.
“As Captain and leader of the expedition, I think you will find that I can. Your son seems perfectly well qualified and he is much preferred amongst the crew, so I am happy for him to remain, unless, of course, you would like to scuttle his career as well as your own?”
Forster remained silent, allowing Cook to continue. “I didn’t think so. I have already ordered your belongings to be offloaded from the ship; I expect that you will be able to collect them from the Customs House within the hour.”
“But I have no letters of credit. How do you propose I pay for my passage back to England?” Forster pleaded.
“I am sure that with your resources, you will be able to come up with something. Perhaps you could ask your new friend the Governor for a loan? What I can tell you is that if you so much as set foot near my ship, I will have you shot.”
Cook then turned to Masson and pulled him aside. “I had hoped to stay a while in the Cape, but with the news of our destination in the open, we must make haste and so will leave on the outgoing tide tomorrow. I will have the report delivered to your lodgings this evening and I trust that you can pass it to the captain of the next homebound ship?”
“Yes, sir. Of course,” replied Masson.
Masson and Cook shook hands and bid each other farewell. A savage wail that was first whooping and then staccato cries echoed from one of the enclosures in the menagerie as Cook and the lieutenant left, leaving Masson alone with Forster. The shaken man got up off the ground and brushed himself down in a vain attempt at retaining some semblance of dignity.
“Well, Masson,” Forster said, standing erect with his head tilted back, that old condescending tone creeping its way back into his voice, “you saw what happened: he assaulted me! I will be writing a letter of protest to Lord Sandwich and I fully expect you to back me up.”
“I beg your pardon?” asked Masson, flabbergasted.
“Well, I’m sure that even a man of your background can appreciate what a scandal this little misunderstanding would cause, not to mention
Similar Books
