Success to the Brave by Alexander Kent Page A

why?
    The door opened cautiously and, the clerk, Yovell, peered in at them.
    Bolitho said, “Despatches are ready to go.”
    What did they matter anyway? He knew it, and so did Keen. Words, words, words. The facts were plain as they were brutal. He had lost a fine ship with most of her people. And there was Duncan and his pretty widow. He had been a good friend. A brave officer.
    Yovell remained hovering in the screen doorway.
    â€œThere is a mail-packet coming to anchor, sir.” He hesitated. “From England.”
    Bolitho stared at him and was shocked to see the anxiety on Yovell’s round features.
    My God, he’s afraid of me. The shock hit him like a fist. He’s terrified because there may be no word from Belinda.
    The realization did more to steady his apprehension and doubts than anything. He recalled how only yesterday, as he had waited for Adam to return on board, Yovell had said something to put him at ease. Bolitho had exploded and had cursed him roundly for his interfering. Yet Bolitho had always hated martinets who used their rank and authority to terrorize their subordinates. And it was all too easy. A captain was like a god, so an admiral could do no wrong at all in his own eyes.
    He said, “Thank you, Yovell. Take the quarter-boat and pass my despatches to the Electra. Also any letters from our people.” He watched the man’s uncertainty and added, “Then go over to the mail-packet, will you? There may be something, eh?”
    As the clerk made to leave he said quietly, “I treated you badly. There was no cause for that. Loyalty deserves a whole lot better.”
    Keen watched the clerk’s wariness change to gratitude, and as the door closed he said, “That was good of you, sir.”
    Bolitho made himself sit down and tugged his shirt free from his moist skin.
    â€œI have been hard on you too, Val. I apologize.”
    Keen gauged the moment and said, “As your flag-captain, I have the freedom to suggest and warn if the occasion arises.”
    â€œYou do.” Bolitho smiled grimly. “Thomas Herrick was quick to use that freedom, so speak your mind.”
    Keen shrugged. “You are beset from every side, sir. The French will not discuss San Felipe with you, nor do they need to as our two governments have signed an agreement on its future. The Americans do not wish to have the French on their doorstep as it could make their own strategy difficult in any future conflict. The governor of the island will fight you all the way, and I suspect that Admiral Sheaffe knew that from the beginning. So why should we worry? If the governor refuses to submit we can arrest him and put him in irons.” His tone hardened. “Too many men have died to make his position count. Better we take command of the island than to leave its future with him. He probably craves independence from the Crown and will play one faction against the other if we allow it.”
    Bolitho smiled. “I have thought of that. But Sparrowhawk ’s loss and the unwarranted attack on this ship do not fit the pattern. That ship was Spanish-built, if I’m any judge, and yet His Most Catholic Majesty has voiced no protest about San Felipe. So we either have an attempted coup in the offing or piracy on the grand scale. Hell’s teeth, Val, after all these years of war there would be plenty with the experience and the desperation to play for such high odds.”
    Keen placed his fingertips together. “And I know you are deeply concerned for your wife, sir.” He watched, waiting to see Bolitho’s grey eyes give a flash of danger. “The waiting has been hard on you, especially after your experiences as a prisoner of war.”
    A boat pulled below the counter and Bolitho strode to the windows to examine her passengers. But they were only a few sight-seers, a local trader or two still trying to bargain with the sailors on the upper deck.
    Adam was not