Inshore Squadron by Alexander Kent Page A

for England. I told him to make haste, otherwise he’d still have been here. But the war could spread any day, and I’d not wish one of John Company’s people to become interned!”
    Bolitho said, “Escort these gentlemen to Captain Neale, Mr Browne. My compliments to the captain, and tell him we are finished our business and ready to proceed.” He looked impassively at the two officials. “I’m certain you’ll wish to get ashore ahead of me?”
    Inskip shook his hand warmly. “We will meet again.” He dropped his voice. “I am sorry if I have roused some painful memories. I meant it for the best.”
    As the door closed behind Browne and the others Allday exclaimed brokenly, “Oh, God damn it , sir! After all this time, it’s not right, not fair! ” He controlled his outburst and added, “Shall I fetch Mr Pascoe, sir?”
    Bolitho sat down and unbuckled the sword. “No. But I would take it kindly if you would stay.” He looked up, his eyes pleading. “Will it never end? I’ve acted foolishly, done things to shame my friends, hoping perhaps to find peace again!”
    Allday crossed to the table and almost tore a goblet from Ozzard’s hand.
    â€œHere, drink this, sir, and damnation to the war, and all who fan its fires!”
    Bolitho swallowed the brandy, almost choking on its fire.
    He could see her framed in the church door, her hand on her brother’s arm, just as Herrick’s own bride had been led up to the altar.
    Almost to himself he said, “Maybe it is as well we did not meet. Perhaps he blames me for Cheney’s death. She was alone when she needed me. I was at sea. Sailors should never marry, Allday. It is a cruelty to those they leave behind.”
    Allday jerked his head at Ozzard, who backed from the cabin as if mesmerized.
    â€œTo some, mebbe, sir. But not the special ones.”
    Bolitho stood up and replaced the sword at his hip. “And she was special.” He looked at Allday and gave a brief nod. “Thank you. I am ready now.”
    Allday watched him square his shoulders, then duck automatically beneath the deckhead beams as he strode towards the quarterdeck.
    That was a bad one, Allday thought. Worse than for a long while. It was always there, hiding like a wild animal, ready to break cover and destroy.
    He followed Bolitho into the keen air, watched with the same fascination as he shook hands with the two Danish officers before seeing them over the side into their boat. A smile to Neale, another handshake with the Danish water pilot who was to assist the master with the last part of the journey.
    Pascoe passed him with a handful of seamen to prepare the frigate’s boats for swaying out when required.
    Again, Allday saw their quick exchange, like brothers, no words spoken or needed.
    But for once Allday would have gladly done without the privilege of knowing and sharing this close relationship. He knew Bolitho too well to be deceived by his outward calm. It was not an easy secret to hold.

    Being ashore in a beautiful city like Copenhagen was a strange experience for Bolitho. He would have liked to explore its squares, dominated by high green spires and impressive buildings which looked as if they had been there forever. And there were inviting little lanes which he saw from the window of a carriage sent by Inskip to collect him from the harbour.
    Inskip, like the Danish authorities, wanted to know where a visiting British admiral was at all times of the day, and Bolitho wondered what the coachman would do if he suggested a different route.
    As he had prepared to leave the ship for his first visit to Inskip’s headquarters he had seen Neale and his officers studying the harbour, not least the French frigate which was anchored as far away as was prudently possible. The anchorage was crowded with Danish men-of-war, but in spite of their impressive size and numbers, the attention on the