Inshore Squadron by Alexander Kent Page B

waterfront or the many small craft which plied back and forth was fixed on the two frigates. Separated by a stretch of water and a wary guardboat, they represented the war and all that went with it. The war, which if Russia had any say, would engulf the Danes also.
    The French frigate Ajax, a powerful vessel of thirty-eight guns. As aboard Neale’s command, the seamen went about their daily tasks, apparently blind to their enemies and their intentions.
    The carriage wheels rumbled noisily over the cobbles, and Bolitho saw many people pausing in the cold air to watch him pass. They were a nice-looking race, he thought. Perhaps that was how a country became without constant wars and strife.
    Browne, who had been watching the passing panorama with rapt attention, said, “We have arrived, sir.”
    The carriage clattered beneath a low archway and into a neat private square. The buildings around it looked in some way official, and Bolitho saw two footmen hurrying down some steps to greet him.
    It felt colder, and Neale’s sailing master had warned of snow. Fog, then snow, it was like listening to Grubb.
    Inskip was waiting by a blazing fire. He was wearing a wig, but it made him look surprisingly older, rather than the opposite.
    He said, “Good of you to be so prompt. I have been making further inquiries about the Frenchman. They say she is here to carry out storm repairs. Denmark has no wish to provoke France by refusing the Ajax permission. My guess is that she was waiting for the letter, or some other relevant instructions concerning Malta. Your sudden arrival will have put the cat amongst the pigeons!” His eyes twinkled.
    Bolitho said, “When Ajax leaves, Captain Neale will be eager to bring her to battle.”
    Inskip shook his head firmly. “ Ajax arrived first, and in peace. She will be allowed a day’s grace before you may follow.”
    Browne coughed discreetly. “It is an unwritten law, sir.”
    â€œI see.” Bolitho looked at the fire. “Then there is nothing for me to do but wait, kick my heels, while the Frenchman calls the tune? Another courier may come here any day, any time. Could you not send a fast messenger overland to make contact with my squadron? With another frigate to seaward I could soon put a stop to the French captain’s plan of action.”
    Inskip smiled. “You are indeed a man of action. But I am afraid the Danes would probably take even less kindly to that misuse of their, er, hospitality, and seize your ship for good measure!”
    Bolitho remembered Browne’s remark on board the Benbow. I see you as a fighting sailor, not as a diplomat. In his inability to sit still and wait for some unknown factor to play its part, he had more than proved Browne to be right.
    â€œThey could try! ”
    â€œMake no mistake, they could and would. I have heard through my own sources that there are plans to blockade the harbour and remove all buoys and leading marks if need be. The Danes have assembled a considerable fleet, as you have seen. Believe me, they can give good account of themselves.” He pounded one fist into his palm. “If only the French had not given up Malta or, more to the point, our own Navy had for once been less successful.”
    Browne said quietly, “I suggest they would have found other fuel for their fires, sir. Appeasement buys a little time, but not very much.”
    Inskip raised his eyebrows. “Your aide is shrewd. A pity he wears the King’s coat. I could find a place for him in Whitehall!”
    Bolitho sighed. “What do you suggest, sir?”
    Inskip replied instantly, “Wait. I will see the Danish minister tomorrow and try to discover his feelings. I may need you with me, so I suggest you remain ashore in this house tonight. It will save time and be less conspicuous. If the French captain decides to sail, he will probably meet up with your squadron after he has rounded Skaw Point. If he