Rebellious Cargo Page 3

  “Thank you, gentlemen. That will be all.” Adam dismissed them with a nod and prepared himself for his next meeting. He expected the woman to be less obnoxious today and hoped she conducted her deciphering duties with more discipline than she conducted her tongue.

  He rose as she entered. She looked as though she had spent a disturbed night and he thought he detected a glimpse of remorse in those tired eyes.

  “Your accommodation is adequate, ma’am?”

  He gestured for her to sit. She did so, clutching her white-knuckled hands together on her lap, obviously trying to hide the discomfort of their meeting as much as he was.

  “It is fine, thank you. However, I must insist, Captain, you tell me where we are headed and what orders you have been given concerning myself.”

  He frowned at his mistake – that tone held not one shred of remorse. “Mrs. Charlesworth, you are now a member of my company and you insist nothing on my ship. The only orders you are required to carry out are mine.”

  She smiled at him.

  Why was she smiling? His words were meant to quash her not amuse her.

  She gave a small sigh. “It is of no consequence, Captain, I understand the rudiments of navigation and am familiar with these waters. I will eventually work it out for myself.”

  He ignored her remark, unlocked one of his desk drawers, and removed a document. “This was salvaged from the wreck of a packet ship last week. It is an official communication to the captain of a French Frigate – we have been unable to interpret the contents. The words do not make any sense as they are in code. I would normally dispatch them to the Admiralty but knowing your expertise in this area, I thought it more expedient to keep them for your attention. I hope, madam, your talents have not been exaggerated.”

  She smiled again, taking the parchment. “Perhaps it is just your grasp of the French language that is lacking, Captain.”

  “Perhaps it is, Mrs. Charlesworth.”

  ***

  Jane’s smile slipped at the tone of his reply. That remark was beneath her. Heavens, she was beginning to sound like a shrew even to her own ears. Putting on her spectacles she perused the document for a few minutes, her interest now aroused.

  “The sequences have evolved somewhat since my last commission, but if I start now I should be able to complete the task by tomorrow. Although I cannot promise.”

  She glanced up briefly and caught a glimmer of approval in his eyes. The thought raised her spirits for a moment – until he spoke again.

  “Your work must be carried out in the privacy of your cabin, and I would be obliged if you would restrict your appearances on deck, as it distracts the men from their work.”

  Her chin jerked up. “You surprise me, sir, I hoped I was on a disciplined ship. I do not expect and will not tolerate any disrespect from your men.”

  Grey eyes bored into her sending a shiver up her spine. “Respect from my men you can be assured of, madam, even though you seem to be deficient in that particular quality yourself.”

  Jane breathed in slowly, battling to keep a tight rein on her emotions. “My presence on your ship is not of my making, nevertheless, I am prepared to fulfil my duties. And, Captain Marston, I expect the same from you – which includes controlling your crew.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Have a care, madam. I do not take insolence from anyone on my ship, including you. Time and time again you insult my capabilities. That will stop now. If I discover you are the cause of any trouble aboard, I will make you very sorry indeed. Now, I suggest you attend to your work.” He gave her a curt nod of dismissal and returned his attention to the papers on his desk.

  Jane’s insides were churning. I’ll make you very sorry indeed. She had heard similar words a year ago on another naval ship – the threat had been delivered with chilling cruelty.

  She quickly turned to go. The expression on Captain Marston’s face had gone beyond anger. She knew at sea a captain’s power reigned supreme and there was no point arguing further. Any trouble she would deal with herself – which included shooting the whole damn lot of them if necessary.

  ***

  It took her eighteen hours to decipher the document. She had worked late into the night and had then risen at dawn after a few hours’ sleep, eager to complete the task. The document listed the movements of a small convoy of French vessels, the information two weeks out of date. The contents had made her feel guilty. Her flight from the naval frigate had been irresponsible, delaying the passing on of this information, but she had not realised the stirrings of war were upon them again.

  Stretching her limbs, she stepped out on to the quarterdeck in search of the chief tyrant; she needed to relay her findings to him as quickly as possible. The officer of the watch was Will Forbes and Jane’s mood lifted. The second lieutenant was the only person who had showed any sign of comradeship. He was studying the horizon with his glass and had not noticed her entrance, so she took a detour around the binnacle and a rather cross-looking coxswain, to steal a look at the ship’s compass.

  The man at the wheel ignored her, keeping his eyes front. She guessed they had been told not to converse with her.

  “Good day, Mrs. Charlesworth.”

  She turned at the second lieutenant’s greeting. At least he had a civil word for her. He was one of those people that always made you feel cheerier, with his open honest face, and easy manner.

  “Mr. Forbes, I was just speculating on our course.” She gave him an apologetic look, “I cannot help but wonder our destination, but I will not embarrass you by asking, as I know, I am not to be trusted with such secrets. However, I do need to speak to the captain as a matter of urgency – do I have to book an appointment, or just whistle?”

  “Whistle! Can you whistle, ma’am?” He gazed at her in admiration. “I always wanted to whistle, but alas it always comes out as a pitiful hiss. I can only shout. Then only when I take a really deep breath.”

  His boyish features were alight with amusement, causing her sense of humour to surface. “Perhaps I could teach you.”

  She put her fingers in her mouth and let out a loud, high-pitched whistle, which caused the whole watch to instantly turn in her direction. A babble of loud, confused voices swept through the lower deck. They responded to bells and hails, but none were too sure what this particular whistle indicated.

  Mr. Forbes stared at her in amazement, and then collected himself with a hasty shout of, “As you were, men.”

  Shocked by the sudden attention she had caused, Jane spun around to gaze innocently out to sea. Good grief. How could she have been so foolish? Biting her lip to stifle a threatened bubble of laughter, she turned back to the bemused lieutenant and the open-mouthed midshipman who had now appeared by his side.

  Will Forbes coughed into his hand and took on a serious expression. “Mr. Blackton will deliver your request, Mrs. Charlesworth.” He leaned closer to her whilst his messenger scuttled off. “I have never whistled for the captain before, madam, perhaps we should just stick to the conventional way, for both our sakes.”

  ***

  Adam turned from the stern window as she entered the cabin, and nodded to a chair before sitting himself. She had a guilty look about her and he wondered for a second if the task had beaten her. But she handed him her results with a flourish of her small wrist.

  “Here you are, Captain. I have completed my translation of the documents.”

  He accepted them and studied her silently. Wearing a dark blue dress and spencer with no adornment, she looked neat and business-like. He should have felt pleased by the fact she was not dressing for attraction, like most women did – but it just made him more wary. He turned his attention to the documents. She had a clear hand and had evidently done a good job.

  “Well done, ma’am.” He almost smiled as her expression changed to confusion at his unexpected praise. Perhaps he had stopped some impertinent remark that was about to leave her lips.

  Adam read the translation again, considering the inf
ormation. “Not the movements of a country at peace,” he muttered, turning the page. Why were these convoys so far east? His fingers drummed a short staccato on the desk as he turned his attention back to Mrs. Charlesworth.

  “How was your mast damaged on the Elinora?”

  The abrupt change in conversation made her frown. “What does that matter?”

  “You were replacing a damaged mast when we boarded – what happened?”

  “We encountered some pirates. It is not uncommon in these waters, although they were poorly informed, as we had landed all our cargo at the previous port. We had little of value on board. Why do you want to know?

  He ignored her question and resumed the drumming of his fingers.

  “When was the attack exactly?”

  “A day before you turned up. It had been quite a week for inhospitable approaches. Luckily, as was the case with your ship, they were not able to match the speed or seamanship of the Elinora. Why do you want to know?” she repeated, and again he ignored her, as he considered the information.

  “Are you sure they were pirates? You have already said you had nothing of value.”

  “What else would you call them?”

  He remained thoughtful again and her patience snapped. “Will you answer my question?”

  He winced as her voice had risen to a pitch which hurt his ears.

  “Has it occurred to you that the unwelcome approach of both vessels may have been after the same thing? You, Mrs. Charlesworth, are a valuable cargo, if not a disruptive one. And do not raise your voice to me!”

  “What are you talking…” she began, and then stopped as his words sunk in. “Me! What would pirates want with me?”

  “If it were pirates. You are of great importance to the British Government, it seems; perhaps their enemies see you as equally valuable.”

  “But there are many code breakers. Napoleon has his own skilled team; I doubt they even know of my existence.” She turned, engaging his eyes in battle. “I think I would prefer it, Captain, if you would talk plainly and tell me exactly what I am doing here.”

  “Would you now?” Adam sighed. “What you prefer has nothing to do with it. I would prefer to be back with my squadron, but unfortunately we are both to be disappointed.” He pointed to the translated message. “Your skills are admirable, madam, but I do not speak plainly, as you put it, because I am just guessing. My only objective is carrying out my orders successfully, and your safe delivery happens to be a vital part of them, so in turn you will carry out my orders without question.”

  He watched her lips compress and her hands ball into small fists and wondered again if he might be put in the strange position of defending himself from a right hook, delivered by a woman.

  “I am not used to blindly following orders, and I do not intend to start now,” she replied.

  “I appreciate you have an enquiring disposition and you are accustomed to getting your own way. But hear this, and hear it well, Mrs. Charlesworth. On this ship you will obey orders without argument. Especially if we encounter difficult situations. You have been placed under my protection and I mean to protect you – whether you like it or not is of no consequence. You will have all the comfort I can supply on this ship and be treated with respect by my men, please don’t abuse this.”

  “Abuse!” She fairly spat the word back at him. He braced himself for more retaliation, but it didn’t come. Instead she lowered her eyes and studied her hands as if she were mentally suppressing her emotions.

  He shifted uneasily. Perhaps he had been too harsh, but damn it, she had a prickly temperament. He watched her silently and noted the puffiness below her eyes. She must have worked at her desk all hours to achieve the translation. Satisfied he had quashed her rebelliousness, he searched around for a topic to return the conversation to a more civil note. He was due to dine with his officers later, and it would be polite to include her, even though he felt uneasy about the prospect. “I am hosting dinner this evening, and I would like you to attend.”

  She looked up sharply and he guessed she had the words on her tongue to decline, but was interrupted by a rap at the cabin door. Midshipman Cross entered at his response.

  “Please, sir, Mr. Forbes requests your presence on deck.”

  Adam jumped to his feet, instantly alert by the midshipman’s expression. He pulled on his hat and stepped out on to the deck. Everyone had their eyes turned towards the western horizon. He followed their gaze and the sight sent a chill through his blood.

  Chapter Three

  Two vessels had appeared on the horizon, closing in on the Serena at speed. Adam studied them through his glass. His mind was racing but he showed no outward sign of alarm as he turned to address his first lieutenant.

  “Two French frigates. We cannot outrun them, the wind is in their favour.” He paused, peered at the coastline and then back at the approaching ships. Their hostile intent was clear; he no longer had to await the official word that the peace had ended. “We will try to manoeuvre the one on the larboard side, drawing her out on her own; we can’t take them both at once.”

  Orders were executed with a flurry of naval efficiency, each man knowing his station. The cannon crews made ready the guns and waited for the enemy vessels to come into range. They sailed on, hugging the coastline of one of the many islands scattered over the area. The French vessels had spread into a line, keeping the Serena trapped between the coast and the open water. They would have little hope in breaking through, and they couldn’t risk sailing too close to the shore where any hidden reefs would tear them apart.

  Adam paused in delivering orders and glanced back at Mrs. Charlesworth. “Get below – find a good hiding place and stay there.” He then turned back to his second in command. “We need to slip the far side of the larger frigate. She outguns us, but may not have the manpower to make the full extent of her weapons felt.”

  “It’s long odds, Captain, very long odds.” Samuel Grant rubbed his brow.

  “If you have any alternative strategy, I will pleased to consider it,” Adam replied, not taking his eyes off the enemy ships.

  The man had none and quickly put Adam’s orders into action.

  ***

  The enemy cannon fire pounded the sea falling just short of the Serena’s stern, showering the deck with spray. Jane clutched the rail to keep her balance as a deluge of water drenched her. Wiping the moisture from her eyes, she studied the coastline; she had no intention of going below. She knew this area well, had travelled between these islands, and was familiar with the reefs. She watched the ship’s actions in frustration. What the devil did the captain think he was doing?

  A cannon shot found its target amidships and screams echoed through the smoke. Something landed with a dull thud at Jane’s side, making her turn from the rail. Her insides churned as she watched the pool of blood circle the broken body that seconds ago had been nimbly tending the rigging. Battling the rising nausea consuming her, she made her way back towards the captain. Her heart skipped a beat at the anger in his face as he caught sight of her.

  “Damn you, woman! Can’t you obey the simplest command? Get below now! I have no time to debate the subject, and for God’s sake cover yourself up.”

  He turned abruptly from her, his attention back with the battle as he addressed his lieutenant.

  “We’re going to take them on one at a time. It’s the only way out.”

  Samuel Grant nodded grimly.

  Jane gasped at the words, not so much at his angry dismissal of her presence but his assessment of the situation.

  The only way out! What was wrong with the man? Surely he was aware there was a far more logical, safer way to proceed. A way in which they would have at least a fair chance of survival. She knew little of combat, cranking cannons and fire range, but she did know the islands, the reefs and the inlets.

  Jane stood her ground and took a deep breath. “Captain, listen to me. I know these waters. There is an inlet ahead that I think you might navi
gate through; it leads into the open water on the other side of the island. The smaller of the French frigates will probably pursue us, but unless they know the reefs there is a good chance they will go aground. It is surely the best course of action.”

  Adam, without taking his eyes from the enemy convoy, grabbed her arm and roughly turned her towards the walkway, calling to his Lieutenant. “Get this woman below now, and for God’s sake keep her there. Tie her down if you have to.”

  Astounded by the fact he hadn’t even considered her suggestion, Jane wrenched herself free. “Listen to me, you stubborn ox. I do not wish to face certain death because of your ignorance. My husband’s ships helped chart this area. There is an inlet – but it may not be recorded on your maps.”

  Molten grey eyes locked onto her and she paled at the force of their fury. Then, grasping her arm tightly, the captain bundled her towards his cabin.

  ***

  Adam wanted her out of the sight of the crew; it was a tense enough situation without a hysterical, provocative female berating him. He had his plan in place – but something in the depth of those chocolatey eyes lodged a seed of doubt. His mind raced back to the image of her sitting in the cabin of her efficient, orderly ship and the expert way it had been navigated by Captain Able before they had apprehended her.

  Could there be an inlet? Nothing showed on his charts – he was sure of that. Yet if there was a chance she was correct, then he needed to consider the possibility, no matter how ball-breaking the thought of adopting her tactics. His heart pounded as he made an instant and hugely uncharacteristic decision.

  He guided her firmly through the cabin door towards the maps already lain out on the desk.

  “Show me!” he commanded.

  Five minutes later they were back on the deck. His charts showed nothing of an inlet but he was now half convinced that her local knowledge would be far more accurate. And the way her ship had previously managed to outmanoeuvre his frigate convinced Adam to change his plan. With hostile French vessels closing in on them, they had in reality no other choice of escape.