Free The King's Marauder by Dewey Lambdin Page A

I name no names, but both gentlemen are known for being rash, intemperate men, of the strictest discipline and the touchiest senses of honour.”
    “So, who swings for murder, then, sir?” Lewrie asked. “Duels ain’t kindly looked upon, any longer.”
    It used to be that just any old place would do, a barn, an open field, or glade in a grove of trees, even the public gardens in London. Nowadays, though, gentlemen with especially hot grievances would have to coach to Scotland or Wales, sail to Ireland or someplace on the Continent so they could cross swords or blaze at each other, and avoid a criminal charge. “Respectability” had reared its ugly head, again!
    “Neither!” Marsden scoffed. “The bloody damned fools only managed to wound each other, sufficient to put them flat on their backs for several weeks … depending upon whether sepsis sets in, and once on their feet, both shall face courts-martial, and the ends of their respective careers, do I have anything to say about it. And I do, so long as I hold this office.
    “So, Captain Lewrie,” Marsden said, peering closely at him. “I have a ship in need of a Captain, and you are in need of a ship and an active commission. Will you take her on?”
    “Aye, I will, sir,” Lewrie quickly assured him.
    “Her Second Lieutenant is more than capable and could be advanced, and you may find that one of Sapphire ’s Midshipmen could be made an Acting-Lieutenant for the nonce,” Mr. Marsden said, more jovially and making notes on a scrap of paper.
    “Might I ask the date of her Second Officer’s commission, sir?” Lewrie enquired.
    “Ehm … Lieutenant Harcourt is, ah … why?” Marsden paused in his search for that information.
    “Might I put forward a man of my own choosing, sir? I know it is only granted to very senior officers, but…”
    “Such an honour I believe your excellent previous service would allow, sir,” Mr. Marsden cautiously seemed to agree, “but, is the said officer immediately available, or might his transfer from his current posting cause too much delay…?” He lifted his hands and shoulders in perplexity.
    “My choice, Mister Marsden, would be my former First Lieutenant from my last ship, Reliant, Mister Geoffrey Westcott,” Lewrie told him. “We’ve worked very well together, the last three years and more. And, as for his availability, he’s seated belowstairs in the Waiting Room seekin’ an appointment this very instant!”
    “Oh, well!” the First Secretary exclaimed, perking up considerably. “That would be capital. If you vouch for his good qualitites, then that is good enough for me, and the Navy.”
    “I did recommend him as more than due a command of his own, sir, but … bird in hand, all that?” Lewrie said with a smile.
    “So, your Lieutenant Westcott would be amenable? Excellent!” Mr. Marsden said, beaming. “How soon might you imagine you could go aboard and take charge of her, sir?”
    “Hmm … all my shipboard furnishings, and some men from my retinue are at my father’s country house down in Surrey, sir. I can get a letter off to them today, but I have no idea how long it will take them t’pack up and arrive at the Nore. Is there any urgency in getting Sapphire back to sea, sir?” Lewrie asked.
    “Well, under these despicable circumstances, no,” Mr. Marsden said after a long moment with his head laid over to one side in deep thought. “She has not yet received fresh sailing orders. Most of her time in commission has been spent in three-month cruises in the North Sea and the Baltic approaches, but that could change. I expect that are you able to go aboard and read yourself in within the next fortnight, that might be sufficient. In the meantime, I will send orders down to Sheerness to announce the arrival of a new Captain and First Officer, and for her Second, Harcourt, to continue victualling, and keeping her crew exercised, ’til you arrive.”
    “That’d be grand, sir!” Lewrie