Free The Shadow of the Eagle by Richard Woodman

exclaimed, ‘I see some of God Almighty’s daylight in that glass of yours. Banish it!’
    And Drinkwater submitted against his judgement to the refill, while His Royal Highness rattled on about writing Drinkwater’s orders and Blackwood leaned back in his chair, a half smile upon his face.
     
    Ten minutes later Drinkwater emerged on to Impregnable ‘s quarterdeck with Blackwood. ‘You stuck your neck out a couple of times, Drinkwater. I thought Billy was going to have apoplexy when you insisted on Boney being an Emperor.’
    ‘A sleepless night and a matter of urgency makes one less diplomatic,’ Drinkwater said, his eyes gritty in the full glare of daylight.
    ‘Oh, I don’t blame you,’ Blackwood added dismissively, ‘those damned Bourbons have all gone back to France to put the clock back as though nothing has happened there since the outbreak of their damned revolution.’ He shook his head. ‘D’you think Boney will rest easily anywhere?’
    Drinkwater shrugged, ‘Who knows? The closer to France the more dangerous he is to the process of restoration; the more distant, then the more amenable to some adventure like this one. Even if I’m wrong and it’s Elba, we won’t be sleeping that easily in our beds.’
    ‘No, we thought we had peace once before …’
    ‘D’you know they’ve been building ships at Antwerp for the last eight or nine years. These two frigates that have slipped to sea could be just the beginning of a fleet which could get out the minute we lift the blockade. I tell you, Blackwood, just when we think we can go home with our work done, the whole confounded thing could blow up in our faces.’
    ‘Aye, the Russian interference bothers me. The Tsar’s interested in Paris and I daresay his bayonets and Cossacks will prop up the Bourbons if there’s trouble from the French army’
    ‘Exactly!’ Drinkwater exclaimed. And d’you see, the Tsar can’t afford to keep an army of occupation in France without our support and while many of Napoleon’s satraps will compromise and throw in their lot with the new order, many more of the less privileged French officers and the rank and file will rally to the eagles. Alexander can give equal support to this because it will be in King Louis’ interests to be rid of them. Napoleon will lure them with promises of glory, land grants and the hope of a resurrected New France. I know this is possible because, although I do not have the liberty to explain now, it is not new. We have just scotched a transhipment of arms from France to America, resulting from a secret accord between Paris and Washington.’ [9]
    ‘So, with Boney stirring up Canada,’ summarized Blackwood gloomily, ‘supported by remnants of the Grand Army and a fleet built largely in Antwerp; with France weakened by an exodus of its army and with us rushing about trying to save what we can, Alexander capitalizes on his success at no further exertion to himself because we would be exhausted and bankrupt.’
    ‘Yes. And if you wish to extrapolate further, we know the Americans are building a first-rate. If the ships in Antwerp were made available to them, sold cheaply like Louisiana, with American seamen taking them down the Channel under our noses while we kick our heels here waving bunting at His Most Christian Majesty …’
    ‘Pray, Drinkwater, don’t go on. Thank heaven you did not extrapolate all this to poor Billy’ The two men laughed grimly and Blackwood added, ‘I fully understand, and will make sure there are no problems with Their Lordships.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘Now, is there anything you want? Any way I can help?’
    ‘No, I think if I can work to the westward and lie off the Azores, I might yet prevent this horror.’
    ‘It is as well you were on hand … ah, here’s Colville.’
    The flag-lieutenant was crossing the deck with a sealed packet which he held out for Drinkwater.
    ‘Thank you Mr Colville,’ Blackwood said, nodding the young officer away, and then