Free The Devil's Own Luck by David Donachie

“Carter has used this ship and everyone aboard it to settle a personal vendetta. If what he did was not criminal, then it ought to be. So the choice is very simple. Stark in fact. Anyone condoning a crime, is himself engaging in a criminal act.”
    “Then it is a pity that what he did was not truly a crime,” said Harry quietly.
    “You seem very sure of this, which I ascribe to your cloistered nautical upbringing. I, for one, am not so sure. I shall certainly consult an attorney, even if you don’t.”
    Harry laughed, glad that he was facing away from the quarterdeck. James was quite incensed. He had raised his voice enough for it to be heard on the quarterdeck, causing all there to turn and look out to windward.
    “Well, brother. If they were not friendly before, they certainly won’t be now. Why you are practically threatening to have them slung into the Marshalsea.”
    “In irons,” said James with a quiet smile. “At least overhearing that part of our conversation will give some of them food for thought.”
    “Which is why you made sure that they did.”
    “I would not want anyone to assume that we merely intend to let the matter rest. And how can you laugh at a time like this?”
    “In truth, James, I can think of nothing better to do. Consult your attorney by all means, only make sure he is one who practises in the Admiralty courts, otherwise you may get some fool to take your case and spend a great deal of our money before realizing that he is wasting his time.”
    “You are very certain that it is a waste of time.”
    “It is. Unless we have more than half the ship’s officers in court, willing to swear on oath that Carter knew I was aboard the Medusa, and that one fact directed all his subsequent actions.”
    “So you don’t intend to try?” James seemed to be concentrating on drawing, but Harry guessed that was just for show. He turned to face his brother, leaning against the bulwark.
    “I’ll most certainly try. But we will be in Gibraltar within the week if this wind remains steady. Not much time to persuade a group of complete strangers to risk their careers. And their verbal disapproval of Carter will not be enough. We need signed affidavits, sworn before a notary on the Rock. After that we must go to England while they sail on into the Mediterranean. And who is to say that they will stay together? They may be killed or dispersed to a number of ships, all going to different destinations. Calculate how long it may be before they are all ashore in England at the same time. It could be years.”
    James looked beyond Harry. “I think this young man is waiting to address us.”
    Harry turned. The same small midshipman, the one he had snapped at this morning, stood to attention a little way off. His pale face was pinched, but he still had a lively expression. As Harry turned, he whipped off his hat and spoke in his high unbroken voice.
    “Captain’s compliments, sir. It is the captain’s intention to give a dinner this afternoon to celebrate the taking of the Verite to which end he has invited the French captain and all of those officers not required to watch the ship.”
    “Surely he does not intend to extend an invitation to us?” asked James, jerking forward and dropping his pad. His usual sang-froid had entirely deserted him at the prospect of such a slight.
    “The Captain has sent me to extend an invitation with the knowledge that, given Mr Ludlow’s wound, you may not wish to attend.”
    The boy was looking up at the sky, his eyes tightly shut, as he waited for the blast of anger that was surely bound to follow his message.
    “Damn . . .” cried James, beginning to confirm the lad’s worst fears.
    “Please inform the captain,” said Harry, his upheld hand silencing his brother, “that we will be delighted to attend his dinner.”
    The boy’s face dropped and he opened his eyes to look in astonishment at Harry.
    “You may further say that no wound, short of a mortal one, would