Free The Seahorse by Michael Aye Page A

with them.”
    Anthony had never seen Lord Ragland so exasperated.
    â€œâ€™E can be a fireball ’e can,” Bart said, summoning up the incident. “Wonder ’e don’t ’ave us loosen a broadside here and now to get it over like.”
    â€œAye,” Anthony agreed. “If we were in Barbados he might.”
    ***
    The next week was one of reunions, a quickly thrown together reception for Lord Ragland and Lord Anthony. The French Admiral Jacques de Guimond along with his Flag Captain Riguad Devereux had also been invited for the reception. The French admiral had been somewhat reserved. He was very polite and diplomatic, refusing to be drawn into discussion in regards to the war with the Colonies. His comments were, “As you know, m’sieur, we are a neutral country.”
    The day after the reception had taken place, Lord Anthony received a message from Lord Ragland requesting his presence. Anthony and Deborah were sitting on the veranda of the summer cottage where they had first made love. Deborah was saying the cottage was just the right size for her and Faith. There was also plenty of room for Nanny…and Lum if he chose to stay. Bart…Uncle Bart had just come to the door holding Macayla when the rider arrived.
    It didn’t take long for two horses to be saddled for Anthony and Bart to ride down the hill to English Harbour. Halfway down the hill Bart surprised Anthony with a sudden comment.
    â€œIffen we’s ever beached, this wouldn’t be a bad spot for it to happen.”
    Anthony had never really considered any life but the sea. But Bart had struck a chord. “You’re right old friend. It would be easy to live out our days here.”
    â€œLike Commodore Gardner and ’is wife,” Bart said.
    â€œAye, like Commodore Gardner.”
    After a pause, Bart then added, “But not yet.”
    â€œNo, not yet…after the war maybe but not yet.”
    ***
    Government House stood at the top of the coast road only a hundred yards or so from where a launch was tied up, bobbing with the swell. Admiral Henry Teach was in the process of getting in a carriage for a quick trip up the hill.
    A footman took Anthony’s and Bart’s horses while they made their way into the elegant, white building. Ground seashells crunched under their feet as they quickly walked down the path leading to the deep porch. The shade of the porch would offer relief from the sun’s fierce rays.
    A marine sergeant welcomed Lord Anthony but was not sure about Bart. Anthony looked at the sergeant and said, “Please find a suitable place for my cox’n to wait along with some cool refreshment.”
    The marine gaped, not sure how to respond. Finally he muttered, “Lord Ragland awaits you, sir,” pointing to what had once been Gardner’s old office. Then taking Bart in tow he made his way down a hall.
    Anthony had barely the time to accept a glass of hock from one of the servants when Sir Henry showed up. Once the two admirals were seated with a glass, Lord Ragland opened a door to an adjoining room and a short, stocky individual entered. He was dressed much as a naval officer but without the apparent rank insignias.
    â€œGentlemen,” Ragland began, “let me introduce you to Sir Victor MacNeil. He is from his Majesty’s Foreign Office. He has documents with him signed by Lord North that requires us to render assistance in anyway possible.”
    â€œI will add,” Lord Ragland continued, “that I have known Sir Victor for many years and have found him to be a very capable man. Sir Victor, you have the floor.”
    Stepping in front of the little used fireplace, Sir Victor raised his glass…after a momentary pause he said in a deep voice, “A toast gentlemen. To England…and death to the French.”

PART II

    Left Her Crying
    Left her crying on the pier
    When we put out to sea.
    Now every night I walk these