The Seahorse (2 page)

Chapter One

The closest thing to heaven is a child.
The first person to ever coin that phra
se
must have had a child, probably a little girl,
Admiral Lord Gilbert Anthony thought as he watched his daughter not only laugh but cackle at Bart's goo-goos, funny faces, bounces and jiggles.
Damme. If I ain't laughing at him myself,
Anthony realized.

No one who knew Bart would ever picture him down on the floor playing with a baby. But it was true. This rough and weathered old salt was playing with a child, not just a child but a baby girl.

Bart had been many things to Lord Anthony over the years: trusted and loyal seaman, lifesaver, captain's cox'n, admiral's cox'n, friend, and now uncle.
Uncle Bart,
well why not. He was as close to Anthony as anybody…except Gabe…yet closer in different ways.

Watching Uncle Bart play and jostle his daughter, Anthony saw alarm quickly spread over the man's face as an unmistakable rumble came forth. When no further eruptions followed Bart smiled and said, “Sounds like a bosun's mate already, don't she?”

Anthony was beside himself with Bart's analogy and couldn't contain his laughter. Bart's big grin quickly faded and a frown suddenly took its place as Macayla Rose emitted more noises, but this time the noise was accompanied with a foul odour and substance. Bart held the child in an attempt to pass her to Anthony, who shook his head.

“Don't give her to me,” he exclaimed.

“Yews her father,” Bart said, his eyes watering and a green pallor spreading over his face.

“You're the one who shook her up, Uncle Bart,” Anthony replied, enjoying Bart's discomfort. “You never changed a diaper?” he asked with feigned dismay.

“Yews knows I ain't, and I ain't going to start. Sides this poor child needs a woman's 'tention. Where's her mama?”

“She's out horseback riding.”

“Then unless yews ready to swab decks I speck yews better find her…her nurse or somebody.”

“Some uncle you turned out to be,” Anthony stated as he rose from his chair.

“No worse than her daddy I'm thinking.”

Anthony walked toward the long hall, leaving Bart holding Macayla still at arm's length. Looking back, he called, “Well fetch her along, Bart, let's see if we can find the nurse. Maybe she'll be able to give you instructions on how to minister to a child's needs.”

“Oh, I'm sure she'd be glad to right after she teaches yew. A man ought to take care o' his own git.”

***

Arm in arm Anthony walked with Lady Deborah across the flagstones in the little garden behind Deerfield manor. Her laughter had filled the air as he retold the story of Bart's ordeal when Macayla's diaper needed changing. The couple approached a small goldfish pond and sat on the little wooden bench. The sun was setting and this cast their shadows across the small pool.

Turning toward his wife, Anthony found he was still amazed at how beautiful she was.
My God,
he thought,
how blessed can a man be
. No matter how much they were together he never tired of watching her…or wanting her. She roused in him desires that were unexplainable. It was beyond sexual. He enjoyed the sound of her voice, her laughter, and her lovemaking. He enjoyed her company. She made him comfortable.

As Anthony looked back toward the big gray stone house, he realized she had made it seem like a home. Her presence had added warmth he didn't recall as a child. He quickly realized that while it was his home as a child he had few memories of it as a childhood home. He remembered fishing in the Downs off Walmer and Deal. He also remembered riding to Walmer Castle for a holiday and getting a pony one birthday. It was sad, he thought, to have so few memories attached to the family home.

Most of his memories seemed to be related to the Navy. He was a wet behind the ears midshipman who was a worldly sailor by the time he'd reached his teens. Then after one cruise his father no longer resided at Deerfield. His mother was silent when he asked about his father. She remained silent but was obviously very angry and became scornful. It hadn't been long before his sister, Becky, would write describing sudden changes in their mother's moods and personality. She related how their mother had turned to drink. The problems had increased as years went by.

Becky got married and her husband, Hugh, whose family had large holdings at Sandwich, took over things. He had hired a good overseer, employed good tenants and generally put Deerfield in good working order.
It should be his and Becky's, not mine,
Anthony thought. Something he needed to bring up later.

When he had returned home this time, Becky had tried to warn him of their mother's deterioration. However, no amount of warning could have prepared him for what he'd found. Mother, who'd always been a large woman, barely weighed ninety pounds. She called him by his father's name and cursed him for being away so much. She then surprised all by saying they would dine together that evening to celebrate his return. Anthony wasn't sure if she meant him or still had him confused with his father. Mother had rarely left her own room in the past three years. Once dressed and at the dinner table she continued to call Anthony by his father's name.

Midway through the meal she pointed toward the door, insisting it had been left open. Pigs had come in the house, and someone needed to run them out. When no one moved she began to shout and curse, “The damn pigs are now under the table.”

Bart surprised everyone when he quickly rose, grabbed a broom, and made a show of running the pigs out, then slammed the door shut. This calmed Anthony's mother down and the meal was finished.

Anthony talked with the doctor, who came from Deal. The doctor explained that Anthony's mother had become demented. He related that she had lost all her mental faculties and needed to be kept sedated so as to not injure herself or discommode those around her. The doctor had told of families who could not afford the cost of medication or servants to tend to those similarly affected and they would live the rest of their lives in a place like Billingsgate. Anthony was not comfortable with the doctor's unconcerned attitude but didn't know what else to do for now. Something he'd discuss with Caleb when the opportunity next arose.

The sound of horse hooves and the creaking of the carriage wheels on the cobblestones broke Anthony's reverie. Deborah smiled and asked, “Were you thinking of some island with naked ladies?”

“Sadly no, I was thinking of mother and her madness; of how you've made this place feel like a home…oh and the thought of a naked lady did cross my mind.”

“Bet it was some island girl.”

“No, most definitely not.”

“Who was she?”

“We'll discuss that later after dinner, after Becky and Hugh have left.”

“Hummm! Are you going to try to take advantage of me tonight, sir?”

“Most assuredly, my darling.”

“Tell me,” Deborah asked just before they entered their home, “do you think Becky and Hugh will mind if we skip dessert?”

Chapter Two

Gabe sat back enjoying the day. He swayed back and forth with the gentle breeze, using his father's old hammock as a swing. Lum sat in a chair next to the little rail, which surrounded the observation deck atop the house belonging to Gabe's mother. Gabe listened as Lum played the lotz and thought of his time up here with his father.

His father must have known he'd never stroll on the deck of a man o' war when he left his wife and took a mistress. That was why the observation deck had been so important. Many was the day his father, Admiral Lord James Anthony, would watch the ships in Portsmouth Harbour, Dockyard, and Spithead from this viewpoint. Spithead was probably the best-known anchorage of the British fleet. The old admiral could keep a weather eye on what the fleet was doing even if he was no longer a part of it.

Politics, his father would say, will ruin this country. It's politics that'll beach a good seaman and yet put the likes o' Lord North in power. Damn politics and politicians. Damn them all to hell, his father would say with vehemence.

Well, I can't disagree
, Gabe thought, his mind now on the war with the Colonies.
They've buggered that up,
he thought. But if not for the war, he wouldn't be a captain and he'd not met Faith. That was the silver lining to the clouds of war. God had shown his kindness when he brought Faith into his life.

She and his mom were out shopping for a wedding dress along with Lady Deborah. When they returned, he and Gil would go to the tailor's shop for a uniform, the uniform of a British Naval captain. Gil denied it, but Gabe knew his brother had a lot to do with his rapid promotion. Not that he hadn't earned every bit of it, but Admiral Lord Gilbert Anthony had made sure Gabe's deeds were recognized, not above other officers and seaman but equally. He had not been the type of officer who took all the credit for success. No—Gil passed it around. Something Gabe wanted to do also.

“Look, Cap'n,” Lum called, pointing toward the street. “Ain't that Mr Davy?”

Looking down, Gabe recognized Davy. “That's him, Lum. Go show him up.”

“Aye, Cap'n,” Lum replied then, headed down the steps.

It amazed Gabe how much Lum had changed over the last year or so. He still had the southern accent, so prominent in the Southern Colonies, but his speech had changed to that of a jack tar. Gone was the
naw suh
and
yas suh
.

Lum continued as Gabe's servant more out of commitment to Faith than anything
, Gabe thought. He knew he was a free man now and as such could choose his life. Gabe would miss the man were he to leave but would never attempt to keep him against his will.

Lieutenant Davy was out of breath when he climbed the last step and walked onto the observation deck. Gabe had encouraged his officers to stop by and visit while
Merlin
was in the dockyard for refit. He visited the ship daily but while the crew was housed at the yard
Merlin's
officers had to find private lodging. While Gabe had welcomed his officers to visit, he could tell Davy's presence today was not just to socialize.

“Mr Jackson's respects, Captain. He feels we have a situation and you're needed aboard
Merlin
.”

Damn
, Gabe thought as he rose.
Can't the dockworkers do anything without my presence?

***

“Shipworm?”

“Aye, Captain. The hull is full o' 'em. Wormy through-'n-through she be.” Dover, the carpenter, was informing Gabe. “It's not uncommon for a hull to get infested with them when a ship has been in the tropics long as
Merlin's
been. Teredos loves the warm waters, they does.”

Gabe had the pumps manned every morning on the cruise back to England but had thought the seams needed fixing after all the combat action
Merlin
had seen.
Not some damn worm
, he thought.

“Lucky we made it home with the bottom still in her,” Dover volunteered. “Heard o' a ship one time, hull so wormy it's bottom fell out right side the dock. Woulda lost every soul aboard had they been at sea. Lost half of the crew as it was.”

Damme it he don't almost sound sorry we made it
, Gabe thought.

“Can she be repaired?” Gabe asked hopefully.

“Nay, Cap'n, old
Merlin
has done seen her day. Kindling, that's all she's good for now.”

Gabe felt sick at his stomach. It was one thing to lose a ship to the elements or in battle—but to lose a ship to worms! He'd heard of shipworm but never thought it would happen to his ship. He hadn't even got his captain's uniform yet.
Would he get another
ship? Would he be beached? If so for how long?
So deep in misery, it took Gabe a minute before he realized Dover had spoken again.

“What was that Dover?”

“I was just saying Cap'n that I'd demand they copper the bottom o' the next ship ye gits. That way ye ain't got to worry about worms.”

Blast you
, Gabe thought.
Any fool knew you didn't demand anything from the Admiralty. You begged for it and if enough guineas passed through enough hands you might…you just might get what you were after. Next ship…humph…next ship. I'm at the bottom of the Navy's list of captains…if I've even made it on a list yet and here's Dover saying your next ship. Hell's fire! The war would likely be over before my name comes up for a ship.

***

“Well I guess I don't have to worry about sailing orders interfering with the wedding plans,” Gabe said, trying to put a positive spin on the situation.

Lord Anthony could hear the dejection in his brother's voice as he spoke. “Aye, that's true but you'll want to be ready if a ship comes up.”

Seeing the quizzical look on Gabe's face, Anthony explained, “Your record's too good to not get a ship, and with the war going on it will likely be sooner than later. Therefore, you need to keep in touch with key officers and warrants. Having a few trusted, good seamen at hand wouldn't hurt either. I'm sure they'll all be granted leave after they've been paid off. When they've spent all their prize money and back pay, have them check in with Dawkins. I know you'll keep Lum here but Alejandro, Paco, and Hawks can be put up at Deerfield. Bart and Silas are there so they can see to it they're settled in for the time being.”

This took a load off Gabe's mind, as he'd been concerned about the two midshipmen and his new cox'n finding quarters. Mother's house was overcrowded with Faith, Lum, and Nanny.

“Thanks,” Gabe said. “Only don't let Bart teach them too many bad habits. I don't want them completely ruined should we get back to sea.”

This brought a smile to Anthony's face and with Bart's name being mentioned, he couldn't help but retell the story of Bart and Macayla's diaper. Gabe laughed until he had tears in his eyes.
Good
, Anthony thought.
The boy needs a laugh and after the
wedding a ship…not too soon after but soon enough
.

The sound of a baby crying brought the men to alertness only to be relieved as Nanny rushed past them.

“Lawd, suh, that girl child of yourn sho nuff got a set of lungs. Reminds me of Missy Faith when she was jus a child. My, my where has the time done went? She's all growed up now my little child is and gonna be married. I bet dat mean old Sarah back in Beaufort would be jealous if she knowed. Well, let me hush, dat child done woke up and probably needs changing.” Nanny looked directly at Lord Anthony when she said it.

Lum came to Lord Anthony's rescue seeing the worried look come across his face. “Go on with your devilment, woman. You wouldn't want it said you didn't do yo duty after Missy Faith done put confidence in you.”

Nanny gave Lum a look, and then went to tend the baby but not before he gave her a slap across the rump.

“You heathen,” Nanny hissed but smiled when she saw Lum turn.
It was good to
be with the old coot
, she thought, knowing how much she'd missed him when they were separated.

As Nanny went to tend to Macayla, Anthony said, “Have you considered how your marriage will be received back in Georgia after the war?”

“Faith and I have discussed this at length. If we're accepted we will take over her plantation. If not we…she will sell it and settle elsewhere.”

“Deborah and I have talked,” Anthony said. “Unless you desire a portion of Deerfield I plan to turn it over to Becky and Hugh.”

“Squire Hugh,” Gabe said smiling.

“Aye, Squire Hugh.”

“I have no desire for a portion of Deerfield,” Gabe said, looking down at the space between his feet. “Once before Father died, I went to see Deerfield. I stopped at a tavern in Walmer, The Dolphin, and talked to the keeper. I made like I was on my way to Deal and had heard a famous admiral lived close by. The old keeper had his boy give me a tour of Deerfield. To make it look legitimate I had the boy even show me Walmer Castle. I wanted to be part of it then, to live in the big house, to be gentry and to be part of the family. When I got back to the tavern I gave the boy a few shillings and thanked the keeper for his time. As I was leaving he said, ‘tell Lord Anthony old Wint said hello.' He knew who I was, that I was the bastard son. I made up my mind right then I wanted no part of Deerfield.”

Trying to find words Anthony laid his hand across Gabe's shoulder and simply said, “We're brothers.”