Bolitho paused and glanced ahead at the slow-moving 128
transports. Each carried a single lantern and would be able to retain close contact even at night. It was his-own idea and he was already putting it down to over-caution on his part. But during the afternoon the sloop Snipe, far ahead of the convoy like a searching terrier, had signalled that she had sighted an unknown sail to the north-west. Nothing more had been seen of it, but one had to be careful. It was probably a Spanish merchantman, he thought, although the convoy was standing well out to sea, and even now was some sixty miles from the nearest land. But they were in the Gulf of Valencia, and every day took them nearer to the coast of France.
`Very good, Mr. Dalby.' He did not feel much like confiding in the third lieutenant who was inclined to be overtalkative if given the chance.
Dalby said, `We will be in Cozar within five days if this weather holds, sir.' He banged his hands together noisily for it was already cold after the heat of the day. 'I hope Miss Seton is not disappointed with her new home.'
That was something else which had been nagging Bolitho_ more than a little. And the fact that Dalby could discuss it so easily made him unreasonably angry.
`Be so good as to attend to your duties, Mr. Dalbyi You should call the duty watch and take another pull on the weather forebrace, it sounds like a flapping bellrope!'
He saw Dalby hurry away and sighed to himself. It was not his concern at all, but how could Pomfret let a girl like that go to a sun-beached hell like Cozar?
From forward he heard the snap of orders and the weary fumblings of the roused seamen as they sought to find some fault where there was none.
There was a movement on the quarterdeck ladder and he saw two shadows climbing up to the lee side. One he saw was the girl well wrapped in a long cloak with a hood over her hair, and the other was her brother. The latter had been almost a guest of honour at the wardroom dinner, and was probably well pleased with the sudden popularity his sister's presence had given him.
Seton saw Bolitho's solitary figure and said quickly, _MMust go! I-I am on w-watch in an hour!'
He scurried below and the girl turned by the massive trunk of the mainmast, her face pale against the sea beyond.
'Good night, Captain.' She lifted one hand very slightly and then steadied herself against the mast as the Hyperion lifted lazily over a steep roller. `A very pleasant evening.'
She made to head for the poop but Bolitho said hurriedly, 'Er, Miss Seton!' He saw her falter and then turn back. 'I was, er, just wondering if you are quite comfortable?'
In the darkness her teeth shone very white. 'Thank you, Captain, quite comfortable.'
Bolitho felt himself actually flushing and was suddenly enraged by his own stupidity. What, after all, had he expected?
She said calmly, 'I shall be almost sorry to reach Cozar.'
Bolitho made himself walk across the intervening deck and then said, 'I have been thinking about that. Cozar is not exactly a suitable place..
'I know, Captain.' There was no rebuke or hostility in her voice. It might have been sadness. 'But there it is.'
Dalby pattered across the quarterdeck and stood staring at them. 'Forebrace secure and snug for the night, sir!'
Bolitho turned hotly. 'Go away, Mr. Dalby!'
When he faced the girl again he saw that she was holding her mouth and shaking with suppressed laughter.
'The poor man! You've frightened him to death!' She recovered quickly. 'I can't imagine why they all seem to like you so much. You really are a terrible bully!'
Bolitho did not know what to say. 'I do not mean…’ he began, but he sounded so pompous that he broke off and grinned helplessly. 'I am sorry, Miss Seton. I will try to remember that.'
She nodded. 'Now I will go to my cabin, Captain?
Bolitho took half a pace after her. 'Might we dine together?' He was out of his depth, and worse, he knew it. 'Perhaps before we reach Cozar?'
For a terrible moment he thought she was going to complete her victory by ignoring him. But beside the helmsman she paused and seemed to consider the request.
'I think that would be very pleasant, Captain. I will think about it tomorrow.' Then she was gone.
The eyes of the two helmsmen glowed in the binnacle light like bright marbles as they watched their captain's confusion.
But Bolitho did not care. He was enjoying a new sensation entirely, and was strangely indifferent to what any of his men thought at that particular moment.
The following morning found Bolitho up, dressed and shaved bright and early. This was not unusual for him, because although he was always fascinated by sunsets at sea, he was even more intrigued and strengthened by the early morning. The air felt fresher, and the sea was without malice in the pale sunlight.
He walked to the quarterdeck rail and stood for several minutes watching the hands moving busily across the upper deck, calling cheerfully to each other as they worked with swabs and holystones to the steady accompaniment of saltwater pumps.
Rooke had requested permission to set topgallants and royals while he had been shaving, and now as he looked up at the gleaming white banks of canvas he felt strangely happy and replete. The ship was behaving well, and the men were far happier than they had been for some time, and more so than they had a right to be. When he thought back to the previous night he felt a brief pang of uncertainty. The girl would be leaving the ship very soon. It was to be hoped that this new sense of comradeship did not leave with her.
But he knew he was really exploring his own feelings. The sudden sense of loss gave him an instant answer, if doubts he had. It was of course quite ridiculous. Right or wrong, she would be an admiral's lady, and he had no doubt that Pomfret would soon use his influence to get away from Cozar and hoist his flag in more amenable surroundings.
He heard Gossett murmur a greeting behind him, and when he turned he saw her walking slowly towards the rail, her face turned towards the filtered sunlight. She had been more tanned than was customary to expect when she had come aboard, and now that he knew she had grown up in Jamaica he was not surprised. But after a few days at sea the tan had settled to a beautiiful golden brown, and he felt unusually moved as he watched her enjoying the early warmth of the day to come.
He removed his hat and smiled awkwardly. 'Good morning, Miss Seton. I trust you slept well?' His voice was louder than he had intended, and by the nine-pounders a ship's boy froze above his holystone and stared up at him.
She smiled. 'Very well, Captain. Better than for a long time.'
'Fr, good.' Bolitho ignored the gaping seamen by the wheel. 'As you see, the convoy is keeping good station and the wind is still behaving as it should.'
She was watching him, her eyes suddenly grave. 'We will be at Cozar on time then?'
He nodded. 'Yes.' He nearly replied, 'I'm afraid so.' He glanced at the masthead pendant to recover himself. 'I have just instructed my carpenter to start work on a few pieces of furniture which might make your home at Cozar more comfortable for you.' She was still watching him, and he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. 'They wanted to do it,' he added lamely.
She did not speak for a few seconds. Then she nodded slowly, and he saw a sudden brightness in her eyes.
'Thank you, Captain. That was very kind of you.'
The men working around them, the helmsmen and the officer of the. watch all seemed to fade as he continued quietly, 'I only wish there was something more I could do.'
She swung towards the sea, her face hidden by her hair, and Bolitho held his breath with something like panic. He had gone too far. She would cut the ground from under him, as he well deserved.
But she said, 'Perhaps we had better not dine together, Captain. It might be better if…' She broke off as a voice pealed down from above.
'Deck therel Snipe's going about! She's signalling, sir!' Bolitho dragged his mind back from the sudden despair her words had given him.