Heart of Oak Read Online Free PDF Page A

Troubridge who had become a true friend in so short a time. Here, in London, when he had been at Adam’s side as they had burst into that sordid studio where Lowenna was fighting off an attack. Jago had been with them. What had Sir Richard called his closest friends and companions?
My Little Crew.
Or as he had heard another describe them,
We Happy Few.
    Troubridge had referred to “my father.” He was Admiral Sir Joseph Troubridge, well known and respected in the navy. A veteran of The Saintes and the Glorious First of June, as a lieutenant he had been a friend of the young Horatio Nelson. And now he was leaving the Navy List to take up a prestigious appointment with the Honourable East India Company, “John Company” as it was nicknamed.
    Troubridge’s future would be in safe hands. But like the Admiralty waiting room, it was no solution.
    Troubridge smiled for the first time.
    “I will let you know. I once asked that you might accept my service in the future, if there was any chance.”
    Adam gripped his arm. “You will always be my friend, Francis. Be sure of that. And Lowenna’s, too.”
    A door opened and Tolan appeared in the hallway. He said to Troubridge, “Your carriage is here, sir,” but he was looking at Bolitho. “I have already had your things taken down.”
    Troubridge sighed. “They are closing the house, Captain Bolitho. Sir Graham will no longer be staying in London, I fear.” He added briskly, the flag lieutenant again, “You are leaving tomorrow. I had word from Whitehall. I wish you Godspeed and good fortune.” And to Jago, “Keep a weather eye on the Captain, will you?”
    They shook hands again.
    “Until the next horizon, Francis.”
    They heard the sharp clatter of wheels, and Adam imagined the eyes at other windows along this quiet street.
    Jago said, “There’ll be some grub soon, Cap’n. You must be fair starvin’.”
    Adam turned from the door. Troubridge had been waiting for him. In case he was needed.
    He saw that Tolan was still standing by the stairs.
    “When are you joining Sir Graham?” He must be truly drained. Otherwise he would have understood.
    Jago said harshly, “The vice-admiral’s
lady
told him to sling his hook! That’s the bald truth of it!”
    Tolan said, “I can deal with it.”
    Adam sat again. The floor had shifted like a heaving deck, and his legs had almost buckled beneath him.
    It was over. He tested each thought before it took shape.
Tomorrow I will go home. To Falmouth. To Lowenna. If…
He stopped it right there.
    “I would relish something to drink, if you please. To swallow today’s doubts, and the regrets.” He paused. “If you care for it, Tolan, we can make you welcome at Falmouth.”
    Jago was nodding, unsmiling.
    Tolan could only stare at him with incomprehension, his normal composure shaken. Then he said, “I’ll make sure you never regret it.”
    Jago had recognized the signs. “I’ll go with him, an’ bear a hand.”
    Adam barely heard him. He would fall asleep here and now unless he took a grip of himself.
    So quiet. No call to arms, no rattle of drums and stampede of running feet. The knot twisting in your stomach. And the fear you could never show when you were most needed.
    He touched the letters inside his coat. Spoke her name.
    He knew that somehow she would hear him.

2 A LIVE A GAIN
    T HE GIRL NAMED L OWENNA WINCED as her hip jarred against a small table, but she made no sound. She was more aware of the silence, and the floor that was like ice under her bare feet. She could not even remember getting out of bed, and yet her whole body was shivering, and she knew it was not only the cold.
    The room was in complete darkness, and yet she thought she could discern the outline of a window, which had not been visible before.
Before when?
Nancy Roxby, Adam’s aunt, had stayed with her for most of the day, making sure she was not alone even for a walk along the headland, where the wind off Falmouth Bay had been like a whetted