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China.” He stood and held up the document. “Our orders are to deliver one thousand rose roots on board to the Lady Wen Xi, who will become the concubine of General Zheng Jiing in Amoy. Prior to that, we will rendezvous with the
Lark
in the bay of Fuzhou to receive dispatches that will further direct our efforts in the East.”
    Grimmel scratched at his wig, then spoke up.
    “This is all a jumble to me, Captain,” said Grimmel. “Why would a ship of the line carry roses?”
    “They’re not just any roses,” replied Greyson. “It’s a hybrid rose, a union between the Tea Rose and our Tudor, to represent the budding friendship between our two peoples. They say the beauty and fragrance of it is remarkable. The Sovereign will make a fine first impression. It is also said that Wen Xi is one of the most beautiful women in China, a rose herself, so to speak.”
    “Amoy is an unfriendly port of call,” remarked Grimmel. “Your general is at war with the Manchu Emperor Kangxi.”
    “And is near to losing that conflict, Mr. Grimmel,” said Greyson, “which is why we must proceed with urgency.”
    “Why roses, sir?” pursued Whitehead.
    “Our true mission is to slip into Amoy and destroy his fortresses, which will enable Emperor Kangxi to land his fleet and his army, presently in Canton, unmolested,” said Greyson. “If we are successful, the emperor will allow an English trading colony to be established in China represented by my company.”
    Doubtful glances were exchanged, but not a word was spoken.
    “Who is to be the governor of that colony?” asked Hearne after a moment.
    “I am,” answered Greyson with equanimity. “With the King’s blessing, the British East India Company has furnished the cost of this expedition. China, gentlemen, is the future of trade for ourcountry. If we do not act, the Dutch and the French will act before us, as they did in India. The Crown recognizes the supreme importance of this undertaking.”
    “Well,” remarked Hearne, “it’s all a gamble, isn’t it?”
    “One more item, gentlemen,” said Greyson. “We are also to keep an eye out for the
Seahorse,
captained by Mr. Roger Belfry, and if encountered, engage or apprehend him.”
    “Captain Belfry?” inquired Mr. Whitehead, our first lieutenant, somewhat astonished. “Does he not carry a letter of marque, sir?”
    “No longer,” answered Greyson. “Our treaty with the Dutch prevents him from profiteering against Dutch interests. He has sacked and looted two Dutch plantations, which has caused our government some discomfort. And if allowed to continue, could cause us a loss of victualing rights in Dutch ports.”
    “Are you familiar with him, Mr. Whitehead?” Hearne asked.
    “I am, sir. I served under him in the second war. A very able captain he was. Highly decorated and highly respected.”
    “Mr. Grimmel?”
    “Aye, sir,” replied Grimmel. “Spent two year aboard his ship.”
    Hearne, yawning, stood during Greyson’s presentation and took a bench seat not too distant from where I was sitting and gazed thoughtfully out the window.
    “It’s stuffy in here,” remarked Captain Hearne. He reached behind me and pushed a gallery window, which opened with a grating protest, letting in the morning breeze. The sun was up, pouring gold, pink and red shards across our wake. He looked down at my notes and reached over and took them up.
    “Well done, young man,” he said. “Very well organized.”
    “That is Daniel Wren,” interjected Mr. Grimmel. “A fresh volunteer.”
    Hearne turned toward Mr. Whitehead. “What do you make of the
Seahorse
?”
    “A fifth-rater, forty guns, I believe, sir,” answered Whitehead, “lean and nimble.”
    “Mr. Brooks?”
    “If he stands, we’ll take him, Captain.”
    “Personally,” remarked Hearne wryly, “I’d rather we never encounter him. What say you, Mr. Wren?”
    Inexplicably, perhaps because I was at his elbow, Hearne had directed his question to me in a