The Seahorse Read Online Free PDF Page A

asked.
    â€œI’m not sure but one of Lord Sandwich’s cronies from the Hellfire Club was a Lord Ragland.”
    â€œAnd how do you know about that sex den?” Deborah asked.
    â€œIt was before your time, my dear, a long time before.”
    Later that night Faith snuggled so close to Gabe he could feel her chest rise and fall against his back. She then rose up and said, “You awake?”
    â€œI am now, why?”
    â€œTell me about the Hellfire Club.”
    ***
    Gabe entered the George Inn and immediately recognized the admiral’s aide standing just outside the closed door to one of the small private rooms. The aide, seeing Gabe in his new captain’s uniform with the shiny new gold epaulet or as Bart called it “swab” setting on his right shoulder, nodded toward the bar. His way of saying, “Have a seat, I’ll be with you in a minute.”
    Deciding not to report to Admiral Graham with the smell of alcohol on his breath, Gabe declined the drink and took a seat on one of the benches that lined the wall. He looked about the room and found it hard to believe that just over a month ago he’d shared a bed with Faith for the first time right above where he was now sitting. It would be miserable sleeping on a ship’s cot again. Even one the size made for the captain’s sleeping quarters.
    â€œCaptain Anthony…Captain Anthony.”
    Realizing he was being called, Gabe looked up just in time to see a Navy captain slam the inn door shut as he rushed out. The aide ushered Gabe into the admiral’s room. Gabe immediately remembered he was one of the flag officers who had attended his wedding. He was with Admiral Moffett when Gil had paused to speak.
    He had not met the admiral previously and had only spoken to a civilian superintendent when Merlin’s hull was found to be unworthy for sea. The admiral was standing in front of an empty fireplace lighting a pipe. He was old to be a rear admiral. He was once tall but now stooped over. His bloodshot eyes had droopy bags under them. While he looked old and worn, out his voice was very firm.
    â€œIt was a nice wedding you had,” the admiral said as he reached out to shake Gabe’s hand. “It was also a wonderful reception. Thank you for the invitation.”
    Gabe swallowed hard and managed, “My pleasure sir.”
    He didn’t remember sending an invitation. It had to have been Gil , he thought. He was damn glad his brother had had the wits to invite the local flag officers and dignitaries.
    â€œAre you ready to return to sea?” Graham asked.
    â€œAye sir,” Gabe answered.
    â€œGood. I have a ship for you. She’s the Peregrine 36 .”
    â€œThank you sir!” Gabe burst out, excited at the news.
    The old admiral held up his hand to hush Gabe. “You may not thank me long. The Peregrine is an ‘unhappy ship’.”
    Gabe felt the excitement sink.
    â€œYou lost your ship to rot. Rot made on the outside caused by shipworms. Peregrine is full of rot from the inside…a drunken captain who kept his whores with him at sea, a flog happy first lieutenant who let two seaman die under the lash. Half the crew has deserted and the other half has requested transfers. It’s a wonder we didn’t have a mutiny. I have a set of orders from the Admiralty in which I can fill in your name and the ship is yours. Or you can go home to your new bride and wait till something else becomes available.”
    Gabe wasn’t fooled by the remark about waiting until something else was available. If he turned down the ship he’d likely be on the beach the rest of his life.
    â€œI want her, sir.”
    â€œGood, good. I thought if you were anything like your father you would. Now about your crew. Lieutenant Jackson has been given a command. However, the rest have not been reassigned for the most part. Do you have a choice for your first lieutenant?”
    Lavery’s