Under Enemy Colors Read Online Free PDF Page A

thirteen—beginning together as midshipmen. Since that early date they have been trained to be very decisive—indeed, irresolution at an inopportune moment might cost many lives aboard a ship. Some Navy men bring this decisiveness ashore with them, where often their understanding is not so great as at sea. I have watched the ill effects of this many times. It is fortunate that Robert does not suffer this defect of character, or from its opposite disability—a chronic indecisiveness upon the land where they are so out of their element. These Navy men take some little study, I have found.”
    Henrietta nodded, her attention apparently focussed on smoothing a crease in the skirt of her gown. They perched on chairs in the drawing room, speaking quietly.
    Mrs Hertle had noted before that women were almost never neutral in their response to Charles Hayden: they either found his overly serious mind an impediment, or they could not stop speaking of him. She could hardly remember how she herself had felt when first introduced, some four years past. Certainly, she had thought him well made, though thick of thigh, “just shy of a fathom in height” as he said himself. A strong, appealing face, surely—though rather full-featured—inky hair drawn back in a queue. Nose, aquiline—not unhandsome but neither was it modest in proportions; mouth full and pleasant, very used to smiling. His brow, however, could only be termed “heavy,” imparting a certain intensity to eyes that would have been perfectly fine if one had not been blue and the other shading to green.
    “The Lords of the Admiralty must be sensible of his parentage?” Henrietta ventured.
    Mrs Hertle nodded.
    “It is a wonder he has a commission at all.”
    “I fear you are right, Henrietta. Robert refuses to see it. In his mind Charles can do no wrong. Though I am sure he is a fine seaman and officer; Robert is not so blind as that.”
    “I wonder what will become of him?” Henrietta asked, now examining a fingernail with great attention.
    “I believe his future is in America. His stepfather is a very prosperous Boston merchant and has offered Charles command of one of his ships. A few more disappointments and I think poor Charles will finally perceive this proposal differently.”
    “But it would be so demeaning—from officer in the King’s Navy to master of a merchantman—an American merchantman.”
    “Indeed, but in America he would find acceptance, I think. His step-father is a man of some influence.”
    “I should not want to live in Boston. Should you?”
    “Whoever asked you to live in Boston, dear Henrietta?” Mrs Hertle said quickly.
    “Well, of course, no one did,” Henrietta protested. “And I did not mean that , as you well know!”
    Mrs Hertle laughed gently at her cousin’s response. “Let us call the gentlemen for tea. The hour grows late.”
     
    She was all long limbs and slim torso, Hayden thought, yet she perched upon her chair with such easy elegance, a look of amused contentment upon her face, that Hayden could not help but think her as lovely as a naiad. Her carriage was erect and proper but not without a hint of sensuality. In truth, Hayden was beginning to think Henrietta’s distinctive appearance perfectly matched her somewhat unconventional disposition.
    The Carthews, he knew, were of good family, distantly related to the Russells. Her father was a gentleman of some means, had married well, and spent life riding his own particular hobby horse, which was the matter of education, and the education of women in particular. As he was a father of six daughters, Mr Carthew’s preoccupation with this subject was clearly defensible, and his daughters had been the subject of much experimentation in regards to their own learning, though it had gained them a perhaps undeserved reputation as bluestockings.
    Mrs Hertle was gently chafing her cousin, teasing about this very subject, as Hayden raised his teacup.
    “How many languages do