Read Online Invasion by Julian Stockwin - Free Book Online Page A

house.
    â€œIt is, sir, at your service,” the rather austere gentleman answered with a slight bow, appraising Kydd’s appearance, then bestowing on him a professional smile.
    â€œTh’ language coach as can be engaged t’ fit a gentleman for converse even at the Court o’ St. James?” Kydd persisted.
    â€œThe same,” the man said with a sniff. “You should know that I count most of the noble houses of Hampshire among my satisfied clients and—”
    â€œAre ye available for immediate engagement, sir?” Kydd asked abruptly.
    â€œWhy, at such notice—”
    â€œI’ve ten guineas to lay in y’r hand as says it’ll fadge.”
    â€œEr, very well—but be aware, sir, I cannot abide the fugitive aspirate, still less the cruelly truncated participle! You shall bring along your child and he will—”
    â€œNot a younker, sir, it’s t’ be me.”
    â€œI—I don’t quite understand you, sir,” the man said uncertainly.
    â€œM’ name’s Kydd, and I want t’ speak wi’ the best of ’em. Ye’ve got me half a day, every day until I can stand up an’ be taken for a lord.”
    â€œEvery day?” he spluttered. “My young masters usually attend but twice a week and—”
    â€œM’ time is limited, sir,” Kydd said impatiently. “I’d be thinkin’ ye a rare ’un if I sees ye refuse half a year’s fee for a few weeks’ work.”
    The refit ground forward in the dockyard but the day came not so many weeks later when Teazer was released and became inhabited once more by her rightful denizens. She stored, watered and took in an overseas allowance of powder and shot, the Downs Squadron being considered so active a station as to warrant a maximum loading.
    There was no time to be lost: Admiral Keith needed every vessel that swam in his crucial command, and Kydd was determined for Teazer to play her part.
    â€œEr, I have to report, ship ready for sea, sir,” Hallum said awkwardly.
    Kydd grunted. It was now common knowledge about the ship that their clerk was still at large, adrift from leave. A letter of recall had been sent to him, which had been acknowledged, but he had not appeared and it now seemed that the ship would sail without him.
    It was no use. They could not delay. Kydd sighed heavily and went on deck, searching vainly for a hurrying figure on the dockside. “Single up!” he ordered. All lines that tethered them alongside were let go save two. Away from the wharf, dockyard work-boats attended for the sloop to warp out, and in Teazer there was the ageold thrill of the outward bound.
    Sail bent on, men expectantly at their posts, Kydd reluctantly gave the command. “Take us out, Mr. Dowse.”
    Ropes splashed into the murky water and Teazer was ready to spread her wings. Colour appeared at the signal tower. “Our pennant, ‘proceed,’ sir,” squeaked their brand new midshipman, Tawse, wielding the big telescope importantly.
    â€œAcknowledge,” Kydd said heavily. With the ebb tide Teazer loosed sail and left to meet her destiny.
    The narrow entrance was difficult and needed concentration. They passed the rickety jollity of Portsmouth Point close abeam, then King Henry’s tower on one side with Haslar and Fort Blockhouse only a couple of hundred yards to the other, and they were through.
    â€œ Haaaands , t’ the braces!” Constrained by sandbanks close to larboard and the Nab still to round before clear water, there was little room for manoeuvre.
    â€œHe’s there, sir!” screamed a youngster, wildly pointing shore-wards. A sharp-lined wherry was putting off hastily from the Sally Port on a course to intercept.
    â€œIt’s Mr. Renzi, right enough,” confirmed Purchet, after snatching at the telescope.
    Without hesitating, Kydd rapped, “Heave to, Mr. Dowse!” It was madness in