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

weakened by
tropical rot, and oakum for deck seams. The ship's carpenter put in an
appearance to tut-tut over the sprung bow strakes and left with the promise
that his mates would come later.
    At
the billet Kydd setded into a pleasant domestic routine. Louise mended a
shirt-sleeve he had torn — it was her room that the sailors now inhabited. At
family meals she had taken to sitting next to Kydd, her quaint English welcome
when Renzi engaged in his long conversations in French. She would gently chide
him on his manners, which Kydd found endearing if disconcerting.
    Less
than a week later, when the schooner had been brought to readiness but for the
stove bow strakes, they sat down to their meal — and unwelcome news. 'The
French have made their move,' Renzi murmured to Kydd, after the first excited
flurry of talk had settled.
    Kydd's
mouth was full, but he couldn't help saying, 'This scran is rousin' good
eatin', Nicholas.' The ragout of fish had an elusive flavour of herbs - French
cooking was fast persuading Kydd that the English did not have it all their own
way in the culinary arts.
    'It
could prove ... unfortunate,' Renzi
pressed.
    'What's
afoot?' Kydd asked, mouth full.
    'They
say there are rumours that significant landings have been made to the north of
the island,' Renzi said, in a low voice.
    Louise
overheard. 'So — a few soldier land! We 'ave the protection of ze Engleeesh
sheeps and soldiers too.'
    Monsieur
Vernou snapped some words.
    'My
brothair - he remind that we bike are many, and will flock to the colour of Bourbon
France.'
    Renzi
dabbed his mouth. 'These are landed from a frigate. This implies that they are
regular troops on a planned invasion - by the revolutionaries,' he added, for
emphasis.
    'But
you vill always prevail,' Louise said.
    'That
is not altogether certain,' Renzi said carefully.
    'Why
do ye say that, Nicholas?' Kydd said, with some asperity.
    'Consider.
Trajan and the frigates are away attending to the reduction of San Domingo.
They cannot come at our call immediately because they are headed by the winds
and current. The garrison here in Guadeloupe is few — we have sent perhaps too
many soldiers to San Domingo. The royalists are no trouble and look to seeing
out the larger war under our governance, but they may prove unreliable if
tested too far. If the Jacobins are energetic and well led, it could be .. .'
    Kydd
turned to Louise, but her eyes were troubled so he didn't speak.
    The
following morning there was even worse news. 'It seems that the Terror in Paris
has come here at last,' Renzi told Kydd, after listening to a fear-struck
visitor as they prepared to leave for their work. There was no need to lower
his voice now: there was a hubbub of frantic speculation. 'A guillotine came
with the frigate and it is doing its work out there even now.' Renzi looked
grave. 'One hundred - maybe as many as three hundred - have perished in a night
of blood. This is serious news indeed.'
    A
torrent of weeping and beseeching from the women greeted the sight of Monsieur
Vernou in his ensign of reserves uniform. He made an impassioned speech, then
marched out, head held high. The ladies clutched one another. 'The royalists go
to preserve their very lives now,' said Renzi quietly.
    Kydd
wandered out of the house in a daze. If there was anything in what Renzi had
said, the Vernous were in grave danger. He tried to suppress the image of
Louise's gentle face. His steps led him to the waterfront, and as he turned the
last corner he saw soldiers.
    'Hey
now!' said the sergeant, coming out from behind a beached boat. 'Jack Tar on
land still.'
    'Still
are,' replied Kydd. 'An' you, Sar'nt Hotham, you on y'r way t' stoppin' the
Frogs at th' landing?'
    Hotham
did not reply at first. He looked about, then stepped up to Kydd and spoke
quietly. 'No, mate, we're not. Nobody is. See, we just ain't got the numbers to
face 'em, so many bein' away in Santa Domingy, so we're fallin' back on the
town.'
    'C'n
you hold 'em if