Read Online The Seahorse by Michael Aye - Free Book Online

it’s cleared.”
    Buck then scooted his chair a bit closer to Anthony’s so he could be heard as he whispered, “Forgot my damn jacket and was too stubborn to send a young gentleman to fetch it. So there I was standing like a drowned rat. A puddle was gathering around my feet as I tried to explain sailing instructions to the convoy captains. Made a poor show of it I did.”
    â€œWell don’t beat yourself up too much. There’s not a sailor alive who hasn’t got caught in a squall at one time or another.”
    Hearing voices, Lady Deborah stepped out of the sleeping quarters after making sure her husband was not involved in, as he put it, admiralty business. She and Macayla had come aboard the night before the squadron had weighed anchor at Portsmouth. Seeing Lady Deborah, Buck rose to greet her but she waved him down.
    She stood behind Anthony, hands on his shoulders, and asked, “Did you invite the good captain to dine this evening?”
    â€œI was about to, my dear.” Anthony looked at Buck. “If you have no other commitment, Rupert, we would be happy to have you dine with us. I’ve also invited Gabe and Faith. Lord Ragland has also been invited. Once at sea we may not have a chance to do so until we reach Antigua.”
    â€œThank you, My Lord, Lady Deborah. I’d be honoured. Will Gabe bring Lum?”
    â€œI asked Faith to bring him along if Lum didn’t mind,” Deborah spoke up. “So we will see.”
    ***
    Gabe leaned against the weather rigging and adjusted his glass until the flagship came into focus. The vessels in the convoy made an impressive sight , he thought, with their pyramids of sail filling the early dawn sky. The sun had slowly clawed its way up until it was full on the horizon.
    No red sky this morning , he thought, his mind on the old sailor’s saying...red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning; red sky at night, sailor’s delight.
    Last night had been a delight. He had recalled the lovemaking he and Faith had enjoyed. After he and Faith had dined aboard the flagship he had explained to his bride that there would be a slim chance of dining together again with Gil and Deborah until they reached landfall.
    â€œSo it’ll just be the two of us?” Faith asked.
    â€œNo, we’ll invite the ship’s officers from time to time but for the most part it’ll just be us,” Gabe replied.
    â€œI could get greedy very quickly,” Faith said.
    â€œI won’t mind,” Gabe had replied.
    He had considered having Faith travel back aboard the flagship, but once Nathan Lavery, Davy, and the warrant officers had arrived, things had turned around quickly. He was glad he’d decided to keep Lieutenant Wiley. He had done a splendid job thus far and he had the respect and trust of Peregrine’s crew…those that hadn’t run.
    Lum had spoken to one of the old crew in passing. The seaman replied, “Things lookin up, not a flogging in a week.”
    â€œDeck thar,” called the mainmast lookout. “Strange sails off the larboard bow.”
    â€œYou have a good lookout, Mr Lavery.”
    â€œAye, Captain,” the first lieutenant replied.
    Unable to find the ship in his glass Gabe called to Midshipman Ally, “Signal flagship strange sail in sight.”
    â€œAye, sir.”
    â€œMr Lavery.”
    â€œAye, Captain.”
    â€œCall all hands. I’ve a feeling about me.”
    â€œAye, sir.”
    â€œWhen we are able to identify her or we have a signal from the flagship call me. I shall now go break my fast.”
    As Gabe ducked his head and started down the companionway, he could hear the shrill twitter of the bosun’s pipes calling all hands. That ought to wake Faith , he thought… the sleepyhead .
    ***
    Gabe had just sat down to a cup of coffee when the marine sentry knocked. “Midshipman Ally, sir.”
    Gabe smiled to himself. Even the marines were