The Gallant (62 page)

Was that suffered in India or on your passage here?”

“On passage, Your Excellency. We were unfortunate in striking exceedingly bad weather off the New Guinea coast.” Red made to stand aside to enable William to take his place, but Governor Denison detained him, a hand on his arm.

“But you were actively engaged in the suppression of the mutiny in Bengal, weren’t you? You and your ship?”

“I served as a volunteer in the naval brigade furnished by Captain Peel’s steam frigate Shannon,

sir. My ship’s company also supplied volunteers for the

PearPs

brigade… .” Red offered a brief

explanation, sensing Colonel Macintyre’s impatience-manifested in a discreet cough, coming from behind him-and out of the corner of his eye he saw that William appeared to be amused. “My ship remained in Calcutta, sir,” he ended, “with a maintenance crew. Sir, I-was

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“One moment.” Governor Denison studied him thoughtfully. “You must have done good work, Captain, indeed you must, for I understand from Commodore Pellew, who arrived here recently, that you have been gazetted to post rank. He tells me also that their lordships of the Admiralty have ordered you to return to England, as soon as your relief arrives, in order that your ship may pay off. My congratulations, Captain Broome-on both counts.”

Red thanked him gravely, but as the governor, recognizing William after a momentarily puzzled glance, moved past him with a cordial “Colonel De Lancey, is it not?” his emotions were decidedly mixed.

Promotion to post rank was, of course, deeply gratifying, but the orders to return to England to pay off were far less welcome. After his long absence, he had been looking forward eagerly to his reunion with Magdalen; they had spent so little time together since their marriage. But at least, while he was on the Australian station, such shore time as he had could be shared with her. And there was the little daughter he had scarcely seen -Jessica, Jessica Rachel, born just before he had left Sydney.

He would be a stranger to her.

Hearing another, less discreet cough, Red was about to respond to it by introducing Colonel Macintyre, but the colonel, without waiting to be introduced, stepped into the governor’s path. He had evidently heard the word “Lucknow,” for, without apology, he announced loudly, “Colonel Macintyre, Your Excellency, of the Honorable Company’s Engineers. I can give you at first hand any information you may wish to have regarding the siege of Lucknow, sir. My wife and I were among the garrison.”

“Were you indeed?” Denison exclaimed. The interruption had startled him, but, as always, he was coldly polite, and he waved a hand at his military secretary. “You’d

appreciate a firsthand account, wouldn’t you, George? We must arrange a meeting at Government House, as soon as you and-er-Mrs.

Macintyre are settled in here, Colonel. My aide will see to it. Now, De Lancey, as you were saying …”

“Perhaps Your Excellency would care to go below to my cabin?” Red put in quickly, and was rewarded by an approving

nod. He led the way below. When his steward had served the visitors with coffee, he excused himself and, leaving William deep in conversation with the governor, returned to the deck.

To his relief, Macintyre had vanished, and Francis observed, with satisfaction, “He went below in a huff, sir. Let’s hope he stays away! And look, sir-was He offered his glass.

“Our wives comand families have realized we’re home and have gathered in your garden. But I fear they are not going to be pleased when they learn that we have to go to England to pay off. I confess I’m not too pleased myself.”

“We can’t sail until we’ve had a refit, Francis,” Red reminded him. With the aid of the glass he was able to make out the faces of those who, as Francis had put it, had gathered in the garden of the small, white-painted house his father had occupied before him, with its view of the cove. He saw Magdalen and his heart quickened its beat, as he responded to her wave. He would not be permitted to bring her back to England with him, he thought glumly; Their Lordships, who had once allowed the privilege to the commanders of Her Majesty’s ships of war, now frowned upon the practice of allocating free passages to wives and families, even on voyages halfway round the world. Females and children, it was held, impaired the efficiency and fighting qualities of the ships’ companies-although, when it suited them, the Board of Admiralty relaxed the rule. He sighed. It had suited them to give passage to Colonel Macintyre and his family, as well as to several other Lucknow survivors, sent on convalescent leave to Sydney. But he and Francis would still have to sail alone, when the time came for the

Galaffs

departure.

And, as a newly promoted post captain, he might well be kept for a year or more on the beach, and on half pay, before Their Lordships saw fit to appoint him to a new command. Red glanced a trifle uneasily at his first lieutenant, and Francis said, as if guessing his thoughts, “Dora will seek to keep me here, you know. And damme, sir, I’m tempted. This is my country-I want to stay here, to be honest. It’s different for you, of course, now you’ve made post rank. My warm congratulations, Captain Broome. I couldn’t help hearing what H.e. said.”

“Thanks.” Red smiled at him. “Off you go, Francis-call away the gig and take a run ashore. You can join them in my

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garden and break the news as tactfully as you know how.

Tell Magdalen I’ll be with her as soon as my duties permit.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” Francis acknowledged, with a pleasure he made no attempt to conceal.

“Everything’s in order, sir. I’ll send word to Judge De Lancey-er, my father, sir-to expect William and the boy, shall I? And may I take it that the watch below will be granted shore leave?”

Red nodded his assent. The gig put off for the shore five minutes later, but it was another hour before the governor and his staff finally took their leave, after inspecting the ship, bearing William and Andrew Melgund with them. They were followed by a disgruntled Colonel Macintyre, with his wife and numerous family, and when the last boatload of passengers was on its way to the shore, Red left the officer of the watch to supervise the unloading of their baggage and stepped into his

There was what almost amounted to a reception committee awaiting his arrival in the garden of Cove Cottage: his father, looking spruce and fit; his aunt Rachel, proudly leaning on Francis’s arm, with Dora on his other side; Judge De Lancey, who had been joined by William; and Johnny and Kitty Cadogan, who, they told him, were now married … news he scarcely took in.

But, the greetings over, Red had eyes only for Magdalen. She came to him, happy and smiling, offering no reproach, although it was evident that Francis must have broken the news to her of the Galah’s

imminent departure. For now, it seemed, she was content to have him home, and she clung to him, oblivious of those around them, lifting her lips to his.

It was left to Andy Melgund to grasp a pretty little auburn-haired toddler by the hand and lead her to him.

“This is Jessica, Captain Broome,” the little boy told him solemnly. “She’s your daughter.

I’ve been playing with her a bit because she reminds me of my sister Rosie. Only she’s smaller, of course. Rosie was five.”

There was a moment’s embarrassed silence, and then Red picked up his daughter, holding the small, plump, squirming body high above his head. The little face beamed at him, and he

said, “I hope Jessica will grow to be just like Rosie when she’s five, Andy.”

“Yes, I hope so too, sir,” Andy agreed.

He looked at William. “Rosie was awfully pretty, wasn’t she, Uncle Will?”

It was, Red thought sadly, perhaps a fitting epitaph for those who had died in the infamous Bibigarh. Certainly for the one who was missing from this family gathering … His sister Jenny had been pretty, God rest her soul.

Magdalen’s hand felt for his as he put his daughter down. “Tea,” she said softly. “It’s all ready. Let’s go in, shall we?”

They went inside together.