"Alexander Kent - Bolitho 20 Darkening Sea Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kent Alexander)

She strained her eyes towards it now but there was still too much mist, and not enough light to see the headland.

She thought of her ride here. The countryside stirring itself, the smell of freshly baked bread, of foxgloves and the wild roses in the hedgerows. She had seen few people about but had sensed their presence: very little was missed by these folk whose families had known the Bolithos from generation to generation, and the men who had gone year after year to die in forgotten campaigns or great sea-battles. Like the portraits on the walls in the old house, watching her when she had gone up alone to bed, measuring her still.

At least Richard would have had his beloved nephew Adam with whom to share the days at sea. He had finished his letter by revealing that he would be sailing independently in Adam's own command. She allowed her mind to stray once more to Zenoria, and then to Zenoria and Adam. Was it merely imagination, or that warning instinct which had been born out of her own early years?

She reined the horse around, her fingers groping for the small carriage pistol she always carried. She had not even seen or heard them. Relief surged through her as she saw the dull glint of their buttons. They were coast guards

One of them exclaimed, "Why, Lady Somervell! You gave us a start! Toby here thought some gennelmen were runnin' a cargo up from the beach!"

Catherine tried to smile. "I am sorry, Tom. I should have known better."

The light was already strengthening, as if to dispel her hopes, lay bare her foolishness.

Tom the coast guard watched her thoughtfully. The admiral's lady, the one who was the talk of London according to some. But she had called him by his name. As if he mattered.

He said carefully, "May I ask what you be doing up 'ere at this hour, m'lady? Could be dangerous."

She faced him directly, and afterwards he was to remember this moment, her fine dark eyes, her high cheekbones, her utter conviction as she said, "Sir Richard is coming home. In the Anemone."

"I knows that, m'lady. We had word from the navy."

"Today," she said. "This morning." Her eyes seemed to blur and she turned away.

Tom said kindly, "There be no way o' knowing, m'lady. Wind, weather, tides..."

He broke off as she slipped from the saddle, her stained boots striking the track as one. "What is it?"

She stared out at the bay as it began to open up, the light spilling above the headland like glass.

"Do you have a telescope, please?" Desperation put an edge to her voice.

The two coast guards dismounted and Tom lifted his glass from a long leather case behind his saddle.

Catherine did not even see them. "Be easy, Tamara!" She rested the long telescope on the saddle, still warm from her own body. Gulls were swooping around a tiny boat far out towards the point. It seemed much clearer than before, and pink on the sea's face she saw the first sunlight.

Tom's companion had also extended his telescope, and after a few minutes he said, There be a ship out there, Tom, by God so there be! Beggin' your pardon, m'lady!"

She had not heard him. She watched the sails, misty and unreal like shells, the darker line of the slender hull beneath.

"What is she, Toby? Can you see her rig?"

The man sounded stunned. "Frigate. No doubt o' that. Seen too many o' they in an' out o' Carrick Roads over th' years!"

"Still, could be anyone. Ride down to the harbour an' see if you can discover anythin'..."

They both turned as she said quietly, "It is he."

She had extended the telescope to its full length. She waited for the horse to quieten so that she could stare without blinking. Then she said, "I can see her figurehead in the sunshine." She handed back the glass, her eyes suddenly blind. "Anemone..." She saw it in her mind's eye as she had seen it in reality, before the ship had tacked into shadow again: the full-breasted girl with the raised trumpet, her gilt paint so clear in the reflected glare. She repeated as if to herself, "Anemone... daughter of the wind."