"Bolitho 02 - Midshipman Bolitho & Avenger(txt)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kent Alexander)

Bolitho stared with amazement. `Hugh!'
His brother regarded him impassively. `Aye, Richard.' He nodded to Dancer, and then called to
his coxswain, `Return to the ship. My compliments to Mr Gloag, and tell him I will signal when I require the boat.'
Bolitho watched him, his feelings mixed and confused. Hugh was supposed to be in a frigate, or so he thought. He had changed quite a lot since their last meeting. The lines at his mouth and jaw were deeper, and his voice carried the rasp of authority. But the rest was unchanged. The black hair like his own, and like some of the portraits in the house, tied above his collar with a neat bow. Steady eyes, strained after long hours of sea duty, and the same old air of supreme confidence which had brought them to blows in the past.
They fell in step, Hugh thrusting past the onlookers with barely a glance.
As they walked he said,. `Is Mother well?' But he sounded distant, his mind elsewhere.
`She'll be glad to see you, Hugh. It will make it a real Christmas.'
Hugh glanced at Dancer. `You've all been having a time for yourselves in the old Gorgon, I believe?'
Bolitho hid a smile. There it was again. The barb, the hint of disbelief.
Dancer nodded. `You read of it, sir?'
`Some.' Hugh quickened his pace. `Also I saw the admiral at Plymouth and spoke with your captain.' He stopped by the broad gateway, his eyes examining the house as if for the first time. `I may as well tell you now. You have been placed under my orders until this local matter is cleared up, or my vacancies have been filled.'
Bolitho stared at him, angered by his abruptness, sorry for Dancer's position.
`Vacancies?'
Hugh regarded him calmly. `Aye. I had to send my senior and some good hands aboard a prize last week. The Navy is hard put for spare officers and men, Richard, although you would not know about that, of course. It may be sunshine in Africa, but it is icy reality here!'
`Did you ask for us?'
Hugh shrugged. `Your captain told me you would both be here. Availability and local knowledge decided the rest, right? He approved the transfer.'
The expression on their mother's face as they entered the house made up for some of the sudden hurt.
Dancer said softly, `It may be fun, Dick. Your brother has the cut of an experienced officer.'
Bolitho replied grudgingly, `He has that, damn it!'
Bolitho watched Hugh leading their mother into an adjoining room. When she came out again she was no longer smiling.
`I am so sorry, Dick, and more so for you, Martyn.' Dancer said firmly, `You need not be, ma'am. We
have both become used to the unexpected.' `Nevertheless....'
She turned as Hugh entered the room, a glass of brandy in one hand.
`Nevertheless, dear family, it is a serious affair. This is just the tip of the berg. God knows what that fool Morgan was about when he was killed, but no revenue man should act alone.' His eyes moved to Bolitho. `It is far worse than smuggling. At first we
believed it was the foul weather. Wrecks are common enough on this coast.'
Bolitho chilled. So that was it. Wreckers. The worst crime of all.
His brother continued in his clipped tones, `But we have received news of too many rich cargoes lost of late. Silver and gold, spirits and valuable spices. Enough, to feed a city, or raise an army.' He shrugged, as if weary of confidences. `But my duty is to seek out these murderers and hand them to the authorities. The whys and wherefores are not for a King's officer to determine.'
His mother said huskily, `But wreckers! How could they? Loot and rob helpless seamen. . . .'
Hugh smiled gently. `They see their betters reaping a rich bounty from ships run ashore on their private land. Reason soon flies out of the window, Mother.'
Dancer protested, `But an accidental wreck is a far cry from being lured aground, sir!'
Hugh looked away. `Possibly. But not to the leeches who live off the trade.'
Dancer said, `Your presence here will be well known by now, sir.'
Hugh nodded. `I will warm a few palms, make a few promises. Some will give information just to send the Avenger somewhere else!'
Bolitho looked at his friend. This was a different kind of Navy. Where a commanding officer could use bribery to gain information, and then act independently without waiting for ponderous authority to give him its blessing.
The door flew open and Nancy rushed across the room and threw her arms around her brother's neck. 'Hugh! This really is a gathering of the clan!'
He held her away and studied her for several seconds.
`You are a lady now, well almost.' He raised his guard again. `We'll sail on the tide. I suggest you make your way to the harbour and hail a boat.' His tone hardened. `Don't fret, Mother, I have become very swift in matters of this sort. We shall have Christmas together if I have anything to say on it!'
As Bolitho closed the door to go to his room he heard his mother's voice.
`But why, Hugh? You were doing so well aboard your ship ! Everyone said your captain was pleased with your behaviour!'
Bolitho hesitated. Unwilling to eavesdrop, but needing to know what was happening.
Hugh replied shortly, `I left the Laertes and was offered this command. Avenger's not much, but she's mine. I can lend weight and authority to the revenue cutters and excisemen, and do much as I please. I have few regrets.'
`But why did you decide so?'
`Very well, Mother. It was a convenience, if you must know. I had a disagreement....'
Bolitho heard his mother sob and wanted to go to her.
He heard Hugh add, `A matter of honour.'
`Did you kill someone in a duel? Oh, Hugh, what will your father say?'
Hugh gave a short laugh. `No, I did not kill him. Just cut him a trifle.'
He must have taken her in his arms for the sobs were quieter and muffled.
`And Father will not know: Unless you tell him, eh?'
Dancer waited at the top of the stairs.