"It was a long time ago. I lost account of him. A good deal younger than Hamett-Parker, which will be a change for the better."

She asked softly, "Younger than you, Richard?"

Bolitho replied, "He was a midshipman when I got my first command, in Sparrow, as a matter of fact." He seemed to consider her question. "Yes, he is younger. About four years, I would think." He looked at her steadily and she guessed if it were light enough he would have the same expression as Adam when he spoke of his Anemone, the defiance and the pride. "I was only twenty-two when I took command. That was in Antigua as well."

"It does not seem right that he should be able to give you orders."

He smiled. "My tiger again! The navy works in strange ways. Luck, patronage, fate determine seniority, not always ability. Remember that Our Nel was ten years younger than Collingwood at Trafalgar, but they were still good friends."

He took her hands and they stood up together.

Bolitho said, "To bed now, or my girl will curse me in the morning!"

She glanced down at the rug. Where it must have happened. It was easy to imagine Adam’s feelings when he had been in this room.

She answered quietly, "Not a girl any more, darling Richard. I am a woman now, with all a woman’s passions. Hates too, when necessary."

They walked arm-in-arm to the stairs. The solitary candle had gone out and the grey-eyed rear-admiral was in darkness.

They paused on the stairs and listened to the house, the creaks and tiny sounds which gave it life.

Bolitho said, "They will offer me a new appointment, another flagship. I shall meet you in London. First I shall need to go to Plymouth."

She watched him. It never failed to surprise her that he could think of so many things at once.

"I would not wish to involve you, Kate, or let anybody think he was being manipulated."