“Captain, sir?”

Quietly spoken and almost lost in the creak and murmur of shipboard sounds, but Adam Bolitho was instantly awake. If he had managed to sleep at all. A few hours, three at the most since he had slumped into the old chair, to prepare himself and be ready.

The great cabin was still dark but for the same small, shuttered lantern burning.

He looked up into the face above his chair. The white collar patches seemed almost bright against the darkness. The midshipman removed his hand immediately; he must have touched his captain’s shoulder.

“The first lieutenant’s respects, sir.” He faltered as feet thudded across the deck overhead, slithering to a halt as a voice snapped a warning. Probably some of the newly joined men who had not realised the skylight was directly above this cabin.

He made another attempt. “He sent me, sir. The morning watch is mustered.”

He gazed fixedly at his captain as Adam swung his feet onto the deck and sat upright.

“Thank you.” Now he could see the moisture on the midshipman’s coat, reflecting the lantern light. “Still raining?” He had not even pulled off his shoes when he had come down here to be alone with his thoughts. He could feel Onward moving steadily beneath and around him, still sheltered by the land. Plymouth, but not for much longer.

The thought gave him time. “Have you settled into life aboard yet, Mr. Radcliffe?”

He sensed the boy’s surprise that he had remembered his name; he had only joined Onward a few days ago. His first ship, and such small details mattered. Today of all days.