He remembered the studied coolness between Godschale and himself. The admiral had been a contemporary of his; they had even been posted together on the same date. There was no other similarity.

Bolitho was suddenly conscious of the distance between himself and Catherine. Godschale, like so many others, had tried to keep them apart, may even have plotted with Belinda to have Catherine dishonoured and lost in lies. But Bolitho doubted that. The admiral was too fond of his own power and comfort to risk a scandal.

Or was he? It was openly said that Godschale's next step was to the House of Lords. There might be others there who would wish to destroy them through Godschale.

Catherine's words rang in his ears. Don't you see what they are doing to us?

Perhaps this mission to the Cape was merely a beginning. To keep him employed without respite, knowing that he would never resign, no matter what they did.

He crossed to the rack and touched the old family sword, dull by contrast with the fine presentation blade below it. Other Bolithos had worn it, proved it, and sometimes had fallen with it still gripped in a dead hand. He could not see any of them giving up without a fight. The thought gave him comfort, and when Allday came into the cabin he saw him smiling, the first time for a long while.

Allday said, "The whole squadron will know about Lord Nelson by now, Sir Richard. It'll take the heart out of some." He gestured towards the nearest gunport as if he could already see the African mainland. "Not worth dyin' for, they'll say. Not like standing 'twixt the mounseers and England, clearin' the way like we did! "

Bolitho was moved beyond his own anxieties and said, "With old oaks like you about, they'll soon take heed! "

Allday gave his slow grin. "I'll wager two o' the cap'ns will have some grief afore long as well."