Bolitho had been adamant. "A ship of war is no place for a lady, my lord. Although I am sure Lady Catherine would accept without hesitation."

Godschale had mopped his face. "I will arrange it. A fast packet under Admiralty warrant. You are a damned difficult fellow to deal with, Sir Richard. What people will say when they discover-"

"We shall simply have to ensure they do not, my lord."

When he had told Catherine she had been surprisingly excited about it.

"To be there with you, dearest of men, instead of reading of your exploits in the Gazette, to be part of it all… I ask for nothing more."

The door opened and the servant peered in at them. "I beg your pardon, Sir Richard, but it is reported that your barge has just left Black Prince."

Bolitho nodded and remarked to Jenour, "I'll wager Captain Keen will be surprised to find that I am not staying aboard."

Jenour followed him from the snug shelter of the senior officers' waiting room.

He knew that Keen cared for Bolitho as much as he did himself. Would he leave Black Prince in exchange for some obscure position in Cape Town as captain in command of all local patrols? It would mean a broad-pendant, and the real possibility of promotion to rear admiral after that, if everything went well. But it would also mean leaving his bride behind so soon after their marriage, as well as severing his close links with the man who was even now standing at the top of the dripping stairs, peering across the tossing array of whitecaps.

I am fortunate that the choice is not mine. Not yet, in any case…

Bolitho pulled his boat-cloak around his body and watched the green-painted barge pulling lustily across the choppy water, the oars rising and falling as one, the bargemen very smart in their checkered shirts and tarred hats. Keen's coxswain would be in charge today, and Bolitho was suddenly uneasy, knowing that Allday would not be there.