"Pope, Dudley - Ramage - Ramage and the Freebooters" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pope Dudley)

'So I'm given to understand, sir,' Ramage said stiffly.

'And obviously prepared to run risks herself by dancing with you.'

Ramage remained silent.

Spencer suddenly slapped the table and laughed.

'Ramage, my boy, every other lieutenant in the Navy List would give ten years of his life to sit where you sit now with the First Lord. At every opportunity they'd say "Yes, my Lord", "No, my Lord". They'd laugh at my poorest jokes. They'd agree with everything I said. They certainly wouldn't sulk, because they know one word from me would put them on the beach for the rest of their lives.'

'Quite, my Lord.'

Every word was true and Ramage knew it; he was sulking like a schoolboy: like a child who kept crying long after he'd forgotten what caused the tears.

'There's a slight difference in my case, my Lord.'

'And that is ... ?'

'Since I knew before I came into this room I was going to be put on the beach for losing the Kathleen, sir, I've nothing to lose--or gain--by laughing, saying yes or saying no.'

Even as he spoke he regretted the words: they were--discipline apart--unnecessarily offensive to a man who was clearly trying to do in the kindest, most tactful way, whatever the Board had decided. And Ramage suddenly realized he'd misunderstood Spencer's earlier remark about the great and the shameful decisions made in this room. The Board must have outvoted Spencer, who'd probably spoken up for him Spencer had been giving him advance warning, not apologizing for the orders given years ago to his father.

Yet the First Lord said nothing in reply to his outburst; no anger showed in his face; instead it was bland. He looked down and opened the drawer again, bringing out several flat packets, all sealed with red wax. He sorted them out and slid them along the table towards Ramage.

'Read out the superscriptions.'

'Rear Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, K.B., off Brest...Admiral the Earl St Vincent, off Cadiz... Rear Admiral Henry Robinson, Windward Islands Station... Lieutenant the Lord Ramage, Blazey House, Palace Street, London... Lieutenant the Lord Ramage, Blazey House, Palace Street, London...'

Ramage glanced up to see Spencer's sardonic smile.

'You can open those addressed to you. Here------' he pushed across the silver paper-knife.

Nervously Ramage slit open the first He recognized the once-folded piece of parchment and his eyes immediately picked out the relevant word--'Lieutenant the Lord Ramage ... His Majesty's brig Triton... willing and requiring you forthwith to go on board and take upon you the charge and command of captain in her... Hereof, nor you nor any of you may fail as you will answer to the contrary at your peril...' It was signed, 'Spencer, Arden, Jas. Gambier'-- three of the Lords Commissioners.

His commission! And what a command--a brig! Triton, Triton... ? He searched his memory.

'Ten guns, two years old, fresh out of the dockyard after a refit,' Spencer said.

'Thank you, sir,' Ramage said humbly, holding up the commission. 'I didn't expect quite...'

'I know. Keep your gratitude for a moment: you've another letter to read.'

Unpleasant orders, no doubt He broke the seal and unfolded the paper.

By the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom & Ireland

Whereas by our Commission bearing date this day we have appointed your Lordship to the command of His Majesty's brig Triton, you are hereby required and directed to proceed without loss of time in His Majesty's brig Triton under your command to Rendezvous Number Five off Brest and deliver to Admiral Sir Roger Curtis the packet with which you have already been entrusted. You will men, without loss of time, proceed to Rendezvous Number Eleven, off Cape St Vincent and having ascertained from whichever frigate is stationed there, the posi tion of the squadron under the command of Admiral the Earl of St Vincent, you are to deliver to His Lordship the packet which has already been delivered to you, taking particular care that neither you nor any of your ships company shall inform any other person or persons in Lord St Vincent's squadron of the state of affairs at Spithead.

Upon reporting to His Lordship, you will answer any questions put to you by His Lordship as freely and truthfully as is within your power.