Quarterdeck

by David O'Neil

  The arrival and securing of the Santo António in St Katherine’s dock was greeted by the Portuguese Ambassador and a company of Grenadier Guards with two huge wagons.

  HMS Vixen was anchored in the tideway, while Martin was rowed ashore with Peters, his servant.

  With Captain Ramos in tow, Martin had a carriage take them to the Admiralty, where he handed over the documents from Admiral Hardy along with his own reports.

  The arrival of the two captains caused a stir in the reception area. It was not so surprising Martin thought. He was an Admiral’s son. He remembered how he had been made to wait on his first visit as a lieutenant, until Nelson had walked in, that was.

  The captains were ushered directly into the conference room and wine was produced while they waited the arrival of Admiral Bowers.

  “My first visit here was a little different.” Martin commented. He told Ramos of that occasion.

  Antonio Ramos was beginning to understand who this man really was. Friend of Admiral Nelson, adoptive son of Admiral Bowers, Baronet, and Post Captain and, perhaps thirty years old. His musings were interrupted by the arrival of Admirals Bowers, and Cornwallis.

  Charles Bowers, his still abundant but now grey, hair was tied back. Cornwallis wore a wig. Charles greeted Martin with great affection and Ramos noted that the reputedly impassive Cornwallis seemed more than polite, showing friendliness that seemed genuine.

  The four men seated themselves around the table and discussed the reports sent by Hardy.

  At the end of the discussion Cornwallis drew Captain Ramos to one side. “Captain, a word, please!” Bowers and Martin were gazing through the window discussing their family, now the official part of the meeting was over.

  Admiral Cornwallis had been a friend of Nelson and was well respected by the men under his command who named him Billy Blue. He regarded Antonio Ramos keenly. “

  “Sir, I have to inform you that your action in bringing the silver to this country has upset many influential people.” He held his hand up to stop the Captain speaking. “I have no problem with your action which I regard as correct assessment of the situation and the right thing to do. We are all aware that the silver would have been lost to Portugal if it had been placed in the treasury in Lisbon. The Ambassador here has removed you from your command, and your ship had been detained until further notice.” He stopped, noting the dismay on the Captains face.

  “I understand you will be staying with Sir Martin. Please do not worry too much. Your crew will be accommodated. I expect to be in touch over the next few days, possibly with news and a suggestion.” He patted the Portuguese Captain on the shoulder and turned to call the others to join him for lunch.

  ***

  HMS Vixen moved down river to moor at Chatham. On the face of it the rigging was being checked and refurbished. All the small maintenance jobs that needed doing, were done, and a certain amount of shore time was managed for officers and crew alike. The business of the prize money for the frigate Caprice was speculated upon and, when it was established that the ship would benefit from it, a celebration was organised.

  For Martin, the time spent with Jennifer and little Jane was a relief after the extended period of absence. Lady Isabella, wife of Lady Jane’s brother, Giles, had now given birth to their first child, and seeing young Jane mothering the one-year-old William was a delight all the family shared.

  Antonio Ramos thought he would feel out of things at Martin’s home, but his worries were soon allayed by the reception he received from both Jennifer, and Lady Jane, who was a regular visitor. His bachelor status established, the ladies immediately set about finding suitable partners to make up the company, and keep the Captain entertained.

  The Portuguese Ambassador was recalled to Lisbon, and the Charge d’affaires placed temporarily in charge. His first action was to release the Santo António from her place in the dock and allow her to be surveyed at Chatham. The alliance between Britain and Portugal had already been formalised by Parliament.

  Unfortunately the ship was condemned by the dockyard though a considerable allowance was offered against her scrap value. In a gesture of goodwill the repaired and refitted prize Caprice was offered to replace the Santo António, suitably renamed Sao Paulo. The, now refitted, forty gun frigate was formally handed over to Captain Ramos, as the flagship of the Free-Portuguese Navy. His formal promotion to Commodore was almost an anti-climax. The ladies of the Forest-Bowers family would not let it go unremarked and a reception in his honour was given.

  Captain Giles Masters, brother to Lady Jane, and close friend of Martin returned, looking ill, from his West Indies posting. He was placed firmly in the hands of the ladies. Their avowed purpose was to return him to full health in the shortest possible time. This process was interrupted by the party but threatened to be resumed as soon as it was over.

  The entire garden in the square opposite the two houses of the Admiral and Martin was taken over with a marquee, for the occasion, and invitations, to what appeared to Martin to be the entire population of London and included the Royal family, were issued.

  The orchestra from the Opera House was to provide the music, and an army of servants recruited to attend to the guests.

  Thankfully the weather co-operated. The new Commodore was launched in style and to the delight of the female element the meeting between the new Commodore and the Comtesse de Chartres struck sparks immediately. Jennifer, seeing the two together, nodded thoughtfully. Martin was disappointed at the attitude of both Alouette and Antonio having hoped there could be an agreeable outcome from the meeting between his two friends.

  He mentioned it to Jennifer, who smiled and said “Wait and see.”

  He wondered if he had missed something. Then shrugged in exasperation.

  Martin was long past any embarrassment about his former association with Alouette. She had always been completely open with him about the convenience of the friendship that had grown between them. Neither regretted their intimacy. Both were happy with the deep firm friendship that now existed between them. If Jennifer ever suspected anything, it was never voiced. She was confident enough of Martin’s love and had accepted the friendship, based on shared danger, without question.

  Admiral Cornwallis was unmarried, and happily so. Hostesses made a point of arranging suitable ladies to partner him at soirees and events. Sadly for the ladies, he did he did not form an association with any of them. At the reception for the new Commodore he took Ramos to one side. “I will be ready with orders in three days’ time. Sir Martin has been advised and will be joining us at the Admiralty. I suggest you make no plans for social events beyond the end of this month. So, sir, you have three weeks to make whatever arrangements you have to make. Congratulations on your promotion, Commodore.” He shook Ramos by the hand and moved on to speak with some of the other guests.

  Ramos sought out Martin and mentioned the Admiral’s comments.

  Martin smiled. “It’s typical of the man. He does employ the personal touch rather than issuing orders. We meet to discuss our orders in three days. Enjoy yourself, Antonio, and, concerning the Comtesse, she will come round when she gets to know you better I am sure.” He tapped the side of his nose reflectively his eyes searching the crowd. “Come, Antonio. There is the lady now. Let us see if we can smooth things a little.” Without waiting he ploughed through the throng to the lady in question. She turned to the two men, relieved to get away from the man who was pestering her.

  “Martin, how timely. And you, Antonio, what a coincidence. I was just thinking of you.”

  Startled, Antonio reacted. “And I was thinking of you,” he said, as he bowed over Alouette’s extended hand, kissing it, rather than brushing past it as many did.

  Martin said, “We were looking for you to let you know what was happening.” He lifted his arm and she slipped hers through his, before seeking and finding Antonio’s on her other side. Together the three people slipped out of the crowd and into Martin’s house, where they found a f
ew moments peace in his study.

  Alouette, as always, knew when to be direct. “Right, gentlemen. What is this all about?”

  Martin said, “Excuse me, my dear. Antonio, I’ll have to leave it to Antonio to tell you the news.” Ignoring the dismayed look on Antonio’s face, he slipped out of the room leaving them on their own.

  Uncomfortably, Antonio sought for words to explain why he should be attempting to explain his future movements to someone who had displayed a complete lack of interest in him.

  Alouette let him suffer for a few moments before rescuing him. “I have known Martin for many years. He has on several occasions saved my life, and I have saved his on at least two. I have the utmost confidence in his judgement, so I would suggest it would be in both our interests to be seated and forget, how can I put it, the frisson of friction we created upon our first meeting.”

  Astonished, Antonio studied the beautiful woman before him. Then he said quietly, “Comtesse, I apologi….”

  Her fingers touched his lips. “Please, it is past. We meet now, this instant, for the first time. Do we not?” The small smile that accompanied these words took his breath away.

  When the door finally opened Antonio ushered Alouette through the door, and, meeting Martin’s eye, nodded slightly.

  As they returned to the main party outside, Alouette whispered to Martin, “We are now friends. Do you feel better?”

  Martin looked innocent, aggrieved, and happy in turn. “I’ll tell Jennifer.”

  “I will tell her myself, if you don’t mind!” She was smiling broadly at the time. It took the sting from her words, so he knew he was forgiven. He looked at Antonio. The man looked wary but there was a small smile on his face.

  Alouette spotted Jennifer and made off to see her . Martin, smiling, said to Antonio, “What happened to you?”

  Antonio shook himself. “I was struck dumb. When you left the room, I could not think of any words. I blurted out, ‘I have to go away at the end of the month’.

  She said, ‘What are you trying to say to me?’

  He went silent, thinking for a moment, “I believe that lady just proposed to me?”

  “What did you say?” Martin was confused and intrigued.

  Antonio continued, “I believe I said ‘yes’. Because when I could not think of the words, she said ‘Are you saying that we only have three weeks to make any arrangements between us?’ I must have nodded.

  She then said. ‘Are we talking about betrothal and eventual marriage?’ I do not know what made me say it, but I said ‘yes’!”

  Martin said with a smile, “That sounds about right. Tomorrow we must search for and find a ring to seal the betrothal. What do you say?”

  His bemused colleague nodded, then grinned. He seemed to have snapped out of his trance. “Definitely, tomorrow we will go shopping.”

  When Martin got together with Jennifer later, she took his arm and held him close. Whispering, she said, “You rogue, you! You planned the whole thing.”

  Martin laughed briefly. “I started matters. But it was Alouette that finished them. Are you pleased?”

  “You know I’m delighted. They are both such nice people. They deserve each other. Mother is happy too. She plans to announce matters officially in the Gazette this week.”

  The events following the party developed in a relaxed manner for the period of Martin’s sojourn in England.

  The Comtesse was becoming a regular guest in the Knightsbridge house. It had been where Antonio and Alouette first met, and the acceptance of their friendship had been greeted with pleasure by their friends. When they finally announced their future plans, it was already an open secret.”

  ***

  Three days after the party Martin and Antonio had presented themselves at the Admiralty and were quickly ushered into the presence of Admirals Cornwallis and Bowers.

  Greetings over, Charles Bowers had then turned to Commodore Ramos. “What do you know about the gold shipment from Brazil?”

  Antonio looked up in surprise. “Why do you ask sir?”

  Cornwallis interceded. “Your Ambassador mentioned the possibility that the French might attempt to intercept the annual shipment. He did say that you would know from where it would be shipped. I understand they change the port of origin every year and that you are aware of the port for this year. Admiral Campos was the only other person who knew?”

  Antonio nodded. “That is true, and the Admiral had no way to tell anyone else. He died the day I informed him. The arrangement was made at the time I collected the silver shipment. The Admiral was busy with a lady at the time and actually had to rush to catch the ship when I departed Salvador with the silver. His place on my ship was not anticipated.

  “If you consider collecting the gold we would have to depart by the end of the….month.” He grinned, “I did not think. Of course you wish me to collect the gold shipment. But my new ship will not be big enough?”

  Charles Bowers said, “We thought perhaps two frigates might manage?”

  Ramos considered for a few moments. Then, nodding slowly, “If we replaced the ballast, I think it is possible.” He said slowly, “The silver is already here. In the past the treasure fleet was loaded with gold, silver and precious stones, and depended on a war fleet to protect it. In recent years the treasure has been split among different ships, protected by secrecy rather than brute force. The problem is that the value is still so huge, temptation drives people to betrayal.”

  Martin joined the conversation. “With the current French invasion, although it takes time for the news to travel, should we not worry about the gold actually getting to the port of departure wherever it may be? This is a time for the opportunist to step in, and with such a prize at stake?” He left the question in the air. All present realised the inference.

  Cornwallis spoke. “We can only try! Commodore, I suggest the ships sail under the command of Sir Martin, and when you arrive at your destination, decide the action to take between you on the spot. We are not in a position to do more than guess at what you may encounter, therefore we have to depend on you to make the proper decisions at the time.

  “We will trust you to act as you see fit. If that is agreeable, I suggest we make no reference outside these walls to anyone, including the Ambassador. We have no reason to doubt the acting gentleman, unfortunately that may not apply to any replacement the Portuguese government may appoint.” He looked keenly at the two captains. “Are we agreed?”

  Both responded immediately. “Yes, sir.”

  ***

  As they left the Admiralty Martin said to Antonio, “I wish to go to Chatham and have the ballast cleared and restowed on Vixen. It will allow the carpenter to examine the hull and it can be installed in such a manner so as to make it easier to be replaced, if and when needed.”

  “My crew from Santo António are travelling to Portsmouth in two days. My first lieutenant Santos is already there. I will go and arrange for the ballast in the Sao Paulo to be removed and stowed as you suggest.”

  “We can go and join Lady Jane at Eastney while you make your arrangements, perhaps the Comtesse can join us for a few days. But first, my friend, have you done the shopping we planned at the party?”

  The puzzled look on Antonio’s face made Martin laugh. “Do you forget? You asked a lady to marry you three days ago, is your memory so short?”

  Antonio smiled and shook his head. “How could I forget such a thing? But I am afraid you are behind me my friend.”

  From the pocket of his uniform jacket, he produced a ring box, not new but old the velvet cover worn.

  Antonio passed it to Martin, gesturing for him to open it.

  Curiously, Martin lifted the lid. He gasped. The ring was an emerald surrounded by rubies. Not huge, but beautifully designed in a gold setting, It was obviously old.

  Antonio said, “Great Grandmother passed it down to Grandmother. She left it in turn to my mother, who left it me. I decided that it was the right thing for this occa
sion. If Alouette would rather have a different style ring, I will of course obtain one. Do you think she will like it?”

  Martin smiled having recovered from his surprise at the sight of the ring. Placing his hand on Antonio’s shoulder, he said with feeling, “I am certain Alouette will be delighted with such a beautiful personal ring.”

  “Then let us go and find out if what you say is true.” Antonio laughed and boarded the carriage that waited them.

  ***

  The activities over the next two days covered the visit to Chatham by Martin and arrangements for Jennifer and Alouette to visit Eastney. This was made simpler by the presence of Jane in London. The message dispatched to Eastney by mail coach ensured that the house was ready for the reception of the family, and guests.

  At the house while the ladies settled themselves, Martin and Antonio went to the docks to check on the Sao Paulo.

  Now repaired completely, and having been surveyed whilst being repaired, the ballast was still stacked on the dock. The final touches to the new copper sheathing still being applied. The arrangements for the parcelling of the ballast when it was reloaded were agreed with the dock master, and confirmed with Lieutenant Santos, who was arranging for the accommodation of the crew until the ship was returned to the water.

  During the next few days Martin was able to spend some time with Alouette alone. She confided that Mr. Smith had offered to defer handing over completely until the departure of Antonio on his next voyage. The matter of the wedding had of necessity been put off until the conclusion of the cruise which would commence at the end of the month. Martin noticed that the emerald ring was happily worn, and exhibited, attesting to the betrothal.

  ***

  Sadly, the time passed all too quickly. The re-launch of the Sao Paulo with her parcelled ballast signalled the approach of the day of departure.

  HMS Vixen sailed round to Portsmouth for final victualing, and to join with Sao Paulo for their joint departure.