A Certain Threat (The Merriman Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free

the British army from Boston to New York in the spring of 1776.  That was sixteen years ago and the war with the colonies over these last nine years.
    Some of the portraits showed men in full wigs, laces and ribbons of a past age, some in the sober garb of Cromwell ’s soldiers, but there was no sailor until his grandfather.  Merriman suddenly realized that neither of his parents had as yet sat for a portrait painter and he resolved there and then to persuade them to do so.
    Here was his room just as he remembered it from his boyhood.  From the wind ow the glimpse of the sea off the estuary of the river Dee.  His model boats were still there by the bed, built to fight imaginary sea battles on the local duck pond, that imagination fed by the tales told by his old grandfather, of wild deeds and terrible gales, of fights with pirates and savages under tropical skies, until his mind could foresee no other future than to be a naval officer.
    When he returned downstairs he found the family gathered in the largest reception room of the house before a blazing l og fire.  Candles had been lit and the room was almost as bright as day.  His father was pouring claret into some long stemmed glasses and passing them round, even to young Matthew.  As they each sat or stood, holding their glasses he said “A toast to our returning hero, may he bring more honour to our name and end up as an admiral.”
    “ But Father, I’m no hero” protested Merriman.
    “ Not what I hear and read” retorted the elder Merriman, “We hear about it all eventually and I have the gazette posted to me regularly.  As far back as the Battle of the Saintes your mettle was quite clearly revealed in Admiral Rodney’s despatch when he commended your actions; in a footnote I know, but that you came to his attention did no harm to your career I can tell you, especially as you were still only a midshipman.”
    “ Yes to be sure, but that was years ago and since then there has been little activity to provide opportunity for promotion – the war with the American colonies is over. France is busy with the guillotine and the revolution, and Spain is-------”
    “ Oh we know all that,” his father interrupted, “But we heard about the brilliant action against the privateers off the Malabar coast.  Your captain was pleased enough with you to put you in the captured brig as prize-master and you were confirmed in command by the Admiral at the Cape of Good Hope before being sent back to England with despatches.  Besides, you have been fortunate to be employed when so many fine officers have been on the beach on half pay since peace was signed.”
    “ That’s as maybe, but that’s all I’ve been doing for the last four years, carrying despatches, little more than a messenger really, and since then I have lost my ship Conflict and many good men and disobeyed orders into the bargain.  If it had not turned out so well I could have been disgraced and sent home, the cripple that I am.” And he raised his bandaged left hand in emphasis.  “What career will I have now?”
    As if in unders tanding, Jack pressed against his leg and whined softly.
    His mother took his hand in hers and said gently, “ James, dear James, how bad is your hurt, you still have your hand and the use of your arm, that I can see.”
    “ Yes Mother, but it cannot grasp and hold anything with any strength and my arm has a piece out of it which prevents rapid movement; no, a bird with a broken wing I am and of no more use to the navy” he said bitterly.
    His brother, who had been making heroic efforts to contro l his impatience cried out, “There are many officers with a hand, an arm or even a leg missing, who continue in the navy, James, why not you?  And you have not yet told us what happened,-- was it cannon fire, a sword cut or did you ---------”
    “ All right I’ll give you the details, but I see that Annie is signalling that the meal is ready, so let us be about it for I