For My Country's Freedom Read Online Free Page A

looked into the fire. “It happened after Golden Plover was reported lost. Zenoria was here and, like you, she awakened in the night. Adam was a boy again, crying his heart out because he thought you and I were dead. Val was thought missing as well.” He shook his head. “What a lot that damnable vessel has to answer for!”
    â€œWe were together, dearest of men . . .”
    â€œI know. I think of it often.”
    She asked, “Did he tell you everything?”
    Bolitho nodded slowly. “They were lovers, perhaps even in love. But when the news broke that we had been rescued by Larne the deed was already done. I do not know how Zenoria feels about it—she has a good husband and a child now. It was an act of need, not madness or deceit.” He looked at her squarely and touched her hair with great care. “But Adam is in love with her. It is a secret he must keep, and so must she.”
    â€œI am so glad he told you. You of all people mean so much to him.”
    â€œThere is a letter.”
    She tensed as he continued. “In despair he wrote to her. Last year sometime. That will be the test. We must wait and hope.”
    Catherine picked up the goblet. It was quite hot from the fire. She felt him watching her as she swallowed some cognac. “When will you know, Richard, about London?”
    He sounded almost relieved to change the subject. “Their lordships seem very considerate about it.”
    Catherine drank more cognac and felt it burning on her lips. There was more to come.
    She asked, “Sir James Hamett-Parker has gone, I believe?”
    He nodded. “Oblivion. There is another in his place. Admiral Sir Graham Bethune. He should do well.”
    She turned to face him. “You have often said that the navy is like a family. But you have not mentioned him before.”
    â€œIt was a long time ago. I lost account of him. A good deal younger than Hamett-Parker, which will be a change for the better.”
    She asked softly, “Younger than you, Richard?”
    Bolitho replied, “He was a midshipman when I got my first command, in Sparrow, as a matter of fact.” He seemed to consider her question. “Yes, he is younger. About four years, I would think.” He looked at her steadily and she guessed if it were light enough he would have the same expression as Adam when he spoke of his Anemone, the defiance and the pride. “I was only twenty-two when I took command. That was in Antigua as well.”
    â€œIt does not seem right that he should be able to give you orders.”
    He smiled. “My tiger again! The navy works in strange ways. Luck, patronage, fate determine seniority, not always ability. Remember that Our Nel was ten years younger than Collingwood at Trafalgar, but they were still good friends.”
    He took her hands and they stood up together.
    Bolitho said, “To bed now, or my girl will curse me in the morning!”
    She glanced down at the rug. Where it must have happened. It was easy to imagine Adam’s feelings when he had been in this room.
    She answered quietly, “Not a girl any more, darling Richard. I am a woman now, with all a woman’s passions. Hates too, when necessary.”
    They walked arm-in-arm to the stairs. The solitary candle had gone out and the grey-eyed rear-admiral was in darkness.
    They paused on the stairs and listened to the house, the creaks and tiny sounds which gave it life.
    Bolitho said, “They will offer me a new appointment, another flagship. I shall meet you in London. First I shall need to go to Plymouth.”
    She watched him. It never failed to surprise her that he could think of so many things at once.
    â€œI would not wish to involve you, Kate, or let anybody think he was being manipulated.”
    â€œYou are going to see James Tyacke.”
    â€œYes. I cannot bear to be parted from you. Every hour is precious now.”
    Tyacke came to her mind as vividly as if he