Cut and Run: The Fourth Book in the Fighting Sail Series Read Online Free Page B

entirely mine.”
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
     
           King pulled himself together and attempted to wipe the expression of horror and disgust from his face.
           “I'm sorry, sir. I just didn't expect…” His voice trailed away.
           “Apparently so, and yet you applied for a position in my ship, and I was good enough to accept you.”
           Still, King's mind refused to function. Yes, it was a Captain Rogers he had written to, and the signature had been clear enough on the letter of acceptance. Yet never in his most troubled nightmares had King connected a senior naval officer in a respected merchant service with the incompetent buffoon standing in front of him now. Rogers was second lieutenant in Vigilant , where his bullying ways caused no end of friction, both in the wardroom, and throughout the ship. The man had proved to be impossible to work with, and yet here he was, not only in front of King, but apparently his commanding officer.
           Captain Rogers turned to the two men who now joined him on the gangboard. “Mr King here was an officer in Vigilant ; I have told you of my time with her, I believe?”
           “Indeed,” the first spoke. He was probably mid-twenties, short, with greasy black hair and sallow skin that was pockmarked with old chickenpox scars. “A gallant action, sir.”
           “Willis, my chief officer,” Rogers gave an offhand nod to the
    man who stepped forward to shake King's hand. “Mr King has joined us as midshipman,” the captain continued.
           King's jaw dropped. “Sir, I have passed my board; I was made lieutenant in my last ship.”
           Rogers showed little surprise or emotion. “Indeed? Then, I wish you joy of your commission, but you will be rated as midshipman aboard Pevensey Castle .”
           “That was not the agreement, sir.” The last word was added hurriedly, and there was a noticeable stiffening from the two at Rogers’s side as King continued. “I was at East India House, I have been sworn in, as…as an officer of the Company.”
           “I do not doubt it.” The captain studied him for a while, as if wishing to remember the moment for always. “And the agreement, sir,” he continued with emphasis, “was for you to join as an officer of this ship; that is what you committed to, that is what I accepted. No mention was made of actual rank, however.”
           King knew that his face was glowing red, but Rogers left him no room to speak.
           “If your work meets my exacting standards you might act as sixth mate, but midshipman is your station, and be glad of it. You will find it a slightly different role to that of the Navy; but then many things are, aboard an Indiaman.” He glanced at the two officers and received knowing, worldly looks in return. “Besides, I could not appoint you as mate, with so little knowledge of the service.” King wondered how much experience Rogers claimed. “It would be wrong, and totally contrary to Company rules.”
           “How so?” It was Kate's voice. She had been watching with interest and now stared hard at Rogers who looked appraisingly back at her.
           “Beg pardon, madam; I do not believe we have been introduced.”
           “Katharine Manning,” King began, but she continued for him.
           “I am to assist the purser.”
           “Then, as your captain, you will address me as sir!” Rogers’s roar was powerful, although the only reaction it elicited from Kate was to bring a slight reddening to her cheeks.
           “I said, I was appointed, sir,” she spoke clearly. “But I fear it is not to be. From this brief exposure, I can say that I should rather serve as a lily white in hell than stay a moment longer in a ship where you have command.”
           “Is that so?” he looked from one to the other. “Well, ain't that a fine welcome to a