Debt of Dishonour Book I: The Admiral's Request

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Part V

The noise of wind and icy rain once more striking forlornly against the window panes did not disturb the figures slumbering contentedly in the large canopied bed in Edward Pellew's bedchamber. In the centre, Edward slept with this head on Horatio's shoulder, their arms and limbs entwined. Against his back, Archie slept close, a leg thrown carelessly between the other's spread ones, an arm around his waist, his groin nestled comfortingly against Edward's warm buttocks. However, as the clock on the mantle softly struck once to indicate thirty minutes after midnight, all three were awoken, not by the gentle chime of the clock but by the sound of multiple horses hooves and carriage wheels approaching rapidly on the gravel drive.

Edward managed to extricate himself from the other two and leaned over to strike a match and light a lamp, glancing at the clock as he turned it up. "Good God! So Mr Stansford decided to pay us a visit after all!" he muttered. "Still, better late than never. Come, come, you two, get up. We have a visitor."

Archie, too, glanced at the clock. "At this hour?" he queried in disbelief.

"Quite so. Now hasten into your uniforms," Edward ordered, already more than half dressed himself as the muffled sound of the doorbell ringing downstairs fell on their ears.

As he quickly tied his hair back, Mrs Kelly knocked on the door, silver salver in hand.

"Sir, we have a visitor, and at such an hour!" she complained, most put out. "It's a Mr Stansford, and he's got servants with him and it's pourin' outside, sir."

"Show Mr Stansford into the drawing room if you would, Mrs Kelly. Better get the servants under shelter as well. Oh, and be so good as to ask cook if he would prepare hot drinks for all."

The woman shook her head in exasperation. "Aye, sir," she muttered, closing the door behind her as the other two emerged from the bed's golden canopy, already dressed except for their shoes which they proceeded to put on. Once their hair was dealt with and Edward had inspected their appearance, and they his, to mutual satisfaction, they emerged to descend the stairs in calm and dignified demeanor.

Stansford, a few wet drops on his otherwise immaculate clothing was watching Mrs Kelly attend to the fire in the drawing room.

"Mr. Stansford, sir, I am most pleased to see you!" Edward greeted. "However, I had not thought to see you at this hour, and in this weather."

"Sir Edward, please forgive my tardiness. The wretched axle was finally delivered but took forever to fit. Believe me, sir, I would not have come at all considering the lateness of the hour but for your importuning me. So here I am!" he smiled, bowing low, the corners of his mouth turning up as his graceful hands made an expansive gesture encompassing all in the room. "Now tell me what it is that is so vitally important for the weather is worsening, time is growing short and I should really be on my way."

"The matter is of the utmost delicacy, sir. But come, let us be comfortable."

As the four men seated themselves Mrs Kelly arrived carrying a large tray with four cups of steaming hot chocolate and a plate of warm, buttered muffins, apologising that it was all cook could manage at such short notice. Edward thanked her and she beamed and left the room.

"Oh, a veritable feast!" Stansford enthused, biting into a muffin and wiping his fingers on a napkin.

Edward sipped at his hot chocolate.

"Mr Stansford, this matter concerns my officers, Mr Hornblower and Mr Kennedy, with whom I believe you are already acquainted."

Stansford was curious and now on his guard, wondering if he had made a grave error of judgement in coming here at this hour when he should have been on his way home. The man did seem most protective of his two officers. Almost too protective, he mused, wondering if there was more here than met the eye.

"Why indeed I am!" He smiled at Archie and Horatio. "And a most pleasant meeting it was!" he added.

"Sir, it is of that meeting that we must speak."

Stansford took a deep breath. "I see. Tell me, Sir Edward, what do you know of my meeting with your officers?"

Edward gave the faintest of smiles. "Enough, sir, I can assure you."

Stansford glanced at the other two, who glanced back at him, smiling faintly. It seemed apparent that they had quite a close relationship with their commanding officer and had confided in him.

"Then you know that a merry time was had by all and there is an end to the matter!" he declared in somewhat haughty manner, picking up his gloves from where he had placed them on the lounge beside him preparatory to departing.

"If only it was, my dear sir. If only it was!" Edward lamented.

"My good Commodore, if your two officers happened to be all of three-and-ten years of age and I had willfully violated their persons then I could understand your attitude. As it is, I am at a total loss for your officers are full grown - much though I may call them boys - and well able to take care of themselves. Whatever you may have heard by way of ugly rumour, I can assure you that your officers are quite safe and I pose no threat to them, or their future careers. Indeed as I am financially secure I am no threat to anyone, sir, as I have no need of blackmail which indeed I find a most repugnant practice. In point of fact, much though it grieves me to say it, I am hardly likely to ever even see these fine, young men again. Now if that is the only reason you required my presence in your home then I really must be on my way." Gloves in hand, he rose to his feet.

"Sir, if you would allow me to explain..."

"What is there to explain?" Stansford interjected. "Your officers were willing. More than willing, I should say most enthusiastic! I was willing. Even Briggs was willing, and I would never have thought the old dog had it in him! Still, no harm done."

"On the contrary, sir, great harm was done," Edward stated quietly.

Stansford seemed quite taken aback. "But what possible harm could that be, sir? Admiral Briggs explained that your officers visited him regularly and he'd invited them especially to drop by yesterday morning as he thought I would enjoy their company..." he smiled at Archie and Horatio, the lamplight casting gold flecks in his large, grey eyes, "... and I did so enjoy our little morning frolic."

"Admiral Briggs said... that we were regular visitors?" Horatio queried.

"Oh, yes! And what good sports you were."

All three officers appeared incredulous.

Stansford noted their expressions. "You... You mean that... that this is not true?"

Horatio and Archie shook their heads. "We had never met the Admiral before yesterday morning," Archie replied.

Stansford appeared genuinely astounded. "But this... this is ridiculous, though I must confess a frisson of suspicion did cross my mind during dinner when it became clear that you were both from Sir Edward's ship. I mean I wondered, in that event, how you had managed to pay regular visits to the Admiral since you would surely spend much of your time at sea. But why then would Briggs lie to me? And why...?" he trailed off. As Edward rose to pour the man a whiskey Stansford continued. "Do you mean to tell me that you were... less than willing?"

To Horatio and Archie the man seemed almost ill at the very thought as they shook their heads.

Edward watched as Stansford took a delicate sip of whiskey, savoured its sharp aroma, and promptly took two more sips as the colour seemed to drain from his face.

"My good sirs, if you were unwilling, whatever possessed you to...?" He trailed off, unable to give voice to his thoughts. "Surely you were not coerced, or forced in some way?"

"Mr Stansford, yesterday morning Lieutenant Kennedy and myself paid an unauthorised visit to the Admiral to request a favour. Before he would grant our request Admiral Briggs said that we must please his guest, and if we did, then all would be well."

Stansford appeared puzzled. "But why could you not ask your good Commodore here?"

"Because I could not help them, sir, for time was of the essence."

Stansford appeared even more puzzled. "My good sirs, will one of you kindly explain just what is going on here?"

"Mr Stansford," Archie began, "what is going on here began with a change of orders from the Admiralty and we - that is, Lieutenant Hornblower and myself - were transferred to 'Renown'. Only another Admiral could rescind those orders."

"Even I was not consulted, sir," Edward added.

Stansford briefly glanced at Edward before turning back to the younger officers. "I see. And you did not wish to go to sea on 'Renown', so you went to consult Admiral Briggs that morning."

"Essentially yes," Horatio replied.

"My good sirs, I am not well versed in naval etiquette but surely that is somewhat unusual? Should it not have been your esteemed Commodore here who paid a call on the Admiral?"

"Indeed, you are quite right, sir," Archie continued, "but there was no time. 'Renown' was departing that very morning and Commodore Pellew had no way of knowing that Admiral Briggs was in town. We only found out ourselves quite by accident."

Stansford now appeared most interested. "And decided to take your chances?" Both men nodded. "Was that not somewhat risky?" Again they nodded. "Were you both then so desperate to remove yourselves from 'Renown'?" Stansford queried.

"Indeed we were, sir," Horatio answered. "So we took a chance and, largely thanks to you, fortune was in our favour."

"Indeed, sir, were it not for your presence, I have no doubt that the Admiral would not even have seen us, let alone granted our request," Archie added.

Stansford appeared astounded. "But this is extraordinary! Such a tale I have never heard! And you say that *my* presence was responsible for your success?"

"Indeed it was, sir," Horatio replied.

"I recall that you arrived at the same time as myself and I could not help but..." he glanced at Edward, "...forgive me, Sir Edward..." he turned back to Archie and Horatio, "I could not help but notice your beauty as I passed you at the entrance."

"May I ask, sir, what you said to Admiral Briggs about us?" Horatio queried.

Stansford smiled, almost a little self-consciously. "As the gentleman greeted me, I informed him that there were two pretty, young officers outside requesting an audience, and he agreed to see you."

"So he knew immediately that you were attracted to my officers and proceeded to take full advantage of the situation," Edward mused. "So you see, my good sir, you were both their salvation and their damnation."

Stansford appeared outraged. "Their damnation? Why this is outrageous, sir! As I have already stated, I would never - and I repeat never - seek to harm them in any way, now or in the future. Now, if the only reason you invited me to your home was to insult me then it's past time I was on my way." He rose from his seat.

Edward immediately sought to calm him.

"My dear sir, I have no doubt that you intend no harm to my officers, as I also have no doubt that you are a man of honour or I would not have asked you to visit my house this night."

"Very well. I shall give you five more minutes of my precious time and then I really must leave." Stansford resumed his seat, taking another sip of whiskey.

"Tell me, Mr Kennedy," he gazed at Archie, "if you two were so desperate to remove your persons from 'Renown', then there must have been a compelling reason." His grey all-seeing eyes roamed from one to the other.

"Indeed, sir," Archie responded. "The captain was a tyrant and a despot."

Stansford seemed sceptical. "And was that the *only* reason?"

"The only one that matters at this point, sir," Edward responded.

"Indeed, Sir Edward?" Stansford's penetrating gaze travelled to the other two as he wondered if they might perhaps be house guests of their commanding officer.

"We wished to return to 'Indefatigable', not voyage to the West Indies."

"The West Indies? Huh! Well I can quite understand for I have no desire to journey there myself!" Stansford muttered. "But surely when your voyage was over there was the possibility for you to return to your current ship?" he queried.

"Not necessarily, sir. 'Indefatigable' may not have been in port and we may have been posted to some other ship."

Stansford appeared sceptical. "My dear sirs, I can not help but feel that there is more to this."

"Indeed, sir, there is," Edward stated quietly.

In silence, he rose to stand before Stansford, his stance straight, almost at attention. In silence, his officers joined him.

Faced with such an extraordinary show of strength and determination, Stansford was momentarily taken aback. Although they were not touching, the three officers stood close, their very unity a statement clearly proclaimed. An astute and highly intuitive man, Stansford now understood that the men who stood proudly before him shared a close and most intimate relationship in every sense.

It was Edward who broke the silence.

"Mr Stansford, I trust that with your own knowledge of horrendous scandal, my officers, and indeed myself, shall not experience the same."

Stansford stood to face them.

"You may count on it, gentle sirs," he murmured in all sincerity.

"I was sure that I could count on you, sir."

Stansford smiled in that charming way he had. "Always, my good sir. Though I confess that I would not blame you if you demanded satisfaction."

Edward returned the smile. "I do not believe in duelling, sir. A thorough waste of good men. Besides, I understand that my officers were not physically harmed."

"I should say not!" He turned to Archie. "And I can assure you, sir," Stansford continued, "that I do not have the pox!"

Edward was hard pressed to keep a straight face, both at the man's bald-faced statement and at the delightful pink blush on Archie's cheeks.

"I am very relieved to hear it, sir."

Stansford gave a small bow and they sat down once more.

"So how am I your officers' 'damnation'?" he continued. "And I trust that you are not about to state that I 'led them into sin', for they showed themselves to be well experienced," he glanced sideways at them, "did you not?" It was Horatio's turn to blush.

"Admiral Briggs has threatened to go to the Admiralty and accuse my officers of a heinous act unless they follow his orders."

"Briggs? I can not believe it! What orders?"

"My officers are to journey to your fine abbey, sir, and to... shall I say, obey your every whim, as well as his," he added.

Stansford was utterly astounded. "My good sir, I can not believe this! I invited your fine officers, and your good self, to my home as I believed that you would enjoy the experience. If I believed that for one moment you would be coerced into coming... Why this is monstrous! Surely this can not be true!" His voice was almost plaintive, his eyes searching theirs for any indication that this was all some kind of cruel hoax.

"Sadly, sir, I speak the truth," Edward murmured into the silence.

Stansford appeared to believe him. "Very well. However, if what you say is true, I will not stand for it. I shall go to Briggs right now and tell him what I think of his despicable behaviour!"

"No, my dear sir, you must not, for then he will know that I have spoken to you and will immediately transfer my officers."

Stansford shook his head. "Transfer them! Oh, but this is outrageous! I will not be used as... as an object of blackmail!" he almost stuttered in his indignation.

"Sir, I had hoped, and trusted, that you would feel that way and am most gratified to find that you are a man of good character."

Stansford again bowed to him. "Always, my good sir. But what would you have of me?"

"Admiral Briggs will not listen to reason. I even offered him a bribe, to no avail. He is bound and determined that my officers should 'please' you."

"How much did you offer him, Edward?" Horatio asked.

"Yes, I am most curious myself," Stansford added.

"As am I," Archie chimed in.

"Up to ten thousand pounds," Edward reluctantly admitted.

"Ten thousand?" Stansford muttered. "And he turned it down?"

"Indeed he did, sir, and since I happen to know that his own income is merely a base admiral's wages for he has no income from prize ships, I find it quite extraordinary that he should have turned down my offer. From what I understand he apparently lives quite extravagantly and gambles away much of his income."

Stansford seemed somewhat taken aback by this information. "I see. I was not aware of this. I must... give it some thought."

"Sir, if I may be so bold, a man of your talents and interests would seem to have little in common with a man such as Admiral Briggs," Edward continued.

"Indeed, you are most astute, sir. Our relationship is strictly a business one."

"I see. You will forgive my bluntness, sir, but I must inquire the nature of that business."

Stansford glared at Edward. "My good Commodore, I hardly think that my business affairs are any of your concern!" he responded rather sharply.

"Where the matter concerns my officers, sir, they most definitely are!" Edward responded in like manner.

Stansford sighed, finishing his whiskey. Edward offered him a refill but he declined.

"Very well then," he began. "I trust this matter will remain confidential?"

"I know I can speak for my officers, sir, when I give you my word that what is said in this room will remain here."

Stansford appeared satisfied with that. "Then I may ask for no more." Taking a deep breath, he began, "I loathe this war, sir. I loathe all war. I consider it a thorough waste of fine, young men. However, my peacemaking efforts came to no avail for Pitt detests me. I decided therefore to make a small bi-annual contribution to His Majesty's navy to go toward maintenance of the fleet and the building of new ships."

It was Edward's turn to appear amazed. "My dear sir, I had no idea."

"The matter is quite confidential. Only Admiral Briggs and, presumably, the navy's bankers would even know of it."

Horatio gazed at Edward. "Edward, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Quite."

"It is a possibility, Archie agreed.

Stansford, who had been watching all three like a hawk, had followed their train of thought.

"Most certainly not! He would not dare!"

"But why should he not, sir?" Edward speculated. "The man is known to gamble and lose heavily. Indeed, as I have discovered, he has quite a reputation for it."

Stansford appeared dumbfounded. "But this is surely extraordinary. Are you saying that the man gambles more than he makes?"

"I had assumed that the man won enough to compensate for his losses, otherwise he could not survive and maintain his large household. But now...?"

"But surely this is all speculation on our parts," Horatio suggested.

"But none the less valid," Archie responded. "Mr Stansford, your contributions to the navy coffers might explain how the man can afford to live beyond his certifiable means. I take it that all of your contributions have been passed to Admiral Briggs?"

"In the last two years, yes."

"Two cheques per year?" Edward queried. Stansford nodded. "And the sum?"

"Ten thousand pounds each. A somewhat meagre amount I'm afraid, but what with the building of the abbey, the rise in taxes and the downturn in the sugar market my finances are somewhat stretched."

Edward smiled. "Might I suggest, sir, that what is 'meagre' to you is a king's ransom to another, even an admiral in His Majesty's fleet."

"Especially one without prize ships," Horatio added.

"Touché!" Stansford smiled. "However, it seems to me that we have as yet no real justification for accusing old Briggs, and no way of proving it one way or the other."

Edward's smile was grim. "We shall see, sir. We shall see."

"And in the meantime?"

"In the meantime we are to be guests at your fine abbey."

"Sir Edward, for my part, I could wish that your bright and handsome young officers would always be at my beck and call, but for them to be at the mercy of Admiral Briggs? No, sir, that is not a thought to relish."

"You will find, sir, that my officers are well capable of acting the parts that have been cast for them, even as you have seen for yourself."

Stansford nodded in acknowledgement and had the good grace to appear somewhat shame-faced.

"And if Briggs should decide to take liberties?" he queried.

"Sir, I am proud to say that my officers are more than capable of defending their persons."

Stansford gave a small, ironic smile. "And how sad for me!" he lamented. "But now I really must bid you good-night, good sirs."

However, on opening the front door, they found that the weather had grown even worse. The trees were bending like whips and the rain was lashing all in its relentless path. Even the gates of the house were invisible in the gloom.

"Sir, you can not travel in this!" Edward declared, his voice almost carried away by the roar of the wind. "The roads will be already flooded and you will be fortunate to put a mile behind you before having to turn back. Come, sir! I would be honoured to have you as my guest for the night."

Stansford shook his head, appearing somewhat disconsolate. "Very well, Sir Edward. I would be most grateful for your hospitality."

"Excellent. I shall have my housekeeper arrange to accommodate your servants."

He strode back into the house in search of Mrs Kelly.

Stansford smiled at the two handsome young men.

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