Company Of Spears

When Flowerdew came with coffee he found his captain sitting in his favourite leather camp chair. Peto had had it made many years before in Minorca, with pouches fixed on each arm: the left side for his clerk to place papers for attention, and the other for Peto himself to place the papers after his attention. But rather than attending to his clerk’s paper, Peto was staring out of the stern window, and with a look of considerable contentment. Flowerdew could not be surprised at this: if his captain mayn’t have a moment or two’s satisfaction in his new command then what did it profit a man to be in the King’s service? ‘Coffee, sir.’

Peto nodded, and raised his hand in thanks.

Flowerdew had no wish to intrude on the moment; there would be time enough to get back into the old routine. He placed the cup in Peto’s hand, and left the cabin quietly.

Peto reached inside his coat and took out Elizabeth’s letter. He had placed it between the leather binding of an old copy of Steel’s Mastmaking, Sailmaking and Rigging, from which he had removed the pages, and wrapped it in an oilskin. Even thus preserved, the letter bore the signs of much consultation.

Horningsham,

28th March 1827

My dear Captain Peto,Let me at once say that I accept your offer of marriage with the very greatest delight. I perfectly understand that you were not able to travel to Wiltshire, and I am only content that you did not delay until you were able to do so. For my part, I should have wished at once to accept, but you will understand that I felt a certain obligation to my brother, though I could never have doubted his approval.I am so very happy too at your news of command, though I shall confess also that my happiness is tempered considerably by the thought that H.M.S. Prince Rupert is taking you so very distant. But that is the way of things, and you may be assured that I shall never be a jealous wife where your ship is concerned!I am so very proud, too, that your command is to be in the Mediterranean, not only for its healthiness and beauty but because I believe it a very noble thing that we should assist the Greeks in their endeavours to shake off the Ottoman yoke. You will, of course, be now daily in my prayers – I think I may say constantly – and they will be for your safe and speedy return.My father will make the usual arrangements for the notice of our betrothal, which I must trust shall be to your liking.I hasten to close this, though I would write so very much more were there the time, for the express boy is come even now, and trust that you shall receive it before you sail.

Your ever affectionateElizabeth Hervey.

Peto read it a second time, and then a third. It was the first letter in a female hand that he had ever received. He had no certainty of the tone or convention, but he considered it the warmest expression of esteem. How different it felt – strangely different – taking to sea with a wife awaiting his return (he already imagined her in the Norfolk drawing room): his world was no longer wholly wooden, sea-girt and male.