Chapter 15: Politics and Secrets

May 1803

After the night spent in a small chamber at Admiralty House, Thomas had planned to return to the Academy in time for reveille, but Moorbanke had commandeered him to the family breakfast, explaining that the headmaster had been informed.

Thomas felt ill at ease during the rather opulent breakfast, still wearing the same clothes as he had the evening before. Of course, he sat next to Alice and across from her parents. Philippa Houghton had not said a word to him in the evening before, and she kept ignoring him. Not that she had much interaction with her family. Apart from a few admonishments directed at her daughter, she kept a still tongue in her head.

Meanwhile, the admiral and his son-in-law were in a discussion about the situation in the Mediterranean. The First Consul of the French Republic, General Bonaparte, had issued barely veiled threats against Malta and Egypt, and now the Russian Tsar, Alexander, felt compelled to get involved. Meanwhile, the first Royal Navy ships were reactivated from ordinary, and the Royal Navy Dockyard saw increased activity.

This left Thomas and Alice to talk in low voices, but both noted what was spoken by the men. Thomas did not understand many remarks or references, and he told Alice. She smiled and shrugged.

“You must read the newspapers, Thomas. At least, The Times or the Morning Chronicle, and the London Gazette. In two years, you’ll be out fighting the French and Spanish. Don’t you want to know why?”

“Do you?”

“What?”

“Read newspapers?”

“As much as I can. It is far more interesting than the books about etiquette I have to read, and if I don’t want to be a silly girl, I must learn about the world.”

“We don’t have newspapers at the Academy,” Thomas sighed.

“That is a shame!” Alice stated. She turned to her father. “Father, Mister Grey just told me that there are no newspapers at the Naval Academy for the young scholars to read. Cannot you do something about that?”

Mister Houghton looked at his father-in-law, who shrugged. Then he nodded.

“I most certainly can. What newspapers, pray, Mister Grey?”

“Thank you, Sir. I think the London Gazette would help us to keep abreast with what happens in the Royal Navy. My grandfather subscribes to it, and he had me read it to him. A daily newspaper would also help.”

“Say no more. The wholesalers always have leftover copies of yesterday’s news. I shall have those delivered to the Academy. Father, how can we make certain that the cadets will really see them? If I know teachers at all, they’ll keep the papers in their lounge and then stuff their shoes with them for drying.”

“I shall let Mister Bayly know, Isaak. He is an enlightened man, and he will appreciate the arrangement to further his students’ knowledge.”

Alice gave Thomas a triumphant smile. “See? There’ll be no excuse for ignorance henceforth!”

It was early afternoon before Thomas was released from the admiral’s household and Alice bade him farewell. Mister Houghton shook his hand fiercely, and Mistress Houghton utterly ignored him when he left.

He quickly found his way back to the Academy and there reported to Mister Bayly, who, as usual, was in his study.

“Will this become a habit, Mister Grey?”

“No, Sir, but I have no control over the Admiral’s wishes and commands.”

“True that, Mister Grey. What was it about anyway?”

“Mister Houghton wanted to thank me, Sir. I prevented his son from falling off the maintops’l yard, and he is grateful. He wishes to show his gratitude to the Academy, too, Sir. He will arrange for some newspapers to be delivered for us.”

“Did you put him up to that idea?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“That was a good thought, Mister Grey. We have not the funds for it, but it will certainly further an understanding of all things political. I appreciate your initiative.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“You have improved quite dramatically in this first year, academically I mean. I had my worries that you would be too much of a ... let’s say sailor, to keep pace with our curriculum, but you caught up prettily. I take it your previous school experience was wanting?”

“Yes, Sir,” Thomas answered ruefully. “The latin school did not teach much in the way of Calculus or Trigonometry, only simple Arithmetics. I first learned Trigonometry in the sailing master’s classes.”

“Well, Mister Grey, that is why you were sent here. Keep up your efforts, and we shall turn out an accomplished scholar and seaman. Now go and join your French class!”

“Very well, Sir! By your leave.”

With that, Thomas made his escape, and after a quick detour to his cabin to change his shirt and slip into the Academy uniform, he joined the French class held my Mister Willets.

After classes and during supper, he was questioned about the previous evening by his mates, and he gave them an account of the soiree. None of them knew Alice Houghton, but Thomas was teased mercilessly about his impending engagement with the admiral’s granddaughter.

Thomas took it in good humour, but he could not resist the opportunity to mask his next visit to the Sea Rover. Claiming another invitation to tea on Sunday afternoon next, he made certain that nobody would question him about his whereabouts. It would also explain why he would dress in his best coat.

On that Sunday afternoon, it was the redheaded Miss Ginger’s turn to take Thomas up to her chamber. As Miss Caroline had indicated, she was a temperamental and sensual young woman. There was little gentleness or cuddling, but Thomas learnt quite a lot from her about various ways to sate his — and her — lust. When he emerged from her chamber he literally limped, causing much teasing and giggling from Ginger’s companions. He also met a new addition to the muster roll of the Sea Rover, a dark-skinned beauty from Jamaica named Chastity. As the new girl, she was in great demand from the regulars, and Thomas could not expect her to service him any time soon, but that did not keep him from looking at her admiringly.

Two days later, his elation was shattered. As was his habit, Mister Bayly used the supper to hand out the mail, and there was a letter for Thomas. He recognised his father’s handwriting and broke the seal immediately. It was bad news.

Guildford, May 12, AD 1803

Thomas could not mask his dismay before his friends, and when he told them of his grandfather’s stroke, they were almost equally dismayed. Robert Bryce in particular harboured good memories of William Grey, and for the next days, they shielded him from any troubles connected to his prefect’s position. When the others learned of it, even Perkins was offering his sympathy.

Then, on May 19, Mister Bayly assembled all cadets in front of the building. When they all stood, ordered by admittance year, he began to speak in a grave voice.

“Gentlemen of the staff, Cadets,

“on May 18th, His Majesty George the Third, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Elector of Hanover, informed Parliament about the necessity to protect his dominions against an impending, treacherous attack by the so-called French Republic and its First Consul, General Napoleon Bonaparte. Accordingly, the Ambassador of the so-called French Republic was informed that a state of war between his country and the United Kingdom is now in effect.

“Yesterday evening, a large-scale, forced recruiting effort on behalf of the Royal Navy was executed all through Portsmouth and all other English ports, and with great success, and the Royal Navy will be reinstated at full force. Those of you in the first or second year now wishing to continue their education onboard a Royal Navy ship or sloop should make themselves known. Those in the third year and about to graduate in June should be certain of a speedy appointment. It is in the nature of so great a mobilisation effort, that not each of you will find a berth immediately, so I advise patience. You will be able to show what you learned here soon enough!

“Those of you in second and first year will continue your education here at the Academy, to join the fight for the United Kingdom at a later date and well prepared. This is all, young gentlemen.

“One last thing: let us cheer our gracious King George! Mister Peabody!”

Peabody took over.

“Three hurrahs for our gracious King George! Hip-hip...!

“Hurray!” all forty-three cadets roared. “Hurray! Hurray!”

“Listen up! When classes will start again after the summer, Saturday afternoons will be spent exercising with the Sea Fencibles. We shall serve in the harbour fortifications in case of an attack on Portsmouth. Understood?”

“Aye-aye, Sir!” forty-three voices answered eagerly.

“Thank you, gentlemen. We may be a school only, but we are a Royal Navy school! Three cheers for the Royal Navy! Hip-hip...”

“Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!” they cheered.

“Very well, attend your classes now! Dismissed!”

There was no chance to discuss the tremendous news amongst themselves until noon time, when they had their tiffin in the mess hall, and when Thomas found himself beleaguered by anxious class mates, wanting to know if they should volunteer immediately. He’d had some time to mull the question during the morning classes, and he gave his opinion.

“We have a year of classes now, but if you volunteer right away, you’ll not be credited for the year. Think about what Mister Bayly said, too: it’ll be a while for all ships to fit out. The first ships to make ready can take their pick from all the beached midshipmen, and none will want us. It’ll be a year easily before any of us can hope for a berth, and then we’ll be only a year shy of graduation and the two-year credit. For me, it’s easy: I want to be a real midshipman by graduation.”

“What about us then?”

“Make the reckoning: in two years here, you’ll have two years seagoing time to your credit. You volunteer and wait a year, and in two years, you’ll have only one year credited, maybe eighteen months. Time in receiving ships won’t count. Real easy, isn’t it?”

“Thomas has it right. We’re here now, and we must finish proper-like,” Robert seconded him, and there were many nods from the others.

In the end, only Perkins announced his wish to volunteer immediately. They knew that his uncle was a captain, and he was likely hoping for a spot in his ship, if the uncle was ever posted in one. Mackinrod, by contrast vowed to apply himself to the Academy schooling with full vigour.

In spite of his worries, Thomas decided to visit the Sea Rover on Sunday afternoon, figuring that he could not know how often the chance would present itself again. He had another motive as well. When he arrived at the club, he told Mistress Caroline about his grandfather’s stroke. He was moved to see how the woman was losing her fight against the tears that welled up in her eyes.

“He is such a good man. Never a mean word to any of us, and generous to a fault! Listen, my dear young man: when you return home over the summer, will you drop by beforehand and pick up something for your dear grandfather? I want him to know how dear we hold him. Will you?”

“Anything to make him and you feel better,” Thomas promised.

“Thank you, Master Grey. Now, would you like our dear Chastity to give you a little solace?”

“Isn’t she always spoken for?”

“No, with all the bad news of last week, there is not much demand. I also noticed that you fancy her.”

“Oh, she is very pretty.”

“I shall fetch her, my dear young man. Have a good time with her and forget your worries!”

That was indeed what Thomas did. He was rather shy at first, not knowing how to treat a girl — she was only eighteen years old — of colour. She surprised him by speaking good English, albeit with a Caribbean pronunciation that was dear to him, and after a while he was comfortable enough with her to engage in a playful courting, ending in their first kiss. Her lips tasted sweet, and he lost himself in the tender exchange of caresses. It was much later than usual when they finally engaged in a loving coupling that made him dreamy-eyed for days to come.

After three hours, she sent him on his way with a last, lingering kiss, and he fairly floated on a cloud when returning to the Academy. With an effort, he put on a downcast expression, to forestall the questions that would otherwise come for certain.

July the 15th saw Thomas on the road to Guildford, riding with a wagoner who carried freight to Guildford. That morning, he had parted with his mates, as they all prepared to return to their homes for a few precious weeks with their families. Robert, too, was travelling home over the summer, but he tasked Thomas with giving his respectful greetings to William Grey and to his parents. In his breast pocket, Thomas carried a memento from Mistress Caroline, a handkerchief carrying the perfume which she claimed William Grey had always liked, but also a short letter in which she wished him a good recovery. Thomas could only hope that his mother would not pick up on the smell of the perfume.