Chapter 10: An About-face

Anson was in an excellent mood during the return to Salcombe. His courting of Elizabeth Maynard was making good headway whilst his conduct during the court-martial had been met with approval by senior officers. He had taken Captain Manson's word to heart, and a letter to Sir Robert was already en route to London in which Anson advised his benefactor of the opening in Dido once her repairs were finished. Admiral Chalke had given him a copy of his recent evaluations which he enclosed in the letter as "ammunition" for Sir Robert. Perhaps there was a chance for him to take command of a ship. Dido was a small frigate, in fact one of the smallest in the list, but he'd had a chance to look at her lines. With the growth on her underwater ship removed and with a fresh coppering, she had the promise of good speed. Her crew had been relocated to a receiving ship until the completion of the repairs, and that was an additional boon for whoever received the command.

Lt. Witmarsh had no news from his contacts, but that was no big surprise. Any hasty moves might just attract the attention of Bonaparte's vast network of spies. It was better to develop those contacts with cunning and care.

It was almost dark when they sailed into the small harbour and made fast at the quay. Anson had a spring in his step walking the distance to his home. He reflected on the difference a year had made. He had arrived here as a crippled man, barely able to walk short distances with the aid of his crutch. Now he could not even remember where in his house the crutch had been stored away.

Libby welcomed him home with a smile.

"It is good to have you back, Captain. Two letters arrived during your absence. They are in your study."

"Thank you, Libby. May I trouble you with preparing a small supper whilst I peruse those letters?"

"I'll see to it right away, Captain," Libby nodded and rushed away.

Anson headed straight to the study, anxious to see the letters. The one from Sir Robert was lying on top, and he opened it first.

My dear Son, he read with surprise,

With great pleasure I read your last letter in which you described your complete return to health. Even more gratifying was the news that you found a young lady of good breeding to be your bride. I have fished around for any information regarding Colonel Maynard, and what we heard out of the East India House does him every credit. We were also filled in on the tragedy through which he and your bride had to suffer. Please rest assured that no objections will be raised from my side.

There is another piece of news that you may find encouraging. On the occasion of our wedding anniversary, my dear wife and I spoke about the things in our past, and I made a clean slate with regards to you. You may imagine my surprise when she confessed to knowing about your true pedigree already. It would seem that you and I bear enough resemblance for her to make that particular connection, and she must have asked around among the servants to complete the picture.

Not only does she not bear us ill will – why, I cannot divulge without violating a promise – but she suggested that I should acknowledge and adopt you as my son. After speaking with my daughter and her husband too, we all concurred that it would be best if I followed my wife's suggestion. I have now taken the necessary steps and entered a petition with the magistrate that was granted immediately.

Therefore, you may now identify yourself as my son whenever this may be beneficial for your career or your private goals. Without wanting to sound vain, I believe that mentioning me as your father may expedite your courtship and even increase the dowry that the Colonel will feel compelled to offer. You may also inform the Colonel that upon your wedding you will receive a grant of two thousand acres of land and a townhouse in the Chelsea district of London. It is currently rented to a Mr. Symington, but the lease will expire in 1808, after which you can decide on its use.

I am also to convey my wife's cordial invitation to visit us at your earliest convenience and to regard her as your mother too. Much to her chagrin, she could not bear more children after Vanessa's birth, and she welcomes the idea of having a son, even an adopted, grown son.

Thus, I wish to close this letter by letting you know how much it gladdens me to dispense with any charades in the future and to express the pride I feel for my son openly.

Yours affectionately,

Robert Connington

Anson was stunned after reading this letter. Sir Robert had adopted him as his son with Lady Connington's blessing. He knew how much this meant for him and for his hopes. With a member of parliament and baronet for a father, his chances of attaining a proper command would increase dramatically. Likewise, Colonel Maynard could not see him as a second choice suitor anymore. Of course, he could not inherit the title; the right of succession was always restricted to sons born in wedlock. Yet, he was now undoubtedly a sprig of the higher Berkshire gentry, and his father had already promised him a sizeable endowment. That, and his current possessions put him on even footing with Maynard.

He tore himself from his thoughts and focussed on the second letter. Why hadn't he looked at it properly? It bore the Admiralty seal! Hastily, he opened the envelope and unfolded the paper sheets.

Whitehall, September 12, 1807

To Captain Jeremiah Anson, Esq.

Salcombe, Devon

Sir,

You are hereby requested and required to assume command, before January 1st, 1808, of His Majesty's frigate Syren of 32 guns, at present under extended revision at the Sheerness dockyards. You are to present yourself, no later than November 13th, 1807, at Admiralty House to receive your orders.

You are to hand over the command of the Sea Fencibles post in Salcombe, Devon, to Commander John Witmarsh. Cmdr Witmarsh is receiving his orders with the same mail.

You are further requested and required to prepare yourself for attendance at a Royal Levée on November 16th, at which occasion you will be presented to His Majesty. You will be presented by Admiral Lord Spencer.

Your obedient servant,

Chauncer, Asst. Secretary to Their Lordships

Anson was slightly stunned. He was being appointed to a twelve-pounder frigate, and a freshly refitted ship too. Obviously, Sir Robert had wasted no time setting in motion the wheels of interest in Parliament. Syren was a sister ship to the well-known Amazon, and one of the better British-built 32-gun frigates. She was a fifth-rate, meaning that his pay would not drop much once he took over her command. On the other hand, like most British twelve-pounder frigates, she was over twenty-five years old. She had been built for the Revolutionary War, although finished too late to play a role. She had been laid up for years before she was re-activated in 1794.

Slowly, the implications became clear to Anson. He had less than two months to settle his affairs here in Salcombe. He made a list of persons to which to speak. Witmarsh was at the top, but he would also have to notify Mr. Joyce and Captain Butterworth of his new command. Libby would have to plan her move to Aylesford Lodge too.

Most of all, he needed to expedite his courtship. It would be the best to have the wedding in October or early November, allowing him to convey Elizabeth to his home before he had to report at the Admiralty. This had priority. Yet, when Libby served him the supper, he gave her the news.

"I shall be posted to a frigate. I will have to give up this house in November, and you should prepare to move to my Berkshire home at the same time. Of course, I shall give you the funds for the move."

Libby reacted well to this. "I can't wait to shake the dust of Salcombe off my shoes, Captain. Thank you for taking me with you! Should I give notice to Mr. Joyce?"

He could hear the apprehension in her voice and smiled.

"No. I shall have to do that myself. I shall spend tomorrow making all those calls. Make sure that we pay off all the tabs with the merchants."

"I'm current with all payments, Captain. That's why we get the best wares," she added with a grin. "Tardy payers are not as lucky."

Anson had to laugh. Libby knew her way around the small town, and she was privy to all the gossip. He hoped that she would fit in well in her new surroundings.

The very next morning saw Anson on his horse riding out to Morton Hall to interview the Colonel. He was fortunate enough to find Maynard at home and he was received within mere minutes.

"My dear Captain! To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Anson could not help but sense a certain uneasiness under the surface of Maynard's bonhomie.

"I am the bearer of good news, Colonel."

"If that is so, then you are doubly welcome, my dear Captain. Please, speak up!"

"For once, I have received orders to assume the command of a frigate, the Syren, of 32 guns."

"My felicitations, Captain! You must be very proud."

"Thank you, Colonel. This is not all. I have received a letter from Sir Robert Connington. In it, he expresses his support for my courtship of your daughter, and he promised me a land grant and a London town house as endowment."

"How ... Hrhm! How fortunate!" Maynard croaked.

"I am also at liberty to reveal my true pedigree. Sir Robert has acknowledged me as his adopted son."

Maynard's face betrayed an almost physical discomfort.

"That is very kind of Sir Robert. Is the Lady Connington agreeable?"

"Sir Robert conveyed her heartfelt welcome and her best wishes. My half-sister, Mrs. Vanessa Emerson, is also supportive. You will find that your daughter, once married to me, will move in London's best society."

Maynards face now indicated something akin to severe indigestion.

"I'm afraid that there has been a new development, Captain," he said with a painful expression. "While we had tentatively agreed on a union between you and my daughter, you will hopefully agree that nothing was settled yet. It now appears as if there is a serious suitor for her. Lord Dalmere of Loddiswell is looking for a bride for his second son, Edwin. As you will appreciate, Captain, Lord Dalmere is an important man in the county, and almost a neighbour. With my daughter marrying young Mr. Edwin she would stay close to Salcombe and to me, and I could continue to look after her wellbeing. I am terribly sorry indeed, especially after the news you brought, but I have already given Lord Dalmere my word."

Anson felt the blood leaving his face, but he forced himself to keep his countenance.

"I was under the impression that we had an agreement, Colonel, and I must say that I find your behaviour..."

"My dear Captain, please let us not have any unpleasantness. I think very well of you, but..."

"Yet you saw fit to enter into a new agreement without notifying me of the change, Colonel. I find that a poor conduct," Anson interrupted the Colonel. "Obviously, you have not seen fit to inform Miss Elizabeth either."

"She will learn of the change in due time. I admit to rushing headlong into the agreement with my neighbour, and I offer my deep apologies to you for the perceived effrontery. Yet, any altercation between us will not change matters. Should you feel the need for satisfaction, I shall hold myself ready for you. You must understand though that this will by itself preclude any future you may have with my daughter and cause her considerable pain whichever way a matter of honour will play out."

Maynard spoke glibly now, and Anson could even see the reason behind his words. Yet he would not admit defeat.

"You speak of the pain she would suffer from our actions, yet you peddle her off to the highest bidder without so much as a notice. Have you no idea of your daughter's mind set? She feels stifled already, and now you pick a husband for her unseen. You, Colonel, will inflict hurt on your daughter."

"She will see the reason. Her groom's older brother serves in the Army under Sir John Moore, and he's unwed. My daughter may well become Lady Dalmere one day."