Losses and New Discoveries - Part 1
Title: Losses and New Discoveries - Part 1
Characters: Stephen, Jack, Adhémar de La Mothe, Sir Joseph Blaine, Killick, Sophie and a few OCs.
Rating: NC-17 rated , male/male love relationship
Spoilers: Desolation Island
Warnings: Much Stephen angst and male/male sexuality.
Disclaimer: Characters borrowed from Patrick O'Brian & his heirs on a non-profit basis
Losses and New Discoveries - Part 1
On their return to England from the Mauritius, both Jack and Stephen for the first week or two were caught up in their own affairs. Jack was feted and lionised by both the Admiralty and the extremely grateful members of the East India Company, as the man who had not only brought them the good news of the destruction of the French bases in the Indian Ocean but one of the chief agents of that destruction. For Admiral Bertie, worried by Stephen’s false information concerning Jack’s father’s future political activities and his potential to boost or sink his own aspirations decided that it would be wise to ensure that Jack’s name was prominent in the despatches concerning the successful naval actions at Mauritius and La Réunion. Jack’s life consisted of a round of dinners and presentations and balls held in his honour.
Meanwhile, Stephen was secreted away in the backrooms of the Admiralty with Sir Joseph and his assistants. His first task was the presentation of his very satisfactory report on the successful mission just completed. After that, he was immersed for the rest of the week in poring over the many documents, reports and assorted ephemera collected concerning the situation in the Iberian Peninsula over the year or so that Stephen had been absent. The task of sorting and categorising the papers had been done by one of Sir Joseph’s assistants but it was Stephen who had to read them all to evaluate their individual importance and relevance. For he was the one who was best suited to recognise and choose, from the mountain of information available, those which were the most factually reliable reports. So much of the intelligence that had been collected was provided by interested parties wishing to sway the British to take action that would best support their hopes and ambitions in a future Spain liberated from the French that most of it must be considered dubious if not dangerous to act upon. Much of it was long since out of date and he wished that he could discard these straight away, but ever vigilant to any clue or skerrick of information that he could not afford to miss he scanned them all. There was no telling that some seeming anodyne or unimportant piece of information could be of the gravest importance in the future when making decisions on where to take action or who to attempt to influence or subvert.
Both men stayed at the Grapes and saw each other at breakfast most days and on some of them Jack tried to persuade Stephen to join him but Stephen always declined with the excuse that he had too much work to do. By the end of the second week, the round of engagements Jack was expected to attend was much reduced and he was restless, longing to return home to Sophie. Jack woke early and called loudly. “Killick, Killick there …”
Killick stumped in looking somewhat frowzy and definitely hung over, “Yes sir, which I am brushing your number one coat ….”
Jack shook his head, “No belay that. I’m going home. Start packing my sea chest and go order me a chaise for this morning. I’ll breakfast with Dr Maturin and see whether he’ll be accompanying me or not. If he is, you’ll have to pack his chest as well.”
Killick almost managed a smile when he heard this, but quickly suppressed this most unnatural of expressions and racked his brain to find cause for complaint as he stumped from the room. “I was just getting to enjoy meself in London …”
Jack was sipping on his coffee as he waited for Stephen to join him. He looked tired and a little worn when he joined him and Jack looked up smiling and reached to pour some coffee for him. “Good morning Stephen, sit down and have some coffee. You were late coming in last night?”
Stephen sat down and rubbed his eyes, reddened from his days of reading and transcribing notes, “Yes my dear, I have had much to do these last few days and much more to complete in the next week or two before I leave.”
“Leave? Leave … where?” Jack asked surprised, his disappointment obvious and then would have gone on to protest but stopped as Stephen stared back at him. “So sorry my dear … I should not have presumed. I just assumed that you would be coming down to Ashgrove to stay with Sophie and me for a while.”
Stephen shook his head, “No, my dear … it may not be possible. I am likely to be called elsewhere very soon. I will try and come down to visit before I go … I may be some time away.” Jack looked even more crestfallen and Stephen leant across the table to pat his hand, “But of course I’ll come back to see you both and the children, as soon as I can.”
“Oh, you’ll be leaving us so soon Doctor? And you being away for so long …” Mrs Broad did not look happy. “Captain Aubrey going home today too …”
“No, well not straight away, in a few weeks I expect.” Stephen replied as she put down a plate of sausages and bacon and eggs in front of him. He looked across at Jack, “You’re going home?”
“Yes, I’ve had enough of London and I long to see Sophie and my boy. Surely you can come home with me for just a few days Stephen?” Jack asked.
Stephen smiled and shook his head, “No, my dear, there is just too much work and I’m sure Sophie wants you to herself for a few days without the bother of having me there.”
Jack frowned, “You know it’s no bother to her. Sophie will be so disappointed. Don’t you want to see George?”
Stephen smiled, “Of course I wish to see this stupor mundi, your most excellent progeny but my work here has been so neglected while we have been away. I have much to attend to and there has been no one that Sir Joseph could rely upon in my absence. Send my love to dear Sophie.”
“I’ll look after him, Captain Aubrey … make sure he eats proper and puts on his coat and scarf when he goes out in the cold. Don’t you worry … now eat up gentlemen. There’s more on the skillet and toast and marmalade to come.” Mrs Broad said as she left the room.
Killick came in at the end of their breakfast and turning to Jack said, “Chaise will be here in the hour sir. Will the Doctor be coming with you?”
“No Killick, just me. Finish packing my sea chest.”
They sipped the last drops of coffee and both stood up. Jack stepped close to Stephen and gripped his shoulder, “Look after yourself Stephen and be careful. God I hate this when you …” He stopped when he saw Stephen’s warning look and wrapped him in a bear hug.
Stephen reached up and kissed his cheek, whispering, “Of course my dear, I’m always careful. Don’t fret so.” He then withdrew from Jack’s embrace and said, “I understand you are to be given a home posting. You will be in command of the Sea-Fencibles in Hampshire. I’m sure Sophie will like that. You, at home and on full pay and most importantly not having great cannon balls fired at you. It will be a relief to her mind, to be sure. Hurry along now, your chaise will soon be here and I must be away.”
Jack clasped his hand and squeezed it and Stephen smiled up at him, tempted yet again by that delicious mouth, the desire to kiss him, strong and urgent. He nodded and patted Jack’s hand and left the room. Jack stared after him. ‘Damn me, I haven’t left and yet … Why does he have to do this? Risk himself like this? Surely he has done enough? He should be with me …’ He stopped at that point, shocked by the strength of his overwhelming desire to protect this man, to always keep him by his side and how quickly they pushed aside the longing to see his wife and son. The more proper feelings he should be feeling at this time. ‘What does he do that draws me to him so … that makes me feel so … so …’ Passed through his mind as he watched Stephen go up the stairs to his room, but he stopped there, not wishing to delve too deep for the answer, unsettled and disturbed by what he suspected the answer might be. He followed Stephen upstairs calling, “Killick, Killick have you seen that package I had … the silk for Sophie. Pull it out of the chest. I’ll carry it with me in the chaise.”
Stephen spent the rest of the week writing and then putting the finishing touches on his report. This report was a synthesis of the multitudinous scraps of intelligence he had brought together with the addition of a clear outline of proposed actions that could be taken by himself to coordinate and support the various movements and militias that opposed Napoleon in Spain and suggestions that could be made to the British Army whose regiments were now posted across the border in Portugal. The following week was spent with Sir Joseph arranging the last details. He had been invited to present a paper at the Institut in Paris on boobies, in particular the red footed booby, Sula sula websteri and thought he might bring to their attention his newest discovery, the magnificent great land tortoise, Testudo aubreii. From there he proposed that he should petition the French to allow him to travel south through France to make a pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary of Pilar at Zaragoza. It would be more convenient to then cross into Catalunya directly from Aragon, but if his request was refused he would return to England and arrangements were put in train for him to be landed on the coast of Asturias and he would make his way inland and across to Catalunya. As he had a few days to spare before he took the packet to France, he went down to Hampshire to see Sophie and Jack.
He found Jack happy and bursting with enthusiasm for the improvements he planned for Ashgrove, the additional wings he wanted to build to enlarge the cottage and a double coach-house and a line of stables for the horses he was going to buy. After Stephen formally greeted Mrs Williams and kissed Sophie, Mrs Williams instantly took charge of him. She sat him down and brought in Fanny and Charlotte and urged, “Come my dears, kiss Dr Maturin. He’s come to visit you and your brother.” The girls complied, planting sticky kisses on his cheek and Mrs Williams then took Stephen up to the nursery to examine the young prodigy and after he declared him perfectly healthy, Jack took over and dragged him into what he called his study, the small room beside the dining room, the size of a broom cupboard where on the small table was laid all his plans.
Jack plucked the topmost one, his plans for a new copper-domed observatory tower which would house his precious telescope. “Stephen, such observations I will be able to make from my new observatory. How marvellous it is to have money to spare to improve the place. The girls will have their portions, as they should have done in the first place and well I’ll be able to help George make his way in the service.” His face glowed with pleasure and Stephen smiled in response to his joy.
Then, from outside they could hear Killick’s querulous voice, “No you grass-combing landlubber, don’t dump that there. It will ruin the path. We’ve just whitewashed the stones.”
“It don’t matter mate, your Captain is having this all dug up anyway. Now get out of me way or I’ll dump this sand on top of you.”
“Just try it you bugger and …”
Jack marched to the nearest window and bellowed in his loudest voice, “Killick belay your foolishness. Come inside and let the men get on with their work. The Doctor is waiting for his coffee.”
Killick came inside muttering and scowling, nodded to Stephen and went into the kitchen to prepare the coffee. “Lord, how we’ll keep all that muck they’re dumping at the doorstep out of the house, I don’t know. Bloody lubbers don’t know how to do things proper.”
Sophie came back and sat beside Stephen and looked carefully into his face and squeezed his arm, “Stephen, you are so thin and tired-looking. You haven’t been looking after yourself. Please stay a few weeks with us.”
Stephen shook his head regretfully, “No, I’m sorry, my dear that I cannot do. I must be away to Ireland and then down to my place in Catalunya. It has been sadly neglected while I’ve been away.”
Jack frowned at this. “Stephen, there have been reports that there is major fighting there. Charles Yorke told me in a letter. He was transporting troops to Spain and there was news when he landed them of vicious fighting between the local militias and the French. Do you have to go?”
“I’ll be quite safe Jack. My place is too isolated and unimportant for the French to take any interest.”
He spent a few days with them and as he bade Jack farewell, Jack pulled him into his arms and whispered, “Be careful my dear, I want to see you back here in the autumn.”
“Hopefully it will only take that long. God bless and I shall bring back some fine Priorato to celebrate my return.” Stephen waved goodbye as he climbed into the chaise that was to take him down to Portsmouth. He looked up and waved and blew a kiss to Sophie who was standing at the window, holding baby George and looked near to weeping. She bit her lips and looked very strained. “Do not worry dear Sophie. I shall be back as soon as I can.”
The passage across the Channel was smooth and rapid, yet Stephen arrived in Paris three days later, wearied and out of sorts with the delays he had experienced by land. He had counted on a few extra days to visit his old haunts in Paris, perhaps visit Dupuytren at the Hôtel Dieu and Adhémar de La Mothe. After leaving his meagre baggage at his hotel near the Palais-Royal, he went straight way to enquire at the Minister of the Interior’s office whether he may be given permission to travel overland to Spain. He was greeted coldly by a rather superior clerk and advised that he must apply formally in writing to the Minister for permission. This was as he expected it would be and as he did not want to draw undue attention to himself by trying to get old friends to expedite the matter. He resigned himself to a sea voyage to Spain and a long, tedious journey across battle-scarred Spain to Catalunya first and then back to Vigo on the Galician coast. The only thing that stirred any great enthusiasm was the thought that he might be able to see Miquel again.
His presentation to the Institut was for the evening of the next day and he knew he must get his more pressing covert tasks completed and so he disappeared into the banlieue of Paris, visiting anonymous houses to listen carefully, guardedly to those who for whatever reason whether they be embittered Republicans or Monarchists were disillusioned with the Emperor. There was very little valuable information from most of these contacts but the few very useful individuals, public servants working within the Government gave some very valuable information concerning troop strength and quality of the armies in Spain, the French communication and supply problems and the mounting deaths of French soldiers at the hands of Spanish militia groups. Stephen mused on all of what he had been told as he wandered through the galeries of the Palais-Royal. He ignored the ladies offering their services as he pondered how he could use perhaps one or two of the more careful and intelligent of those he had met today to poison the well of French Intelligence. As he took the stairs up to the casino, he smiled as he contemplated the hares he could set running here and there leading many a French agent a merry chase, distracting them from their real quarry.
The next day he rose late after a successful night at the gaming tables and sat drinking coffee outside of the Café de Caveau watching stylish Parisians wandering through the courtyard and along the arcades, looking into the shop windows. He was mentally rehearsing his presentation and was exceedingly nervous. He had never been one to seek the limelight and over the years his secretive nature had made him more wary of such public exposure. Stephen was quite capable of imparting knowledge effectively on a one-to-one basis but standing up and addressing a roomful of his colleagues was another matter entirely. He reassured himself that he would have his notes, his quite comprehensive notes with him.
He paid for his coffee and went out into the courtyard and then out to the Jardins du Palais-Royal, emerging into the brilliant sunlight. The tightly controlled and fiercely geometric formality of the garden with the straight rows of perfectly clipped trees and garden beds placed with extreme precision that he felt was typical of the French attitude to the natural world, a world that must be regimented and organised and scientifically labelled. The last attribute an attitude he could understand but his preference was for the seemingly artless and apparently natural vistas of the parks that surrounded the great English houses. He wandered up and down the allées whispering his speech. He sat on a bench by the central fountain and pulled from his coat a small notebook to review yet again his notes. With a sigh he gave up and putting the book back into his pocket he closed his eyes and put his head back to feel the warmth of the sun on his face. Stephen relaxed, stretched and yawned and then smiled as he began to look forward to his dinner with Adhémar at the rather chic and outrageously expensive, Le Grand Véfour.
Perhaps he would overhear some interesting gossip for all the most powerful and fashionable people dined there. It may prove useful and Adhémar, as always could be relied on to drop some interesting piece of information in conversation. It always surprised Stephen how the intimacy of the bedroom seemed to do away with all notions of good sense among politicians, high ranking army officers and public servants. How they gave themselves and their master’s secrets away so freely under the influence of a skilful pair of hands or mouth. For Adhémar had a wide range of acquaintances and lovers from the French Navy and Army and the higher echelons of government and one could never say he was not skilled in the finer arts of the bedroom. Stephen had never been favoured with his attentions but had been assured by a mutual acquaintance his skills were highly sought after.
It was in the gardens that Adhémar discovered him and dragged Stephen up into his arms and kissed his cheeks, greeting him enthusiastically. “How are you my dear? Come along now, I have booked a table and we must not be late.” Holding Stephen’s arm tightly he led him back into the Place du Palais-Royal. “It has been so long since you have been to Paris Stephen. What have you been doing on that horrible damp island over the Channel?”
“I’ve been away, on a long sea voyage out to the Cape and the Île de France.”
Adhémar looked at him for a second and one eyebrow arched, “Should I ask why? Or would that not be wise?”
“I could say it was for the good of my health and you would not believe me I’m sure, but I think I shall leave it at that,” Stephen replied.
Adhémar grinned and bent to Stephen’s ear, “An answer I would expect from you. Do you want to hear my news? I’ve made so many new friends.”
It was Stephen’s turn to smile, “I’m sure you have and yes, I always want to know of any new friendships you have made. Is there anyone I might be interested in?”
“Oh, I’m sure there are a few petits morceaux that may amuse you and such a mouthful some of them proved to be,” was the scurrilous half-whispered response, followed by Adhémar’s deep and resonant laugh. Stephen blushed and he clasped his arm more tightly and whispered in his ear, “Embarrassed Stephen, surely not you.”
Stephen looked askance at him and reddened further as they were being shown to their table as he heard a comment casually dropped sotto voce, “There is one of de La Mothe’s conquests. I haven’t seen him before. Not at all his type, rather drab, he usually likes men in uniform with lots of sparkling decorations. I wonder what he sees in that odd little man.”
Adhémar sniffed and whispered, “Ignore them my dear, they have no idea what I treasure. There are those with an elegance of the spirit that outshine any of the physical trappings and you my dear possess that in abundance. It is a pity you don’t take an interest in clothes. Oh then, then my dear I could not resist and would attempt to seduce you into my bed straight away.”
Stephen murmured, “I think I’m a little more interested in your current conquests.”
“Not interested at all, hmm … Stephen?” Adhémar teased. “Is there a special person for you? You never mention such things but I remember when you were in Paris before the Revolution, quite the ladies’ man. Is there no English lady that has caught your eye or interest?” Stephen somewhat flummoxed by Adhémar’s interest in his personal life, for once dropped the mask and the aching emptiness he felt that was always just under the surface showed in his expression. “Oh … a broken heart … I’m sorry my dear.” He leaned across the table and patted his hand, “But Stephen why don’t you try men. They are much more reasonable creatures. Did you meet any English Naval Officers on your long sea voyage? So beautiful in their blue and gold lace some of them. Cooped up in a ship for months on end and men all around you ... it sounds divine … all quite desperate for a little comfort I’m sure by the end of a very long sea voyage. The French Naval Officers have told me what it was like, though I gather … well the English are rather prudish that way ... I’ve been told that the English Navy will hang you for giving your dearest friend a little relief. So barbaric … but they do like a good flogging I’m told.” Adhémar snorted with amusement. “The English disease …”
Stephen looked down, again blushing, “All too true I’m told.”
“But then why are you blushing? Is there a handsome sea captain who has stolen your heart? I think there is …” Adhémar leant across and whispered close to his ear. “Come you can tell me.”
“If there was … and I’m not saying there is … he is well and truly married … certainly not …” Stephen responded.
“Married … what does that mean? Every second man in my bed is married. They are only as married as they want to be … especially in the case of a sailor.”
“Well as for my heartache, it was my own fault. I frankly admit that I have no advantages of person or family and in this case, I aimed far beyond my deserts. I have the luck with the cards … but in matters of the heart … ah, there my friend alas I have no luck at all.” Stephen smiled wryly and shrugged. “While on the other hand, you my dear Adhémar are blessed with a surfeit of choice, so many admirers I hear.”
Adhémar beamed and surveyed the room, “Oh yes, at the moment … such a busy life … but I shall tell you of that later in your room. For such private, intimate details, this is not quite the place for such a tête-à-tête and I see I must take you in hand, if you are to be in any way presentable for your lecture this evening.” With that he looked up at the waiter who stood at his elbow and ordered their meal and wine.
After a quite sumptuous meal and much wine Stephen and Adhémar returned to Stephen’s room in the hotel and Adhémar appropriating the bed lay back against the pillows and patted the place beside him, “Come now Stephen, I promise not to do anything outrageous, I wish to make my report and what more suitable a place than bed to give you all the piquant and oh, so interesting details. So many glorious men, my dear … and all quite lusty … you know war has a marvellous aphrodisiacal effect. The frisson of excitement, the lust felt by the officers of the Navy and Army before an impending battle or campaign and the dread of la mort spurs them on to higher and more frenzied means of attaining la petite mort. Surely you have noticed this on board ship before a sea battle?” He looked at Stephen mischievously and put his arm around him and pulled him close, “Now my report, monsieur … if it proves stimulating, I promise to assist you in any way I can. Well …”
Stephen rolled his eyes but relaxed by the wine, settled into the pillows beside him and listened intently. The pleasant languor and relaxation induced by good food and wine and the presence of an amiable and amusing friend worked its magic and when he began to digress onto subjects of greater interest to him such as the quite wondrous sensations aroused by a good spanking, Stephen drifted off and was soon fast asleep, cuddled up to Adhémar. He looked down and smiled benevolently at Stephen, “That was not quite the effect I intended but well …” He shrugged and drew Stephen’s body closer and the wine and the warmth of the afternoon sun streaming through the window ensured that he too was soon asleep.
Only the cool evening breeze playing over them on the bed roused them from their slumbers. Stephen opened his eyes and still mazed and groggy on waking and wondered where he was and the identity of the obviously masculine scented body he was pressed against. Adhémar awoke straight away and sat up, “Come Stephen … oh hurry, we have slept too long … you will be late and you must be properly dressed. Hurry, hurry my dear … just imagine the effect of you arriving at the Institut, still warm and sleepy on my arm … your clothes slightly askew. What my dear will they think? And how unfair too … they will be thinking I had my way with you and me not even being graced with a kiss. Vite, vite mon ami!”
Stephen scrambled to his feet and tugged at his neck cloth and moved toward the armoire but was waved back by Adhémar. “Undress, undress my dear. I will get your clothes and lay them out.”
He obeyed, removing his neckcloth, vest and pulling off his rumpled shirt and breeches and went over to the wash stand splashing water onto his face. He took up his razor which Adhémar plucked from his hand, “Let me,” and proceeded to soap and then smoothly slide the razor along Stephen’s jaw line and delicately scraped under his chin and chin and upper lip. “Wash my dear.” He patted Stephen’s face dry and frowned at the underclothes Stephen was wearing, “Strip, new linen is most definitely required.” Stephen glanced at him and was about to say something but obeyed and Adhémar enjoyed the view front and back as he went to the bed to pick up the fresh underclothes, patting Stephen’s right buttock as he returned. He smiled and said, “Step into them my dear.” He did and before Stephen could do it, slipped his hand inside, “To the left I believe isn’t it?” Stephen stared at him and nodded and Adhémar laughed as he adjusted him and withdrew his hand and then gave Stephen’s penis a friendly pat. “You’re perfectly safe my dear. We certainly haven’t got time for that.” He proceeded to dress Stephen and wrapped his neckcloth and then took Stephen’s wig in hand, scowling at it, tutting his disapproval. He powdered it and fussed with it and in the end gave up, “That’s the best I can do.”
“My glasses and my notes,” Stephen cried as they were about to walk out of the room and ran back and gathered them up.
“Don’t put them in your pocket, hold them my dear. It will spoil the line of your coat.” Adhémar scolded.
They arrived at the Institut, with minutes to spare and a flustered Stephen was introduced almost immediately before he could gather his scattered thoughts. He started rather nervously and then resorted to his notes, his head sinking deeper and deeper as he strained to read them and his speech already rapid and nervous, accelerated even further and his audience strained to follow him. He only relaxed at the end with his minor digression to speak of the prodigious proportions and the uniqueness of Testudo aubreiii. The fond recollections of his time on the island with Jack eased his nervousness and his audience noted the flushed look of pleasure and happiness as he recounted its discovery. When he was asked in whose honour the creature was named he smiled and replied, “In honour of my particular friend, Captain Jack Aubrey who transported me to that enchanted place. He is a most scientific navigator and a respected man of mathematics. Perhaps you have heard him addressing the Royal Society on the mathematics and astral navigation? He is quite well regarded by the members in those fields of scientific endeavour.” He also answered questions on the locations and occasions of his study of the red-footed booby and astounded many an arm-chair theoriser with his tale of shipwreck on St. Paul’s Rocks.
Meanwhile, in the back row, Adhémar sat back and smiled. He had his answer and pondered on this captain that was so dear to Stephen’s heart. Any fool could see that. For when he spoke of the man, his eyes literally shone and his whole demeanour changed so markedly from his usual quiet, even withdrawn manner. It was as if someone had energised him, his movements became more decisive, his facial expressions more mobile and fluid, his usual defences all dropping away. He was besotted with the man, most certainly. Adhémar murmured to himself, “I must ask Captain Laurent about this Jack Aubrey. I am curious about such a man who can ensnare the heart of Stephen Maturin. He must be very special indeed.”
Adhémar and Stephen returned to Café Lemblin at the Palais-Royal for supper and instead of wine ordered chocolate, the best chocolate to be had in Paris. Stephen wished to be clear headed tonight as he intended to visit the other casino and try his hand there. He was relaxed at the end of the ordeal and relieved that it seemed to have gone well. As a result, he was relatively more open to questioning than usual and Adhémar exploited Stephen’s current mood to satisfy his curiosity regarding Monsieur Aubrey but Stephen’s innate reticence even in this mood frustrated him. By the end of supper he knew a little more of the man’s history but was still unsure as to what it was about the man that attracted Stephen so.
Stephen stood, “Will you join me at the tables?”
Adhémar shook his head, “I dare not. You will relieve me of all I possess if I were to play you with your luck with the cards.”
“If not to play then at least accompany me.” He offered again.
“I thought you had already acquired a nice little purse from last night’s games. Don’t they pay you well enough? Do you have to earn your living en route?”
“I’m a volunteer and well you know it, my dear. When it is deemed necessary, I carry sufficient funds. For this trip … any extra will not go astray. Money is always useful for greasing the wheels and yes I did win quite handsomely last night but I have not played at the other casino and I wish to test my luck, while it is in. You never know I may one day become lucky in another milieu and I must take my chances with the dice, wheel and cards while I may. I have, I find to my chagrin, a vengeful nature and derive great pleasure in fleecing some of Buonaparte’s lackeys. For most certainly, it is my duty to weaken the enemy, is it not?”
“Perhaps you will find some luck in love, maybe your Jack may notice what he has in his friend and take you to his bed on your next voyage. Only then will I dare play you.” Stephen rolled his eyes at that and with a mischievous grin, Adhémar added, “You never know, I may attract the attentions of Lady Luck tonight.”
Stephen blushed and shook his head and called, “Come then, perhaps you will stumble upon an Adonis.”
Adhémar did not find his Adonis and as he had drunk far too much champagne Stephen took him back to his room rather than letting him make his way home alone. Stephen’s purse was heavy with Gold Napoleons and he was pleased with his night’s work. He bundled Adhémar into his bed, removing his shoes and stockings and coat and tucked the covers around him and after undressing slipped in beside him and fell asleep immediately.
The next morning Stephen woke, his body fully aroused. A delighted Adhémar had been caressing his body from the time he woke beside him and had achieved his aim when Stephen’s body began to undulate against him, arousal now evident. Adhémar smiled down at Stephen and kissed him and pulled back looking intently at him, “It seems Lady Luck has favoured me after all. Your body is willing it seems Stephen, so will you oblige me? I am a gentleman after all and if you wish me to stop …” He smiled again and whispered, “What is your pleasure Stephen? Shall we indulge in a little mutual stimulation with our hands or perhaps my mouth would be more to your taste?”
Stephen’s eyes were glazed over and he was feeling some urgency and he gasped, “Yes, your mouth, oh yes please.”
Adhémar smiled and turned around so that his head was at Stephen’s groin, lifting his nightshirt and felt Stephen’s hand, opening his breeches. He leant forward licking the length of Stephen’s cock from the tip to the base and then gently nibbled and licked and kissed his way to the tip. He felt Stephen’s hand grasp his cock and begin a slow massage and Adhémar opened his mouth and began to slowly suck on the tip, laving it with his tongue, savouring the taste and with a groan of pleasure swallowed and sucked, swallowed and sucked till he felt the tip of his cock in his throat. He relaxed his throat muscles further, swallowing it and bobbed up and down taking him as deep as he could, as he lightly held and gently squeezed his balls with one hand and slipped the other behind, lightly sweeping up the cleft and returning to the opening there, circling, circling and teasing and then piercing him with his index finger. Stephen by now was thrusting into his mouth and at the feel of the finger piercing him, the stimulation was too much. He could not hold and Adhémar felt the warm flood of his cum as he spilled into his throat. Stephen lay still for a little while and then returned the favour; pulling Adhémar close to his mouth and holding his hips took his cock into his mouth, sucking and kissing and laving, lavishing all his attention on his cock.
Stephen groaned as Adhémar pulled back and he shushed him, “Shh, my dear, I just want to change position.” He turned around and moved up the bed, his groin now above Stephen’s face and taking his head in his hands, “Open my dear and suck.” Stephen eagerly obeyed, kissing and licking his cock and then opening his mouth wide and held still as Adhémar pushed forward, moving in and out fucking his mouth and pushing gently, “Relax, my dear, relax your muscles, let me in.” Stephen breathed deeply and relaxed and Adhémar smiled as he felt his cock slide into his throat and pushed further and waited and pushed in a little further. He caressed his face, “Yes, my dear relax, that’s good, so good, yes swallow oh yes … yes my dear Stephen … just like that … oh yes …” He was now almost totally surrounded by the wetness and warmth of his throat and mouth and could no longer hold, the sounds from Stephen excited him further and his fingernails scraping the back of his thighs were enough to push him over the edge finally, pushing and pumping his cum down Stephen’s throat. He pulled back as he felt his cock begin to soften and looked down at him, gently touching Stephen’s face and massaging his throat. “Good, oh so good my dear … your mouth and throat are divine … perhaps you may like to provide such a service to your Captain? I’m sure he would appreciate it.” He lay down beside him, clasping Stephen to his body and seeing his scowl, he poked him in the ribs, “Do not be angry my dear. I merely speak the truth, any man would enjoy your mouth and I see no reason to deprive your friend of such attentions. I’m sure on one of those very long sea voyages he would be quite eager and appreciative to have a friend who could provide such comfort.” Stephen looked somewhat mollified, but still did not speak, so Adhémar thought he was safe enough to add, “But then I haven’t tasted your other mouth, is that as hot and deliciously tight as your mouth and throat?”
“Well you’ll never know. I can’t lie in bed all day like some wanton sybarite. I must be on my way back to England. There is not a moment to lose.” Stephen disentangled himself from Adhémar and leapt up to wash and dress.
Adhémar lay back on the bed and laughed, “So eager my dear Stephen to get back to your Jack, are you?”
Stephen stood at the washstand washing himself, “No, I have business in Spain. I was going to see if you could use any influence to allow me passage overland, but I changed my mind. It would draw too much attention to me.”
“I’m afraid my dear you have already drawn their attention. They register every new friend I acquire or bed.” Adhémar laughed. “You are now officially on my list of conquests I’m sure. Your reputation is totally shattered my dear. You are officially a de La Mothe pervert.”
Stephen shrugged, “Perhaps, it will help. No one suspects those who are prone to blackmail of any other greater sin than their particular perversion.”
“Be careful my dear, do not be so sure. You did not acquire the damage to your hands through an accident did you?” Adhémar stood beside him, taking hold of his hand and examining the scars.
“No, that was acquired at the hands of members of Napoleon’s terror machine. They did not live to inform on me to their superiors.” Stephen replied coolly.
“I see that you are a dangerous man. I will not underestimate you again, my dear,” Adhémar replied and then smiled, “But that won’t stop me attempting to get you into my bed again.” He laughed and held him in a bear hug, kissing him as Stephen tried to dry his body with a towel. “Give me the towel,” he ordered and plucked the towel from Stephen’s hands and began to rub him down.
Stephen stepped away, shaking his head, “Unhand me you reprobate and wash and dress. I’m thirsting for my coffee.”
They had coffee and breakfasted and Stephen kissed Adhémar farewell, whispering, “Take care my dear.”
He was on his way back to England and just managed to arrive in time for the packet to take him across and reached Deal with time to spare for his rendezvous with the ship to take him down to Spain. His usual insouciant disregard for naval sensibilities concerning punctuality never ceased to frustrate and enrage naval officers throughout the fleet, for they did not love him as Jack did. Stephen was in the snug of the Rose and Crown in a capacious, leather chair contemplating his dinner when he looked up from his book, surprised to see Sir Joseph standing beside him.
“You look well Maturin. How was Paris? How were you received at the Institut? It went well, I assume.” Joseph asked as he took the seat beside Stephen.
“Oh quite well on all counts and Paris was beautiful as always, regardless of who rules her. What brings you down here my old friend? Is there news?” Stephen asked. “Will you join me at dinner? I will be boarding this evening, unless you are to tell me something that will upset all our plans.”
“Of course, I shall join you and no, I just came down to give you a message, a personal message for you.” Sir Joseph looked warily at Stephen, unsure of his response to his news. He cleared his throat and speaking in almost a whisper said, “I understand that a certain lady, a lady that you hold in high regard, a Mrs Villiers has returned to England and is making enquiries about you?”
Stephen stared at him for a few minutes, his face a blank mask, not a sign of the turmoil he was feeling, only the tensing of his shoulders showed that the words hit home. He looked down for a few minutes, “Thank you for coming and delivering the message personally. I thank you.”
“Maturin, would you prefer to stay in England? Our plans can wait a little longer, if you need to …” Sir Joseph offered.
“No … no …” Stephen looked up at Sir Joseph again, “Is she of any interest to you, professionally?”
“No, I just thought that you would wish to know of her presence. If you are determined to go, can I take a message to her, for you?” He asked.
“You are most kind, most kind. Yes I will put pen to paper and write her a note. My trip can not be cancelled … no it must go ahead … there has been too much precious time wasted as it is. I can only hope she will still be here when I come back. She may take flight again.” Stephen looked down, his heart was beating faster, thinking, ‘Surely, Sir Joseph can hear its beating. This woman … this woman, how she owns my heart … one mention of her and my mind creates visions … such visions … of a future … a future with her. No, I must stop this … stop this now. She has made it quite clear she will not have me, not as a husband and yet I long for it to be so.’
“Maturin,” Sir Joseph asked, concerned now. He touched his hand lightly, “Are you all right?”
Stephen shook his head, clearing it of these impossible visions, “Oh quite … quite all right. Shall we go into dinner? I am planning to have a good meal before I have to submit to naval rations again.”
They stood up and as they walked through, Sir Joseph asked, “Did you hear anything of interest in Paris? Your friend, de La Mothe … he has always been most informative in the past … did you see him?”
Stephen nodded and pulled an envelope from an inner pocket of his coat. “Here my dear Sir Joseph. I wrote it on the crossing and yes there has been some interesting information from that source as well. He is a most lively and amusing companion for the night.” Stephen laughed in his strange, silent way, just his shoulders shaking.
Sir Joseph’s eyebrow rose as he pocketed the offered envelope, “I’m sure he is. I will anticipate with real eagerness the contents of your report.”
While they waited for their coffee after their meal Stephen called for paper and ink and pen and dashed off a quick note to Diana -
Villiers
I’m sorry that I could not come to you straight away but I have most urgent business in Catalunya, business long deferred by my recent voyages. I cannot defer them any longer, even for you my dear.
If you are in need of anything, you may call on the services of my banker. I will send a note to him authorising any monies you may require. As for what we spoke of before we parted in India, I would beg you to reconsider my offer, my most sincere offer. What has happened has not changed my mind or my heart in the slightest.
He hesitated for a minute, re-read the note and then shook his head as if dismissing any doubts, wrote with a flourish -
With my deepest love and respect
Stephen
He then bent to writing a note to his banker to authorise any reasonable payments to Mrs Diana Villiers upon any approach and request she may make. One copy for Diana and one for the banker and then he sealed them in their respective envelopes and addressed them and handed them to Sir Joseph.
“If you can make sure that these are sent to Villiers and my banker when you get back to London.” Stephen asked.
Sir Joseph stirred again and cleared his throat, “Stephen … is this wise? I have heard that Mrs Villiers …” He saw the cold expression of enquiry on Stephen’s face and did not continue.
“I believe that is up to me Sir Joseph, is it not?” Stephen answered in a cool, challenging tone.
Sir Joseph Blaine was not an easy man to intimidate but there was something in Stephen’s tone and manner when he was angered that unsettled him and made him wary. He had sensed this from their first interview and had taken care not to incite Stephen’s anger and not only for the service’s sake. He was quite certain he would not wish to make an enemy of Stephen Maturin.
The arrival of the coffee diverted Stephen and Sir Joseph relaxed when he saw that Stephen’s mood had reverted back to the easy manner with which they had been conversing earlier. Sir Joseph leant forward and asked, “Who did you meet at the Insitut?”
Over coffee they gossiped about the intellectual leading lights of the Institut and of the various individuals he met away from the Institut, their usefulness and the reliability of their information. They were still deep in discussion when a ship’s boy ran into the room. “Sir, oh sir, the tide is at the full and the blue peter has been flying for ever so long. The Captain is wanting to make the tide sir. Oh please do hurry Dr Maturin.”
“Oh, I must away. The good Captain will be exceedingly cross with me if we miss the tide. Good bye dear Sir Joseph, hopefully I shall be able to return at the time we arranged. I plan to be in Vigo by the last week of August at the latest.”
Stephen was quickly wafted across to the HMS Orion which with commendable speed due to the favourable winds, cleared the channel and crossed the Bay of Biscay in record time and only stopped briefly to take Stephen ashore a few miles to the west of the port of Laredo. For Captain Wodehouse and his crew were eager to reach the Mediterranean and join Admiral Thornton’s fleet. This pleased him as he had expected to be landed off Gijón in Asturias much further west and it would mean a sizeable reduction in cross-country travel. He made his way overland through Bilbao, Vitoria, Logroño and Tudela. An urgent and anxious trip always skirting scattered regiments of the French and Spanish armies and he took a wide diversion around Zaragoza, currently under siege for the second time by the French. He climbed up to Huesca and then came down to his home at Lleida, much battered by Suchet’s siege the previous year and now in French hands. With trepidation he headed directly for his house and lands outside the city, worried about what he may discover. The sight of the buildings still standing did not reassure him and it was only when his dogs bounded out to greet him and he saw Feliu shuffling out of the barn to call them back that he felt some relief. He called, “Hola Feliu, how are you my friend? How are Laia and Neus?”
Feliu took the halter of Stephen’s horse and led him into the courtyard and waited till he dismounted before replying. “It is good to see you sir. Neus is gone now sir, off and married. A year ago sir, she married after … I’m sorry sir, Laia died … two years ago she left us.” Stephen’s eyes filled with tears and he looked away quickly and bit his lip. Feliu patted his shoulder. “Come in sir, it looks as if you’ve been on the road for quite a while … come in and take some coffee. My sister’s living here now sir, looking after the house … like Laia used to do. Her husband was killed by the French and it was safer for her and her children to stay with me. With you away so long … the house empty … I thought it for the best.”
Stephen nodded his head and looked down, “Yes, of course … of course. I should have kept in better contact. I’ve been away these last two years and more in the Indian Ocean and other places. Did she receive my letters and my presents?”
Feliu nodded, “Yes sir, right up to the day she was taken up. Her last words were of you sir, her boy …her Esteve. She was very proud of you sir.”
Stephen could only nod and he followed him into the house. This was the first loss he was to experience and perhaps the least bitter. He spent a few days at his house and though his flock was much reduced by the ravages of the French Army, the land and the buildings were in reasonable shape. He quietly entered Lleida and met with old friends to hear the latest news and information concerning the resistance movement. The Army of the Castellanos had long abandoned Catalunya to the French but there was still much guerrilla activity but very little effective action. Suchet had seized Lleida, Mequinensa and Tortosa and this year Tarragona and Montserrat. Soon the French would have the whole of Catalunya. The raids of the somatenes and migueletes were savage and ruthless, their custom was to torture and humiliate captured French officers and soldiers before killing them. He was told of one of the guerrilla leaders, Cure Merino who specialized in castrating captured French officers. The French of course took their revenge on the civilian populace with equal barbarity. This was the second blow to his heart, a monstrous cloud of bloodshed, terror and brutality had descended on his Catalunya. On reaching home that night he almost doubled his dose of laudanum. So on leaving the next day for Tarragona he was drowsy and sluggish and confirmed with Feliu the continuation of the arrangements as they stood, as well as employing his sister as housekeeper.
Losses and New Discoveries - Part 2
Characters: Stephen, Jack, Adhémar de La Mothe, Sir Joseph Blaine, Killick, Sophie and a few OCs.
Rating: NC-17 rated , male/male love relationship
Spoilers: Desolation Island
Warnings: Much Stephen angst and male/male sexuality.
Disclaimer: Characters borrowed from Patrick O'Brian & his heirs on a non-profit basis
Losses and New Discoveries - Part 1
On their return to England from the Mauritius, both Jack and Stephen for the first week or two were caught up in their own affairs. Jack was feted and lionised by both the Admiralty and the extremely grateful members of the East India Company, as the man who had not only brought them the good news of the destruction of the French bases in the Indian Ocean but one of the chief agents of that destruction. For Admiral Bertie, worried by Stephen’s false information concerning Jack’s father’s future political activities and his potential to boost or sink his own aspirations decided that it would be wise to ensure that Jack’s name was prominent in the despatches concerning the successful naval actions at Mauritius and La Réunion. Jack’s life consisted of a round of dinners and presentations and balls held in his honour.
Meanwhile, Stephen was secreted away in the backrooms of the Admiralty with Sir Joseph and his assistants. His first task was the presentation of his very satisfactory report on the successful mission just completed. After that, he was immersed for the rest of the week in poring over the many documents, reports and assorted ephemera collected concerning the situation in the Iberian Peninsula over the year or so that Stephen had been absent. The task of sorting and categorising the papers had been done by one of Sir Joseph’s assistants but it was Stephen who had to read them all to evaluate their individual importance and relevance. For he was the one who was best suited to recognise and choose, from the mountain of information available, those which were the most factually reliable reports. So much of the intelligence that had been collected was provided by interested parties wishing to sway the British to take action that would best support their hopes and ambitions in a future Spain liberated from the French that most of it must be considered dubious if not dangerous to act upon. Much of it was long since out of date and he wished that he could discard these straight away, but ever vigilant to any clue or skerrick of information that he could not afford to miss he scanned them all. There was no telling that some seeming anodyne or unimportant piece of information could be of the gravest importance in the future when making decisions on where to take action or who to attempt to influence or subvert.
Both men stayed at the Grapes and saw each other at breakfast most days and on some of them Jack tried to persuade Stephen to join him but Stephen always declined with the excuse that he had too much work to do. By the end of the second week, the round of engagements Jack was expected to attend was much reduced and he was restless, longing to return home to Sophie. Jack woke early and called loudly. “Killick, Killick there …”
Killick stumped in looking somewhat frowzy and definitely hung over, “Yes sir, which I am brushing your number one coat ….”
Jack shook his head, “No belay that. I’m going home. Start packing my sea chest and go order me a chaise for this morning. I’ll breakfast with Dr Maturin and see whether he’ll be accompanying me or not. If he is, you’ll have to pack his chest as well.”
Killick almost managed a smile when he heard this, but quickly suppressed this most unnatural of expressions and racked his brain to find cause for complaint as he stumped from the room. “I was just getting to enjoy meself in London …”
Jack was sipping on his coffee as he waited for Stephen to join him. He looked tired and a little worn when he joined him and Jack looked up smiling and reached to pour some coffee for him. “Good morning Stephen, sit down and have some coffee. You were late coming in last night?”
Stephen sat down and rubbed his eyes, reddened from his days of reading and transcribing notes, “Yes my dear, I have had much to do these last few days and much more to complete in the next week or two before I leave.”
“Leave? Leave … where?” Jack asked surprised, his disappointment obvious and then would have gone on to protest but stopped as Stephen stared back at him. “So sorry my dear … I should not have presumed. I just assumed that you would be coming down to Ashgrove to stay with Sophie and me for a while.”
Stephen shook his head, “No, my dear … it may not be possible. I am likely to be called elsewhere very soon. I will try and come down to visit before I go … I may be some time away.” Jack looked even more crestfallen and Stephen leant across the table to pat his hand, “But of course I’ll come back to see you both and the children, as soon as I can.”
“Oh, you’ll be leaving us so soon Doctor? And you being away for so long …” Mrs Broad did not look happy. “Captain Aubrey going home today too …”
“No, well not straight away, in a few weeks I expect.” Stephen replied as she put down a plate of sausages and bacon and eggs in front of him. He looked across at Jack, “You’re going home?”
“Yes, I’ve had enough of London and I long to see Sophie and my boy. Surely you can come home with me for just a few days Stephen?” Jack asked.
Stephen smiled and shook his head, “No, my dear, there is just too much work and I’m sure Sophie wants you to herself for a few days without the bother of having me there.”
Jack frowned, “You know it’s no bother to her. Sophie will be so disappointed. Don’t you want to see George?”
Stephen smiled, “Of course I wish to see this stupor mundi, your most excellent progeny but my work here has been so neglected while we have been away. I have much to attend to and there has been no one that Sir Joseph could rely upon in my absence. Send my love to dear Sophie.”
“I’ll look after him, Captain Aubrey … make sure he eats proper and puts on his coat and scarf when he goes out in the cold. Don’t you worry … now eat up gentlemen. There’s more on the skillet and toast and marmalade to come.” Mrs Broad said as she left the room.
Killick came in at the end of their breakfast and turning to Jack said, “Chaise will be here in the hour sir. Will the Doctor be coming with you?”
“No Killick, just me. Finish packing my sea chest.”
They sipped the last drops of coffee and both stood up. Jack stepped close to Stephen and gripped his shoulder, “Look after yourself Stephen and be careful. God I hate this when you …” He stopped when he saw Stephen’s warning look and wrapped him in a bear hug.
Stephen reached up and kissed his cheek, whispering, “Of course my dear, I’m always careful. Don’t fret so.” He then withdrew from Jack’s embrace and said, “I understand you are to be given a home posting. You will be in command of the Sea-Fencibles in Hampshire. I’m sure Sophie will like that. You, at home and on full pay and most importantly not having great cannon balls fired at you. It will be a relief to her mind, to be sure. Hurry along now, your chaise will soon be here and I must be away.”
Jack clasped his hand and squeezed it and Stephen smiled up at him, tempted yet again by that delicious mouth, the desire to kiss him, strong and urgent. He nodded and patted Jack’s hand and left the room. Jack stared after him. ‘Damn me, I haven’t left and yet … Why does he have to do this? Risk himself like this? Surely he has done enough? He should be with me …’ He stopped at that point, shocked by the strength of his overwhelming desire to protect this man, to always keep him by his side and how quickly they pushed aside the longing to see his wife and son. The more proper feelings he should be feeling at this time. ‘What does he do that draws me to him so … that makes me feel so … so …’ Passed through his mind as he watched Stephen go up the stairs to his room, but he stopped there, not wishing to delve too deep for the answer, unsettled and disturbed by what he suspected the answer might be. He followed Stephen upstairs calling, “Killick, Killick have you seen that package I had … the silk for Sophie. Pull it out of the chest. I’ll carry it with me in the chaise.”
Stephen spent the rest of the week writing and then putting the finishing touches on his report. This report was a synthesis of the multitudinous scraps of intelligence he had brought together with the addition of a clear outline of proposed actions that could be taken by himself to coordinate and support the various movements and militias that opposed Napoleon in Spain and suggestions that could be made to the British Army whose regiments were now posted across the border in Portugal. The following week was spent with Sir Joseph arranging the last details. He had been invited to present a paper at the Institut in Paris on boobies, in particular the red footed booby, Sula sula websteri and thought he might bring to their attention his newest discovery, the magnificent great land tortoise, Testudo aubreii. From there he proposed that he should petition the French to allow him to travel south through France to make a pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary of Pilar at Zaragoza. It would be more convenient to then cross into Catalunya directly from Aragon, but if his request was refused he would return to England and arrangements were put in train for him to be landed on the coast of Asturias and he would make his way inland and across to Catalunya. As he had a few days to spare before he took the packet to France, he went down to Hampshire to see Sophie and Jack.
He found Jack happy and bursting with enthusiasm for the improvements he planned for Ashgrove, the additional wings he wanted to build to enlarge the cottage and a double coach-house and a line of stables for the horses he was going to buy. After Stephen formally greeted Mrs Williams and kissed Sophie, Mrs Williams instantly took charge of him. She sat him down and brought in Fanny and Charlotte and urged, “Come my dears, kiss Dr Maturin. He’s come to visit you and your brother.” The girls complied, planting sticky kisses on his cheek and Mrs Williams then took Stephen up to the nursery to examine the young prodigy and after he declared him perfectly healthy, Jack took over and dragged him into what he called his study, the small room beside the dining room, the size of a broom cupboard where on the small table was laid all his plans.
Jack plucked the topmost one, his plans for a new copper-domed observatory tower which would house his precious telescope. “Stephen, such observations I will be able to make from my new observatory. How marvellous it is to have money to spare to improve the place. The girls will have their portions, as they should have done in the first place and well I’ll be able to help George make his way in the service.” His face glowed with pleasure and Stephen smiled in response to his joy.
Then, from outside they could hear Killick’s querulous voice, “No you grass-combing landlubber, don’t dump that there. It will ruin the path. We’ve just whitewashed the stones.”
“It don’t matter mate, your Captain is having this all dug up anyway. Now get out of me way or I’ll dump this sand on top of you.”
“Just try it you bugger and …”
Jack marched to the nearest window and bellowed in his loudest voice, “Killick belay your foolishness. Come inside and let the men get on with their work. The Doctor is waiting for his coffee.”
Killick came inside muttering and scowling, nodded to Stephen and went into the kitchen to prepare the coffee. “Lord, how we’ll keep all that muck they’re dumping at the doorstep out of the house, I don’t know. Bloody lubbers don’t know how to do things proper.”
Sophie came back and sat beside Stephen and looked carefully into his face and squeezed his arm, “Stephen, you are so thin and tired-looking. You haven’t been looking after yourself. Please stay a few weeks with us.”
Stephen shook his head regretfully, “No, I’m sorry, my dear that I cannot do. I must be away to Ireland and then down to my place in Catalunya. It has been sadly neglected while I’ve been away.”
Jack frowned at this. “Stephen, there have been reports that there is major fighting there. Charles Yorke told me in a letter. He was transporting troops to Spain and there was news when he landed them of vicious fighting between the local militias and the French. Do you have to go?”
“I’ll be quite safe Jack. My place is too isolated and unimportant for the French to take any interest.”
He spent a few days with them and as he bade Jack farewell, Jack pulled him into his arms and whispered, “Be careful my dear, I want to see you back here in the autumn.”
“Hopefully it will only take that long. God bless and I shall bring back some fine Priorato to celebrate my return.” Stephen waved goodbye as he climbed into the chaise that was to take him down to Portsmouth. He looked up and waved and blew a kiss to Sophie who was standing at the window, holding baby George and looked near to weeping. She bit her lips and looked very strained. “Do not worry dear Sophie. I shall be back as soon as I can.”
The passage across the Channel was smooth and rapid, yet Stephen arrived in Paris three days later, wearied and out of sorts with the delays he had experienced by land. He had counted on a few extra days to visit his old haunts in Paris, perhaps visit Dupuytren at the Hôtel Dieu and Adhémar de La Mothe. After leaving his meagre baggage at his hotel near the Palais-Royal, he went straight way to enquire at the Minister of the Interior’s office whether he may be given permission to travel overland to Spain. He was greeted coldly by a rather superior clerk and advised that he must apply formally in writing to the Minister for permission. This was as he expected it would be and as he did not want to draw undue attention to himself by trying to get old friends to expedite the matter. He resigned himself to a sea voyage to Spain and a long, tedious journey across battle-scarred Spain to Catalunya first and then back to Vigo on the Galician coast. The only thing that stirred any great enthusiasm was the thought that he might be able to see Miquel again.
His presentation to the Institut was for the evening of the next day and he knew he must get his more pressing covert tasks completed and so he disappeared into the banlieue of Paris, visiting anonymous houses to listen carefully, guardedly to those who for whatever reason whether they be embittered Republicans or Monarchists were disillusioned with the Emperor. There was very little valuable information from most of these contacts but the few very useful individuals, public servants working within the Government gave some very valuable information concerning troop strength and quality of the armies in Spain, the French communication and supply problems and the mounting deaths of French soldiers at the hands of Spanish militia groups. Stephen mused on all of what he had been told as he wandered through the galeries of the Palais-Royal. He ignored the ladies offering their services as he pondered how he could use perhaps one or two of the more careful and intelligent of those he had met today to poison the well of French Intelligence. As he took the stairs up to the casino, he smiled as he contemplated the hares he could set running here and there leading many a French agent a merry chase, distracting them from their real quarry.
The next day he rose late after a successful night at the gaming tables and sat drinking coffee outside of the Café de Caveau watching stylish Parisians wandering through the courtyard and along the arcades, looking into the shop windows. He was mentally rehearsing his presentation and was exceedingly nervous. He had never been one to seek the limelight and over the years his secretive nature had made him more wary of such public exposure. Stephen was quite capable of imparting knowledge effectively on a one-to-one basis but standing up and addressing a roomful of his colleagues was another matter entirely. He reassured himself that he would have his notes, his quite comprehensive notes with him.
He paid for his coffee and went out into the courtyard and then out to the Jardins du Palais-Royal, emerging into the brilliant sunlight. The tightly controlled and fiercely geometric formality of the garden with the straight rows of perfectly clipped trees and garden beds placed with extreme precision that he felt was typical of the French attitude to the natural world, a world that must be regimented and organised and scientifically labelled. The last attribute an attitude he could understand but his preference was for the seemingly artless and apparently natural vistas of the parks that surrounded the great English houses. He wandered up and down the allées whispering his speech. He sat on a bench by the central fountain and pulled from his coat a small notebook to review yet again his notes. With a sigh he gave up and putting the book back into his pocket he closed his eyes and put his head back to feel the warmth of the sun on his face. Stephen relaxed, stretched and yawned and then smiled as he began to look forward to his dinner with Adhémar at the rather chic and outrageously expensive, Le Grand Véfour.
Perhaps he would overhear some interesting gossip for all the most powerful and fashionable people dined there. It may prove useful and Adhémar, as always could be relied on to drop some interesting piece of information in conversation. It always surprised Stephen how the intimacy of the bedroom seemed to do away with all notions of good sense among politicians, high ranking army officers and public servants. How they gave themselves and their master’s secrets away so freely under the influence of a skilful pair of hands or mouth. For Adhémar had a wide range of acquaintances and lovers from the French Navy and Army and the higher echelons of government and one could never say he was not skilled in the finer arts of the bedroom. Stephen had never been favoured with his attentions but had been assured by a mutual acquaintance his skills were highly sought after.
It was in the gardens that Adhémar discovered him and dragged Stephen up into his arms and kissed his cheeks, greeting him enthusiastically. “How are you my dear? Come along now, I have booked a table and we must not be late.” Holding Stephen’s arm tightly he led him back into the Place du Palais-Royal. “It has been so long since you have been to Paris Stephen. What have you been doing on that horrible damp island over the Channel?”
“I’ve been away, on a long sea voyage out to the Cape and the Île de France.”
Adhémar looked at him for a second and one eyebrow arched, “Should I ask why? Or would that not be wise?”
“I could say it was for the good of my health and you would not believe me I’m sure, but I think I shall leave it at that,” Stephen replied.
Adhémar grinned and bent to Stephen’s ear, “An answer I would expect from you. Do you want to hear my news? I’ve made so many new friends.”
It was Stephen’s turn to smile, “I’m sure you have and yes, I always want to know of any new friendships you have made. Is there anyone I might be interested in?”
“Oh, I’m sure there are a few petits morceaux that may amuse you and such a mouthful some of them proved to be,” was the scurrilous half-whispered response, followed by Adhémar’s deep and resonant laugh. Stephen blushed and he clasped his arm more tightly and whispered in his ear, “Embarrassed Stephen, surely not you.”
Stephen looked askance at him and reddened further as they were being shown to their table as he heard a comment casually dropped sotto voce, “There is one of de La Mothe’s conquests. I haven’t seen him before. Not at all his type, rather drab, he usually likes men in uniform with lots of sparkling decorations. I wonder what he sees in that odd little man.”
Adhémar sniffed and whispered, “Ignore them my dear, they have no idea what I treasure. There are those with an elegance of the spirit that outshine any of the physical trappings and you my dear possess that in abundance. It is a pity you don’t take an interest in clothes. Oh then, then my dear I could not resist and would attempt to seduce you into my bed straight away.”
Stephen murmured, “I think I’m a little more interested in your current conquests.”
“Not interested at all, hmm … Stephen?” Adhémar teased. “Is there a special person for you? You never mention such things but I remember when you were in Paris before the Revolution, quite the ladies’ man. Is there no English lady that has caught your eye or interest?” Stephen somewhat flummoxed by Adhémar’s interest in his personal life, for once dropped the mask and the aching emptiness he felt that was always just under the surface showed in his expression. “Oh … a broken heart … I’m sorry my dear.” He leaned across the table and patted his hand, “But Stephen why don’t you try men. They are much more reasonable creatures. Did you meet any English Naval Officers on your long sea voyage? So beautiful in their blue and gold lace some of them. Cooped up in a ship for months on end and men all around you ... it sounds divine … all quite desperate for a little comfort I’m sure by the end of a very long sea voyage. The French Naval Officers have told me what it was like, though I gather … well the English are rather prudish that way ... I’ve been told that the English Navy will hang you for giving your dearest friend a little relief. So barbaric … but they do like a good flogging I’m told.” Adhémar snorted with amusement. “The English disease …”
Stephen looked down, again blushing, “All too true I’m told.”
“But then why are you blushing? Is there a handsome sea captain who has stolen your heart? I think there is …” Adhémar leant across and whispered close to his ear. “Come you can tell me.”
“If there was … and I’m not saying there is … he is well and truly married … certainly not …” Stephen responded.
“Married … what does that mean? Every second man in my bed is married. They are only as married as they want to be … especially in the case of a sailor.”
“Well as for my heartache, it was my own fault. I frankly admit that I have no advantages of person or family and in this case, I aimed far beyond my deserts. I have the luck with the cards … but in matters of the heart … ah, there my friend alas I have no luck at all.” Stephen smiled wryly and shrugged. “While on the other hand, you my dear Adhémar are blessed with a surfeit of choice, so many admirers I hear.”
Adhémar beamed and surveyed the room, “Oh yes, at the moment … such a busy life … but I shall tell you of that later in your room. For such private, intimate details, this is not quite the place for such a tête-à-tête and I see I must take you in hand, if you are to be in any way presentable for your lecture this evening.” With that he looked up at the waiter who stood at his elbow and ordered their meal and wine.
After a quite sumptuous meal and much wine Stephen and Adhémar returned to Stephen’s room in the hotel and Adhémar appropriating the bed lay back against the pillows and patted the place beside him, “Come now Stephen, I promise not to do anything outrageous, I wish to make my report and what more suitable a place than bed to give you all the piquant and oh, so interesting details. So many glorious men, my dear … and all quite lusty … you know war has a marvellous aphrodisiacal effect. The frisson of excitement, the lust felt by the officers of the Navy and Army before an impending battle or campaign and the dread of la mort spurs them on to higher and more frenzied means of attaining la petite mort. Surely you have noticed this on board ship before a sea battle?” He looked at Stephen mischievously and put his arm around him and pulled him close, “Now my report, monsieur … if it proves stimulating, I promise to assist you in any way I can. Well …”
Stephen rolled his eyes but relaxed by the wine, settled into the pillows beside him and listened intently. The pleasant languor and relaxation induced by good food and wine and the presence of an amiable and amusing friend worked its magic and when he began to digress onto subjects of greater interest to him such as the quite wondrous sensations aroused by a good spanking, Stephen drifted off and was soon fast asleep, cuddled up to Adhémar. He looked down and smiled benevolently at Stephen, “That was not quite the effect I intended but well …” He shrugged and drew Stephen’s body closer and the wine and the warmth of the afternoon sun streaming through the window ensured that he too was soon asleep.
Only the cool evening breeze playing over them on the bed roused them from their slumbers. Stephen opened his eyes and still mazed and groggy on waking and wondered where he was and the identity of the obviously masculine scented body he was pressed against. Adhémar awoke straight away and sat up, “Come Stephen … oh hurry, we have slept too long … you will be late and you must be properly dressed. Hurry, hurry my dear … just imagine the effect of you arriving at the Institut, still warm and sleepy on my arm … your clothes slightly askew. What my dear will they think? And how unfair too … they will be thinking I had my way with you and me not even being graced with a kiss. Vite, vite mon ami!”
Stephen scrambled to his feet and tugged at his neck cloth and moved toward the armoire but was waved back by Adhémar. “Undress, undress my dear. I will get your clothes and lay them out.”
He obeyed, removing his neckcloth, vest and pulling off his rumpled shirt and breeches and went over to the wash stand splashing water onto his face. He took up his razor which Adhémar plucked from his hand, “Let me,” and proceeded to soap and then smoothly slide the razor along Stephen’s jaw line and delicately scraped under his chin and chin and upper lip. “Wash my dear.” He patted Stephen’s face dry and frowned at the underclothes Stephen was wearing, “Strip, new linen is most definitely required.” Stephen glanced at him and was about to say something but obeyed and Adhémar enjoyed the view front and back as he went to the bed to pick up the fresh underclothes, patting Stephen’s right buttock as he returned. He smiled and said, “Step into them my dear.” He did and before Stephen could do it, slipped his hand inside, “To the left I believe isn’t it?” Stephen stared at him and nodded and Adhémar laughed as he adjusted him and withdrew his hand and then gave Stephen’s penis a friendly pat. “You’re perfectly safe my dear. We certainly haven’t got time for that.” He proceeded to dress Stephen and wrapped his neckcloth and then took Stephen’s wig in hand, scowling at it, tutting his disapproval. He powdered it and fussed with it and in the end gave up, “That’s the best I can do.”
“My glasses and my notes,” Stephen cried as they were about to walk out of the room and ran back and gathered them up.
“Don’t put them in your pocket, hold them my dear. It will spoil the line of your coat.” Adhémar scolded.
They arrived at the Institut, with minutes to spare and a flustered Stephen was introduced almost immediately before he could gather his scattered thoughts. He started rather nervously and then resorted to his notes, his head sinking deeper and deeper as he strained to read them and his speech already rapid and nervous, accelerated even further and his audience strained to follow him. He only relaxed at the end with his minor digression to speak of the prodigious proportions and the uniqueness of Testudo aubreiii. The fond recollections of his time on the island with Jack eased his nervousness and his audience noted the flushed look of pleasure and happiness as he recounted its discovery. When he was asked in whose honour the creature was named he smiled and replied, “In honour of my particular friend, Captain Jack Aubrey who transported me to that enchanted place. He is a most scientific navigator and a respected man of mathematics. Perhaps you have heard him addressing the Royal Society on the mathematics and astral navigation? He is quite well regarded by the members in those fields of scientific endeavour.” He also answered questions on the locations and occasions of his study of the red-footed booby and astounded many an arm-chair theoriser with his tale of shipwreck on St. Paul’s Rocks.
Meanwhile, in the back row, Adhémar sat back and smiled. He had his answer and pondered on this captain that was so dear to Stephen’s heart. Any fool could see that. For when he spoke of the man, his eyes literally shone and his whole demeanour changed so markedly from his usual quiet, even withdrawn manner. It was as if someone had energised him, his movements became more decisive, his facial expressions more mobile and fluid, his usual defences all dropping away. He was besotted with the man, most certainly. Adhémar murmured to himself, “I must ask Captain Laurent about this Jack Aubrey. I am curious about such a man who can ensnare the heart of Stephen Maturin. He must be very special indeed.”
Adhémar and Stephen returned to Café Lemblin at the Palais-Royal for supper and instead of wine ordered chocolate, the best chocolate to be had in Paris. Stephen wished to be clear headed tonight as he intended to visit the other casino and try his hand there. He was relaxed at the end of the ordeal and relieved that it seemed to have gone well. As a result, he was relatively more open to questioning than usual and Adhémar exploited Stephen’s current mood to satisfy his curiosity regarding Monsieur Aubrey but Stephen’s innate reticence even in this mood frustrated him. By the end of supper he knew a little more of the man’s history but was still unsure as to what it was about the man that attracted Stephen so.
Stephen stood, “Will you join me at the tables?”
Adhémar shook his head, “I dare not. You will relieve me of all I possess if I were to play you with your luck with the cards.”
“If not to play then at least accompany me.” He offered again.
“I thought you had already acquired a nice little purse from last night’s games. Don’t they pay you well enough? Do you have to earn your living en route?”
“I’m a volunteer and well you know it, my dear. When it is deemed necessary, I carry sufficient funds. For this trip … any extra will not go astray. Money is always useful for greasing the wheels and yes I did win quite handsomely last night but I have not played at the other casino and I wish to test my luck, while it is in. You never know I may one day become lucky in another milieu and I must take my chances with the dice, wheel and cards while I may. I have, I find to my chagrin, a vengeful nature and derive great pleasure in fleecing some of Buonaparte’s lackeys. For most certainly, it is my duty to weaken the enemy, is it not?”
“Perhaps you will find some luck in love, maybe your Jack may notice what he has in his friend and take you to his bed on your next voyage. Only then will I dare play you.” Stephen rolled his eyes at that and with a mischievous grin, Adhémar added, “You never know, I may attract the attentions of Lady Luck tonight.”
Stephen blushed and shook his head and called, “Come then, perhaps you will stumble upon an Adonis.”
Adhémar did not find his Adonis and as he had drunk far too much champagne Stephen took him back to his room rather than letting him make his way home alone. Stephen’s purse was heavy with Gold Napoleons and he was pleased with his night’s work. He bundled Adhémar into his bed, removing his shoes and stockings and coat and tucked the covers around him and after undressing slipped in beside him and fell asleep immediately.
The next morning Stephen woke, his body fully aroused. A delighted Adhémar had been caressing his body from the time he woke beside him and had achieved his aim when Stephen’s body began to undulate against him, arousal now evident. Adhémar smiled down at Stephen and kissed him and pulled back looking intently at him, “It seems Lady Luck has favoured me after all. Your body is willing it seems Stephen, so will you oblige me? I am a gentleman after all and if you wish me to stop …” He smiled again and whispered, “What is your pleasure Stephen? Shall we indulge in a little mutual stimulation with our hands or perhaps my mouth would be more to your taste?”
Stephen’s eyes were glazed over and he was feeling some urgency and he gasped, “Yes, your mouth, oh yes please.”
Adhémar smiled and turned around so that his head was at Stephen’s groin, lifting his nightshirt and felt Stephen’s hand, opening his breeches. He leant forward licking the length of Stephen’s cock from the tip to the base and then gently nibbled and licked and kissed his way to the tip. He felt Stephen’s hand grasp his cock and begin a slow massage and Adhémar opened his mouth and began to slowly suck on the tip, laving it with his tongue, savouring the taste and with a groan of pleasure swallowed and sucked, swallowed and sucked till he felt the tip of his cock in his throat. He relaxed his throat muscles further, swallowing it and bobbed up and down taking him as deep as he could, as he lightly held and gently squeezed his balls with one hand and slipped the other behind, lightly sweeping up the cleft and returning to the opening there, circling, circling and teasing and then piercing him with his index finger. Stephen by now was thrusting into his mouth and at the feel of the finger piercing him, the stimulation was too much. He could not hold and Adhémar felt the warm flood of his cum as he spilled into his throat. Stephen lay still for a little while and then returned the favour; pulling Adhémar close to his mouth and holding his hips took his cock into his mouth, sucking and kissing and laving, lavishing all his attention on his cock.
Stephen groaned as Adhémar pulled back and he shushed him, “Shh, my dear, I just want to change position.” He turned around and moved up the bed, his groin now above Stephen’s face and taking his head in his hands, “Open my dear and suck.” Stephen eagerly obeyed, kissing and licking his cock and then opening his mouth wide and held still as Adhémar pushed forward, moving in and out fucking his mouth and pushing gently, “Relax, my dear, relax your muscles, let me in.” Stephen breathed deeply and relaxed and Adhémar smiled as he felt his cock slide into his throat and pushed further and waited and pushed in a little further. He caressed his face, “Yes, my dear relax, that’s good, so good, yes swallow oh yes … yes my dear Stephen … just like that … oh yes …” He was now almost totally surrounded by the wetness and warmth of his throat and mouth and could no longer hold, the sounds from Stephen excited him further and his fingernails scraping the back of his thighs were enough to push him over the edge finally, pushing and pumping his cum down Stephen’s throat. He pulled back as he felt his cock begin to soften and looked down at him, gently touching Stephen’s face and massaging his throat. “Good, oh so good my dear … your mouth and throat are divine … perhaps you may like to provide such a service to your Captain? I’m sure he would appreciate it.” He lay down beside him, clasping Stephen to his body and seeing his scowl, he poked him in the ribs, “Do not be angry my dear. I merely speak the truth, any man would enjoy your mouth and I see no reason to deprive your friend of such attentions. I’m sure on one of those very long sea voyages he would be quite eager and appreciative to have a friend who could provide such comfort.” Stephen looked somewhat mollified, but still did not speak, so Adhémar thought he was safe enough to add, “But then I haven’t tasted your other mouth, is that as hot and deliciously tight as your mouth and throat?”
“Well you’ll never know. I can’t lie in bed all day like some wanton sybarite. I must be on my way back to England. There is not a moment to lose.” Stephen disentangled himself from Adhémar and leapt up to wash and dress.
Adhémar lay back on the bed and laughed, “So eager my dear Stephen to get back to your Jack, are you?”
Stephen stood at the washstand washing himself, “No, I have business in Spain. I was going to see if you could use any influence to allow me passage overland, but I changed my mind. It would draw too much attention to me.”
“I’m afraid my dear you have already drawn their attention. They register every new friend I acquire or bed.” Adhémar laughed. “You are now officially on my list of conquests I’m sure. Your reputation is totally shattered my dear. You are officially a de La Mothe pervert.”
Stephen shrugged, “Perhaps, it will help. No one suspects those who are prone to blackmail of any other greater sin than their particular perversion.”
“Be careful my dear, do not be so sure. You did not acquire the damage to your hands through an accident did you?” Adhémar stood beside him, taking hold of his hand and examining the scars.
“No, that was acquired at the hands of members of Napoleon’s terror machine. They did not live to inform on me to their superiors.” Stephen replied coolly.
“I see that you are a dangerous man. I will not underestimate you again, my dear,” Adhémar replied and then smiled, “But that won’t stop me attempting to get you into my bed again.” He laughed and held him in a bear hug, kissing him as Stephen tried to dry his body with a towel. “Give me the towel,” he ordered and plucked the towel from Stephen’s hands and began to rub him down.
Stephen stepped away, shaking his head, “Unhand me you reprobate and wash and dress. I’m thirsting for my coffee.”
They had coffee and breakfasted and Stephen kissed Adhémar farewell, whispering, “Take care my dear.”
He was on his way back to England and just managed to arrive in time for the packet to take him across and reached Deal with time to spare for his rendezvous with the ship to take him down to Spain. His usual insouciant disregard for naval sensibilities concerning punctuality never ceased to frustrate and enrage naval officers throughout the fleet, for they did not love him as Jack did. Stephen was in the snug of the Rose and Crown in a capacious, leather chair contemplating his dinner when he looked up from his book, surprised to see Sir Joseph standing beside him.
“You look well Maturin. How was Paris? How were you received at the Institut? It went well, I assume.” Joseph asked as he took the seat beside Stephen.
“Oh quite well on all counts and Paris was beautiful as always, regardless of who rules her. What brings you down here my old friend? Is there news?” Stephen asked. “Will you join me at dinner? I will be boarding this evening, unless you are to tell me something that will upset all our plans.”
“Of course, I shall join you and no, I just came down to give you a message, a personal message for you.” Sir Joseph looked warily at Stephen, unsure of his response to his news. He cleared his throat and speaking in almost a whisper said, “I understand that a certain lady, a lady that you hold in high regard, a Mrs Villiers has returned to England and is making enquiries about you?”
Stephen stared at him for a few minutes, his face a blank mask, not a sign of the turmoil he was feeling, only the tensing of his shoulders showed that the words hit home. He looked down for a few minutes, “Thank you for coming and delivering the message personally. I thank you.”
“Maturin, would you prefer to stay in England? Our plans can wait a little longer, if you need to …” Sir Joseph offered.
“No … no …” Stephen looked up at Sir Joseph again, “Is she of any interest to you, professionally?”
“No, I just thought that you would wish to know of her presence. If you are determined to go, can I take a message to her, for you?” He asked.
“You are most kind, most kind. Yes I will put pen to paper and write her a note. My trip can not be cancelled … no it must go ahead … there has been too much precious time wasted as it is. I can only hope she will still be here when I come back. She may take flight again.” Stephen looked down, his heart was beating faster, thinking, ‘Surely, Sir Joseph can hear its beating. This woman … this woman, how she owns my heart … one mention of her and my mind creates visions … such visions … of a future … a future with her. No, I must stop this … stop this now. She has made it quite clear she will not have me, not as a husband and yet I long for it to be so.’
“Maturin,” Sir Joseph asked, concerned now. He touched his hand lightly, “Are you all right?”
Stephen shook his head, clearing it of these impossible visions, “Oh quite … quite all right. Shall we go into dinner? I am planning to have a good meal before I have to submit to naval rations again.”
They stood up and as they walked through, Sir Joseph asked, “Did you hear anything of interest in Paris? Your friend, de La Mothe … he has always been most informative in the past … did you see him?”
Stephen nodded and pulled an envelope from an inner pocket of his coat. “Here my dear Sir Joseph. I wrote it on the crossing and yes there has been some interesting information from that source as well. He is a most lively and amusing companion for the night.” Stephen laughed in his strange, silent way, just his shoulders shaking.
Sir Joseph’s eyebrow rose as he pocketed the offered envelope, “I’m sure he is. I will anticipate with real eagerness the contents of your report.”
While they waited for their coffee after their meal Stephen called for paper and ink and pen and dashed off a quick note to Diana -
Villiers
I’m sorry that I could not come to you straight away but I have most urgent business in Catalunya, business long deferred by my recent voyages. I cannot defer them any longer, even for you my dear.
If you are in need of anything, you may call on the services of my banker. I will send a note to him authorising any monies you may require. As for what we spoke of before we parted in India, I would beg you to reconsider my offer, my most sincere offer. What has happened has not changed my mind or my heart in the slightest.
He hesitated for a minute, re-read the note and then shook his head as if dismissing any doubts, wrote with a flourish -
With my deepest love and respect
Stephen
He then bent to writing a note to his banker to authorise any reasonable payments to Mrs Diana Villiers upon any approach and request she may make. One copy for Diana and one for the banker and then he sealed them in their respective envelopes and addressed them and handed them to Sir Joseph.
“If you can make sure that these are sent to Villiers and my banker when you get back to London.” Stephen asked.
Sir Joseph stirred again and cleared his throat, “Stephen … is this wise? I have heard that Mrs Villiers …” He saw the cold expression of enquiry on Stephen’s face and did not continue.
“I believe that is up to me Sir Joseph, is it not?” Stephen answered in a cool, challenging tone.
Sir Joseph Blaine was not an easy man to intimidate but there was something in Stephen’s tone and manner when he was angered that unsettled him and made him wary. He had sensed this from their first interview and had taken care not to incite Stephen’s anger and not only for the service’s sake. He was quite certain he would not wish to make an enemy of Stephen Maturin.
The arrival of the coffee diverted Stephen and Sir Joseph relaxed when he saw that Stephen’s mood had reverted back to the easy manner with which they had been conversing earlier. Sir Joseph leant forward and asked, “Who did you meet at the Insitut?”
Over coffee they gossiped about the intellectual leading lights of the Institut and of the various individuals he met away from the Institut, their usefulness and the reliability of their information. They were still deep in discussion when a ship’s boy ran into the room. “Sir, oh sir, the tide is at the full and the blue peter has been flying for ever so long. The Captain is wanting to make the tide sir. Oh please do hurry Dr Maturin.”
“Oh, I must away. The good Captain will be exceedingly cross with me if we miss the tide. Good bye dear Sir Joseph, hopefully I shall be able to return at the time we arranged. I plan to be in Vigo by the last week of August at the latest.”
Stephen was quickly wafted across to the HMS Orion which with commendable speed due to the favourable winds, cleared the channel and crossed the Bay of Biscay in record time and only stopped briefly to take Stephen ashore a few miles to the west of the port of Laredo. For Captain Wodehouse and his crew were eager to reach the Mediterranean and join Admiral Thornton’s fleet. This pleased him as he had expected to be landed off Gijón in Asturias much further west and it would mean a sizeable reduction in cross-country travel. He made his way overland through Bilbao, Vitoria, Logroño and Tudela. An urgent and anxious trip always skirting scattered regiments of the French and Spanish armies and he took a wide diversion around Zaragoza, currently under siege for the second time by the French. He climbed up to Huesca and then came down to his home at Lleida, much battered by Suchet’s siege the previous year and now in French hands. With trepidation he headed directly for his house and lands outside the city, worried about what he may discover. The sight of the buildings still standing did not reassure him and it was only when his dogs bounded out to greet him and he saw Feliu shuffling out of the barn to call them back that he felt some relief. He called, “Hola Feliu, how are you my friend? How are Laia and Neus?”
Feliu took the halter of Stephen’s horse and led him into the courtyard and waited till he dismounted before replying. “It is good to see you sir. Neus is gone now sir, off and married. A year ago sir, she married after … I’m sorry sir, Laia died … two years ago she left us.” Stephen’s eyes filled with tears and he looked away quickly and bit his lip. Feliu patted his shoulder. “Come in sir, it looks as if you’ve been on the road for quite a while … come in and take some coffee. My sister’s living here now sir, looking after the house … like Laia used to do. Her husband was killed by the French and it was safer for her and her children to stay with me. With you away so long … the house empty … I thought it for the best.”
Stephen nodded his head and looked down, “Yes, of course … of course. I should have kept in better contact. I’ve been away these last two years and more in the Indian Ocean and other places. Did she receive my letters and my presents?”
Feliu nodded, “Yes sir, right up to the day she was taken up. Her last words were of you sir, her boy …her Esteve. She was very proud of you sir.”
Stephen could only nod and he followed him into the house. This was the first loss he was to experience and perhaps the least bitter. He spent a few days at his house and though his flock was much reduced by the ravages of the French Army, the land and the buildings were in reasonable shape. He quietly entered Lleida and met with old friends to hear the latest news and information concerning the resistance movement. The Army of the Castellanos had long abandoned Catalunya to the French but there was still much guerrilla activity but very little effective action. Suchet had seized Lleida, Mequinensa and Tortosa and this year Tarragona and Montserrat. Soon the French would have the whole of Catalunya. The raids of the somatenes and migueletes were savage and ruthless, their custom was to torture and humiliate captured French officers and soldiers before killing them. He was told of one of the guerrilla leaders, Cure Merino who specialized in castrating captured French officers. The French of course took their revenge on the civilian populace with equal barbarity. This was the second blow to his heart, a monstrous cloud of bloodshed, terror and brutality had descended on his Catalunya. On reaching home that night he almost doubled his dose of laudanum. So on leaving the next day for Tarragona he was drowsy and sluggish and confirmed with Feliu the continuation of the arrangements as they stood, as well as employing his sister as housekeeper.
Losses and New Discoveries - Part 2