A Change in the Wind

Tom Pullings quickly herded the two giggling young ladies down into the sailroom. With a new captain due to come aboard in, literally, moments, there was not a minute to spare in rowing them ashore. Indeed, Marshall had reported the boat carrying the sloop’s new commander putting off from the wharf only moments ago, and Tom was ( Read more... )

First Impressions

Stephen Maturin sank wearily into the little gilt chair, which creaked under even his slight weight. Clearly the chair matched the house in age, he thought, straightening and looking around the room.

Against his usual habit, he was very early, as he’d had nothing better to do before the concert was due to start. But then, that was ( Read more... )