Sarah

"He's awfully handsome, don't you think?"

"Who's that, dear?"

"The Lieutenant. Have you ever looked at his eyes? They're beautiful."

Mrs. Conroy smiled at the lass as she went about her work, "Yes, he's handsome enough, but don't you be settin' your cap for that one. I don't think that he would be interested in the likes of you, girl." Sarah went on with her dusting.

"You don't know that; he might. He told me that he's from a small village in Kent and that his Da is the local doctor. There's nothing grand about that. He's awfully easy to talk to. He's nice. He's really nice."

"Yes, he is that. Like I told you before, he's a lovely man, but I believe he's already found someone who he's interested in. For several years now."

Sarah digested this bit of information.

"So where is she? If she's so interested why isn't she here with him? Or why is he here when she's off somewhere else?"

"Why he's here is none of your business, and don't you go bothering the man, now you hear me? He's here on leave and you're to let him get some rest if that's what he wants. Don't you be after him or I'll take a cane to you."

"Well, if he's in love with someone, why doesn't he marry her? You'd think that he would, if he really loved her."

"You'll do yourself a favor by not questioning your betters, miss. What's none of your business is none of your business, and don't you be forgetting that." Sarah looked over at the older woman, digesting this bit of advice.

She couldn't help herself. "But if he were mine, I mean if he liked me like that, I'd be with him if I knew that he were here, no matter what. She must not care all that much about him."

Mrs. Conroy looked at the girl calmly. "Now don't you be thinking about things that you don't understand. You'll just get yourself in trouble if you do, missy."

But Sarah was off on her own train of thought. "He spends every day just hanging about, reading and writing letters-why I'll bet that he's written to her, begging her to forgive him for something. I'll bet that he's asking her to come to Portsmouth this very minute so that they can be married. He told me that he's picking up his new uniforms today over at the tailor's. He'd need a new uniform for a wedding, now, wouldn't he? Do you think that might be it?"

"What I think is that the dusting is nowhere close to being finished and the linens need to be changed this morning and you're standing here woolgathering."

"Oh, Mrs. Conroy. Wouldn't that be lovely! Having a wedding right here? The garden is beautiful now and he looks so wonderful in his uniform. I bet that she's a beauty, don't you think? He wouldn't be with someone who looked like a mud fence."

Mrs. Conroy couldn't resist. "There are some who think that he's with a beauty. There are others who think that he should find someone else for himself."

Sarah's ears pricked up at this bit of information. "You mean that you've met her? Are there problems? I'd never row with him, never. Is that why she's not here and why he's mooning about? Tell me, please, Mrs."

Sarah thought that the twinkle in the housekeeper's eye was from a love of a good old-fashioned gossip as the two leaned their heads together conspiratorially. "Well, so far as I understand it, his 'friend' is quite a bit older than the Lieutenant and is somewhat better endowed with material things than he. There would be talk about both of them if they were to just come out and post the bans. I dare say that it would cause a scandal and make no mistake about that."

Sarah looked heartbroken. "So they love each other desperately but can never be together! That's the saddest thing I've ever heard." She seemed close to tears. She brightened after a moment. "Perhaps I could try to cheer him?" A look from the older woman stopped her. "But, M'am, he's so sad."

"He'll be fine, girl, you'll see. The Commodore is expected back any day now and that always seems to put the roses back in his cheeks. Perks up his appetite a bit, too."

"I hope so. I worry about him all the time. Sometimes I see him up reading down in the study when he can't sleep, late at night. Don't you think that he's brave? His heart is breaking, but he goes on. He's a wonder, he is."

Mrs. Conroy managed to keep a straight face at the last, saying simply, "If that room hasn't been dusted and the linens haven't been changed by tea, you'll have something to wonder about, my girl, and don't you make any mistake about that. Back to work with you."

Meekly and with sniffling nose, Sarah returned to her work, thinking about ways that she might cheer up the dear man.

Suddenly a thought occurred to her. "Mrs. Conroy? Isn't it wonderful that an important man like the Master has taken an interest in Mr. Hornblower? Treats him almost like a son, he does."

"Ummm, yes, almost."

"He told me that they served together when the Master was Captain of the Indefatigable and that he was kind enough to teach Mr. Hornblower all sorts of things about the Navy and how to get along."

"Yes, I'm sure that he learned about all kinds of things he didn't know about up till then. The Master has taken quite an interest in the Lieutenant for several years now."

"Oohhhh, he must think that he's awful special to do that for a young man. And goodness! To let him stay here even when he's not about and to give him his own key and all. Do you think it's because the Master has no children of his own?"

"Perhaps. Now get on with your work. Hurry now, time isn't going to wait for the likes of you, miss."

Reluctantly, Sarah returned to dusting the mantle, wishing for ways to lighten the dear man's load.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Later that evening as Sarah was about to enter the study to ask if the Lieutenant might like anything, she saw that the door, usually kept closed, was ajar. Peering around the corner she was startled to see another Navy officer standing next to Mr. Hornblower who was smiling as she'd never seen before. Heavens, it made his face light up like the noon sun, it did.

She had heard someone at the front door a few minutes ago, but Mr. Preston had taken care of things. Ah, of course, it must be one of his sailing friends come to visit for a bit. Perhaps they would both like to have something to eat or maybe they would like to have the cards set up for a nice game.

She was about to walk in and ask them when she saw the Lieutenant boldly put his arms around the other man, who immediately put his arms about Mr. Hornblower! This didn't appear to be the usual type of embrace that two men would use to greet each other with if they hadn't seen each other for a while. This was the kind of hug you'd use for-well-for someone you knew very, very well.

Then, sweet Jesus! They started kissing! The two of them, just like that, hugging and kissing like an old married couple. And they didn't stop at that, either. The other man was taking Mr. Hornblower's coat right off of him and putting in on the chair, and he didn't seem to mind. He was quietly laughing and then doing the same as was done to him. Good Lord! There they go kissing and hugging again.

She just stood there, like she was rooted to the floor when she felt a hand come round her arm pulling her away and at the same time, firmly, but quietly shutting the door.

"You didn't see anything, my girl, and don't you forget that. What happens in this house is no one's business. No one's at all. Do you understand me, Miss?"

"But, Mrs. Conroy, they was…"

"I said that things which don't concern you are not to be discussed or mentioned to anyone. Is that clear?"

"But who was that? Who was that other man with the Lieutenant?"

Mrs. Conroy looked at Sarah for a moment before answering.

"That is the Master. Commodore Pellew. He's just home and you're to stay out of his way and not bother him in the least. He's a busy man and an important one, so you mark those words, girl."

"But he and Mr. Hornblower were…" She was stopped in midsentence by a single look from the formidable housekeeper.

"Yes, M'am. Should I make up one of the guest rooms for---one of them?"

Another look from Mrs. Conroy was enough to send her down the hallway and into her room for the rest of a sleepless night.

The next morning she was just setting the breakfast table when Lieutenant Hornblower walked in, just as he would on any morning, smiling and greeting her. "Good morning Sarah, did you sleep well?"

She almost forgot to talk, she was staring at him so hard, but managed, "Yes, sir, thank you for asking." Lord, he looked so normal! Almost like he hadn't spent the night doing…doing…well, whatever it was that they were doing. Just then she almost jumped out of her skin when she heard another voice behind her. "And who have we here?"

Mr. Hornblower's face had that same lovely smile that it wore last night. "Good morning, Edward. I don't believe that you've had the pleasure of meeting Sarah yet. Sarah, may I present Commodore Sir Edward Pellew. She is quite the most wonderful maid in all of Portsmouth."

"Is she now? Well, I consider myself a lucky man to have her services, then. Is everyone treating you well here, Sarah?"

She bobbed him a curtsey. So this was the Master, was he? He looked, well, nice-but she didn't think that she'd like to see him if he got angry.

"Yes, thank you, sir. Everyone here is just lovely."

Both of the men sat down as she went about serving them their breakfast. They seemed to be talking about all sorts of Navy things, guns and loss reports and supply requisitions and such things. Each time she handed something to the Lieutenant he would make a point of either thanking her or smiling up at her while he listened to what the Master was saying. Not many men would do that.

At one point when she was clearing she heard Sir Edward saying, "Well, of course he's becoming a problem, but we can't just pull him off his ship without a decent reason based on more than just suspicion. There's nothing for it. You'll have to make this last voyage with him and then see what we can do." Whatever it was they were talking about, Mr. Hornblower didn't seem happy.

"But Edward, the man is completely beyond reason."

"That may be, but nothing will be done before you return from the Indies. You know that the bureaucrats don't move that quickly. You're going to have to make the best of it."

"I fear that we may not return from the Indies."

"Don't exaggerate, of course you will. You'll be back in a few months and then we'll see what the Admiralty can do about the situation."

Sarah was beginning to clear when she heard the Lieutenant say, "Edward, please, just talk to the man. Have dinner with him; invite him around for an evening of cards. Sit in on a meeting at the Admiralty, listen to the man. Please. You have no idea what he has become. I know that he's a national hero, but he's not the same man he was even a year ago, I swear it."

The Master was looking at Mr. Hornblower. "You truly feel this strongly about this?"

"God, yes."

"I'll see what I can do, but I promise nothing, Horatio. You must understand that."

Sarah couldn't hold her tongue another second. "Please, Sir…if the Lieutenant is going to do something that might get him hurt, you must do something to help! Please, sir, you could stop that man, I'm sure of it. Everyone has been telling me that you're so smart and so important. You can't let anything happen to Mr. Hornblower, you just can't!"

Sir Edward looked at the young woman, now perilously close to tears, with a look of bemusement. After taking a moment to compose himself he nodded and said, "Sarah, you're absolutely right. I shall do whatever I can. I believe that the Lieutenant is of some importance to both of us."

The look of gratitude she gave him was almost heartbreaking in its open affection for Horatio.

"Thank you, thank you, sir. You are a good man, just like they've all been telling me." Turning her attention to the Lieutenant she added, "Don't you worry now, he'll take care of things for you, I know that he will."

The Lieutenant blessed her with one of his wonderful smiles, gently took her hand and kissed the back of it. Cor! She stood there, gawping at him in amazement. Goodness, no one had ever treated her so. If he were a prince, he couldn't be nicer, she just knew it. Even if he had kissed the Master, well, they were probably just very glad to see each other. Of course! That was all there was to it…like a father and his son. Right, there you are.

Blushing to her toes, she bobbed a curtsey and, coming back to herself, took a pile of dishes out to the pantry. Turning to Cook as she put the dishes down, she couldn't help but say, "Have you ever met a nicer man than the Lieutenant? He's just wonderful. And he has the most soulful eyes…have you ever looked at them? They could just melt you."

Seeing the dreamy look on the girl's face, Cook decided that it was time that someone put the lid on this foolish girl's ideas.

"Now you listen to me, Missy. You stay away from your betters or you'll find yourself out on the street, you see if you don't. Mr. Hornblower doesn't have his cap set for the likes of you, those eyes of his are looking elsewhere and don't you be thinking otherwise. Do you hear me?"

Not hearing a word of it, Sarah answered, "Yes, M'am." and wandered back out to the now empty dining room to finish clearing.

As she was just stacking the dishes, the Lieutenant walked in from the hallway. "Oh, Sarah, forgive me, did you happen to see if I left my book in here? You know, the one I've been reading all week…with a green binding."

"I'm sorry, sir, I haven't seen it in here. Would you like me to have a look for it?"

"No, thank you. I'll find it, I'm sure that I just left it around here somewhere." He turned to leave when Sarah spoke up.

"Mr. Hornblower? Could I ask you something?" He stopped and turned back to face her, a pleasant look on his face.

"Of course, Sarah, what would you like to know?"

"Well, sir. It's just that I know that you and the Master are good friends and all that," Horatio's face grew carefully neutral, "I was so worried about what you two were talking about this morning. He'll be able to keep you away from the ship with the crazy Captain, won't he? I'd be so worried about you if I knew that you were sailing with someone who wasn't right in the head."

"You're kind to be concerned, Sarah, but you're not to worry. I'm sure that it will all turn out right. These things usually do."

She smiled in relief, if he said that it would be all right, then it most certainly would be. "Oh, I guess that you'd know that better than the likes of me would, then, sir."

Horatio started out of the room.

"Sir?"

"Yes, Sarah?"

"Do you believe in true love, sir?"

Horatio looked at her for a moment, as though trying to decide how to respond. Finally he answered, "Yes, I believe that I do" He watched her face grow soft as he asked her. "Do you, Sarah?"

She turned beet red. "Oh, yes, sir." It was barely a sigh.

He smiled at her and turned to look for his book.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Later, sitting in the garden after lunch, Edward turned to Horatio and commented, "You seem to have made a conquest, judging from the looks young Sarah was tossing you at breakfast."

"I know. I suspect that when I leave for a few months she'll find someone else."

Edward smiled at him. "I wouldn't count on it. I don't forget you when you're away for a while."

Returning the smile, Horatio leaned over to kiss the Commodore. "Nor I you."

"Did I tell you that I've invited Jeremy Cornwallis and James Sawyer for dinner this evening? We should be able to see if there's a problem over a meal and cards."

"Do they know that I'll be here?"

"Jeremy does; he knows that you're a friend of mine."

Horatio raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"No, just a friend. He knows that you served under me and that I've taken an interest in your career. Nothing more. Don't worry."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As Horatio prepared for the dinner, shaving and washing himself in the master bedroom, Sarah entered with another armful of towels and a freshly pressed shirt for him to wear.

"Sir, I just know that the crazy Captain will make a complete fool of himself tonight and the Master and his friend will take him right off that ship of his. I wouldn't even be surprised if they made you the new Captain, in fact."

He smiled at her. She really was a dear girl.

"Thank you, Sarah. Let's hope that you're right, shall we?"

Just then Edward entered from the dressing room, obviously having heard their exchange. He put a caressing hand on Horatio's shoulder, "The time will come when he will be the captain of his own ship, and it won't be too long now. I'm sure of it."

The Lieutenant seemed embarrassed, but smiled shyly at the Master. "They seemed to understand each other so well," Sarah thought. "It was nice that they each had such a good friend."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The dinner went as Horatio feared that it might. Sawyer was an amiable and entertaining guest, literate, informed and articulate. The others knew that there was nothing for it. James Sawyer would retain his command.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After the two guests had left, Sarah went into the study to clear the glasses and cards away and to put the room to rights. Opening the door, she saw the Master and Mr. Hornblower talking. They were sitting on the couch, close together, neither one of them looking too happy.

Seeing her about to close the door so as to not disturb them, the Lieutenant said, "That's all right, Sarah. I think that we're going upstairs now, anyway."

Both men rose to leave, the Master saying, "That's fine, you can just leave this until morning. It's too late to worry about it now. I'll tell Mrs. Conroy that I told you to retire."

Bobbing a curtsey and thanking him she had turned to go when she heard Mr. Hornblower say, "God, Edward, he's insane and no one believes us. We sail to disaster, I know it."

Without thinking, Sarah grabbed his hand. "Oh, sir, you can't mean that. You'll be all right; I just know that you will. I couldn't bear it if anything were to happen to you, I just couldn't bear it."

The Lieutenant managed to extricate his hand from the death grip in which it was held. "You're not to worry about me, Sarah. I promise that I'll be just fine. Truly I will."

"Oh, sir, would you write to me? I know how lonely sailors can get at sea. If you wrote to me, then I could write back. I know how to write. I went to school for three years. Then you wouldn't be all alone out where you're going."

"Yes, of course I'll write to you, Sarah. That would be lovely. Thank you for thinking of it. Now it's late and you should be off to bed." She looked at him in perfect adoration. "Now, off you go."

She made her way to her small room at the top of the house, knowing that she would dream of the young Master, as she had come to think of him.

The next morning she was down in the kitchen, telling Cook all about how she was going to write to Mr. Hornblower and he was going to write back and she was sure that before long they would be the best of friends and then it would just be a matter of time before he realized that he was in love with her and then they could be married right out in the garden. Wouldn't that be lovely?

Finally Cook could stand no more. "You silly, stupid girl! He's in love with the Master and the Master is in love with him. Why on earth do you think that he has his own key and they share the large bedroom when there are three perfectly good rooms up there going empty?"

Sarah stopped as though a ton of bricks had landed on her head. "No. They can't. I mean, they couldn't…you mean that they………..together? But, they're both….men! How in the world would they….fit?"

Taking pity, cook gently said, "They manage, darlin."

"But…"

"They manage."

Sarah sat herself in the nearest straight-backed chair, sadly thinking over the possibilities.

After a minute she brightened. "Why, of course. On those ships they don't have women. He just needs one to show him how. I know that he's leaving soon and the Master is here now, but as soon as he gets back I'll show him what's what. That's what I'll do. He said that he was from a small village and then he went right into the Navy from school. He's just never had a chance to learn. I can teach him and I will, too! Oh, Cook…it will be lovely, you'll see. A wedding out in the garden. It will be just beautiful!"

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