HMS Valiant - 27. Chapter 27

December, 1799

Palermo, Sicily

“That was a wonderful breakfast, ma’am,” Granger said to Lady Hamilton. “I must thank you for your generous hospitality.”

“It is a pleasure to host such a charming visitor,” she replied pleasantly. She had a way about her, a joie de vivre that seemed to project good cheer onto others.

Lady Hamilton

“If you ever have a chance to sail with Granger, then you will understand the true meaning of generous hospitality,” Nelson said.

“Thank you, sir,” Granger said, genuinely flattered. It was important for a captain to be known for having a good table, so it was especially pleasant for Nelson to point that out. “Perhaps you would permit me to host a dinner aboard Valiant?”

“That is quite an honor, Granger, considering your last fete was for His Majesty,” Nelson said. “We must present you to Their Sicilian Majesties this afternoon, and then we are having a party tomorrow. I would submit that if you wanted to arrange something for the day after that, it would be convenient.” Granger almost groaned at having to spend time with the Neapolitan monarch and his queen.

“Then I will do just that, sir,” Granger said.

“If you have finished breaking your fast, I would like you to join me in the library. We can discuss the dispatches you brought with you,” Nelson said.

“With pleasure, sir,” Granger said. He stood up and bowed slightly to the Hamiltons, then followed Nelson into the library. He had learned that this was where Nelson conducted most of his business. He had all but made this room the flagship of his fleet.

Nelson gestured for Granger to sit and join him in the sitting area. “Your party for His Majesty was purportedly quite the grand affair.”

“It was, sir,” Granger said. “It was quite an honor. There was one terrifying moment when we could not find the King.”

“You lost the King?” Nelson asked, smiling.

“He wandered down to the lower deck and was sitting in a chair while the crew regaled him with sea stories, sir,” Granger said, smiling at that memory.

“That must have been an interesting sight,” Nelson mused.

“Yes, sir,” Granger said, and then broached the issue he needed to discuss. “Lord Spencer asked me to talk to you about certain matters.”

“Granger, you are an excellent officer, and a good friend. You may speak your mind, as long as it does not involve Lady Hamilton,” Nelson said firmly. Granger kept his expression passive, even though he was roiling inside. He did not expect Nelson to be so sensitive to this topic, and with his usual clairvoyance, he realized that how he handled these next minutes and this conversation could have a major impact on his relationship with this talented admiral.

“I must thank you for those compliments, sir, and cannot express to you how honored I feel to be considered your friend,” Granger said. He used that flowery language to stall for time, as he tried to pick his next words carefully. “I cherish your friendship as well.”

“So what is it you are to discuss with me?”

“I am in a quandary, sir,” Granger said. “I must disobey either your orders, or those of Lord Spencer. I am uncertain as to whom I should vex.”

Nelson eyed Granger directly, with a gaze so intense it was just shy of a glare. Granger sat there, appearing unperturbed even though he was quite uncomfortable, waiting for Nelson to speak. “I will not give her up.” Granger tried not to blink in shock at that statement.

“Sir, that is not the message I bring, nor would I be willing to make such a request of you,” Granger said.

“That is not your objective?” Nelson asked, in a relatively nasty way. “I have already had other such conversations with people who purported to be my friend.”

That really annoyed Granger, since it was clearly a threat, but he struggled on gamely. “I would hope that you know my feelings for you are deeper than to wish you such harm, sir. And I would also hope that you know I consider Sir William and Lady Hamilton to be friends. I would point out that I named my oldest son and heir after Sir William.”

Granger knew that he’d let his irritation show through, and while that annoyed him even more, it seemed to convince Nelson that he was sincere. “I did not mean to question your friendship or loyalty, Granger.”

“Of course not, sir,” Granger said, even though they both knew that is exactly what Nelson had been doing.

“I know what they are saying in England. The scandal I have raised. And all the while, my wife is there, looking the victim, acting as if she were a saint, which she probably could be.” Nelson stood up and walked over to the window and gazed out before turning back and addressing Granger again. “I have given an arm, an eye, and my health in service to my sovereign. God has granted me the opportunity to deliver victories such as we achieved at the Nile. Yet that is not enough? They would have me sever ties with the woman I love.”

Granger was shocked at Nelson’s candor. He hadn’t been expecting Nelson to be so bold and direct as to fully acknowledge his affair with Lady Hamilton. He thought Nelson was merely going to acknowledge the rumors and the scandal they caused. In a flash of clairvoyance, Granger recognized that Nelson indeed trusted him as a friend and a confidant. “There are many in England who would have you do just that, sir.”

“Well if that is what you came to ask me to do, we can end our interview,” Nelson said petulantly.

“I am not one of those people, sir,” Granger said earnestly. “I think that love is too great a gift to merely toss aside.”

“It is,” Nelson said wistfully.

“You must also realize that Lord Spencer holds you in the highest esteem, sir,” Granger said. “That was not his wish either.”

“Then what would you have me do?”

“Sir, Lord Spencer is suggesting that you act with more discretion,” Granger said. “To continue such an open affair would be damaging to your reputation.”

“I would respectfully point out to His Lordship that it is my reputation,” Nelson said severely. It was really difficult to maintain this conversation on a positive basis, so petulant was Nelson being.

“Of course, sir,” Granger said. “But there is much more at risk, begging your pardon.”

“What are you talking about?” Nelson demanded.

“I do not think another admiral could have achieved what you did at the Nile, sir,” Granger stated.

“I think you overstate my achievement,” Nelson said, with false modesty.

“I must respectfully disagree with you, sir,” Granger said. “I had the privilege of watching you fight the fleet with a skill I cannot imagine other admirals exhibiting.”

“It was a battle to remember,” Nelson said, with a slight grin.

Granger redirected their conversation to their current situations. “There is much discussion about our difficulties in the Baltic, and there is the fear that we will soon have to engage Denmark, Sweden, and Russia in that sea, sir.”

“Those countries could put together a sizeable force,” Nelson mused.

“Indeed, sir,” Granger agreed. “And the big threat, as the diplomats have explained, is not that we may end up facing just one of those powers, but that we will end up fighting all three of them at the same time.”

“Yet the Russians have shown only goodwill toward us here in the Mediterranean,” Nelson mused.

“I am not privy to the minds of those in the Foreign Office, sir,” Granger said with a grin. “Perhaps this potential conflict is nothing more than a dream they have conjured up.”

“Perhaps, but I think that it is a threat we must take seriously,” Nelson said. “I am unclear as to how this is relevant to my relationship with Emma.” Granger paused only briefly to note the expression of happiness on Nelson’s face when he used Lady Hamilton’s first name.

“If we must face the Russians, the Danes, and the Swedes, in addition to the French and the Spanish, it will be difficult to counter them in all places, sir,” Granger said. “You will be needed.”

He watched that compliment resonate with Nelson. “And you are suggesting that the Admiralty may decide I am unworthy of such a command because of my affair with Emma?”

“Yes, sir, that is what I am suggesting,” Granger said.

“Perhaps those people should have to face the costs of their own hypocrisy,” Nelson said bitterly. “Perhaps this will be a way for me to determine who is truly my friend, and who is not.”

Granger could have let that really insult him if he were to infer that Nelson was questioning his friendship yet again, but he chose not to. “As a person who is truly your friend, sir, I would respectfully point out that I value that friendship enough to weather the storm that will erupt if you are unwilling to conduct your affair with more discretion. But I would ask that you not condemn those who are unable to be louder advocates for you.” In other words, Granger was powerful enough to stand with Nelson, whereas others may not have that luxury.

“Surely this is all a tempest in a teapot,” Nelson said. “You would make it seem as if I am the first man to have an affair.”

“I did not mean to imply that, sir,” Granger said. “I think it is the nature of the relationship, and that you have such a convivial relationship with Sir William.” Granger did not point out that the scandal was considerably worsened because of Lady Hamilton’s common roots, and the general consensus that prior to her marriage to Sir William, she had largely been a courtesan.

“So people would prefer that I openly bicker with Sir William Hamilton, one of the most distinguished diplomats of the realm? Should I challenge him to a duel? Would that make people happier?” Nelson asked wryly.

“That may make some people happier, but I am not one of them,” Granger said with a slight smile. “Lady Elgin is a good example of those who would snipe behind your back, sir. She all but begged to lodge with Governor O’Hara and Governor Stuart, yet when she arrived here, she forced her husband to spend money to find separate lodgings. ”

“And as Elgin is not known for being free with his purse, that is quite a statement,” Nelson noted ruefully.

“He is indeed a careful man when it comes to money, sir,” Granger said with a smile.

“Granger, you have spoken to me of these matters when it clearly makes you uncomfortable, and I know you are doing it for my own good. I see in your actions not malice, but friendship.” Granger was mildly irked with himself that Nelson could see or sense his discomfort, but he ignored it.

“I am glad that you understand my motives, sir.”

“I also sense that you have Sir William and Lady Hamilton’s best interests in mind,” Nelson added.

“I do, sir,” Granger agreed.

“What you have said to me is logical, and full of reason. You have given me good advice, and that advice is not to end my affair with Emma, but to keep it hidden from those who would bear me malice for it.”

“Thank you, sir,” Granger said, even as he awaited the ‘but’ that was inevitable after that prelude.

“The problem is that I am not sure I can do what you ask,” Nelson said. “You would place on a scale on one side my love for Emma, and on the other all the rational arguments for me to subordinate that love. And I must tell you, speaking from my heart, that all of those fine reasons cannot tip the scale in their favor.”

“I understand, sir,” Granger lied. To him, Nelson’s attitude was incomprehensible. He had dealt with forbidden love for years, and had kept it under wraps because of his duty to his sovereign and his family. He could not envision a time when he would discard that all for love.

“I am anticipating that we will attend Their Majesties this afternoon. I will give you leave to return to Valiant and prepare yourself.”

“Thank you, sir,” Granger said, recognizing that he’d been dismissed. He walked out of the room, and out of the house, knowing that he had failed miserably in his mission to try and make Nelson see reason. As Granger strode through the cobblestone streets, he marveled that he and Nelson were so far apart in their viewpoints on love that it was almost impossible for them to have a common point of reference. For Granger to do what Nelson was doing, he would have to turn his back on all the things and people that were important to him. Granger did some painful introspection, and wondered briefly if he had not come to that point because he had not yet met a man who had inflamed him as much as Lady Hamilton had aroused Nelson. That was a terrifying thought, that he could fall so deeply for someone that he would ignore everything else for that love. Granger thought of the men who had captured his heart, and decided that was not the case. Of them all, his relationship with Calvert had come the closest to a situation similar to what Nelson was experiencing, where Granger’s reputation was put at risk by his relationship with Calvert. Yet even then, even when his passion for Calvert was at its peak, he could not give it free rein. For Granger, duty and family came first. That did not appear to be the case for Nelson.

Granger understood what Nelson’s detractors in England would feel, and what they would say. They would point to that very fact, and exclaim that such a man, one who was unable to curb his public feelings for his mistress, was not one who could be trusted to command a fleet. Clearly his judgment and rational abilities were seriously impaired. They would invoke God, and use religion to drive that point home, crediting Britain’s success at sea to divine intervention, and suggesting that such a blatant and recalcitrant sinner as Nelson was unlikely to inspire the Lord’s favor. That in and of itself was somewhat ironic, since Nelson himself was a very religious man.

Granger’s mind shifted again, reflecting back to Calvert and how Calvert had similar difficulties in keeping his feelings for his lovers contained. He had done that with Granger, and he had done that with his Marine lieutenant, the one Granger had found him with in Gibraltar. Maybe this was just reflective of their different upbringings. Maybe Granger and Spencer, men who came from the highest aristocracy, viewed such things as love and religion in a different vein than those like Calvert and Nelson, who came from more common stock. Perhaps that was why affairs seemed to trouble the gentry more than they did the high aristocracy, since for people like Granger and Spencer, duty and honor came before love.

Then he came to a truly upsetting revelation, when he pondered that the reason Calvert had found a new lover was probably because Granger could not, would not make that sacrifice for him. If he had been like Nelson, and had shunned society for Calvert, they would probably still be a couple. Maybe that is the same calculation that Nelson was making, and he had decided his reputation wasn’t worth losing Lady Hamilton. Granger had done the same math, and decided that his own reputation was more important to him than Calvert. It must have made Calvert feel as if he were disposable, some plaything to be tossed aside as if on a whim.

Granger was almost surprised when he arrived at the jetty, so engrossed in his own thoughts was he. It was a convenient interruption, saving him from a descent into guilt and introspection, focusing mostly on his ever-stormy relationship with Francis Calvert. He hired a shore boat to take him to his ship, and only when he boarded her did he feel his mind stabilize in these familiar surroundings. Granger did not like to fail; it was not something he was used to, and it was not something he accepted. Yet he had failed with Nelson.

“Welcome back, my lord,” Weston said pleasantly, as Granger boarded his ship. Granger was tempted to work some of his bad mood out on Weston, but that was unfair, as Weston was an excellent officer. In addition, the familiarity and orderliness that was HMS Valiant calmed his nerves.

“Thank you, Mr. Weston. I am going to check on Mr. Eastwyck. I would be obliged if you would pass the word for Dr. Jackson.”

“Aye aye, my lord,” Weston said. Granger went back into his cabin to find Winkler scurrying around as usual.

“I am bidden to call on Their Sicilian Majesties this afternoon,” Granger informed him. “I will need to look the part.”

“Of course, my lord,” Winkler said. Winkler was incredibly efficient; so much that Granger had no need to worry further about his appearance in front of these foreign monarchs.

“I am further bidden to a reception hosted by Sir William on the following day, and I am planning to host a party for various dignitaries here on the day after that.”

Winkler paused for a minute and looked at him with both fear and frustration at these challenges, but only for a second. “Aye aye, my lord.”

Granger went into the quarter gallery where they’d established Eastwyck. It was quite pleasant, with the window open just enough to keep it from becoming stuffy. Eastwyck lay on his back, with a sheet covering his midsection. His gaping wound did not appear to be corrupted, but it did not appear to be healing either. “And how are you, Mr. Eastwyck?” Granger asked.

“Quite well, my lord,” Eastwyck said weakly, with a smile. “But for this slight abrasion, I would be back on duty.” Granger smiled back at him, appreciating that same playful sense of humor he’d so enjoyed when they’d been in Paris.

“I suspect you will be laid low for a bit,” Granger said. Jackson entered at that moment. “Mr. Eastwyck seems to think that his wound is nothing to be concerned about.”

“I fear that Mr. Eastwyck is a bit optimistic, my lord,” Jackson said. “His wound shows no sign of corruption, but it has yet to heal, which is quite natural for a cut that is so deep and long.”

“As we are destined for Turkey, I am questioning whether it is wise for Mr. Eastwyck to remain on board,” Granger said.

Eastwyck looked alarmed, but was too weak to argue. “I think it would be most unwise, my lord.”

“Cannot I stay here, my lord?” Eastwyck asked, using up some of his limited strength.

“Your life is too valuable to be thrown away on such a risky errand,” Granger said soothingly. “I will make arrangements for you to be taken ashore and cared for. We will stop back here on our way back from Constantinople and pick you up again.”

“Aye aye, my lord,” Eastwyck reluctantly agreed.

“I am confident that both you and your wife will end up seeing that was the best course of action,” Granger said. He leaned forward and kissed Eastwyck’s forehead in an affectionate way, then walked out into his main cabin with Jackson following him.

“Begging your pardon, my lord, but I think that was a wise move. Being at sea, with the ship moving about, is not conducive to healing such a wound.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Granger said. “I am only willing to put him ashore if we can find a suitable place for him to recover. Perhaps you can make that one of your priorities. I would recommend that you confer first with Lady Hamilton.”

“Aye aye, my lord,” Jackson said, then left to do as Granger asked.

“Pass the word for Mr. Kingsdale,” Granger ordered.

It took little time for Kingsdale to appear. Most of the officers would be on the quarterdeck, waiting to see what their captain’s arrival would mean. “You sent for me, sir?”

Granger eyed the young man carefully, and felt the pride welling within him, pride at what a good officer Kingsdale had become. Granger had first met him as a poverty-stricken lad on board Bacchante, but a voyage around the world, and the prize money he had earned, had transformed him. Now he was an adolescent knocking on the door of manhood, with a restored estate to call his home. But his feelings for Kingsdale were more advanced than that. Granger had introduced the young baron to his father, and his family had guided the lad, teaching him how to conduct himself as a peer should. While Granger had taken Kingsdale aboard his ship, his family had all but adopted the young man. It made Kingsdale seem almost as if he were Granger’s son, or at least a first cousin. “Mr. Eastwyck is going to be recovering ashore for the next leg of our voyage.”

“I am sorry to hear that, sir,” Kingsdale said. That was a genuine statement, one that most of the officers would share. Eastwyck was popular because he was not only a good officer, but because of his playful nature, he was fun to be around.

“As that is the case, it means that I am short a lieutenant. Effective immediately, I am promoting you to the rank of acting-lieutenant.” Granger tried to remain staid and expressionless, but he could not do it with Kingsdale. In a rare occurrence, Granger let his emotions take over, and allowed Kingsdale to see how pleased he was.

“Thank you, sir,” he said, unable to repress his own grin. “I won’t let you down.”

“I cannot contemplate that you would,” Granger said with a smile. “I will be going ashore this afternoon to call on Their Sicilian Majesties. You may come ashore with me and find a tailor who can outfit you with suitable uniforms.”

“Thank you, sir,” Kingsdale said. “This time, I’ll be able to pay for them myself.” Granger chuckled, remembering how he’d outfitted the boy when he’d first joined Bacchante, and then taken him to court and presented him to the King.

“I would be obliged if you would share this news with Mr. Weston, and ask Mr. Clifton to see me at once,” Granger ordered.

“Aye aye, sir,” he said. He left, and was replace by Clifton almost immediately.

“I just heard that we have a new third lieutenant, sir,” Clifton said with a smile.

“We do indeed, but that is not why I asked to see you. I am bidden to spend the afternoon with Their Sicilian Majesties, and I must choose someone to enjoy that event with me. I have opted to take you and Major Treadway.”

“Have I done something to vex you, sir?” Clifton joked, acknowledging that their task would be dreary. Granger chuckled.

“You have not, but you have shown yourself to be good company at these events, and your success has saddled you with this sterling opportunity,” Granger said just as jovially. “We will depart at 1:00. Please inform Major Treadway.”

“Aye aye, sir,” he said. Granger spent the rest of his morning attending to Valiant’s various needs, and tore himself away from those tasks with just enough time to hone his appearance and make his way to Palermo with Clifton, Treadway and Kingsdale.

The four of them looked quite resplendent as they strolled through the narrow streets of Palermo. The blue uniforms of the naval officers, combined with Treadway’s red coat, made them colorful, and the plentiful gold lace that adorned them made them sparkle in the afternoon sun.

They arrived at the embassy to find themselves greeted by Lady Hamilton. Granger smiled internally as he saw his officers try to act as if the low cut dress she wore did not make her incredibly attractive. “Welcome back! And you brought other officers with you!”

“I have indeed, ma’am,” Granger said politely, and introduced the other gentlemen to Lady Hamilton. “I am wondering if I can impose upon Your Ladyship to assist me with a few matters.”

“Nothing would give me greater pleasure,” she said. Her manner was almost flirtatious. It was so easy to see why Nelson had fallen for her charms, even though Granger did not find her more wanton attitude attractive.

“Lord Kingsdale has just been promoted, and will be serving as Acting-Lieutenant.”

“Congratulations!” she said to Kingsdale.

“Thank you, ma’am,” he said, blushing. It made him look adorable.

“I need to refer him to a good tailor so he can outfit himself appropriately. I was hoping you could recommend someone.”

“Nothing could be easier,” she said. She summoned a servant, explained what was needed, and dispatched Kingsdale off with him. “And what is this other matter?”

“Lord Kingsdale’s promotion comes about due to the incapacitation of Lieutenant Charles Eastwyck. He lies aboard Valiant with a large wound, and I must, for his own safety, transfer him ashore to recover.”

“You will send him here,” she said, without further prodding from Granger.

“If you are sure that would not be an imposition, I would be much obliged. We have seen much service together, and in addition to being one of my officers, he is also my friend.” That comment got raised eyebrows from both Clifton and Treadway.

“Then it will be an additional honor to take care of him,” she said. “I am quite used to dealing with wounded naval officers.”

“I suspect that you are,” Granger said, as they both laughed. He hoped she would not tend to Eastwyck in the same way she tended to Nelson, but then pushed those thoughts aside. It was not his place to interfere in the amorous interests of his officers, and he had already failed miserably when he’d tried to do that with his admiral. “I am in your debt.”

“I will make arrangements for him to be transferred here as soon as possible,” she said. “You may find, though, that repaying that debt is a bit more complex than you hoped.”

“Indeed?” Granger asked with dread, wondering what new challenge would land in his lap.

“I will let the Admiral explain it to you,” she said, grinning. Before Granger could respond, Nelson came into the room. Granger paused to present Clifton and Treadway to him, both looking a bit star-struck. Nelson was idolized by the public, and by most officers in the Navy who were not his superiors. Clifton and Treadway seemed legitimately impressed at being in the presence of this man who had distinguished himself with his bold and brave maneuver at St. Vincent, and who had sealed his reputation when he’d destroyed the French fleet at the Nile.

“It is an honor to see you again, sir,” Clifton said smoothly. Clifton had been aboard Belvidera when they’d served briefly as Nelson’s flagship during their evacuation of Elba. “We have heard so much of your stunning victory at the Nile.”

“A victory without parallel, my lord,” Treadway added.

“You gentlemen flatter me, when I was merely honored to wield the sword shaped by others. Your own captain was quite indispensable during that fateful battle,” Nelson said.

“And as you said, sir, I merely helped you wield the weapon you had forged,” Granger said modestly.

“Then you managed to get yourself captured on the way back,” Nelson teased. “While poor Thompson and Berry had to trudge through Europe, you were feted all the way through France.”

“That is true, sir, but the French have an interesting way of showing their affection,” Granger said. “In Lyon, they opted to express themselves by throwing rotten food items at me.” That got a laugh from all of them.

“I suspect that after this revolution of theirs, that is all one can expect from those people,” Nelson said dourly.

“Indeed,” Granger said, and then addressed Lady Hamilton. “Lieutenant Eastwyck was unfortunate enough to share my captivity in Paris. Perhaps as he convalesces, he can regale you with stories of Parisian society. It was incredibly tacky.”

“I suspect he will be entertaining, but not as entertaining as you,” she said with a smile.

“Your Ladyship is too kind,” Granger said with a slight bow.

“Lord Granger has put himself into my debt for this favor, but I have not yet explained how he is to repay it,” she said to Nelson.

“How full is your midshipman’s berth?” Nelson asked Granger.

“I have only one midshipman at the present time,” Granger said. He tried not to sound nervous, even as he wondered what foul creature Nelson was going to foist off on him. “We lost Mr. Molyneux in action with the pirates, and Lord Kingsdale has been promoted to fill Mr. Eastwyck’s position, sir.”

“Well that is most convenient, since I am hoping to add a young gentleman to your ship.” Granger could have argued about that, asserting that choosing his midshipman was certainly his prerogative, but he opted not to.

“Sir?” Granger asked.

“The Queen has a cousin who would like to be a sailor. Prince Genarro of Catania. I think he is all of sixteen years of age at this point. Their Majesties have asked that he be appointed to your ship.”

“To Valiant, sir?” Granger asked, stunned.

“That is the ship you command,” Nelson said, grinning. Granger shot Clifton and Treadway a nasty glare to stop them from grinning as well, even though they weren’t grinning at all. “They are of the opinion that he will receive a better nautical education aboard one of our ships than in their own navy.”

“There is concern that his rank would prevent him from serving effectively,” Lady Hamilton augmented.

“And I am to treat him as I would any other midshipman, sir?” Granger asked.

“You are,” Nelson said. “Their Majesties were adamant that he receive no special privileges.” Granger knew that wasn’t going to happen, but at least it gave him a free hand.

“Does he speak English, sir?” Granger asked.

“He is quite competent in our native tongue,” Nelson said. He almost smirked at removing that possible objection from Granger’s arsenal of arguments.

“He is really a lovely young man,” Lady Hamilton said. “You will get to meet him yourself this afternoon.”

“I’m sure he will be a welcome addition,” Granger said, even though he wasn’t sure of that at all.