Peace of Amiens - 13. Chapter 13

September 9, 1801

HMS Endymion

Weymouth, England

“I cannot imagine being with anyone else who can satisfy me like you do,” Calvert said lovingly. Granger squeezed Calvert’s deflating dick out of his ass, causing both Granger and Calvert to giggle like schoolgirls.

Granger moved his body so he was lying on top of Calvert but to his right side, avoiding his wounded shoulder. “That is because we are not just perfect together physically, we are linked by our love.”

“I do love you, George,” Calvert said, and gave Granger a sweet kiss. Granger lay there with Calvert, basking in the afterglow, until he let the outside world come crashing in on them.

“We must get up and prepare for supper, but I need to talk to you about something first,” Granger said.

“Is something wrong?” Calvert asked in alarm.

“I was contemplating an after-supper interlude,” Granger said with a leer.

“Then we are of a like mind,” Calvert said, and kissed him again.

“Only I was also considering inviting Signora Bellini to join us,” Granger said. He leaned back so he could see Calvert’s expression. He watched Calvert veer from jealousy, to excitement, to apprehension before he spoke.

“I am not opposed to such an encounter, but it seems like I should at least meet her first,” Calvert observed cautiously. He gave Granger an annoyed look when Granger started laughing.

“That is the same thing Carmella said when I proposed the idea to her,” he said, getting a grin from Calvert.

“She will probably end up liking me better, and then you will be vexed,” Calvert teased.

“I will only be vexed if you like her better,” Granger said.

“What made you think of this?” Calvert asked.

“She had asked me if there was anyone whose objection would cause me to be unable to be in a relationship with her, and who those people were,” Granger explained.

“And what did you say?”

“I told her that there were three, possibly four,” Granger said. Calvert waited for him to go on. “You, Winkler, my children as a group, and Lefavre.”

“I am glad you included your remarkable chef,” Calvert said. “It would have been less exciting to be in your company if you lost his services.”

“Less exciting?” Granger challenged playfully.

“Yes, but not that much less,” Calvert joked. They chuckled, then Calvert got a more serious countenance. “I would never want to impede your happiness, but I understand what you are saying.” It irritated Granger that Calvert didn’t make the same commitment to him, but he opted not to make an issue out of it.

“I thought that if we had a sexual extravaganza, the three of us, that might help ensure there were no issues between you and Carmella,” Granger said.

“That is certainly a unique way to approach things,” Calvert said.

“There is another benefit to this course of action,” Granger said. Calvert stared at him, willing him to continue his thought. “She will most likely be able to show us how to satisfy a woman better than our current skills will allow.” He'd diplomatically included himself in the statement to avoid hurting Calvert's feelings, but one look at Calvert's face indicated he hadn't been successful.

“You are suggesting that I am a bad lover who requires training?” Calvert asked in an unpleasant way. Granger smiled and shook his head at Calvert’s idiocy.

“I think you are the best lover in the world, but just a few days ago you expressed exactly that concern,” Granger said. “You have suddenly become Casanova, and require no additional experience?”

“I see your point,” Calvert said. On that note they got out of Granger’s cot and began to get dressed. When they were mostly attired, Granger summoned Winkler to help them burnish their appearances, then they emerged from Granger’s sleeping cabin.

The first person they saw when they entered the main cabin was Carmella. “You have returned,” she said, smiling at Granger.

“I have indeed,” Granger said, kissing her cheek in a friendly way. “Captain Francis Calvert, this is Signora Carmella Bellini.”

Granger grinned as he watched his two lovers eye each other, as if sizing up the other’s beauty. Calvert was probably the most handsome man in the navy, with his long neck, his chestnut hair with its auburn streaks, and his sexy lips. Carmella was beautiful in her own right, with her lithe, sensuous body, her pretty face framed by her flowing brown hair, and sparkling eyes that seemed to flirt with Calvert. “You are a vision of loveliness, Signora,” Calvert said, and gracefully kissed her hand.

“And you are almost as handsome as George said you were,” she said coquettishly, getting a fake frown from Calvert, followed by a laugh. “I was of a mind to go up and get some fresh air before supper. Perhaps you would escort me?”

“It would be my pleasure,” Calvert said gallantly, and offered her his arm. Granger watched them go, then looked at Winkler and raised an eyebrow.

“She asked me about Captain Calvert, my lord,” Winkler said. “I think she just wants to get to know him better.”

“I am not alarmed, only surprised, and I am very glad that she is taking steps to ensure she is on good terms with the people who are important to me,” Granger said.

“I sense that she wants to make sure you find her pleasing, my lord,” Winkler said. Granger looked at Winkler curiously. “Excuse my impertinence, but I think that having her friend leave her was traumatic in the sense that it left her alone and somewhat adrift.”

“She is feeling insecure,” Granger concluded. “I have pledged to take care of her, though. I am worried that she does not trust me.”

“I do not think that is the case at all, my lord,” Winkler said, almost admonishing him. “If you would allow me to make an observation…”

“Go ahead,” Granger said, giving Winkler permission to speak candidly.

“I would imagine that it is a bit like your lordship must have felt when we were first staying with the Stroganovs, my lord,” Winkler said. “You trusted them, but it was still a very foreign place.”

“I understand,” Granger said, and patted Winkler on the shoulder. “Thank you for helping me see what is bothering her.”

“What will happen when we return to London, my lord?” Winkler asked.

“She will take up residence with me in Portland Place,” Granger said.

Winkler raised an eyebrow at that. “My lord, begging your pardon, but won’t it seem scandalous to have your mistress openly residing with you?” He got very nervous after he’d asked the question, because he’d stepped well beyond the normal boundaries of a servant, but Winkler was no ordinary member of his staff.

“It may have seemed scandalous had I not gotten the permission of the King first,” Granger said with a smile. “I met with His Majesty this afternoon and secured his blessing.”

“I am not surprised, but I am impressed that your lordship has that all arranged,” Winkler said.

“I think I will go up on deck and spy on my lovers,” Granger said in a conspiratorial way, making Winkler chuckle. He smiled at his captain, so glad that he was in such a good mood. When Granger was with Calvert and they were getting along, that was when Granger was at his happiest, yet Signora Bellini seemed to enhance his joy in her own way.

Supper with his officers and midshipmen was a lively affair, and Granger was thoroughly impressed with how well Carmella conducted herself in a group where she was the only woman. She had a joie de vivre that just projected energy into any conversation. Granger contrasted her to Caroline, who was charming in a much more subtle way. Perhaps it was Caroline’s aristocratic background that made her more subdued, or maybe it was just her personality, but regardless, Carmella made supper much more interesting than Caroline would have. Granger paused to wonder how Carmella would do when there were other women at his table, then shrugged off those concerns. Time would certainly show how that would work out.

After supper, Carmella sang several songs for them. Granger had opted to open the gunports and skylights in his cabin, so her voice wafted out. The lower deck could be a rowdy place, but tonight it was quiet, as the men piped down to listen to her beautiful voice. After her performance, Austen dutifully ended the party by taking his leave, and soon there were only three people left: Granger, Carmella, and Calvert.

“I believe that you propositioned me this morning and I told you that before I acceded to your request, I wanted to meet Captain Calvert,” Carmella said flirtatiously.

“Interestingly enough, Captain Calvert’s response was identical to yours,” Granger said.

“For my part, I am fully engaged with your proposal,” Calvert said.

“As am I,” Carmella said. And with that, the three of them retired to Granger’s sleeping cabin, and Carmella gave Calvert a thorough education on how to pleasure a woman.

September 10, 1801

Weymouth, England

“As I explained to you yesterday, my lord, Her Royal Highness is not receiving visitors,” the chamberlain said with considerable irritation. Up to this point, Granger had been polite to this man, but his patience had now evaporated.

“I find your response impertinent,” Granger said, using the same tone he’d used when he was a lieutenant and was addressing a midshipman who hadn’t shown him the proper respect. “In any event, you have but to deliver my note to her.”

“Of course, my lord,” the man said, considerably humbled. He had watched Granger breeze in and free Calvert from Princess Amelia’s clutches, and he remembered how Granger had been able to get an audience with the King just as easily. He opted not to trifle with someone who was so well connected. He was gone for ten minutes, then returned to tell Granger that Princess Amelia would meet him in the drawing room.

Granger was led into that room, pondering the purpose for his visit. He had been absolutely infuriated that Amelia had tried to ban him from seeing Calvert, especially after he had explained how important their friendship was to both Calvert and himself. He was not willing to let Amelia drive a wedge between them, and had decided that he needed to nip this problem in the bud. He knew that Calvert was not in a position to deal with her about this. He was still on uncertain ground in the Royal Household, and he didn’t fully understand the politics and factions that were arrayed before him. He also didn’t have Granger’s background. Granger had decided that he was the only one who could step in and make Amelia see reason. He was willing to be polite and cooperative, but if that failed, he was prepared to be much more aggressive. While he was waiting, he poured both of them drinks from the decanter on the side table. He had just finished that task when Amelia came in, her demeanor and posture quite regal. Her governess, Miss Goombe, followed her and sat off to the side, well out of earshot, to ensure that the princess was not subject to scandal by being left alone with a man. Granger bowed to her then kissed her hand when she proffered it. “You wished to see me, Lord Brentwood?” she asked, the annoyance obvious in her tone.

“I did, Your Royal Highness, and I must thank you for honoring my request,” Granger said. She sat in a chair, while he handed her a glass and sat in a chair near her. “I want to talk to you about Captain Calvert.”

“I fail to see what there is to talk about, since you have already defied all of the directives I have given regarding Francis, my lord,” she said.

“Your Royal Highness, your directives were designed to separate me from my dearest friend,” Granger said. “If that is your design, and you are successful, you will end up making all of us very unhappy.”

“I can see how you would be unhappy, my lord, but I fail to see how Francis would be unhappy, and I am quite sure that I would not be unhappy,” she said. “In fact, as your lordship is beneath me in rank, adhering to my wishes is the only proper course of action.”

“Captain Calvert and I have, as I have referenced, a very deep friendship that has survived and thrived through the years and the distances we have traveled, Your Royal Highness,” Granger said. “I am confident that if you tell him to sever his ties with me, he will be very sad.”

“He will get over it, my lord,” she snapped. “I am the only person Francis needs to make him happy. I am telling you that, so you are aware of the situation.”

“You would carry on an open affair with Francis Calvert, ma’am?” Granger asked, stunned.

“I cannot marry him until I am 25, but when I reach that age, I will wed Francis Calvert and we will live as husband and wife,” she asserted. Granger blinked briefly in surprise at such a declaration.

“Your Royal Highness is certainly the best judge of how society in general will react to such nuptials,” Granger said, letting her hear his skepticism.

“I am quite aware of how society functions and how they will perceive us,” she said angrily. Her intransigence over this issue, and her evident determination to sequester Calvert away and deny Granger his company had finally irritated Granger enough to shed the persona of the polite courtier. He had almost lost Francis to the machinations of his wife, to Calvert’s gangrenous wounds, to the lures of Gatling, and capture by the French. He was damned if he’d lose Calvert to a pig-headed princess, even if she was the King’s favorite daughter.

“You may think what you like, but it is vital that you and I reach an understanding,” Granger said severely. That shocked her, since it was not the deferential behavior she expected.

“You insult me by addressing me without the proper respect,” she snapped.

“I must apologize, Your Royal Highness, but since you did not use my title, I assumed that you either meant this discussion to be informal, or you were purposely insulting me,” Granger said, not yielding an inch.

“Please state your purpose in disrupting my day,” she demanded.

“I have explained to you that Francis Calvert is my dearest friend,” Granger said. “He is also clearly important to you.”

“And what is your point?” she asked angrily.

“I think it is quite easy for us to agree not to interfere with the time Francis spends with the other, and to make reasonable allowances to give him the freedom to spend time with both of us,” Granger said firmly.

“Your impertinence is truly unbecoming of you,” she said to Granger, the fury pulsing from her body. “You are lucky I do not tell His Majesty of how badly you are treating me, and how that suggests that the same lack of respect you are showing me you undoubtedly feel towards him as well.” She all but smirked at Granger, having played her trump card, assuming that would cause him to capitulate in the face of her enmity. Granger knew that the King would be angry if he heard that Granger treated Amelia disrespectfully, but he was confident that the King would not castigate him for it.

“I have tried to reason with Your Royal Highness, but I have been unsuccessful,” Granger stated formally. He paused to give her a chance to calm down and be more pliable, but she looked at him with open defiance. “Since that approach has not worked, instead I am giving you an ultimatum.”

“You are giving me an ultimatum?” she asked incredulously, then actually laughed. “I fear you have lost your mind.”

“I am,” he stated firmly. “Either you and I work out an agreement to share Francis, or I will make sure you never see him again.”

“I cannot imagine what has possessed you to assume that you can come here and threaten me, a member of the Royal Family,” she said haughtily. “It is no secret that I am my father’s favorite child. He will banish you to the ends of the realm if I ask him to.”

“You may very well be able to accomplish that, but I think it is unlikely,” Granger stated strongly. “It is more likely that your mother will hear how you have seduced Francis by brazenly hurling yourself at him. I wonder how she will react when she receives such news?”

Granger watched as Amelia’s face changed color from the red of anger to the white of horror. “You would not dare tell Her Majesty that!”

“No?” Granger challenged.

She shook her head dismissively. “That will still not save you,” she said, with less confidence.

“No?” Granger challenged again. “And when society learns of this, and it gets back to His Majesty, will you still be his favorite daughter?”

“You are despicable,” she spat at him.

“You are the one who has acted horribly here, and you are the one who has caused this rift between us,” Granger said firmly. “If you were willing to be reasonable, you would be happier, I would be happier, and perhaps most importantly, Francis would be happier.”

“I cannot stand to even be in the same room with you at this point,” she spat.

“Then I will humor you by leaving you to ponder our conversation,” Granger said. “You may either contact me, in which case we may reach an understanding that solves this problem, or the next time you block me from seeing Francis, I will destroy you.” He bowed curtly, then left the room and the house and returned to his gig. “To the ship, Jacobs,” he ordered.

“Aye aye, my lord,” Jacobs said. Granger sat in his gig and pondered his encounter. He had not expected Amelia to be so stubborn, and he had taken an enormous risk, but he knew that if he didn’t stake out his position now, ultimately Amelia would ensure that Francis Calvert was no longer part of his life. Granger had fought more skillful opponents to avoid their separation, and he was confident he would ultimately win this battle, but he was taking a huge gamble. If Amelia did not fall in line, he could find the entire Royal Family arrayed against him.

Granger suddenly realized the ramifications of what he’d done. In the past, he’d been unwilling to sacrifice his own position and that of his family in society for Calvert, yet with this one encounter, he had done just that.

September 11, 1801

HMS Endymion

Weymouth, England

“I fear that if our plan fails, we will all have considerably shortened careers,” Granger said, as he stared at the contraption they’d rigged up. Endymion was moored perpendicular to the end of the pier, and a lengthy gangway had been rigged to enable the Royal Family to more easily access the ship. Unlike most gangways, this one was mostly supported by the ship and her rigging, as opposed to relying on foundations on the pier which was the standard practice.

“I am sure that we have adequately secured the gangway, my lord,” Austen said firmly. Austen had grown in confidence, and Granger took pride in having helped his development.

Granger smiled at him. “If we have not, at least I know I am in good company. Have the hands lay aft.”

“Aye aye, my lord,” Austen said.

Granger strode down the gangway, noting that it felt solid, and awaited the arrival of the Royal Family. It took only a quarter of an hour for the carriage to come rumbling down the pier. The King and Queen exited first, with both of them looking at the gangway in surprise. “Your Majesties, we have rigged this contraption to make accessing the ship more convenient.”

“Excellent, what what,” the King said, smiling.

“I am pleased, so long as it does not give way and drop me in the water,” the Queen said dubiously.

“I am sure that you will be safe, Your Majesty, but if it does fail, Captain Calvert is here to save you,” Granger said, and grinned at Calvert. It was all Granger could do to not stare at him. Calvert was truly beautiful, and with his new dress uniform on, he looked like a refined warrior.

“We will hope that is not necessary,” she said apprehensively. They boarded the ship easily, followed by the Royal Princesses and their entourage, which seemed quite a bit larger than normal. Granger fell in step next to Princess Amelia.

“My lord, I would be obliged if you would call on me in the next day or two so we may continue our previous discussion,” Amelia said.

“I am at Your Royal Highness’s disposal,” Granger said.

“I would also like to apologize for my conduct, my lord,” she said, and paused to make eye contact with Granger so he could see her sincerity. “It really was inexcusable.”

“I think such unpleasantness is best left behind, Your Royal Highness,” Granger said. She took his arm and they walked the plank together, with Granger wondering whether or not she was sincere.

When Granger reached the quarterdeck, he realized that there were a lot more people present than he had envisioned or planned for. He began to wonder what he would feed them all. Lord Salisbury approached him and pulled him aside. “There is to be a ceremony before we sail. I am sorry I could not get word to you before now.”

“Ceremony?” Granger asked curiously.

“I will have to leave you to guess as to what it is,” he said. “After it is done, many of these people will leave, so you may want to remain as you are.”

“I will not give orders to leave Weymouth under full sail until His Majesty bids me to do so,” Granger replied with a smile, getting an uncharacteristic grin from Salisbury. He then broke away from Salisbury and approached Austen. “We will keep the hands as they are. There is to be a ceremony of sorts.”

“Ceremony, my lord?” Austen asked, mirroring Granger’s question.

“I would gladly share that information with you if I had been given it myself,” Granger said. He watched as the chamberlains and other servants began arranging various items on the deck, and as soon as he saw a knighting stool, he knew what was to happen. He immediately walked over to Calvert. “Welcome aboard, Sir Francis.”

“My lord?” Calvert asked, confused. Before Granger could explain, a voice pierced through the crowds.

“The King commands that Captain Francis Calvert approach him,” a chamberlain boomed out. Granger felt conflicted, because he needed to give orders for the crew to man the yards, but he also needed to support Calvert. He caught Austen’s eye and nodded meaningfully, getting a slight nod in return.

“Man the yards!” Austen cried, and as Calvert and Granger approached the King, the men soared up into the rigging, creating almost an awning over the proceedings.

Calvert walked up to the King, bowing perfectly, until he was in front of the knighting stool. “Kneel, sir,” the Lord Chamberlain commanded. Calvert deftly knelt as commanded.

Granger smiled as he remembered his own ceremony, and that of Daventry. The King took a deep breath, and then spoke loudly. “Francis Calvert, you have proven yourself in battle against our human foes and the elements. In command of the Cleopatre, you vanquished the Rhône, a much larger ship. Then after your unfortunate capture, you managed a brave and daring escape from captivity, one that culminated on this very ship. And most recently, you courageously jumped into dangerous water to save our daughter, risking your own life for hers. In recognition of these achievements as well as all your other services to our realm, I hereby dub you a Knight of the Bath.” Granger watched as the massive sword landed gently on each of Calvert’s shoulders.

There were prayers and various vestments to be distributed. The red ribbon of the Order of the Bath, similar to the one Granger wore, was placed over Calvert’s shoulder so it draped across his chest. Then the star, a beautiful medallion, was pinned onto his uniform. And finally, after some more prayers, the thing was done.

“Your Majesty, I do not know how to thank you for such an honor,” Calvert said. That could be a formulaic statement, but Granger and the King were both impressed by how sincere Calvert was.

“You are welcome, Sir Francis,” the King said with a smile. He then nodded to Salisbury, who spoke to the chamberlain who was evidently in charge of shouting announcements. “His Majesty has seen fit to appoint Sir Francis Calvert as one of his equerries.”

The men in the yards cheered themselves hoarse, while those on the quarterdeck clapped politely. Granger turned to Calvert taking both his hands in his own, and they both stared at each other, grinning with joy. “Congratulations, Sir Francis,” Granger said.

“I owe this all to you, my lord,” Calvert said, and then they had to look quickly away from each other, lest their true feelings betray them.