Page 122 of The Pirate and the Pagan
“Helford! What news?” asked Charles.
It was one of the few times in his life he was at a loss for words and he felt his neck. “None, Sire. I had no indication aught was amiss last night when I anchored in the Thames. Rumors are everywhere that we are attacked,” he said with a question in his voice.
“The reports I received said that all last week we ravaged the coast of Holland with over a hundred ships. The Dutch lost six thousand men. Can you verify these reports?”
“I can verify them, Sire,” said Sandwich, who had joint command of the English fleet. “Unfortunately they sank the Hector and the Mary suffered damage and only managed to limp home, but I swear we only lost two hundred men to their six thousand.”
The Duke of York, who held joint command with Sandwich, but never bothered going to sea, was covered with shame at the moment. His face was very flushed as he cut into the conversation. “What of the rumors we are attacked?”
“Du Ruyter and a handful of his most reckless captains have followed us home and are trying to blockade us in the Thames and the River Medway, where our larger vessels are anchored.”
“A handful?” shouted James. “Why haven’t you sailed out of the estuary and blasted them out of the water?”
“Because rumor has it the French are standing off the coast of Dover,” said Sandwich simply.
James’s face went ashen. Charles saw his brother’s agitation and knew he would be useless to Sandwich in spite of his high command. The King exchanged glances with Helford. “You’re thinking what I’m thinking. We need Rupert.”
“I saw his ship Henrietta at Portsmouth yesterday. I want my old command back under Prince Rupert,” said Ruark without hesitation, caring little if he offended Sandwich.
Charles looked at his elderly chancellor. “Get them to stop ringing those infernal bells, man. We should be listening for gunfire.”
Edward Progers, His Majesty’s page of the backstairs, came into the King’s closet. “Sire, there are so many courtiers gathering I thought it best not to let any more up here, but now that Buckingham and Lauderdale are below, I can’t control them. It seems everyone wishes to volunteer his services.”
“I’ll be down directly. Ask the two of them to control everyone until I get there. They will relish the authority,” Charles said shrewdly.
Sandwich said, “We’ll stretch a boom across the River Medway to stop their ships.”
“If I know de Ruyter, a boom won’t stop him,” said Helford. “We’ll have to sink some ships to block them coming upriver.”
“We need our ships,” said Sandwich, glaring at Helford.
James said, “Upnor Castle has a fortress. It will defend the Medway.”
Charles said ruefully, “Upnor has been totally reglected since the Civil War. We should have built flanking batteries to raise its firepower. I don’t have much faith in a small fort rendering the tidal Medway impassable to a seaborne enemy.”
“Albermarle’s fleet at Chatham will be the most vulnerable,” said Sandwich, shaking his head, “if it’s not already destroyed.”
“Send all volunteers to Chatham under Albermarle, until Rupert can get here,” suggested Helford.
“I’ll go,” offered the Duke of York helpfully.
“James, you’d be more use here as liaison,” Charles said smoothly so as not to ruffle his feathers. “Draw up a list of ships and who commands them. I think Albermarle has Sovereign of the Seas and William Penn commands the Royal Charles” The King headed for his bedchamber. “Excuse me, gentlemen. Helford, attend me while I shave and make myself more presentable.”
Ruark followed him through the inner door of the privy closet which led to the King’s bedchamber. He grinned widely at the disarray of the King’s enormous curtained bed. Sheets and pillows were strewn everywhere and two of his spaniels were having a tug-of-war with Barbara’s satin slipper, which she’d lost in her hurry to depart when the churchbells had sounded the alarm.
“I need the services of the Phantom” said Charles quietly. “You don’t think it’s trapped in the Medway, do you?”
“My brother has many shortcomings, but stupidity isn’t one of them,” said Ruark.
“Rory still uses the Isle of Sheppey?” asked Charles.
“Your spies keep you well informed, Sire,” said Ruark noncommittally.
“Oh, obviously.” Charles laughed, jerking his head toward the rumpled bed. “The Dutch attack and catch me with my pants down.” Charles sat down at a writing desk and dipped a quill in the inkwell. “I don’t believe the French are standing off Dover. I think they are enemies of Holland, not allies. I want Rory to confirm for me this is a last-ditch effort by de Ruyter. I believe their entire fleet is decimated and this farce is being staged to wring better terms from us in the inevitable peace negotiations.”
Ruark Helford knew the King was more shrewd than all his ministers rolled together.
“Ru, I’m entrusting Rory with two secret letters. One for Holland, the other for France. I must caution you this mission is different from the others.” Charles sighed. “Old Hyde will have to step down. He’s outlived his usefulness. I’m going to replace him with a cabal of four or five so that full power never rests with one man again.”
