The Lion at Sea (45 page)

‘That the best you can do?’

Cautiously, reaching under the wad of bandage, she transferred her attentions to his mouth and his hands came up and grasped her. She wrenched herself free.

‘What’s the matter?’

‘I might hurt you.’

‘I’m not made of icing sugar. How long are you staying?’

‘A day or two.’

‘Thank God for that! If I pass out on you, it’s not because I’m dying, it’s because that fathead of a nurse has given me an injection to send me to sleep.’

‘It doesn’t matter. I’ll be here tomorrow. Do you think they’ll let me sit here for a while if you do go to sleep?’

‘There can’t be much fun staring at a man snoring in bed. Unless you’re in there with him.’

She blushed. ‘I shall be all right. How are you?’

Kelly could feel himself becoming drowsy and he made an effort to stay awake.

‘Fine,’ he said. ‘Or fairly fine. I’m not going to lose my eye and that’s something, ain’t it? And they’ve fixed my cheekbone. They’re going to have another go at my back any day now.’

He noticed the tears in her eyes. ‘What are you crying for?’ he demanded.

She gave a choking sob. ‘Kelly, your poor face!’

He managed a smile. ‘Well, it was never much to write home about, and they say I shall be quite pretty again when they’ve finished. An honourable scar or two but nothing to mar my beauty.’

She drew a deep, painful breath. ‘You hardly seemed to have left London when we heard about the battle,’ she said.

Kelly sighed. ‘I’d been there about nine weeks, Charley,’ he said slowly, wonderingly, thinking about Talbot. ‘Some people had been waiting for two years.’

‘Mother says the war seems to follow you about.’

‘She’s probably right.’

Kelly’s breathing was becoming steady and he noticed that the pain in his back was fading. Another minute or two and that bloody injection would have him asleep.

‘Is that all?’ he asked. ‘I know that.’

She managed a shy smile, almost as if she were a stranger. ‘I’m glad you’re safe, Kelly.’

His smile was drowsy. ‘That’s the least I expect from you,’ he said.

‘When I heard there was a battle, I prayed for you.’

‘It seems to have taken.’

‘I’m so proud of you. I met Rumbelo outside. Did you know he and Biddy are thinking of getting married?’

‘Good luck to ’em.’ Kelly’s voice was growing slurred. ‘As neither of ’em seems to have a home, I suppose they’ll do it at our place. Mother’ll enjoy that.’

‘Rumbelo was proud of you, too. He said the whole ship was proud.’

Kelly fought to keep his eyes open. ‘Why?’

‘Because you got them home. And because of the other thing, too.’

‘What other thing?’

‘He said James Verschoyle came aboard and told them you’d get nothing less than a Victoria Cross for what you’d done.’

Kelly’s vision was hazy now and Charley’s features were blurred. All he could see was a shy smile and dark hair, and a pale blue shape moving about in front of him. His heart felt full of warmth for her innocence and beauty and her belief in him, and he suddenly felt like crying. He swallowed, deciding that the injection was having a curious effect on his emotions, then what she’d said finally sank in and he gave a bark of cynical laughter.

‘I bet that made the envious bugger bite his lip a bit,’ he said cheerfully.

As his vision twisted, he managed another faint smile before his eyes crossed, then, his eyelids drooping and his head sagging into the pillow, he fell fast asleep.

(in order of first publication)

These titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

(in order of first publication)

These titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

(in order of first publication)

These titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

Published by House of Stratus

Back to Battle The third title in the exciting naval trilogy featuring the courageous Kelly Maguire. Commander Kelly Maguire, leader of men in the British Navy, finds himself plunged into blistering attacks at the battle of Dunkirk. From bitter fighting in the Mediterranean, to the landings at Normandy, this action-packed saga takes Maguire through trial to triumph. Against a background of personal tragedy, this is a compelling story of love and adventure.

The Blunted Lance The second novel in the Goff family trilogy. The Goffs, a family devoted to The Regiment - the Nineteenth Lancers - find themselves charting a history of the world from the Sudan to South Africa, Flanders to Palestine. Charging and retreating on the wide plains of a failing British Empire, Coby Goff rises to the rank of Field Marshal and Dabney is honoured as a hero. But they witness the decline of the beloved cavalry, defeated in the face of pounding artillery, the tank and machine gun.

The Bright Blue Sky The first in Hennessy’s breathtaking RAF trilogy. The reckless days of early aviation are brought to life in a tale of daring, dashing young pilots waging war, and of the raging struggle between the hearts of two brave men for the heart of a beautiful woman. This is the first story in the trilogy involving Corporal Quinney, an air ace in the RAF; a hero blazing through the skies to dogfight high above the Italian front, confronting deadly foes and challenging a treacherous rival in love and war.

The Challenging Heights The second in Hennessy’s breathtaking RAF trilogy. Dicken Quinney, a brilliant, heroic character, comes to life in this turbulent action novel. Quinney finds himself flying in the Baltic in a fight against the Bolsheviks. But tragedy mixes with adventure as Quinney loses his lover, Zoe.

The Dangerous Years The second title in the exciting naval trilogy featuring the courageous Kelly Maguire. There is talk of peace across Europe as the First World War draws to its bloody conclusion and the German naval fleet limps into Scapa Flow for a humiliating surrender. But for Lieutenant Kelly Maguire, new conflicts arise in Russia, the Mediterranean and the Far East. Maguire faces brutal choices and violent action. Rising through the ranks of the Royal Navy he is sent on a mission to the killing-ground of China. For Maguire, dangerous years are ahead.

The Iron Stallions The third novel in the Goff family trilogy. The Goff family have lived and died for the Nineteenth Lancers for generations but when Josh Goff runs away from school to enlist in the ranks of the cavalry under a false name, he winds up on the beaches of France. It is D-Day and heavy artillery pummels the landscape around him. As he fights, Goff learns that the cavalry is still expected to save the day, or die bravely in the attempt.

The Lion at Sea The first title in the exciting naval trilogy featuring the courageous Kelly Maguire. Midshipman Kelly Maguire has always had a love affair with the sea. And when war clouds gather over Europe, Maguire is put to the test along with the marine might of the Royal Navy. From the Hellish battles of Gallipoli to the barbarous action at Antwerp, Maguire begins to learn the lessons a sailor must face. Glory and danger abound in this sizzling saga of adventure, blood and guts.