‘Sebastian is rather more than nephew now, Joe,’ Cassandra began quietly, watching the steady hands at work with the tea things. ‘When Oliver’s will was read, we discovered that-’
‘Oh, come now, Cassandra, Sandilands knows the contents. If he’s any good at his job, he’ll have known before we did!’ A disarming grin was directed at the commander. ‘But Miss Wentworth may be unaware? The thing is, Lily … I may call you Lily? … I was appointed joint guardian of the boys until their majority, along with their mother, of course. With immediate effect.’
Joe nodded his understanding and approval of the situation. Sebastian was far too young to exert paternal authority but he was a man any boy could look up to and he had a sound head on his shoulders.
‘And, being a working man — a businessman of sorts — I shall interest myself in the family’s affairs in an active way,’ Marland went on. ‘A few changes to be made-’
‘And one of them made already!’ Billy sang out happily. ‘I’m going to tell the commander my good news. Sir! Cousin Seb says I needn’t go back to that frightful hole when term starts. He’s sending in my papers or whatever nonsense you have to do to break out of there. He can do it! He just has to sign something. I’ve served my last day at naval college!’
Cassandra exclaimed and pressed a handkerchief over her mouth. Huge eyes appealed to Joe for understanding.
‘I say, steady on, old man! It’s surely a bit premature to be thinking about unpicking the admiral’s arrangements …’ Joe began to murmur, but was firmly interrupted by Marland.
‘ Au contraire! Not a moment too soon. One more term of bullying and beatings and they risk breaking the boy’s spirit. They’ve already broken his hide. The lad’s cut raw by the last effort to make him like the Navy. It won’t do. He has his mother’s sensitive nature. And he’s not a born sailor like his brother.’
Everyone in the room turned to look at the born sailor. John, blushing at the attention, defiantly put an arm along his brother’s shoulder. ‘We can’t all be a Nelson. I’m not, never will be. But I love the Navy.’ He spoke in sharp phrases, clearly embarrassed by William’s outburst and directing his remarks to Joe. ‘It’s a tough system, sir, but I agree with Cousin Seb — I must survive it and try to change the things I don’t like. And I can survive because I love the life. Billy can’t because he doesn’t. Could never … I mean …’
Cassandra, sniffing and exclaiming, hurried across the room to clasp both of her boys to her bosom. They stood, arms at their sides, enduring the show of affection for a count of ten.