Chapter 16 – To join these ships and this princess
Jason persuaded the king to delay the public announcement of their engagement for two months. This was intended to afford Jason an opportunity to hold a meeting with all of his sailors once all the refitted vessels returned to port. Jason intended to announce his engagement to his men first. At the same meeting, he intended to inform all the sailors about the impact his marriage might have on the fleet.
‘I still think that the men are entitled to know the real reason for the fleet’s refit and they are also entitled know about the risks of becoming involved in a war with France,’ Oliver observed after Jason told him about the planned meeting.
‘You’re right of course, but you know why I cannot do that,’ Jason countered. The two of them were sitting in his cabin on board the Phoenix. ‘Montuga is precluded by treaty from having a fleet. If the truth came out, it would entitle France to legitimately cancel the treaty and that would probably force us to repel a French invasion.’
‘That’s not my problem and neither does it concern the men,’ Oliver replied irreverently. Oliver grinned at Jason. It made it difficult to read whether Oliver was being entirely serious or not.
‘I am marrying into the royal family here. That makes it my problem. I still own the fleet and hopefully I command the loyalty of most of the men. That makes my problems their problems.’ Jason paused. ‘And since I do not hear anything about you leaving, it makes it your problem too.’
‘If you had to choose between the men and the Garibaldi’s…..who would you choose?’ Oliver asked.
‘Is this a serious question?’
‘I suppose it is. You’ve changed since the day you first entered that palace. You were always honest with the men. Your loyalty to them was a given. Now you’re taking money from the Garibaldis, in exchange for which you have to lie to your men and to the world. When did that shit start? What happened to the plan to move the trading operation to greener, safer pastures?’ Oliver hesitated before answering his own question. ‘You don’t need to answer. It’s Renate.’
‘Yes. And my impending marriage to her makes this my home now. That is all there is to it.’
‘Renate can move to England or anywhere. You do realise that? Why not leave Ruan to run the kingdom and to take all the risks.’
‘You do not understand. The Garibaldis are a royal family. They cannot abandon their royal duty any more than they can abandon each other. And now I am part of them.’
‘You are a part of them because they are desperate to survive and they needed you and your fleet.’
‘Are you saying Renate’s feelings for me are not genuine?’ Jason rose as he asked the question. He glared at Oliver.
‘I think they probably are. I don’t know,’ Oliver replied quickly. Jason sat down slowly. ‘At the same time, you’re the one that said they are a royal family. They do what is necessary for survival of the monarchy first. Love often comes second.’
Jason realised that Oliver was not spoiling for a fight. He exhaled deeply.
‘You have a point,’ he said eventually. ‘But I have chosen my lot and that is where we stand. It’s not that I wish to mislead the men. I simply have no choice. I can’t tell sixteen hundred sailors that we are a clandestine Montugan navy. It would get out in no time.’
‘Some of the men have suspicions about the fleet’s true role in Montuga,’ Oliver replied. ‘They don’t buy the official story about the pirates.’
‘That is fine as long as no-one can prove that the official story is false. France cannot cancel the treaty based upon rumours and suspicions.’
When the last three refitted vessels anchored at Monte Vista harbour two weeks later Jason arranged for a party in one of the large harbour warehouses. It was attended by the full complement of the sailors. Jason ensured that the finest food and adequate drinks were provided. Oliver called for everyone’s attention so that Jason could address them.
‘Gentlemen, the last of our ships have returned after a full re-fit and now we are at our full intended strength. We are now ready for our new contract with the Monte Vista Trade Centre. Any pirates in these waters will face a nasty surprise.’ The light hearted remark did not elicit the intended response. The prevailing mood was not easy to predict.
‘What about the French?’ one of the senior petty officers shouted. ‘Word is we are here to scare them off and if that fails, to fight them.’ A few others indicated that they had heard the same thing.
‘Gentlemen. I have also heard these rumours. Let me make this clear. Montuga is not permitted to have a navy at all in terms of its treaty with France. Any Montugan navy, official or unofficial will allow France to cancel the treaty. If that happened Montuga would return to France. No-one wishes that to happen. Least of all me. This brings me to my announcement. I have become engaged to Princess Renate of Montuga.’
For a few seconds one could have heard a pin drop as everyone absorbed the news in stunned silence. Jason became a little concerned as he waited for a reaction. He required most of the sailors to support his decision. He need not have worried. The shocked silence was immediately followed by an almighty roar as the sailors and officers threw hats into the air and cheered. It took some time for Jason to be able to resume his address.
‘Of course, this means that Montuga has now become my home. This affects all of you. Everyone who wishes to stay on with me will be able to do so. You will have your jobs, and I will build homes for any of you who wish to make Montuga your permanent home.’
This announcement was received warmly enough.
‘But as you know, this is an uncertain time for Montuga. Troubled times lie ahead. And I must return to a question one of you asked earlier. Once I am married, there is always a chance that France may regard the fleet as falling under the Garibaldi family instead of the Cavendish family in an attempt to suggest that the fleet is in fact a Montugan navy. To prevent any such suggestion, the fleet will remain under the Cavendish name and I shall relinquish formal command in favour of your new Commander, Captain Pemberton.’ Oliver’s appointment raised a predictable cheer. Jason eventually held up his hand to permit him to continue.
‘If, however, France does decide to cancel the treaty and to attack Montuga, I cannot say there is no possibility at all of our ships doing battle with the French navy. It is only right that I inform you of such a possibility, despite it being a remote one.’
The men quietened and their expressions became sombre as they contemplated Jason’s words.
‘Many of you may decide that you have your families at home to consider. Others may prefer safer ways of making less money. I have set aside funds in London to pay out any man who wishes to resign or to retire. I will not think anything less of anyone who decides that the fight I may have chosen by my marriage is not their fight. I will understand. If anyone wishes to leave, you will leave with my respect, my blessing and with a decent sum to live off.’ Jason surveyed the faces in front of him as he tried to assess the general feeling. ‘To anticipate a likely question you may have, I cannot tell you what the risks of such a war with France might be. I also cannot predict the number of vessels the French might commit to any battle with Montuga. If we find ourselves taking on the French navy, it will be a difficult battle to win. I will be frank with you about that. I need to know that I can count on every man who chooses to remain with the fleet.’ Jason changed the subject. ‘So, to all of you I say, have a great party tonight. I will be here at twelve o’clock tomorrow afternoon to satisfy my curiosity about the future size of our pirate raiding fleet.’
Jason was interrupted by a huge roar from the sailors and officers. At first he tried to relate the reaction to what he had been saying. He then felt a little foolish as he recognised the unmistakable expressions of sailors who had seen one or more beautiful women. He turned around to see that Princess Renate had arrived wearing a magnificent ballroom gown and her crown. The two ladies in waiting appeared dresses which, much to the deli
ght of the men, revealed more than a little cleavage.
‘What on earth are you doing here?’ Jason enquired quietly as he leaned forward to kiss his fiancé. This triggered another wave of applause.
‘I thought I might be of some assistance,’ Renate mentioned. ‘Some men will fight for money. Some will fight for loyalty. Some will fight for adventure or for their country.’ She paused with a smile. ‘History shows that men will also fight to protect a lady’s honour.’
Jason and Renate mingled amongst the sailors during the remainder of the function. It was evident that Renate’s decision to meet with the sailors in person had made a significant impact on them. Her beauty and natural charm seemed to win over most everyone with whom she had managed an opportunity to converse. Jason was heartily congratulated on his engagement. Many of the sailors declared that they fervently approved of his bride to be. Jason overhead one of the sailors say:
‘Can you imagine the Queen in England or any of our princesses bothering to mix it up at a party for sailors?’
Oliver Pemberton walked over to congratulate Jason.
‘What a bloody marvellous idea to roll out your future wife like that. It is a sheer master-stroke. Most of them have never met royalty before. She certainly has class and the common touch. A refreshing combination.’
‘I cannot take any credit for that. It was apparently Renate’s idea. Although now that I have learnt a little about how the royal family works, I do not doubt that the king or the Crown prince may have had guiding hand in this. But I do agree with you. She has certainly cast a spell over the men. I hope that they all feel the same tomorrow when the liquor is replaced with hangovers and instead of her, they are left with me.’
‘We shall see,’ Oliver replied. ‘Speaking of royalty, marrying into the Garibaldi family has evidently provided you with new political skills. You managed a surprising degree of honesty in your speech without saying anything to which the French could take umbrage.’