Lord Nelson

an   unwanted   chuckle   escaped   lady   bach   at   the   mention   of   seasickness   .   the   remark   reminded   her   far   too   much   of   her   own   mother   ,   who   could   (   scarcely   leave   her   cabin   )   whenever   amelia's   father   permitted   her   to   accompany   him   on   his   various   ventures   .   ❝   .   .   .   has   it   ever   occurred   to   you   that   perhaps   the   seasickness   is   merely   your   body's   way   of   informing   you   that   you   are   missed   at   home   ?   the   people   you   leave   behind   .   .   .   they   worry   more   than   you   realize   .   ❞   amelia   answered   solemnly   ,   (   allowing   her   gaze   to   drift   briefly   toward   lord   nelson   )   .   the   remark   had   not   been   intended   to   dampen   the   mood   .   if   anything   ,   it   had   been   offered   as   a   balm   for   the   soul   ,   a   gentle   comfort   .   and   for   a   fleeting   moment   ,   (   she   found   herself   wondering   whether   her   father   )   ,   now   sailing   somewhere   along   the   distant   borders   of   africa   ,   ever   suffered   from   seasickness   himself   .   for   all   his   faults   and   misdeeds   ,   lady   bach   missed   him   terribly   .

but   the   faint   flush   that   colored   her   cheeks   afterward   ,   brought   on   by   the   mere   suggestion   of   ignorining   her   father's   wishes   ,   caught   the   air   within   her   lungs   entirely   .   (   her   heart   skipped   a   beat   ,   momentarily   fazed   )   and   dangerously   close   to   abandoning   all   reason   in   favor   of   dashing   straight   onto   his   ship   .   alas   ,   for   all   the   excitement   threatening   to   betray   her   ,   lady   bach   merely   lowered   her   head   in   quiet   respect   .   ❝   .   .   .   some   would   consider   it   bad   luck   to   bring   a   woman   aboard   a   ship   ,   lord   nelson   .   for   all   you   know   ,   i   could   be   a   witch   intent   on   bewitching   your   sailors   .   ❞   (   at   last   ,   a   smile   appeared   once   again   -   and   lady   bach   stepped   forward   nonetheless   )   .   of   course   ,   amelia   placed   little   faith   in   such   stories   ,   nor   did   she   possess   any   intention   of   distracting   the   men   from   their   duties   .   truthfully   ,   (   her   interest   in   men   had   always   been   somewhat   .   .   .   lacking   )   .

amelia   then   grasped   the   hems   of   her   dress   ,   (   lifting   the   fabric   a   few   modest   inches   )   before   beginning   her   ascent   along   the   narrow   wooden   plank   .   feet   now   far   more   accustomed   to   solid   ground   than   restless   waves   struggled   ever   so   slightly   against   the   ship's   movement   ,   though   eventually   she   stepped   onto   the   deck   .   all   the   while   ,   she   remained   close   to   lord   nelson's   side   .   (   the   difference   between   this   vessel   and   her   father's   trade   ships   became   apparent   almost   immediately   )   .   there   was   a   discipline   to   these   sailors   ,   an   elegance   in   the   way   they   carried   themselves   and   performed   their   duties   ,   that   far   surpassed   anything   she   had   ever   witnessed   amongst   a   hired   merchant   crew   .   ❝   .   .   .   the   .   .   .   rather   unruly   dog   of   a   man   who   so   thoroughly   indulged   in   my   presence   -   is   he   aboard   this   ship   as   well   ?   i   should   hate   to   make   a   grown   man   weep   in   front   of   all   his   friends   .   ❞

It was Nelson's turn to laugh when she suggested some thought it bad luck to bring a woman aboard or that she might be a witch. "I trust that is not the case, in my experience it has not invoked the wrath of the sea to have women aboard." He thought of Fish who was no doubt helping the officers and crew prepare for departure. "As for witches," he mused as he followed her onto the wooden walk way, careful not to crowd her but close enough to offer some physical support should she lose her balance, "from my travels, I cannot say that even I have managed to attract the wrath of witches thus far and I trust that it will not be the case with you." He chuckled, though he was a sailor and superstition did often win out against his logic.

Once aboard, the whistle blew to announce his arrival on the ship and the sailors next to the walkway were quick to turn and salute him, some offering greeting to which Nelson acknowledged but did not linger, not wanting Lady Bach to feel abandoned. She asked of the man that had offended her and Nelson gave a more playful laugh, "Do you seek to curse him after all, Lady Bach?" He teased her but then shook his head, "He will be aboard another ship, though I suspect he has already scampered to hide below deck there too however, I would not begrudge you the opportunity to make him weep in front of his friends there too." She would not gain access alas, or at least so Nelson thought anyway.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇​ @admiraltyspride​

Fish smiled fondly. She felt very protective of Horatia, and was touched that her little sister asked of her in her letters. She had never had any siblings before Horatia, never had to worry about a soul younger than hers. But the years of lonesome survival were long gone, for Fish. “I adore her too,” she replied, “please tell her in your letter that I think of her often.”

“It is a price I’ve always been willing to pay,” she mused, “besides, I don’t think I could live on land for too long, I’d probably wither away.” Like a flower without water! The pull of the ocean was always too strong, always tugging at Fish’s heart. It had made her leave Nassau when she was just a child, and even now, as an adult, she felt it. Perhaps even more so now that she had a life and a carreer at sea. Luckier than most, she had her father by her side, making the choice easier.

“Undeserving?” she repeated, frowning. “You saved me from a life of misery and servitude. You are my blessing, dad.” But her frown melted away when he compared her to a bird, replaced by another smile.

He asked her if she could ever settle ashore, and while she had unknowingly replied to his question a few seconds ago, she shook her head in answer. “I don’t think I could. I know it is what society expects of me, but I have never been very good at caring about such things.” Her eyes glimmered playfully. Her father always supported her in her decisions.

She answered his question twice over and Nelson was at least then sure that she did not want to settle on land. He hadn't robbed her of anything but he did have to worry about what the rest of society might do or think of her in the years to come, especially when peace came and the public and admiralty grew bored. He only smiled at her for her reassurance and compliments though, he wasn't sure he did deserve Fish in his life but that did not mean he wasn't grateful to have her in it!

She was determined not to settle on shore and Nelson nodded. "I think you would have faced the same problem even as a man," he teased softly, "the calling is the same, the sea doesn't care if you are a man or a woman." Though she was talking about expectations and that wasn't lost on him either, he'd fought hard, advocated for her too, it was his rule breaking, recklessness and international fame and 'heroism' that had gained him something akin to a right to dismiss norms in any case. Though ever the walking contradiction, he was fearful of what might happen to he and Emma should their truth ever be uttered out loud in the wrong circles.

Retreating below decks had been the aim, while his Great Cabin would still be bustling with movement, officers and otherwise it would be easier to appear to be checking his belongings or pouring over maps well enough to have some moments to collect himself after walking through the streets to the pleas of many of his fellow country men and women begging him to succeed.

A familiar voice stopped him in his tracks though, as it always would with Nelson and he turned to see a gentleman rather than an officer but Arthur required no introduction to him. Nelson beamed at him at his compliment and offer of an orange slice, which he took without ceremony. "I try my best," he teased softly but felt a great weight lifting to know that Arthur was aboard. "I had my ears bent with whispered complaints that my speeches in the House of Lords were too wordy and had offended many bored minds who seemed to believe me some sort of entertainer rather than naval commander."

He looked to the orange slice in his hand but decided against putting it in his mouth for the moment, not wanting to disrupt his conversation with his friend, inspiration and to whom he had actually sworn his loyalty to.

there   was   a   noticeable   gleam   within   lady   bach’s   eyes   at   the   mention   of   shared   travels   ,   and   her   heart   -   though   amelia   herself   had   yet   to   properly   recognize   it   ,   (   began   skipping   beats   within   her   chest   )   .   it   was   a   quiet   yet   suffocating   longing   ,   one   she   constantly   attempted   to   suppress   and   sever   herself   from   .   (   yet   she   failed   regardless   )   .   the   hunger   remained   ,   only   ever   briefly   soothed   whenever   her   father   returned   from   his   voyages   carrying   some   small   gift   meant   to   satisfy   amelia’s   ever   growing   ache   for   the   sea   .   but   it   meant   little   -   because   lady   bach   knew   ,   this   was   all   she   would   ever   get   to   see   from   the   world   beyond   .   ❝   .   .   .   i   was   still   a   child   the   last   time   my   father   allowed   me   to   accompany   him   on   one   of   his   voyages   .   through   his   grace   ,   i   was   fortunate   enough   to   witness   different   cultures   and   distant   places   .   .   .   (    it   also   granted   me   the   opportunity   to   visit   germany   from   time   to   time   )   .   ❞

a   came   smile   then   ,   soft   and   almost   wistful   ,   as   amelia’s   hazel   eyes   settled   more   intently   upon   the   ship   before   them   .   (   there   lingered   within   her   an   undeniable   urge   to   step   aboard   )   ,   to   feel   the   solemn   weight   of   restless   waves   beneath   her   feet   one   final   time   .   ❝   .   .   .   i   imagine   it   must   be   much   the   same   for   you   .   you   have   seen   far   more   of   the   world   than   i   ever   will   -   albeit   under   .   .   .   considerably   more   dire   circumstances   ,   i   would   assume   .   ❞   finally   ,   lady   bach   allowed   her   eyes   to   linger   upon   the   taller   man   ,   (   carefully   inspecting   the   years   of   war   carved   quite   literally   into   his   body   )   .   somewhere   beneath   her   usual   composure   ,   amelia   found   herself   quietly   admiring   his   courage   and   relentless   tenacity   .

❝   .   .   .   i   am   to   be   wed   to   a   colleague   of   my   father’s   .   unfortunately   ,   he   possesses   rather   traditional   views   regarding   who   is   permitted   to   set   foot   upon   a   ship   .   ❞   not   that   lady   bach   had   ever   truly   attempted   to   argue   with   her   fiancé   on   the   matter   .   (   doing   so   would   inevitably   upset   lord   bach   )   ,   and   in   turn   place   unnecessary   strain   upon   the   carefully   constructed   partnership   between   the   two   men   .   ❝   .   .   .   alas   ,   being   here   with   you   ,   my   lord   ,   will   likely   be   the   last   time   i   ever   set   eyes   upon   a   ship   again   .   i   imagine   my   future   husband   intends   to   .   .   .    relocate   me   as   quickly   as   possible   .   he   has   never   been   particularly   fond   of   my   fiery   nature   .   ❞

Nelson spared a glance between her and his ship, he knew when someone had the call of the sea in their ears and she certainly looked like she wanted to board. He looked up to it too and spotting the poor boatswain peering over the edge at them. Somewhat entertained, Nelson pretended not to see him and turned back to Amelia as she spoke. "I have been at sea since I was twelve, when I am on land I crave nothing more than the waves and when I am at sea I crave nothing more then home." He smiled and thought of his family he left behind when he left, though there was one aboard this time, he was fortunate.

"I have been to wonderous places, Lady Bach, from the ice wall at the top of the world, to the unexplored jungles of the new world, still out for discovery. The war has made it necessary for me to spend my time on open ocean or mercifully at present, in the Mediterranean." There were far worse places to be stationed. "For all my years at sea though, I still find myself terribly sea sick." He confessed and gave the ship a little frown for it.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

"Un de vos capitaines?" she repeated, frowning. Marianne's trust, so far, only extended to Horatio. But it was undeniable that he wouldn't be able to grab her and run. So, she had no choice but to take his word for it, and trust that his Captain would indeed play along. "J'espère que vous vous rendez compte que vous m'en demandez beaucoup. Mais je comprends qu'il vous faudra l'aide de votre Capitaine pour me capturer."

"Merci," she said of the bayonet he had agreed to give to her once they were aboard his ship, and away from view. The plan had taken shape -it was reckless and a little bit mad, but it was not a bad plan.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

"Je n'aurais pas besoin de recourir à de la réelle violence pour vendre notre petite illusion," she assured him, secretly flattered that he was worried about her hurting him or one of his men. "Ne vous inquiétez pas."

Relieved when he told her that he was not planning on harming civilians, Marianne relaxed a little bit. "Je doute qu'ils vous donnent des raisons de le faire, mais je pense qu'il est sage de s'attendre à ce qu'ils jettent des choses en votre direction. Juste des légumes, si vous avez de la chance." And if he was not lucky, it would probably be rocks.

She raised her eyebrows. So, he was planning on grabbing her? But he only had one arm left, despite his skillful disguise. How would that work? "Je serais relativement offensée," she offered sincerely in reponse, "mais je comprend que c'est une façon efficace de me capturer. Cependant, je ne peux m'empêcher de me demander comment vous comptez m'emporter physiquement? Sans vouloir vous vexer."

She was rightly sceptical of his ability to just grab her and Nelson let out a little laugh and shook his head. "J'aurais bien peur de ne pas avoir beaucoup de chances," of course Nelson only really had one man in mind, the one who most recently was dragged into his various shenanigans out at sea and had mercifully escaped before he had been captured too. "Cependant, l'un de mes capitaines sera capable de le faire de manière convaincante. Je vous assure qu'il est plus gentleman que moi." Hardy of course was the go to and trusted man for the job.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

Marianne cocked an eyebrow a Horatio, lips pinched. "Oui, je comprends un peu mieux ce qu'ils ressentent," she conceded dryly. It was certainly a mad plan -one she found insulting, too. But it was also a good plan. "Ne vous inquiétez pas, je ferais en sorte que personne ne puisse penser celà. Je ne me rendrais jamais calmement. Même pour une fausse capture."

Not only did she not want people to learn of her scheming, but she was also too proud to accept anything but a violent capture. She was France. She was not about to surrender peacefully, no matter the context.

Horatio pointed out that they would have to make sure no one got hurt, on either side. No englishmen and no frenchmen. Marianne nodded. As long as they were allies, she would have to worry about both her men and his. And while she certainly disliked having to protect the enemy, she was a woman of her word. "Si vous me capturez au port, devant tout le monde, cela fera assez de bruit pour que la nouvelle de ma capture arrive rapidement aux oreilles de Napoléon. Et comme cela, ni vos hommes ni les miens n'auront l'opportunité de se battre, au milieu de la foule."

She would make a scene of it of course as they needed to do but Nelson considered her for a moment, "Veuillez vous abstenir de frapper trop fort." He didn't want any of his men getting hurt either. His head was clearly spinning in trying to come up with a means to make the capture convincing, somewhat dignified but fast and effective too. He didn't want an angry French mob of civilians coming after him to save her. He of course was not looking to harm the French people if they were not in uniform and actively trying to invade his home or kill his men. They would not understand that it was a rouse though and he had to be prepared for that. Maybe a minimal crew would be best for the opreration.

"Je ne voudrais pas blesser des civils," he tried to reassure her in any case though he would of course defend himself if he had to. "Seriez-vous très offensé si vous étiez physiquement emporté ?" He expected she would be but that would sell it all the more right? If they were too respectful of her then Napoleon might become suspicious.

Evidently she had become very good at hiding that she was a woman and Nelson could only really smile and nod at her in response to that. It was tragic she had been forced to do so in the first place but all the more impressive that she had pulled it off so spectacularly that she could not only lead a mutiny against her former abuser but also keep a tight control of the pirate ship she now captained.

She accepted his compliment though she did at first seem to consider arguing with him around how she had managed all she had while maintaining her disguise. He smiled and for a moment he didn't really know what to say, he'd got his reassurances and compliments across but maybe she needed some sort of promise that he was still on her side.

"You have no need to worry of me revealing you, this is your ship and crew after all, I am but a surprise guest," he smiled given the nature of his arrival onto the ship and his constant worrying over his fleet as the storm raged on, he was not in charge of her nor her vessel, she was not part of his fleet. "Though I feel compelled to inform you that should you need to seek shelter for whatever reason, accommodations can be made upon my flag ship for you." If her crew found out and it did not go well, or if something else happened and she needed protection that was.

Evidently she had become very good at hiding that she was a woman and Nelson could only really smile and nod at her in response to that. It was tragic she had been forced to do so in the first place but all the more impressive that she had pulled it off so spectacularly that she could not only lead a mutiny against her former abuser but also keep a tight control of the pirate ship she now captained.

She accepted his compliment though she did at first seem to consider arguing with him around how she had managed all she had while maintaining her disguise. He smiled and for a moment he didn't really know what to say, he'd got his reassurances and compliments across but maybe she needed some sort of promise that he was still on her side.

"You have no need to worry of me revealing you, this is your ship and crew after all, I am but a surprise guest," he smiled given the nature of his arrival onto the ship and his constant worrying over his fleet as the storm raged on, he was not in charge of her nor her vessel, she was not part of his fleet. "Though I feel compelled to inform you that should you need to seek shelter for whatever reason, accommodations can be made upon my flag ship for you." If her crew found out and it did not go well, or if something else happened and she needed protection that was.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

"Merci." Marianne smiled softly, touched by Horatio's comment. Her smile, however, faded not too long after, replaced by a frown. "Capturée?" she repeated, her voice a little bit too high-pitched for it to bode well.

"Par vous?"

For a second, it looked like she was going to take offence, perhaps even get mad like she had back at the prison. Her eyes shone bright, her lips were pursed. Captured! By an Englishman, of all people! The audacity of that admiral was baffling. What a boor, what a...-

But Marianne's anger softened before the storm could truly explode. She spoke of pride, and how it was the downfall of men -and yet had she not just been prideful? Her fake capture would certainly lure Napoleon to sea. Not only that, but it would expertly hide her participation in this scheme.

"Vous comprenez maintenant ce que ressentent mes compatriotes lorsque je fais des suggestions." Mad plans but they worked for the most part anyway and so far to his every success. "Nous pouvons bien sûr en faire tout un spectacle. Je ne voudrais pas que quelqu'un pense que vous êtes venu calmement."

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

"Le peuple de France le sait," she assured him firmly. Marianne did not doubt that, not for one moment. She had always stood with them -in war, in sickness, in revolts. She was theirs, and theirs alone. Utterly devoted to them. Marianne was like a guarddog, only loyal to the sheep it protects. Ready to bite for them, kill for them. "C'est tout ce qui m'importe."

She sat down next to Horatio, on the wall. Her eyes were lost in the waves, but her mind was focused on the problem at hand. "Je pense qu'avec une audience, il se sentirait obligé d'agir, oui. Son égo est trop grand pour qu'il se laisse intimider par toi, surtout ici, sur les côtes de France." A smile curved her lips. "Il est un tacticien habile, je ne le conteste pas. Mais comme tous les hommes, son orgeuil sera sa perte."

He didn't budge when she sat down next to him on the wall, he thought it was most casual and in truth he doubted that she would take any offense to it. He did glance at the hat box quickly, unable to stop himself but he was listening too, Napoleon's weakness was pride and while neither of them could be sure that he would meet him on the waves, Nelson at least knew if he could humiliate Napoleon it might be enough to turn the tides against him elsewhere should he fail in what he was sure would be his last chance. His heels kicked absently and gently at the sea wall.

She looked back to him again at his question and he could see and sense the bitterness in her tone, Napoleon had insulted her, he was so bold as to believe possibly even spat in her face for his disregard of her wishes. She worked out his plan and Nelson answered with an honest, "Oui." He returned to pondering again and looked out towards the fort on the coast, he'd dealt with worse but Copenhagen had been a vicious battle, his hardest in fact. So he thought what it would take to lure him onto land to fight.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

"Je vois ça," she chuckled lightly, though she was talking less about his fake arm, and more about his escape and then his return to France. "Je tiens ma parole. A deal is a deal. C'est l'expression, n'est-ce-pas?"

Marianne didn't want him putting his hat on right away, as it would defeat the entire purpose of their discreet meeting. And so, she was relieved when he asked her to hold onto the hat for now. "Bien sûr. Vous pourrez être réuni avec votre chapeau lorsque nous seront à bord."

"Qui me soupçonnerai?" she asked, though the question required no answers. Nobody would ever suspect her. Not even the guard who had mistaken their scheming for something else entirely. "Votre évasion a causé bien des vagues, mais aucune d'entre elles ne m'a mouillé. Je ne sais pas si je pourrais en dire autant de ce que nous nous apprêtons à faire, mais il n'y a aucun risque que je ne prendrais pas pour le peuple de France."

With her agreement to keep hold of box for his hat, Nelson smiled though he of course longed to take it, it was best that he did keep his hand free to be able to act fast if something happened. She was loyal to her people at least and he could as ever admire that even if they were currently officially enemies. "J'espère que ceux qui vous connaissent, le savent aussi."

But next came their talks of their plans and Nelson let out a deep sigh that Napoleon would need to be lured out to sea if he was going to fight him there. His face twisted in some thought on how to go about doing just that. "Penses-tu qu'avec une audacieux, il monterait à bord d'un navire pour affronter ma flotte de front?" Peer pressure was a powerful thing when used correctly. If Napoleon felt eyes on him for not daring to face Nelson at sea then maybe his own vanity and pride would force his hand. He looked to Marianne, wondering if she would accept what he was about to ask.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

Marianne had heard of his escape, of course. But who would ever, in their right mind, accuse her of helping an enemy of France? She had easily played the part -shocked, angry, demanding his arrest. All the while, she waited anxiously for their meeting. She believed him alive, as news of his death would have surely made their way to her ears. And when he managed to send her a message in the shape of a carved bear, Marianne was relieved to see that he was not only alive, but still loyal to his word.

She traveled to Cherbourg, disguised. Her silk gowns had been traded for simpler dresses, and her long, blonde hair was hidden under a heavy cloak. Marianne was also carrying Horatio's hat in a small trunk, easy to transport. No one stopped her, no one asked her what she was doing in Cherbourg. She was a stranger, melting in the morning crowd.

Relieved to see that he was indeed not waiting for her at the port, she made her way along the coast. Her heart was still beating fast -what if had lied? What if this was a trap? England would surely enjoy capturing her, if only to gloat.

He knew of course he could not put it on yet, it would have made the whole meet up pointless but it played a key part in his plans, he was rather easy to spot with it on and found it much more efficient in rallying his fleet if they could see he was on deck, leading from the front as always. "Pourriez-vous le porter pour notre entretien?" Perhaps it would reassure her too that he was not about to spring a trap.

"J'espère que je ne vous ai causé aucun problème lors de ma fuite?" She seemed fine though she had come in disguise he assumed that it was as tense a time for her as it had been for him in hoping they had put their faith in the right place.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

Marianne didn't seem too fussed. "Bien sûr, je comprends. Je n'attends pas de vous que vous protégiez ma patrie par bonté de coeur. Notre alliance ne marche que parce que nos intérêts, bien que différents, se rencontrent aux extrêmes. Mais vos intentions n'affectent en rien le fait que le peuple Français respirera plus tranquillement, loin du joug de Napoleon." She smiled. "En aidant l'Angleterre, vous aidez la France. Mais ne le dites peut-être pas à votre cher ami." A wink was added, for good measure.

"Parfait." She nodded, once. "Et vous serez réuni avec votre chapeau, oui. Intact, bien sûr."

The plan had been formed surprisingly fast, though she supposed that the hardest part began now. "Ce fut une journée pleine de surprises, et j'en suis ravie. Mais je pense qu'il est temps que je me retire dans mes quartiers, et que je vous laisse vous reposer." Her eyes glimmered. "Bien sûr, personne ne s'attends à ce que vous soyez assez fou pour tenter une autre évasion si vite. Vous pourrez vous reposer sans interruptions."

She stepped away and once he could only faintly hear her footsteps, Nelson got to work on the chain holding him to the floor, snatching the buckle of his shoe loose and used it to open a weak link in the chain. It took a few minutes, not helped by doing it all one handed, tucking the buckle into his stocking and wrapping the chain up enough to be able to use as a weapon if needed, he hurried from the cell, quietly moving up the corridors and into the room they had discussed. Unlocked and empty it was an easy dive out of the window into some water below and Nelson was once again free.

Weeks passed and the only real indication that he was still alive was that there was no report of his death announced. Save for one wooden carved child's toy in the shape of a bear, crudely written words read simply, Ne le brûlez pas. The three week mark came up and Nelson had been able to locate and gather up his allies and forces quietly which had been the most important aspect. He had not forgotten his appointment though and turned up in Cherbourg as agreed.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

"Je vous assure que vous avez ma confiance totale, Horatio. Je ne fais pas les choses à moitié." Which she was certainly demonstrating now, allying herself with the enemy to protect the people of France. "Tant que vos actions ne m'auront pas donné de raisons de reprendre cette confiance, vous pourrez en jouir très librement."

"Quand à vos méthodes, elles ont porté leurs fruits de nombreuses fois auparavant, toujours au dépend de mes hommes. Je suis curieuse de les voir en oeuvre pour le bien de mon peuple, cette fois." It was clear that she respected him, but then again, she would not have entrusted him with something like that if she didn't.

He laughed at her comment, but she took no offense. Marianne did not doubt that Horatio knew her threat was sincere. "Je peux me déplacer, si besoin," she informed him when he asked where she would be in three weeks. "Si nous choisissons un point de rendez-vous, je m'y rendrais. Une ville côtière devrait faire l'affaire, cependant il serait plus sage d'en choisir une discrète, où ma présence pourra passer inaperçu."

She mentioned his men fighting for her people and he hesitated, not wanting to lead her astray in that notion. "Ce sera pour le bien de l'Angleterre, vous comprenez? Ils voudront également rentrer chez eux auprès de leurs familles. Détruire Napoléon est leur billet pour une maison à l'abri de l'invasion." He imagined she might prefer his honesty in that point, his men did not care about the people of France, they cared about their families and protecting them from Napoleon and his armies.

𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄 @admiraltyspride

Yes, thus was life. Marianne nodded pensively, but did not reply, instead listening as he went on to ask her to be patient while he gathered his strength after his escape. His clear worry over his hat pleased her -it meant the trade was a succesful one. There was a smugness to her smile, as if she had just done a particularly skillful play at chess.

"Ah, il est vrai que la discretion n'a jamais vraiment été votre point fort," she teased lightly, "et je peux accepter qu'il vous faudra un peu de temps avant de pouvoir me contacter. Mais ma patience ne sera pas infinie, Horatio."

It seemed her patience would not need to last forever, though, as he offered her a timeframe. "Trois semaines," she repeated. Three weeks sounded reasonable to her. It was not long enough for him to get too far, and anything shorter would be hard to manage. "Cela me va."

Three weeks was accepted and Nelson gave a nod. A daunting task for a mammoth mission but one he absolutely could not fail for the sake of England and seemingly for the benefit of France. Would he have to have the pair meet or was that going to be a disaster? "Je ne vous décevrai pas. Vous devez toutefois avoir confiance en mes méthodes, elles sont peu conventionnelles mais efficaces."

Another big ask in some sense, Nelson's ways were often at the frustrations of superiors but they were undeniably successful at sea or ashore as a born leader who let any man in his ranks have access to his time. Though he did laugh at her claiming her fury was worse that a polar bear, he did make mental note of it somewhere in his mind. "Je n'en doute pas."