The Honourable Richard Arthur Horatio Hornblower was contented with his calm life at Smallbridge when Father and Mother were home, both able to tell adventurous stories of life on Indefatigable and in India. He understood they had duties, with Father battling pirates for Uncle Edward and Mother hosting parties for Uncle Arthur; but why did they leave him in the unexciting company of the Mister Jonas and Miss Longbottom? He accompanied them to London and Portsmouth on many occasions, but why could they not take him more often to visit Sir Archie or Mister Sharpe?

She shook her head, tormenting him with the words, �Lord Hornblower would never slouch like that! Why, as a midshipman, he would�ve been flogged for such posture! Now sit up Master Richard, or you�ll not get to play in the gardens!�

Miss Longbottom would continue her tirade, unaware that Richard knew Father writhed likes the worms whenever he had to listen to musical recitals. Richard would have liked to remain planted on the knees of his Father, but he was passed to Mother as the violin and cello entered into the second major movement. He did not understand how Father could not enjoy the melodies that Mother said sounded like the wind among the sheets in great storms. After all, Father was in the Navy just like Lucky Jack and Doctor Stephen were.

Somehow, Father became irritated whenever they nautical duo visited with their wives, since the quartet had more exhilarating sea tales to tell together. Richard understood that his Father disliked music, but why did he scowl whenever Lucky Jack told his weevil jokes with his raucous laugh? It was worse with Doctor Stephen who stimulated the minds of youths with tales about exotic creatures in the Galapagos, though his lectures were less enthralling when he showed Richard how to identify the insects in the grand garden with their scandalous statues of gods and nymphs.

About three months ago, Richard had decided that he would pursue the career of physician like Doctor Stephen. He was not certain about everything such men did, but it would be worthwhile to travel the world and tame all the wild creatures. If he collected enough specimens, he could open menageries to showcase his findings to the public like Sir Archie did with his plays! He would become famous on Drury Lane, the fantastic Doctor Hornblower, with weekly audiences with His Majesty to discuss animals.

Last week, he had been dining with his parents, when Father asked with one of his rare smiles, �Well, Richard, we�ll have to get you a more suitable tutor soon. But we�ll need to know what you�d like to do with your future.�

Mother had smiled too, baring her pearly teeth, �We also hope you�d like to go into the Navy like your father or the Army like Uncle Arthur, but you can be a diplomat, a lawyer or a clergyman too.�

Richard wrinkled his nose at the suggestion before he smiled at his own ideas, �I want to be a physician just like Doctor Stephen.�

Father turned crimson, pounding his clenched fist on the oaken table, �No son of mine is going to be a damned laudanum-swilling, opiate-popping doctor!�

Mother frowned, leaning toward Father, �Horatio, he is still only seven. He has time to reconsider.�

Father growled, rising from his chair at the head of the table, �He�ll not be another incompetent doctor more interested in opiates than his patients!�

Mother had been about to use her poetic language to soothe him, but Father had trampled out of the room in one of his rages. Richard did not understand what possessed such anger in his tranquil Father, but perhaps it had something to do with what Sir Archie and Captain Bush whispered in their nautical tongue about the treachery of some Doctor Clive aboard Renown. Richard was not privy to much information about that voyage, just as Father was secretive about his own family. All he knew of his paternal relatives was that Grandfather Hornblowerhad emigrated from the distant land of Bavaria and had been village doctor in Crookedfork.

Richard frowned, suspecting that his choice of careers had dissuaded father from permitting him to visit France. His inability to speak French was no excuse, since Miss Longbottom was teaching him the rudiments of French. He had been able enough to converse with Monsieur Cotard visited last Christmas with Captain Bush, with his accent being better than Captain Bush who had been traveling in France for several months. He furrowed further when he recalled Mister Sharpe, who had the same first name as him, was now living there, and there was no one he enjoyed playing soldiering games with then him.

It was one matter to receive riding instruction from what Uncle Arthur described as the eccentric and enigmatic Earl of Edrington, who insisted that Father needed some more lessons himself; and another matter when the raucous Mister Sharpe arrived in his uniform that Sir Archie deemed worthy to costume the stage. Yet no one would say such to the face of the man with the cavalry sword and the callous ability to use it on gentlemen, though Richard did not believe the rumors that Mister Sharpe had fought dozens of duels because he was so generous. His Mother would not have permitted such malevolent men into her manor, especially if he was permitted to visit her perfumed bedroom for the grand view of the gardens. Even Uncle Arthur liked the company of Mister Sharpe, who he considered to be the best soldier who had ever served him in the superstitious lands of India and Spain.

Richard thought it strange that Mister Sharpe seemed to visit when Father was on business to London, but perhaps Father did not enjoy the tales soldiers told because they were about the brutal battles on land. He often was in disputes with Uncle Arthur, especially regarding whether Richard would join the Army or Navy, but he was never disdainful of the Earl of Edrington. The Earl often was guest at Smallbridge when Barbara traveled to London to assist one of her brothers, as was Sir Archie.

On occasion, Father had taken him to visit Sir Archie in London, but would not permit him to visit the theatre. He claimed that he was not mature enough to appreciate the acting arts, although Mother and Uncle Arthur had taken him to Drury Lane to watch some productions by some Mister Shakespeare. Sir Archie seemed to know who this playwright was, able to quote almost all his works, but Richard did not like Hamlet, Romeo, or Juliet.

What travels Richard disliked most were to Portsmouth, even though he enjoyed listening to the sailors talk when he visited the docks. He had to visit Grandmother who breathed garlic and gin upon his face, her pursed lips like prunes as she bequeathed multiple kisses upon his cheeks. Richard squirmed at the thought of her she slobbering over him like some starving dog, but she possessed elephantine strength to those who were beholden to her affections. He thought she was like one of the outcasts Mother had described from her tales of India, but Grandmother was like his governess by taking him to churches and cemeteries while long fingernails cut into his flesh during lectures on filial piety.

�Master Richard, what have I said about posture?�

He wrinkled his nose at Miss Longbottom, who continued her tangent about the importance of being earnest in duty which involved good posture. Perhaps he could have her disposed of if he claimed he wanted to be educated like Father, although it would involve numbers. Father had attempted to explain something called sines and cosines on may occasions, but Richard could barely do his fractions without Miss Longbottom slapping his knuckles. He wished he could break her spectacles, but then he would have to watch her squint in amusement as he got punished by Mister Jonas.

�Master Richard!�

He mumbled as he resumed his most formal posture, remembering the Earl had promised not to instruct him in horsemanship if he squatted like some common farm animal. He enjoyed riding horses, but Father would not permit him without Brown present, even though Mother and the Farthingales could ride their horses whenever they pleased. Father murmured something about them being arrogant aristocrats before reminding Richard of the rules, but he was certain Uncle Arthur have let him into the saddle whenever he fancied it. Perhaps he should ask his uncle if he could spend the Summer with him, but no doubt Father would object to that like he seemed to do with anything involving adventure and excitement.