Command

Captain Rowley of the Tenacious had made life hard for Lieutenant Kydd ever since taking over command.  He finally found something to remove him from his ship.  Brought before the admiral of the fleet, Kydd assumed that his naval career was over when the admiral sent him to Malta.  Much to his surprise, there he learned that he was to become captain of a sloop named Teazer.

Commander Kydd's new ship needs to be outfitted and crewed.  He sets about doing that.  However, it will take time, and then there are the sea trials, but they go well.  Their first real task is to get dispatches to Admiral Warren, warning of a French fleet sailing with supplies for the French army in Egypt.

Back in Malta, Teazer's next task is escorting a convoy to Dubrovnik.  For that successful voyage, Kydd is awarded some silver plate by the merchants of Malta.  The crew also brings aboard a kitten.  Every ship needed a cat, and Sprits'l would help lift Kydd's spirits.  He is given orders to search for a French corvette seen near Malta and tackle it.  The enemy ship is found in a cove on the island of Lampedusa.  Kydd challenges the captain to come out and fight.  Will this end in the destruction of little Teazer or glory?

Glory would come for Teazer later, and with it notoriety for Kydd.  However, not long after this peace breaks out.  Teazer is ordered to Plymouth where the crew and commander would become unemployed.  At this same time, Kydd learns that his dear friend Renzi lies on his deathbed.

Back in England Kydd is depressed.  He is a sailor with no ship.  He petitions the admiralty for one, but it being peace time, there are no ships.  He decides to try a merchantman, and there his fortune changes.  He is to captain a ship to Botany Bay loaded with cargo and convicts.  He is also shocked to find that one of his paying clients is Renzi, headed to self exile.

Will Kydd ever make it back to the navy or will this new land gain another settler?

Author Julian Stockwin's naval novel has less action in it than previous novels of his because of the peace that came about between Britain and France at this time.  However, it is still a very good read.