Aubrey & Maturin attempt to avoid Jack being passed over for flag rank
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Aboard the Bellona, on the Brest blockade, Aubrey and Maturin are trying to keep the losing Frenchies from sallying forth to sea. Napoleon has met his match on land, with Wellington's forces pushing deeper into France itself. Jack's prospects of becoming flag rank are in jeopardy, as his votes in the House of Commons and his decisions in and around his Woolcombe estate have made some powerful enemies. What can be done?
A tough winter, spent asea, tacking back and forth near Brest with the inshore blockade squadron, ends with the exile of Napoleon and the end of the war. The Bellona heads back to England to be paid out and disbanded. The peacetime Royal Navy will be decidedly smaller, making commands even rarer. Maturin hits upon a novel idea: take the Surprise back to South America to assist with rebellion. Under cover, of course. To do so, Jack will need to leave the Navy. The higher ups in Intelligence promise that he will be reinstated with seniority after the mission. A wonderful chance to clear his name and accumulate glory.
Jack takes Sophie and the kids on the voyage as far as Madeira. As they explore the island, Jack gets word from the Admiralty: Napoleon has escaped exile! The war is back on! And Aubrey needs to take command of whatever ships are nearby and blockade the Mediterranean near Gibraltar. We're back, baby!
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