The Armor of Light: A Novel

Amos and Hamish travel to Coombe. Hamish has become a key part of Amos’s business, as has Kit, who is production manager of Amos’s two mills. Amos thinks about the increasing fear of a French invasion led by the new French leader, Napoleon Bonaparte. Regardless of the war, trade with continental Europe continues thanks to the frequent patrols of the British Royal Navy. To man the boats, however, the Navy employs a method known as pressganging. Men are forced into the Navy against their will, often plied with drink and then kidnapped, waking aboard a ship. The press gangs have led to riots. Staying in Coombe, Amos and Hamish are warned about the press gangs, though they are confident that the press gangs do not “take well-dressed middle-class gentlemen” (429). They meet a man named Jim Pidgeon, who they remember as a poor worker from Kingsbridge. Later, they fear that Jim is being deliberately intoxicated by a woman who is prepping him to be pressganged. They intervene, and a fight breaks out. Hamish saves Amos from the fight, but Jim is gone.

Elsie now has three children with Kenelm. After five years of her parents not speaking, her father has fallen ill, and Arabella takes care of him.