The Gathering Storm (William Rennie 5)

Already deeply disturbed by a terrible incident during his previous commission, James Hayter is on the verge of taking command of HMS Sloop Eglantine when tragedy strikes. He becomes convinced that he is not fit to command. Though he repents of his decision in the end, Hayter's naval career appears to be over, until Mr Brough Mappin, an agent for the British Secret Service Fund, intervenes. Mappin offers Hayter a chance to revive his career on a special mission, the single most dangerous mission of his life. He must set sail for France in HMS Expedient and there rescue some persons of interest from the grasp of French Revolutionary forces. But at what cost to the Expedient and her crew..?