Fast as the Wind: A Novel

A sleek yacht glides into the sparkling waters of Torquay, its deck bathed in early‑spring light. Picton Woodridge watches the distant warships, their guns echoing across the hills, and feels a sudden, uneasy pull toward the rugged moors behind the town. Though outwardly a handsome, affluent sportsman with a prized black filly named Tearaway, a quiet loneliness shadows his thoughts. The distant boom of artillery stirs a memory of promises made to a dear friend, hinting at responsibilities that go beyond his carefree sailing.

Back on land, Picton’s connections to the naval world surface through his long‑time companion, Captain Ben Bruce, and his brother Hector, a headstrong protector with a military background. The promise to ride for Dick Langford—ultimately for the sake of Dick’s sister Rita—adds a personal stake that tugs at Picton’s conscience. As the yacht rests in the harbor, the gentle sea masks an undercurrent of tension that promises to test his loyalties and resolve.