See, the Cotard thing is really interesting because it impacts on Bush's normal shipboard life quite a bit. He adds a new dynamic to the HH/WB way of relating, and he is sleeping in Bush's berth. He tries to make Bush feel out of place and stuff. Which, you know, doesn't really work but at the same time, is pretty much what Hammond is feeling. Except Hornblower, Hammond and Cotard are all of a certain level of eucation and such. Hammond probably speaks French, too. :p

Bush gets really frustrated during Loyalty. Maybe he can exercise that frustration with the young gentleman. :>

And yeah, I think he does believe in Hammond -- he gives him the chance to go ashore again, and also, that bit where he makes him look up the signals in the book.

Brain is no longer working well, hopefully this makes sense. <3