‘Thank you, General,’ Kydd said, flattered, then, seeing his chance, added, ‘As they’ll no doubt be needed only too soon.’
‘Oh?’ said Beresford, with a puzzled frown.
‘The expedition, sir?’ Kydd glanced up with a guarded expression.
‘What expedition?’
Kydd looked hastily over his shoulder at the door, then leaned forward. ‘Sir, the one that has us all a-buzz. You know, to the River Plate.’
‘River Plate? I know nothing of this.’
Allowing a touch of anxiety to show, Kydd said, ‘I’d be grieved to hear it’s not been taken up, sir.’
‘An expedition to the Spanish Americas? I’ve never heard of it!’ There was, however, a telling gleam of interest in Beresford’s eyes.
‘Oh? I do apologise. I’d thought it dependable you would have heard it from Sir David or the commodore, it being a matter at the highest level.’
‘No, sir, I have not. Pray tell, who did you get this from?’
Kydd replied, in some embarrassment, ‘Well, it’s in the nature of a common rumour among the naval commanders, Commodore Popham letting slip once that he was privy to Mr Pitt’s designs on Montevideo and as how it was such a pity to let the opportunity go now that conditions are favourable.’
He briefly outlined the audacious plan with its breathtaking consequences, ending, ‘And it would seem only reasonable that the governor, having higher duties, must require one other to lead the Army ashore. If it seems that another has been chosen then I do apologise again for making mention of the subject . . .’
The fuse had been lit.
‘Time’s not on our side, Kydd,’ Popham said, with a sigh, when Kydd reported. ‘Every hour we delay a move, the more likely it is the Spanish will return to their station. Recollect, friend Waine has been some weeks on the voyage here and Miranda will be deeply engaged in his invading, but not for ever. I’d have thought you better advised to speak directly instead of spending days on your little circus.’
Kydd flushed. ‘Beresford is now trusting in the Navy and he has much to think on. I’d feel it the surer course, Dasher.’
‘We’ll see. If there’s no movement on this in the next three days I’m going to-’
A flustered officer-of-the-day appeared at the door. ‘From the castle, sir,’ he said, proffering a slip of paper. ‘And needing immediate reply.’
Popham read, and a broad grin appeared. ‘Why, by this it seems you’ve done splendidly, old chap.’ He handed it to Kydd.
It was a personal note scrawled by Baird himself. ‘. . . and the fellow’s raving something about a descent on the Spanish Americas! He says you know all about it and so I’d be most obliged if you’d tell me, Dasher!’
‘No reply,’ Popham told the waiting officer. ‘Captain Kydd and I will attend on the governor this hour.’
Baird was waiting with ill-concealed impatience. ‘Well, Dasher? Why am I always the last to hear of high things in my own kingdom? A conspiracy, what?’
‘As it’s in the nature of wry talk, is all, David.’
Baird looked suspiciously at Kydd. ‘Am I to be told why he’s here?’
‘Of his own concern only, sir. He wishes to hear from you directly why the River Plate enterprise is quite impossible at this time, and won’t be denied.’
‘Damn it, Dasher!’ Baird exploded. ‘All this tomfoolery talk about the Americas! Won’t someone tell me what it’s all about?’
‘I am probably in fault for the whole thing, but it’s nothing to speak of, David. Simply said, Mr Pitt commissioned a scheme by me for laying the Spanish by the tail in their own colonies, which was interrupted by Trafalgar. Now, as it happens, it seems conditions are unusually opportune to resume the enterprise, and officers of spirit in my command are clamouring to be let loose on it.’
Popham outlined his dealings with Miranda, the development of plans to provoke an uprising against the Spanish, with its consequences for the wider war and, quite incidentally, the probable fame of any who would be concerned in the shattering of centuries of empire.
‘And now this fellow Waine sails in direct from Buenos Aires with the news that the viceroyalty is clear – quite clear – of any defending warships, leaving it wide open to any descent of ours. Captain Kydd here is of the opinion that, with the retirement of all the French marauding squadrons, there is a shining opportunity to execute the plan – if only we move instantly.’
Baird looked at Kydd keenly. ‘And where do you hope an army of invasion might be found at this instant, young feller?’
Popham came in smoothly, ‘It needs but a comparable force to that which we employed to reduce Cape Town, David, for its purpose is only to hold a strong point, such as Montevideo, until reinforcements and garrison troops arrive.’
‘Then if that’s so why isn’t this plan being put in train?’ demanded Baird, loudly. ‘Be damned, when the stakes are so high, why not, man?’
Popham shook his head ruefully. ‘It not being the province of a sailorman, I’m reluctant to judge, but the situation as I see it is that without orders we are at a loss. London has hardly had time to receive the glad news of Blaauwberg, let alone conjure plans for wider gains. And they’re hardly in a position to know the strategics of what is happening on the other side of the world, so they’ll not be in haste to complete our orders.’
Baird threw him a piercing glance, then began pacing about the room. ‘What you’re telling me is that, if you received orders to do so, you’d sail against the Spanish.’
‘With pleasure.’
‘To resume what was planned and prepared by Whitehall before?’
‘Just so.’
Baird’s pace accelerated and furrows of concentration deepened on his brow. Suddenly he stopped, wheeled around and confronted Popham. ‘I’m governor and ruling panjandrum in these parts. If I get together a picked army, a few guns and a supply train, would you then sail?’
‘I could be held culpable of quitting my station,’ Popham replied carefully, ‘as not having Admiralty orders.’
‘This is something you’ll have to square with them later,’ Baird retorted. ‘I’ve no authority in that line, as well you know. And I’ve my own worries. Detaching forces when so pinched, and justifying all the expenditures, well . . .’
‘I’d do my part, David.’
‘Yes, of course you will. Dasher, we’d be in this together, dear fellow, but think what a noise about the world we’d make! I’m sanguine their lordships will overlook the details when this great stroke be known. After all, we’re but anticipating orders, is all.’
‘So you think-’
‘Give me your plans. We’ll work something out together and be damned to the rules!’
‘Seize the hour!’ Popham murmured.
‘Time and tide!’
Chapter 4
Renzi tucked into the lamb silently. Kydd was getting used to it, the faraway look, the air of distraction, the sudden scribbling in a pocket notebook; it was not the Renzi he knew. Gone was the languid observer, the courteous gentleman, in his place a man oblivious to the world.
‘Nicholas,’ Kydd began carefully, ‘the master-at-arms is complaining that he sees light in your cabin in the silent hours contrary to ship’s standing orders and must beg you put it out time and again.’
‘Oh, er, yes. Pray understand, dear fellow, that the muse is not to be commanded by mere mortals. There are times when-’
‘You put him in a hard situation, he not being of a mind to make a charge against you, but he has his duty by me and the other officers. If-’
‘Yes, yes – very well, I’ll try to remember.’ He bolted some bread and made to rise.
‘Do stay, Nicholas, and tell me how it’s all going, this writing o’ yours.’
With a sigh Renzi took his seat again. ‘There’s not much to say. I’ve reached the point where Il Giramondo has left home for he’s fatally taken by Jenny, a pretty milkmaid.’
‘Il Giramondo?’
‘My hero, if you’ll remember,’ Renzi said acidly. ‘I rather think I should be getting back to work. This talking is to no end.’ He stood abruptly.