‘Indeed.’
‘There have since been developments of a grave nature that have caused the government to contemplate action of a … most serious character that they would wish it were in their power to forgo.’
‘Go on, sir.’
‘My lord, Mr Congalton desires me to enquire most sincerely after your constitution.’
It was a call – they wanted him.
With Cecilia’s loving ministrations, Renzi had recovered from the harrowing experiences of his mission in Turkey to dislodge the French and he assured Devenant that he was in perfect health.
‘Then I’m to say that there has arisen a service that you are peculiarly fitted to perform. Of a most weighty description and one that would be of the highest value to the Crown.’
‘Pray, when shall this be?’
‘It is of the most urgent nature. I’m not to quit your presence this day until I have an understanding – in the one or the other tenor.’
Renzi gave a half-smile: if he refused they would have time to find another.
But then the events in Constantinople returned in a rush – the loneliness, dread and fearful decisions that had ended in blood and turmoil. Could he face it again?
Congalton would not have asked it of him unless he thought he could do it, and would not have made an approach unless it was for a particularly compelling reason.
There was really only one answer.
‘Very well. May I know the essence of the affair?’
‘Your understanding, my lord, is greatly appreciated,’ Devenant replied, with evident relief in his voice. ‘The details will be laid before you by Mr Congalton himself.’
‘So, a visit to London?’
‘The matter is of the first importance, my lord. At the risk of importunity it were not too soon … this hour?’
‘If such is the urgency.’
‘My lord, you should not think to return for a little time. You may therefore find it convenient to arrange for your own and her ladyship’s baggage to follow on.’
Renzi stiffened. ‘The countess?’
‘Her absence would be most unfortunate.’
‘This is another matter entirely, sir! I will not have-’
‘Dealing as it does with affairs at a royal level at which her absence would be remarked.’
‘Royal?’
‘My lord, I’m not in a position to be specific, but it were necessary you convey full court regalia with you, for yourself and her ladyship. And I can certainly say that, in the palace of the sovereign concerned, you may apprehend no danger to yourself or the countess, let me assure you.’
Chapter 40
‘Cecilia, my dear.’
‘Nicholas – I thought you were at your words again.’ Cecilia rose from her household accounts and kissed him lightly.
‘I was, and untimely interrupted.’
‘That Jago again!’ Cecilia frowned. She’d never taken to Eskdale’s under-steward. ‘You must get rid of the man, he’s-’
‘Not at all. My dearest, we have to talk. Time presses.’
‘Oh?’ she said, with unease.
‘I … I’ve had a visitor. From London. I’m needed again.’
Her hand flew to her lips. ‘You didn’t say yes – did you? Please tell me you didn’t!’ Her eyes filled.
‘This is of vital importance, and I’m told your husband is the one most suited for the mission.’
She blinked back the tears. ‘Dear Nicholas! There are times when I feel you’re too honourable for this world. Of course you must go.’ She stiffened. ‘And take me with you this time!’
Renzi shook his head sorrowfully. ‘Darling, this affair is at the highest level there can be. My wishes are not to be consulted in this, you see.’
‘Oh. When will you go at all?’ she said, in a small voice.
‘The carriage is waiting.’
‘No!’ she gasped.
‘For myself alone.’
‘Nicholas!’
‘You will follow later in the barouche.’
‘Wha-?’
‘I said, it is out of my hands, Cecilia. Your presence has been specifically desired and I could not refuse them.’
‘You’re a perfectly horrid man, Farndon!’
‘Probably, dearest. But this time you’ll be at my side in an occasion that I can say is of royal moment and of no hazard to be noticed.’
‘Where-’
He put his finger to her lips. ‘Later. Do direct our baggage be prepared for a court reception and audience in a land … said to be like our own climate. For only three weeks or so, shall we say? Oh, and your Hetty will no doubt be grateful for the airing. I must go now.’
Chapter 41
The Foreign Office, London
As he mounted the steps in Whitehall, Renzi pondered where the assignment had to be. Sweden, Denmark and Portugal were the only nations not at war with England. With Portugal being of a warmer clime and Sweden an open ally, this left neutral Denmark.
‘My lord, so very kind in you to visit,’ Congalton said, catching the eye of his clerk, who left, discreetly closing the door behind him.
‘So, Copenhagen,’ Renzi said crisply. ‘To make a showing at King Christian’s court as will convince him to turn his face against the blandishments of the Corsican.’
Congalton raised his eyebrows. ‘Quite. Yet a little more than that, was our thinking. First, a customary appraisal of the situation that faces you.’
It was delivered in the same dry, elegant tone as before. The critical juncture of events that, if left to ripen, would end with Bonaparte sealing the Baltic and therefore the continent as a whole. The frightful prospect of above a hundred sail-of-the-line moving on England.
‘There is then really no alternative to some form of action to break the building menace, save our treating for peace terms, which the prime minister has quite set his face against.’
‘An action against the kingdom of Denmark, which is steadfast in its neutrality? Surely not, sir.’
‘If we’re not realists, my lord, we should not be in the business of meddling, but we are. Thus we recognise that, whatever the Danish might wish, their coercion into a league against us is not impossible. Recollect, they’ve done it before and, but for Admiral Nelson, we would be suffering now.’
‘Then what kind of action is contemplated, pray?’
Congalton gave a thin smile. ‘We require the Danes to make irrevocable pledge of the security of the Sound and therefore the Baltic.’
‘By an alliance or alignment of interests? I cannot think that likely, sir.’
‘Nevertheless, this is the only and final requirement of His Majesty’s government. To this end a large fleet is assembled and will appear off Kronborg Castle to add weight to our request.’
‘A species of threat.’
‘Of persuasion.’
‘Sir, you well know that my previous appearing was at Constantinople where Admiral Duckworth’s grand fleet promising a bombardment was singularly unsuccessful in its object of cajolery.’
‘The lesson was learned, my lord, do not doubt it. Therefore the fleet is equipped and stored for an expeditionary force of not less than twenty-five thousand troops, to be landed in siege of Copenhagen if all else fails.’
‘Good God! Against a neutral country? The consequences to our standing and reputation in every chancellery in Europe will be incalculable.’
‘By this, you will now understand the extremity in which the government feels it has been placed. The gravity of the matter cannot be overestimated, sir.’
Renzi went cold. On the one hand it smacked of the kind of political gesture that had led to the dispatch of a fleet that had comprehensively ruined his mission to Constantinople. On the other it was difficult to see what alternative act could bring the necessary pressure to bear. ‘Diplomacy is futile?’
‘There has been nothing but prevarication. My lord, this is the last sanction and I cannot very well see how it may be avoided.’
‘And if the Danes resist?’
‘We fervently pray that they will see it in their best interest to comply with our request and enter pledge against our security.’
With growing unease, Renzi said carefully, ‘Then what is my mission, pray?’