Dillon came to offer congratulations on his escape and a marked curiosity about how he had come to be in Constantinople. He answered with the Gordion mission, which seemed to satisfy.
The young man had changed: no longer the pale-faced, studious youth he had last seen on the estate, he was now tanned, fit, and passed down the deck like a seasoned mariner.
Even as he asked, he knew the answer to his question: was Dillon desirous of returning to Eskdale Hall with him?
His charmingly evasive reply was to the effect that perhaps he would persevere for a little longer-if Captain Kydd was agreeable.
The sails slapped fretfully aback as they continued their heaving to and the bell was given two double-strikes. As if in a dream he swung up to the fore-shrouds and climbed up into the fore-top where he sat, as he had so often in the past, with his back to the mast, and closed his eyes in contentment.
All was well with the world.
A sudden raising of voices, then astonished cheering roused him and he looked over the edge of the fighting top-Kydd was returning in the boat.
Puzzled, he descended to the deck. He was just in time to see him coming over the side and a small crowd gathering.
“A glorious day!” Kydd grinned. “But first see who we’ve here!”
A gaunt Poulden shepherded two wide-eyed young midshipmen over the side, the rest of L’Aurore’s missing boat’s crew following. They arrived on deck to slaps on the back, shouts of joy and a rising babble of incredulous talk.
“They were found in irons in the Turk flagship. This was after a famous battle when Senyavin caught up and did for ’em in splendid fashion.”
Almost stumbling in a dream-walk, the lads were led below by kindly sailors.
Kydd chuckled. “They’ll not know it now, but in years to come, wardrooms around the fleet will be hearing of the time they were held captive by Turkish fiends.”
“You said a famous battle?”
“As would stand with any since Trafalgar, I’m persuaded. But don’t you see, Nicholas? It’s done, over. The Turks will now be seeking peace and I’ve no more reason to stay here in this benighted land.
“We sail for Cadiz this hour. And tonight we’ll dine together-for the first time since, let me see … a very long time.”
That evening, as L’Aurore put out over the Mediterranean into a setting sun that blazed with a splendour that touched the heart, the two friends supped together.
“I haven’t seen M’sieur Sebastiani,” Renzi said, reaching for yet more gilt-head bream.
“Ah. The devil was too quick for us. Just as we were passing the Gallipoli forts, rejoicing in our flag of protection, he leaped over the side and stroked out like a good ’un for the shore. Knew, o’ course, he was safe-that we couldn’t turn in the narrows or sail back against the blow.”
He held his Moschofilero up to the light. “Splendid drop this, don’t you think?”
There was a pause of some significance. Then Kydd put down his wine. “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me why you’re in these waters, Nicholas?”
“Perhaps at another time.”
Kydd sighed, his face thoughtful. “I’m sanguine Collingwood will look kindly on your suffering. He’s a considerate sort of chap and I’ll wager he’ll ask me to be so good as to convey such a noble martyr back to England.”
“That will be a particular pleasure, dear friend. And I’m sure I could prevail upon Cecilia to allow me to entertain you for a space at Eskdale Hall.”
Kydd grinned. “In course there’ll be such a public fuss for L’Aurore, she having snatched a belted earl from the clutches of a sultan of the Turks and-”
“It mustn’t happen!” Renzi snapped. “I don’t want it known, under any circumstances.”
“Well, well. If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you a wanton noble out on a tour sporting with the native ladies.”
“No, believe me, it’s much more important than that.”
Kydd smiled wickedly. “Then I think you’d better confess to me before Cecilia gets to hear of it.”
“She already has,” Renzi whispered, his eyes filling.
Touched, Kydd said softly, “Then what’s to do, that my friend’s in such a moil?”
“Do forgive me, old chap. It’s been somewhat of an ordeal.”
“I’ll try to understand, dear fellow, but if you don’t tell me-”
“Perhaps I will. There’s none in this world that I’d trust beyond your good self, Thomas. That I swear to you.”
“Thank you, Nicholas-I suspect you’re now to tell me something singular.”
“I am. The year ’ninety-four. We were in Seaflower cutter in the Caribbean and had on board the Lord Stanhope. Then the hurricane and our open-boat voyage. Do you remember?”
“I do. A near-run thing.”
“Do you know why Lord Stanhope insisted on departing in the boat? Instead of remaining safely on the island?”
“Don’t I remember you two being particularly hugger-mugger together?”
“Quite so. He told me all.
“He had intelligence of a Spanish plot and had to reach England before war was declared-”
“Ah! Now I understand. It always puzzled me why, when he didn’t need to, he took his life in his hands in our little boat.”
“It’s because this was what he did.”
“You’re not being clear, old trout.”
“Lord Stanhope was in fact a species of servant to the Crown who had no office but a calling, one of such gravity and importance that he had the respect and gratitude of the highest in the land. And for this he required the most complete discretion, the exercise of the strictest confidence, for, you see, he deployed his aristocratic lineage as a cloak to conduct activities that diplomats, soldiers and others could not.”
“Nicholas, why are you telling me this? If ever it’s known …”
“Because Lord Stanhope-or should I say the Marquess of Bloomsbury?-has lately laid down his burden. My dear fellow, I am anointed his successor.”
“Good God!”
He hesitated, then asked, “You said Cecilia … ?”
“Yes. She knows all. As did Lady Stanhope.”
“You didn’t-”
“I forbade her to come on this mission, if that is your meaning.”
“I’m damned glad to hear it. But it has to be said that things didn’t turn out well for you this first time.”
“On the contrary. The French are ejected from the Sublime Porte. That is all that counts.”
“You’re not telling me everything, m’ friend.”
“And neither should I. There was nothing you could have done, nothing I could have asked and nothing that wasn’t achieved by other means than the broadside of a saucy frigate.”
“Damn it all! There’s something-”
“When we’re old greybeards together, perhaps we’ll sit by a winter fire and tell our stories. Then you’ll know. Until then it’s imperative I assume the foolishness of rank. Now you can see why my daring exit-which I’ve yet to express my sensibility of-should not be widely known.”
“It shall be done, old friend. The L’Aurores will stay mum if I tell ’em.”
“And it goes without saying, our conversation tonight is in the highest confidence.”
“Understood, Nicholas. Will you tell Cecilia of your adventures here?”
“There can be no secrets between us,” Renzi said softly. He stopped. “Ah, that is to say …”
“You said no secrets from Cecilia.”
“Well, there is actually … Can I rely on your understanding, brother? It’s rather embarrassing …”
“Possibly.”
“It’s about-”
“What are you asking me to conceal from my sister?”
“Portrait of an Adventurer, Il Giramondo.”
“Ah, your novel. It was published, then.”
“She must never know! I …” He tailed off miserably.
Kydd roared with laughter. “So I’ve something over you, m’ lord. Ha!”
He recovered and managed, “Pay no mind, Nicholas, I’ll keep it quiet.”
“Thank you.”
“In the meantime …”
“Yes?”
“If there’s trouble and pestilence somewhere in this world, do I take it that not far away a certain peer of the realm might be found?”
Renzi gave a half-smile and refilled their glasses.