Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [122]
‘Unless they join him,’ Argyll said. ‘I hear that Berecrofts will consider anyone who wishes to make the minimum investment. Tom Yare will tell you. Several of the shipowners have joined, and some well-known names from St Johnstoun of Perth and Dundee. Others think it too risky.’
‘And Adorne will join this?’ said Whitelaw.
‘That is something no one knows,’ Will Scheves said. ‘Or not yet. It would fit. Adorne and his nephew were burgesses of St Johnstoun of Perth at one time. His family church has Charterhouse connections. I imagine de Fleury is waiting to see what Adorne himself wants. And what we want, of course.’ He paused. ‘I should say that de Fleury has asked me, quite recently, about the health of his lordship of Mar.’
He caught the eye of Argyll, who treated him to a sardonic smile. Argyll had said all along that there was no point in counting on secrecy. A man had only to look at the number of royal physicians to know that something was wrong. And grotesque things were happening. Instead of an unpleasant feud between de Fleury and the St Pols, the old man had left town, de Fleury had reached some sort of truce with young St Pol, and Johndie Mar was the fool who was attacking them both. Argyll said, ‘As I have frequently mentioned—’
Scheves grinned. Whitelaw looked up and grunted. Avandale said, ‘I still propose to say nothing yet. They may guess: they don’t know. I want them deeply committed, Adorne and de Fleury, before I will present them with secrets of state. Now. We have gone over the ground. What is your advice? Does Adorne stay, and if so, on what terms? Do we continue to accommodate Nicholas de Fleury, with the provisos laid down? He has brought his wife and son now.’
‘A beautiful woman. Why not send de Fleury away, and keep the family?’ Argyll said.
Whitelaw plunged his hand into his finger-bowl and then used the napkin, muttering, to mop up his lap.
Lord Avandale said, ‘There is something to be said on both sides. But my inclination is to propose that we continue to review de Fleury’s position each month, and that we invite Adorne to join us at Court and in council, with appropriate emoluments. It will please the Duchess, and enhance his standing if and when he does return home.’
‘Also, he will renew his acquaintance with both their graces. And if a difficult decision has to be taken,’ said the Earl of Argyll, ‘here are two clever Burgundians who may help us to take it.’
‘END OF SYNOPSIS,’ Nicholas said. ‘That’s what Avandale said. That’s what he’ll discuss with the others tonight. And that’s what I think they’ll decide.’
‘You’ve been casting runes,’ John le Grant said. ‘Along with Andreas and Scheves, and every second gargoyle from Nowie’s chapel at Roslin. And you’re wrong. They won’t let us stay. They’ll send us home.’
Nicholas wished he were drunk. They’ll send us home. As he’d outlined it, there was no question of anyone being expelled from Scotland except himself and Adorne. In the eyes of the Lords, John was an asset and Robin was nothing.
Robin lay, his eyes open on John. They were alone, the three of them, in a room in Tobie’s house. Nicholas had come to have this settled once and for all and he was going to do it. He said, ‘Do you want to go home?’
It was blunt. Robin flushed, but John answered. ‘You want to stay, Nicholas, for your own reasons. Everyone understands. But we’re not needed here. I’m glad to have come and met old friends. Robin is grateful to have seen his father and grandfather. But there is work for us back in our own country.’
‘This is your own country,’ Nicholas said.
John said, ‘It used to be. But I’ve made my career, as you have, elsewhere.’
‘Doing what? I thought you’d given up war.’
This time, John’s freckled skin reddened. He said, ‘I thought I had. But there are mercenary companies. Or gun-casting. Or sailing.’
‘Robin can’t sail,’ Nicholas said. He didn