Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [78]
‘But Kathi will manage,’ she said, after a bit. Phemie Dunbar had lived with the King’s sister and Kathi in Haddington. She had stayed with Kathi’s uncle in Bruges. She knew Kathi, almost in the way that Nicholas did. She added, ‘And so will Robin, Or he would not have come back.’
‘That’s what I thought,’ Nicholas said. ‘Now we have to build a business here for him.’
‘We?’ she said. In her face was the distress they all felt.
‘Robin’s father. Kathi’s brother. And me.’
‘And Nowie,’ she said. ‘I hope you had thought of asking him.’
‘Should I?’ Nicholas said. It was best to be frank.
He had taken her thoughts, for the moment, from Robin. Phemie said, ‘What has happened to me was at my desire. Even if he knew, Nowie would never deny help to someone I loved, or to his family. As it is, he knows what Betha and I both think of Kathi. He will help. I shall come with you just now and make sure of it.’ She lifted herself from her chair and stood, examining him. ‘And don’t look so doubtful. He knows what I think of you, too.’
Nicholas altered his expression, which concealed apprehension rather than doubt. It might be weeks before Phemie heard from Adorne. If Adorne didn’t support her, this whole scheme would blow up in his face, and in Robin’s. But if it worked, it would achieve a number of small, desirable miracles.
THIS TIME, THE session with Sir Oliver Sinclair of Roslin was not one of assessment; it was exhilaratingly dangerous. Very soon, Phemie dropped out of the exchanges, but not because she did not understand, Nicholas thought, what the issues were. She had brains; she had helped run a large and complex Priory. And she was a teacher, with all that implied. Adorne would have chosen no one less.
As for the discussion, it had the quality of those he had already had recently; with Adorne and Hugonet and Gruuthuse, with Abbot Archie at Holyrood, and supremely with the Lords Three: Argyll’s sibilant shrewdness; Whitelaw’s precisely filed portfolio of finnicky experience; Avandale’s masterly overview from the summit. He had spoken to a lot of rich, clever men since he came back, but more than most he enjoyed talking to Nowie.
Now, hearing of Robin, Sinclair listened in silence. Then he said, I am extremely sorry to hear this. I imagine you are quite right: his will to live will depend on the challenge of work. I wish to know first, do you have the permission of Berecrofts and Anselm Sersanders to reveal the state of their business? For unless I know this, clearly I cannot advise on its future.’
Nicholas had their agreement, and figures would follow. He didn’t have, at this stage, very much more. He didn’t know whether Kathi and Robin would come home, or what they would plan to invest if they did. He was simply exploring the field, so that if they returned, there might be something of value in prospect.
‘I am flattered,’ said Oliver Sinclair, ‘to be entrusted with such a sensitive charge. And what investment are you making, Nicol?’ The large, fair face bent kindly eyes upon him. Phemie sat still.
‘My ships,’ Nicholas said ‘Or rather, my wife’s. We have never been part of the Berecrofts-Sersanders business. That would remain a family company, for which we should act as agents and carriers, if wanted.’
‘If wanted!’ said Nowie. ‘But of course they will want you. Of course you must benefit from any expansion, since you are taking such trouble for Robin.’
He turned his head, because Phemie had stirred. She said, ‘Nicholas hesitated to come to you, in case it seemed that he was exploiting Robin’s misfortune.’
‘And that is why you are here: I see, Phemie, my dear. But Nicol could hardly avoid doing so, could he, even with the purest of intentions? A merchant must collect information, and what will benefit Berecrofts will advantage him. You have been to Newbattle, I hear?’ He had turned back, politely, to Nicholas. ‘Did they make you any noteworthy propositions, might I ask?’
Nicholas said, ‘Yes, Sir Oliver. But we need not pursue this. I know you are closely connected with the Abbey.