Race of Scorpions - Dorothy Dunnett [205]
In Bruges, Tommaso Portinari was bent on making a name for himself and the Medici in the handling of alum. Anselm Adorne, discreet and wealthy as ever, was receiving few public offices under Duke Philip, for reasons unknown. He was, however, still on the friendliest terms with the Charetty company and the demoiselles Tilde and Catherine, about which notes from Julius were appended. Catherine, who had no stake in the company, was insisting stubbornly on attempting to supervise its every move. Tilde, older and swayed by other matters, vacillated between extreme interference and spending money on social pursuits. There were several young men –
‘It’s a pity about the Medici,’ John le Grant said.
There were several young men whom she favoured, and Julius –‘Yes?’ said Nicholas.
‘It says there. The company’s credit is over-extended. If Cosimo dies, his heirs will call on his debtors. That includes the Strozzi.’
And Julius was finding some trouble in fending them off. Godscalc was helping. They would be sorry to hear of the illness of Cosimo de’ Medici … ‘I don’t know why I bother to read it,’ Nicholas said, ‘if you’re going to tell me all of it. So the Strozzi will be short of capital. So we put through an order for barillo at a good favourable price when the time comes. Loppe, can you do that?’
Loppe said, ‘There’s a boat in from Alexandria today, someone said. They’ll have news from Florence. I’ll ask at Salines. Where do you want the barillo delivered?’
‘Venice,’ said Nicholas. John le Grant was glaring at him.
John le Grant said, ‘You madman, are you going ahead with that? Did Gregorio lease the island?’
‘I hope so,’ Nicholas said. ‘Didn’t you come across that in the letter? Or no, it was in code. Here it is. Gregorio has leased the island. He thinks I’m mad too. He says all anybody is thinking of is the war with the Turks, and I ought to be thinking of that too. If they take Cyprus, they’ve got all our sugar.’
‘But then, you have another business in Venice. It makes sense to me,’ said Loppe blandly.
Nicholas looked up smiling from what else the letter had said in code which was hardly personal either, but something for his eye, and not that of anyone else. Gregorio, his perfect lawyer, had written: The Republic has received excellent news of your sugar prospects and those of the Corner estates, previously much disrupted by war. The market for Portuguese sugar is now as a result much depressed, the companies worst affected being those recently established and under-financed, such as St Pol & Vasquez. There is much distress over the death of Tristão Vasquez, and the lord Simon his wife’s brother publicly blames you for this, and for the detention of his wife and Tristão’s young son. Whether there is any truth in the accusation, you will know. But it is likely that, if he can find a ship and raise the money, Simon will either come to Cyprus or send there to make formal complaint. I do not need to tell you either that he regards your involvement with sugar as a direct attack on his livelihood.
‘Oh, dear,’ said Nicholas aloud. He turned the paper over. There were another three lines. Certain indications have come to my notice of abnormal business activity, not attributable to St Pol & Vasquez, which seems to be directed against the Bank, or against you in person. I shall watch; so should you.
‘Oh dear what?’ John le Grant said.
‘Gregorio. He thinks the House of Niccolò has attracted subversive attention, but has no positive evidence. Is your skin crawling? He probably dreamed about Diniz and his axe.’
‘Did you tell him about Diniz and his axe?’ said Loppe with extreme smoothness.
Nicholas said, ‘No, I didn’t. Simon’s going to be annoyed if he turns up and finds he’s got a little blue nephew. Perhaps I’ll tell him then.’
‘Simon’s going to turn up?’ Loppe said, missing out all the courtesies.
John le Grant said, ‘Aye, wait a bit. There’s something contradictory there. I can see this lord Simon blaming you for the death of the Portuguese. But what’s this about your stopping the woman and the boy getting home? The