Scales of Gold - Dorothy Dunnett [61]
The steward said, ‘The gentleman has come back.’
Nicholas got to his feet. The girl gave him a quick, annoyed glance, but nobody screamed. The steward said, ‘The gentleman who called before. Senhor David de Salmeton.’
‘His offer?’ Nicholas said. They all looked at him. There were no stools within reach. He sat down on the floor again, his toes pointing upwards. They were scuffed. The orange side of his hose displayed dirt on the knee. His head swam. There was a conversation, and the steward went out. And in came David de Salmeton, mignon, perfect, composed as in those last days in Cyprus when Zacco … when the King had deliberately brought him to Court. David de Salmeton, agent of the Vatachino company to whom Nicholas had just paid twenty-five thousand ducats – or its equivalent – for the Doria.
Nicholas said, ‘I was just passing through. I do want you to meet Gelis van Borselen. Or no. You have met already?’
The lustrous eyes dwelled on him, widened a little in the cleft-chinned delicate face, and then moved to the lady of the house. David de Salmeton bowed to Lucia, inclined his head to her companion and bowed again to Gelis van Borselen, at whom he raised his perfect, arched brows.
‘He was just passing through,’ the demoiselle said, switching to French. They both looked down at Nicholas and the servant, after waiting a moment, left the room. The stout woman picked up the hackbut and sat down.
A small red stain appeared on the rug and Nicholas picked up his kerchief again and put it on top of his head, pushing the carpet away. ‘Sorry,’ he said.
‘Monsieur Nikko?’ said David de Salmeton. ‘Or is the name personal between yourself and the King? I should not wish to intrude on past felicity.’
He didn’t smile, but conveyed musical courtesy. He hadn’t smiled in Zacco’s palace. When the time comes, David de Salmeton had remarked on that occasion, we shall offer you a reasonable price for your business. That was what the concerted financial attack in Venice had been about. And if Martin’s colleague was here, it was because the Vatachino had business in Spain and Portugal, in Madeira and Africa, and wanted no competition.
Nicholas said, ‘I don’t mind what you call me. I would suggest you came and sat on the rug, but it might soil the skirt of your doublet. I thought you were going to Africa?’
‘Excuse me,’ said Gelis van Borselen. They both looked at her. She said, ‘Perhaps, gentlemen, you should retire to a tavern? Unless, of course, you came here to say something?’
Laughter, unwanted, began to well up again. Nicholas said, ‘I think we’ve both come to say the same thing.’
‘Have you?’ said Gelis. ‘Monsieur de Salmeton? You wish to assure us as well that you have no carnal longing for Madame Lucia’s son?’
‘Gelis!’ the blonde woman exploded.
The grey-haired woman thumped the hackbut on the floor. A dribble of powder spilled out. The young exquisite was gazing back at the Borselen girl, a gleam in his eyes. He didn’t look shocked.
Of course he didn’t: he’d been here before. That was how the Borselen girl had known the Bank was in trouble. And since Simon was not Portuguese, and Diniz Vasquez was away fighting Moors at a singularly inopportune moment – naturally, the Vatachino were here. ‘You want to buy St Pol & Vasquez. Toss you for them,’ Nicholas offered.
Sober, he would never have said it. Simon’s sister sprang to her feet, her face the only creased object between her immaculate yellow hair and her immaculate brocade bedgown. The woman called Bel picked up the hackbut and cradled it to her bosom. The girl Gelis van Borselen sat where she was. ‘You can’t afford us,’ she said.
‘Us?’ Nicholas said.
For the second time, her skin showed a pricking of colour. She said, ‘Katelina’s husband and his sister. What were you going to offer for their business?’
‘Promises,’ said David de Salmeton. ‘Part of what he hopes to bring back from Africa. He will give you, in a moment, a promissory note of some size. I, on the other hand, will match his offer in gold ducats now.’
Since there was no seat, the man had found