Scales of Gold - Dorothy Dunnett [85]
There followed, on deck, a period of somewhat heavy-handed resuscitation. Nicholas, who had taken his share, looked up at last from the still, breathing face and said, ‘What shall we do? He’s concussed.’
Bel Cuthilgurdy, immobile as a pyramid on her shins, said, ‘Christ fend us!’ It sounded like Crivens! She added, ‘See, I’ll help take him below, with his man. Filipe, go on down and make up a pallet.’
‘Bel?’ said Gelis van Borselen.
Her companion, now standing, looked round. ‘You get into the boat. I’ll bring the puir soul when he’s better. And since there’s room, why for not take the lawyer? There’s a man might untangle a contract.’
‘Master Gregorio’s fees,’ Nicholas said, ‘are extortionate.’ He felt as if he had had twice as much wine as he had.
‘I expect I could pay them,’ said Gelis van Borselen. ‘I have just observed that the Ghost is not the Doria. I should swear to it anywhere.’
Now he knew he was drunk. ‘Have I missed something?’ Nicholas said.
She turned, her coffer under her arm. ‘It seems your habit,’ she said. ‘Except for what is thrown at you. Ask yourself why David de Salmeton should help the Lomellini to buy? Was it only to spite you?’
‘A fee was mentioned,’ said Nicholas. ‘The sale, one assumes, wasn’t preventable.’ He knew now, though, that he was cold sober.
‘The fee was to delude us and Simon,’ she said. ‘The truth is that the Vatachino and the Lomellini are secret associates. It made no difference which bought St Pol & Vasquez. The Fortado sailing for Africa is funded by both.’
‘Along with a large stake from the deluded Simon,’ said Nicholas. ‘Poor bastard.’
‘Is it funny?’ she said.
‘No,’ said Nicholas. ‘Not if it’s true. You must think it is. You nearly killed him.’
‘I did my best,’ said Gelis van Borselen. ‘It’s true. Your Negro told me just now. He knew the Lomellini men in the barge from his slave days.’
‘Loppe?’ he said.
She said, ‘The wife of Urbano Lomellini is a Lopez. She keeps her slaves, who respect her. I believe your man, despite his motive for telling me. I also spoke to one of his friends, who confirmed it. Since Simon left, the two companies paid less attention to secrecy.’
‘Why keep it secret?’ he said. ‘Why not boast of it just now?’
‘That is why I asked for your lawyer,’ she said. ‘Monsieur de Salmeton said the sale couldn’t be broken, but he would guess that you would spare no effort to break it, if you knew the Vatachino were part of it. It offers some hope.’
‘Yes. Take Gregorio. I’ll stay with Mistress Bel and nurse poor Monsieur David,’ said Nicholas.
She frowned. ‘You can’t detain him. He must go ashore when he wants.’
‘I don’t want to keep him,’ said Nicholas. ‘Especially since we all know that the Ghost isn’t the Doria.’
He wondered if she would smile, but she didn’t. She nodded briefly and left. Gregorio, looking startled, went after her. Nicholas watched the barge pull away. Now everything had changed, and everything had to be done quickly.
The Ghost must leave: she was waiting; he had sent her the order. Sooner than that, he must leave himself, before de Salmeton roused. And lastly, the San Niccolò must be made ready to sail, but unobtrusively, so that when David de Salmeton wakened he would see a ship asleep for the night, but prepared, as would be prudent, to leave her anchorage in the morning.
Recovered, he would be allowed to take boat for shore. He would certainly notice, in daylight, the absence of the Ghost, and hence the loss of his chance to delay Nicholas. As soon as he physically could, he would order the Fortado to sea. But by then, Nicholas hoped, the San Niccolò herself would be away.
He had come to African waters apprehensive of many things. He had not expected a race.
It went smoothly. He spoke