The Ringed Castle - Dorothy Dunnett [301]
‘I have no doubt,’ said Arundel smoothly. ‘It is to give your opinion as to their integrity that we are asking you to leave this hall and favour us with some of your time this afternoon. There has been an unfortunate incident.’
‘I am disturbed to hear it,’ Lymond said. After the first glance, he had not looked round and Adam, conscious of Sidney beside him, did not look sideways either. He could feel his heart beating.
‘Yes. It seems that our very good friend the Dean of Salisbury and late English Ambassador to the Doge and Senate of Venice, travelling from Dover to London to make his duty to Her Majesty at Westminster, suffered an armed attack on his baggage, in the course of which two of his men were killed and three injured. The initial raid, I am told, was launched by the officer Ludovic d’Harcourt, and subsequently a further attempt was made by your other servant, Master Hislop. Both men are now in custody and we have not, alas, been able to persuade them to give us any explanation. It appeared to us that your presence might help.’
Francis Crawford, allowing his gaze to wander round the chamber, returned it at leisure to Arundel and said, pleasantly, ‘Do I gather that I am conceivably in custody as well? And Master Blacklock?’
It was Sir Henry Jerningham, Vice Chamberlain and Captain of the Guard who cleared his throat and replied. ‘Unlike your hosts the Merchants, the people of England are not so understanding in their dealings with foreigners. Men have been killed, and gentlemen in the Russian Ambassador’s train are known to be implicated. The Ambassador himself cannot speak English and we accept that he is unaware of what has happened. But——’
‘Master Blacklock and I are to be protected for our own good?’ Lymond said. ‘I am touched by your forethought. I should certainly like to talk, as soon as possible, with d’Harcourt and Hislop.’
‘Unfortunately,’ the Earl of Arundel said, ‘they received some rather brisk handling, but naturally you will see them as soon as they have recovered sufficiently. Sir Henry Jerningham has kindly offered to shelter you: you will find some friends of yours, I think, already at his house. Mr Dimmock here will undertake any commissions you wish to give him regarding unfinished business or your engagements. He also joins me in regretting that your special mission from your master the Tsar has not after all been successful.’
Sir William Petre, who was neither a stupid man nor, as it happened, a cowardly one, met Lymond’s eyes. ‘Ah. The shipment of arms?’ Lymond said.
And Sir William replied. ‘Unfortunately, news of it came to the ears of King Philip, and he has ordered all the materials of war to be removed from the ships, and has cancelled the passage of all your trained men save for Master Gray’s seven ropemakers and Master Standish, the physician. It was, if you remember, a hazard against which we were unable to guarantee you any protection. No blame will attach to yourself or the Ambassador. But the cargo of arms will not be allowed to leave England.’
‘I see,’ Lymond said. He did not, surprisingly, make either protest or counter-threat: he seemed, indeed, to be giving all his attention to Petre and Dimmock. Then he said, ‘It is a matter of deep regret to me also. In view of its importance, and also as a matter of courtesy, I should be glad of your leave for a few moments to speak to Master Nepeja.’
None of the pikemen behind him moved, and the door remained shut. ‘During the banquet? It would be a pity,’ said Sir Henry Jerningham, ‘to disturb him, sir. There will, I am sure, be ample opportunity for speaking to the Ambassador later.’
And that, too, Adam saw Lymond accept without remonstrance. It was while he was still staring, bewildered, at Lymond’s back that the Voevoda said, ‘Sir Henry Sidney will tell Master Nepeja, no doubt, what has occurred, which is all I intended. I see you are anxious to leave. May I know, before we do so, the names of the friends I am to meet at the Vice-Chamberlain’s house?’
Arundel looked at Jerningham,