The Ringed Castle - Dorothy Dunnett [94]
Of course, it was true. Of course it suited the company to obtain the Tsar’s interest at the highest level of all, by stressing that the negotiations had the direct support of the Queen. Of course it suited the Queen to have free diplomatic representation, without the expense of setting up an embassy; and to have first claim on certain items of cargo.
But the company had paid for these journeys. The company had paid for the gifts he was about to present—once they came from Vologda—to the Tsar. And the company would have to pay for the Queen’s continuing interest, he suspected, by furnishing the Queen’s dockyards and perhaps even her Treasury on the longest possible credits. He said, ‘I think it best to be plain. My presence here as ambassador is purely a formality, as I think you might guess. We are here, Mr Crawford, on a matter of trade. We have no political interest in Russia.’
‘How improvident of you,’ said Mistress Philippa’s husband.
Behind the wide, cold eyes, the charming insolence, a woman might see, Chancellor thought, a life-long hunger for power; a litter of outworn romances. He said, ‘What is your position, here in Russia?’
‘I am a soldier,’ said Lymond.
‘Then you had some share in the successes last summer? I hear the Tsar has a much improved army,’ said Chancellor.
‘It is reasonably well organized,’ said Mr Crawford, with gravity. ‘Osep tells me that you expected to find me in Russia?’
Diccon Chancellor, brows raised, looked along the table at Master Nepeja, who did not meet his eyes. ‘I failed to realize,’ he said, ‘that you and he were on Christian-name terms. The title Voevoda surely means General?’
‘I am known, as you seem to have heard, as the Voevoda Frangike. Christian names are common usage. But I do confess to an association, of course, with the Namiestnik of Vologda. Osep was merely showing discretion. The Tsar does not necessarily wish to advertise the composition of his army.’
‘Unless he proposes to detain us permanently in Russia, I do not see how he can avoid it,’ Chancellor said.
‘You are perfectly correct,’ Crawford said. ‘Tout par raison, raison partout, partout raison. There is no more point in secrecy. Especially if the fact is known in England already.’
It was a question. Restored to equanimity, Chancellor said, ‘It is by no means widely known. I have, however, some messages to convey to you.’
The blue eyes opened wide. ‘Then pray convey them,’ said Lymond. ‘I am sure our Russian friends will bear with us.… I take it you refer to my rib, my holy and innocent wife?’
Again the levity he, Diccon, found so misplaced. Pressing his bearded lips together, Chancellor sought to pick out what could be said safely in public. ‘You have had no letters from Mistress Philippa?’
‘One, of no moment whatever. I imagine,’ said Lymond, ‘that she has found congenial company in Flaw Valleys, as I have in Moscow.’
‘She is certainly surrounded by suitors,’ said Chancellor. ‘But at Hampton Court, not at Flaw Valleys. She is in the Queen’s suite. Unlike you, therefore, she can expect little in the way of consolation until she is freed of her marriage. It is this I was to broach with you. We can speak of it later.’
‘Good God,’ said Lymond. ‘Has she had a better offer? What does she want, a letter? I shall give you one to take back with you, releasing her from all formal connection with the kingly blood of the Billing. What is the reason for agitation, or would it be tactless to ask?’
Robert Best, six foot three and broad with it, laid down his goose leg and turned on the bench. ‘It isn’t a matter of tact,’ he said bluntly. ‘It’s a matter of doing the right thing by the lady. Diccon, I didn’t tell you. But she was ready to stow away on the Edward, to get to Russia and settle affairs with her husband.