The Unicorn Hunt - Dorothy Dunnett [128]
Gregorio lifted his lids. ‘Not you,’ Will Roger said. ‘Although I might as well tell you that you can’t get through bottles like Julius. No, not you. The hairy Franciscan who’s trying to bring the Pope’s peace to Denmark and Sweden.’
‘Called?’ said Nicholas. His dimples, for once, looked involuntary.
‘Called Ludovico da Bologna. He’s been in Sweden for weeks. And if he settles the war, Denmark won’t need to worry too much about Scotland, and Sandy won’t have to go to the altar. Which reminds me. I have a note for you from the Hamiltons. They heard you were here. So, what English gossip have you got?’
‘What kind do you want?’ said Nicholas, taking the paper and reading it. ‘There’s been a rising in Yorkshire. It may not come to anything. On the other hand it might, and the York-Lancaster fight for the throne break out all over again. Which side do you support?’
‘The winning one,’ said Whistle Willie. ‘I left England because there didn’t seem to be one at the time. What are the merchants saying in London?’
‘Keep in with everybody, send away your ships, and invest your money in cannon. The Queen has just had her third child, another daughter. Edward isn’t as secure on the throne as he thinks he is. You’ll lose your English pension.’
‘Don’t try it,’ said Roger. ‘I haven’t got one. I could name a few Scotsmen who have, and so no doubt could you. You saw Mr Secretary Whitelaw, you were saying.’
‘Do you think he has one? No. I’ve shipped him some dogs and some jousting-horses, that’s all. I brought you a book.’
Will Roger frowned. He said, ‘I want a really good bribe. A book?’
‘It is a really good bribe,’ Nicholas said. He stretched to his satchel and fished in it. The book he drew out was a strange shape, and cheaply boarded.
Will Roger crimsoned. He said, ‘What you promised? Burgundian?’
‘The whole thing, and three other pieces. Plus.’
‘Plus?’
‘Plus what they’re going to play at Lorenzo de’ Medici’s wedding in Florence. Do you want it?’
‘Christ, I could marry you,’ said Whistle Willie. ‘God-awful dimples and all. Do I want it? Do I want perfect pitch, and perpetual reeds, and a harp that doesn’t mind draughts, and boys that stay boys for ever?’
‘Well, you’ve got that one,’ Nicholas said. ‘You were born one. We must go. What was that about Sersanders earlier?’
‘I think he wants to kill you. Don’t worry. He’s in Aberdeen. When he comes back, Katelijne’ll protect you. She’s off to Edinburgh too, with the King’s fearful sister. Have you got to go? Oh yes, you have.’
He ushered them out, having answered his own question. Outside waited one of their men with a lantern. Stumbling down to their lodging, Gregorio attempted to solve one of many puzzles. He said, ‘What are you bribing him for?’ He added, ‘Where are you going?’
Nicholas, who had come to a halt, said, ‘Over that way. I might be late. Govaerts will see you back safely.’
‘What …?’ said Gregorio.
‘That’s what I’m bribing him for,’ Nicholas said. ‘He hands me notes, and doesn’t tell you what’s in them. Edinburgh tomorrow. I’ll have you called early. Good night, Goro.’
He was back before dawn, but not much before. Gregorio, contending with other afflictions, attempted no comment.
Of the two parties leaving Stirling that morning, the first to assemble was that of the King’s sister Margaret with her attendants. The second, inadvertently meeting the first, was that of Nicholas.
‘You look disgusting,’ said Katelijne Sersanders, calling from one side of the street to the other. ‘I know why, as well. You took Master Gregorio to Whistle Willie’s last night.’
‘We looked disgusting when we arrived,’ said Nicholas de Fleury, leaving his companions and riding slowly across. He was still dressed in black.
‘No, you didn’t. I saw you when we came back from hunting with Sandy. With – Sandy. I expect you celebrated the baby. How is it?’
‘Celebrated,’ said de Fleury. As the two parties rode on, he kept pace with her. ‘I have made peace with your uncle. Have I made peace with you?’
‘And my aunt?’ she said. She could see