To Lie with Lions - Dorothy Dunnett [270]
‘Then you must let me tell you all you need to know,’ Bessarion said.
Nicholas listened, although he expected little new. By now, the Christian fleet should be attacking the Ottoman coasts south of Smyrna, while inland, the Persian leader Uzum Hasan should have launched into action, prodded by Caterino Zeno, the Venetian envoy.
Nicholas wondered, while the Cardinal spoke, how the lady Violante, wife of Zeno, was sustaining her lord’s extended absence. That was something that Gregorio never happened to mention. They said that Zeno had bred the occasional bastard while on his travels for Venice. The connections would have been formed out of expediency, as Violante’s undoubtedly were. Former apprentices and Byzantine princesses did not usually find themselves between the same sheets. There was also her sister Fiorenza, where sheets had not been involved. His mind wandered, and he brought it back.
The Cardinal was speaking of the Patriarch Ludovico da Bologna, who had also been dispatched to Uzum Hasan’s court, this time by the Pope. Once there, he would take his persuasive tongue, for sure, to wherever it would do the most good. And from work such as his, would come the real attack, the decisive attack of the Christian forces next spring.
It was something that Nicholas, too, thought to be likely. He said so. Wishing to be honest, he added that the Bank, by then, would not be free of its commitments, but that he was certain that the Venetian Republic would do all she could.
‘It is my great hope,’ said the Cardinal, and his lips moved in a smile. ‘And I think you will find that, by the same token, their young Queen is sent this autumn to Cyprus. Whatever others may think, it is equally imperative that Venice makes sure of that island.’
Julius glanced at Nicholas, also smiling. ‘Zacco may not like it,’ he said.
‘Perhaps not,’ said the Cardinal. ‘But he would be wise not to show it. I hope he has a good friend at hand to advise him.’
He had. He had David de Salmeton, of the Vatachino. The charming David whose firm had so many connections with Genoa, which also coveted Cyprus. Adorne had been in Cyprus two years ago. Nicholas said, ‘I am sure he is well advised.’
His train of thought was evidently the same as the Cardinal’s. ‘And,’ said Bessarion, ‘that excellent knight Anselm Adorne? He has not returned to the East?’ He listened. ‘Bereaved? I am sorry to hear it. I was aware that the son had to return home. Perhaps the young man will abandon Rome, since his second choice of post may now fail him.’
‘Why should that be, my lord?’ Julius said. Anything to do with Jan Adorne fascinated Julius. ‘The Bishop of St Andrews is ill? Or about to go home in disgrace?’
‘He is not ill,’ said the Cardinal, ‘And he may go home, but not in disgrace, as you so uncharitably put it. Quite the reverse. As a papal bull will shortly announce, my lord of St Andrews is about to become Scotland’s first Primate. St Andrews is being erected into a metropolitan see, and its bishop becomes an archbishop.’
Julius opened his mouth. He said, ‘Nicholas?’
‘I believe it is true,’ Nicholas said.
The slanting eyes raked him. Julius said, ‘Welcomed by whom? The Scottish bishops who are going to find themselves suffragans under him? Have they agreed? Did they know? Did the King know?’ He paused. ‘Did you know?’
Nicholas said, ‘Four noes and a yes. Now no one has to refer an abuse to the Chair of St Peter. The Archbishop will settle it locally.’
‘They’ll love that,’ Julius said. ‘Forgive me, my lord, but a Pope two months away is sometimes a better proposition than a crazy archbishop on your doorstep.’
‘I think you forget yourself,’ Bessarion said. ‘Will age, Julius, never cure your rash tongue? The eleven cathedral churches of Scotland now lie under the metropolitan jurisdiction of Patrick Graham, by recognising which the monarch of Scotland will obtain everlasting life and the gratitude of the Pope. Your friend Nicholas not only knew, but was wise enough