To Lie with Lions - Dorothy Dunnett [31]
‘And monseigneur’s financial adviser from Scotland,’ Nicholas said. ‘That is the position, I must confess, that I would covet most. In fact, the only position.’
The King smiled. Even his eyes smiled. ‘Come. Land, wealth, a vicomté, compared with the cares of a kingdom’s income and outlays? Leave M. de Ribérac to his burdens.’
‘Monseigneur, of course. But in that case – it pains me – I cannot serve you.’
Behind the King, a man suddenly bent over and whispered. The King made an irritable gesture while pinching his lips. His eyes still rested on Nicholas. He said, ‘I am aware, of course, that there is bad blood between you and the vicomte. Do you really consider that you can replace him, or do you seek rather to shame and embarrass him? Is that what you ask?’
‘You ask me for information about Burgundy and Brittany and Lorraine. You ask me to cease making loans to Duke Charles, and to withdraw my army from his service. You ask me to counteract Burgundian influence in the Tyrol, and hinder Duke Charles from final possession of Guelders. You ask me to work for you in Scotland against the Burgundian influence of the Baron Anselm Adorne.’
‘Leave me,’ Louis said. He spoke not to him, but to the men around him who stirred and left the room quietly, in order. They had not looked surprised.
The door closed. Louis said, ‘Do I understand that you would do all of this, in return for the degredation of M. Jordan de Ribérac?’
‘No, monseigneur,’ Nicholas said. ‘You understand that I shall perform half of what you ask. I shall not withdraw my army, because in the present truce there is no need of that army. I shall not overtly transfer to your service because I could not supply you with information if I did. I shall not refuse loans to Duke Charles of Burgundy, but I shall delay what loans I promise, and I shall reduce them. The rest I shall do, fully and unconditionally as you suggest, at a rate of payment that takes account of the fact that no public honours can be bestowed. And I shall not do it at all without an undertaking that Jordan de Ribérac will meet the fate of Jacques de Coeur, when I choose to supply proof of his errors.’
‘Is he cheating me?’ said the King.
Nicholas smiled. He said, ‘Let us say that he is the last person monseigneur should have sent to persuade me to join you. If I joined you openly, I should be dead.’
‘So,’ said Louis. He rose and strolled to the bed. His knees, above the knotted calves, were bent slightly inwards. He turned. ‘So you think you are worth more to me than he is?’
‘I think,’ Nicholas said, ‘that monseigneur needs us both today. But tomorrow, when you have enjoyed the fruits of all I can bring you, you may find that M. de Ribérac is not the only numerate man in your kingdom.’
The King was silent. Then he said, ‘M. de Ribérac’s advice was to make no agreement that would not involve a considerable forfeit if broken. He suggested I demand from you a lodgement of gold.’
‘Or my son?’ Nicholas said.
‘We have small use for what may be simply replaced by an active man attentive to his marriage. No. But suppose,’ Louis said, ‘suppose that our discussion had gone otherwise. Suppose that we demanded you openly serve us, and refused to let you depart without such a bond?’
Nicholas pursed his lips. ‘Monseigneur, the situation could never arise. As I explained, to join you openly would destroy half my worth. The world must think I have refused what you are offering. That is why my other servants have gone straight to Hesdin, to inform Duke Charles of their anxieties over my whereabouts. Of course, as soon as I appear, the truce talks will continue without impediment.’
There was a long silence. At last: ‘But how charming,’ said the King. ‘You expect a pension; you promise to serve me. But what guarantee do I have that you will do anything for me at all?’
‘As much as you have,’ Nicholas said, ‘from any other of your myriad pensioners. With this difference, perhaps. You will see results very soon. I am going to Scotland. I shall do all in my power to see that Scotland