The pinchbeck peer book.., p.1
The Pinchbeck Peer: Book 4, page 1
The Pinchbeck Peer
- Book Four -
Andrew Wareham
Copyright © 2020 Andrew Wareham
KINDLE Edition
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This is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
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Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter One
“They have determined to kill King Louis and now the word is that Marie Antoinette is at risk, my lord!”
“Yes, sir, it would seem so.”
Fabius was little concerned – the French Queen had played snowballs while tens of thousands of her shivering subjects had starved in their kennels. He had small sympathy to waste there. Mr Pitt seemed irritated at his attitude.
“Well, you could at least show interested, man!”
“Honestly, sir, I am not. I seem to remember that we killed a king, not so very many years ago, and the world did not come to an end. The French will cut the head off their royalty with my goodwill – the next lot may be somewhat more humane!”
Mr Pitt was appalled – kings did not exist to be humane, they were appointed by God to rule.
“Thing is, Oakham, that the succession is in upheaval. The Mob has its hands on the Dauphin and he is also at risk, despite his tender age. He has been separated from his natural parents and may not survive. It must be admitted that the King’s brothers to whom the throne must descend if both he and the Dauphin die are a distinctly unsavoury bunch!”
“I had thought them to be much like the Prince of Wales in character, sir.”
“Exactly, Oakham! Exactly!”
Mr Pitt’s contempt for Prinny was a well-known secret in Westminster. The Revolution in France had made it impossible to take action against the Prince. Had France been stable rather than setting an example to the British Mob, it would have been practical to disbar the Prince from the Succession and to exile him – not necessarily simply and overtly, of course.
“One might have threatened him with an unfortunate illness, a sudden failure of the system, a heart attack or its like, Oakham, and there might have been whispers but the great mass of the people would have accepted his disappearance from Public Life. He could have been buried, or sent off to be Governor of Jamaica, which is much the same thing, but for the French rampaging not twenty miles off our shores. As it stands, we cannot risk a revolution of our own. The Mob knows what is happening in France and might easily follow that sad example. I do not know what the world is coming to when government must consider the opinions of the ordinary hind!”
Fabius agreed it was a sad day when Jack thought he was as good as his master.
“Out of our hands, I fear, sir. Now, sir, I was to speak with you regarding the matter of the young sea-captain, Mr Ahab Brotherton…”
“So you were, Oakham. You tell me the gentleman is under arrest in his own ship at Dover, at the complaint of a bunch of Frogs, no less!”
“I do, sir. He was fired upon, four miles off the French coast, defended himself and then was arrested by the Royal Navy, in English waters, at the demand of the French! He was subjected to an act of piracy in international waters and, far from protecting him, the Navy placed him in custody and is intending to proceed against him! An outrage, sir!”
Unspoken was the implication that outrages were best kept secret. Was the Mob to hear that Mr Pitt was refusing to protect honest British tars from the depredations of mere Frogs there would be riots in every seaport and quickly in London itself.
Mr Pitt was an intelligent man who needed be told nothing twice.
“You must carry a letter to Dover, in person, if you would be so good, Oakham. I shall address it to the Admiral Commanding at Dover, copied to the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. The First Lord of the Admiralty will also inform the gentleman of his extreme displeasure and will very publicly change his appointment. I think the Admiral may well find himself sent with a squadron to the Bight of Benin to investigate rumours of disorder there. That will teach him not to persecute honest British seamen.”
The fevers of the Slave Coast were renowned – there was at least half a chance that Mr Pitt was offering sentence of death to the Admiral.
“Quite right too, sir. British admirals have no business cosseting the Frogs!”
“That is indeed so, Oakham. This matter I mentioned of the poor little Dauphin is a source of some concern…”
The expression alerted Fabius – ‘poor little’ was not in the normal terms of diplomacy. It was the sort of thing one might expect of the newssheets when they had been primed to raise public indignation.
Fabius also was a long way from stupid.
“Might it be as well to attempt to deliver him from durance vile, sir?”
“Oh, Oakham! The British government could have no hand in such a business. Nor, indeed, might it even know anything of such an enterprise.”
“Of course, sir. One might speculate that it could be useful, in the extreme, was the boy to be discovered on English soil, begging for protection from his oppressors. He is only young and might well come to be thankful, even affectionate, to the gentlemen who had saved him, and to their country…”
“Entirely hypothetical, Oakham. Not a speculation I can indulge in.”
“So it is, sir. I must leave you if I am to reach Dover today, sir.”
“So you must. The letter will reach Oakham House within the hour and I do not doubt the Admiralty will display little less celerity. Mr Brotherton must also be released from his captivity.”
Fabius savoured the word ‘also’ – the release of Ahab Brotherton came at a price, it seemed.
He bowed himself out of Number Ten and beckoned to his carriage, was returned to Mayfair at speed, calling for his pregnant lady as he entered the doors and demanding that his man should instantly make ready for the journey to Dover.
“Chaise and four, as soon as may be, Dunham. We shall be in Dover for two nights at the least, not, I trust, more than three.”
Euphemia limped slowly out of her sitting room, smiling at her lord.
“Are you well, my lady? Mr Pitt has provided all we need for young Brotherton and I must make haste to Dover to deal with his release. It comes at a price, naturally.”
“Nothing comes for free in this world of ours, my lord. What service are you to perform for our noble Prime Minister?”
“France, my lady! Let us sit down and briefly discuss the matter.”
She showed comprehension – it was not to be talked of in the hallway, in front of every passing servant. The butler could be relied upon not to gossip; the same could not be said of maids and footmen.
“What do you know of the Dauphin, Euphemia?”
“As much as anybody, I expect, Fabius.”
She sat, a hand to her back, not enjoying the last stages of carrying, her clubfoot causing pain as well under the extra weight.
“The son and heir of King Louis, Sixteenth of that name, to be the Seventeenth on his father’s execution, if that be the correct word. Would the Estates have the legal right to kill the King? No matter! Back to the point. His mother, Marie Antoinette, has been separated from him.”
“Word is that her head is like to be separated from her shoulders, my love.”
Euphemia had no sympathy, could only regard the lady’s demise as long overdue.
“A pity – any number of otherwise rational individuals will be moved to mawkish sympathy for her which may create foolish aberrations of policy. She is a stupid female and deserving only of our contempt for the hatred she has brought upon her husband. Had she behaved well, the French monarchy might have been able to ride out the storm of the Revolution and come to an agreement with the French people, much as ours has done. She has exacerbated the wrath of ordinary folk and has done much to create a climate of war in the whole of Europe. She has destroyed the French monarchy and her son’s inheritance.”
Fabius was forced to agree – the Austrian Princess had made a very poor Queen. Far from furthering the Austrian interest in Europe, she had weakened her country’s diplomatic position and had threatened the very institution of monarchy. She had been as harmful as Prinny and was far less clever in her attempts to survive her own actions.
“Her son, Euphemia? Who is the father?”
“The Dauphin was probably fathered by King Louis, despite the many rumours, and the certainty that she took more than one lover in later years. There are those in the Court who will swear that she was faithful until she had done her duty by the dynasty; they may well be truthful. The elder sister admittedly looks more like her father and the elder brother, the one who did not survive, apparently looked like nobody at all. The boy himself is of a sickly sort – pallid and by way of being a weakling, in physical terms. Little has ever been said of his intellects, which leads to the suspicion that they are, at minimum, low. There have been whispers of recurrent illness, possibly of the brain. Hectic fits have been mentioned, the sort sometimes now called epileptic. If he has been subjected to hardship – poor food, cold and damp lodgings, thin clothing – a prison regime, in fact, I much doubt that he can survive. In that case, his uncles might be pleased to discover they have risen in the world.”
Fabius grimaced, unwilling to attribute villainy to the princes, in public at least.
“Might they perhaps be inclined to offer inducements to his gaolers, if they know them, to assist their promotion to throne?”
She was uncertain, was unwilling to speculate – she thought it wise to avoid even the possibility of creating damaging rumours.
“All is conceivable in this day and age, Fabius. They are a poor set of gentlemen, the French Princes and Royal Dukes and Counts, that is well known. Remarkably similar to ours! I believe your chaise is at the door, sir.”
“Then a farewell kiss and on the road, my lady. The Crown Inn at Dover if a message needs be sent.”
“I am not due for three weeks, at a good guess, husband. Do not fear for me. Hurry home!”
The landlord of the Crown made his best suite available when Fabius arrived at five o’clock, possibly by evicting an existing guest. Fabius was known and his purse was much respected in the inn.
“Three nights, I would imagine, host. I shall take the rooms for the third night, whether I need them or not.”
Such generosity was a guarantee of the best service.
“Do you know anything of the private ship, Lady May, host?”
“Held this month, my lord. Her captain under arrest though permitted to remain in his cabin. The Admiral much perplexed and in conversation with the French, it seems, trying to discover what to do next. There is some question as to why he has not informed the Admiralty of his doings, my lord.”
That was a nonsense – the Admiralty must be aware of the affair, unofficially at minimum. Dover was too close to London for doings there to be secret. That suggested Their Lordships did not know what to do for the best, were in trouble whatever they did and were trying to escape censure by doing nothing at all, by pleading ignorance. That was not going to work!
“Is it possible to send a note out to Lady May?”
“Not officially, my lord. I will speak to a boatman and have it done immediately.”
Fabius wrote a brief message, informing Captain Brotherton that he was now present in Dover, having only recently been informed of his plight. He expected to speak to him in person in the near future.
“Another note to the Admiral Commanding, if you would be so good, host. Who is he? Not that it matters too much; his successor in the command is being informed of his good fortune even now.”
Giving the latest gossip to the landlord was a reward to him – he would be at the front of the news, would be able to inform all of his cronies in advance.
“Thank you, my lord. I will, with your permission, recommend my wine merchant – who is also favoured by the Admiral – to send his account in immediately. Vice-Admiral Mainwaring, my lord, Sir Perceval Mainwaring.”
“I do not recognise the family?”
“Very minor, my lord. Sir Perceval has never been lucky with prizes, my lord, although experiencing a respectable career…”
Short of cash and looking towards retirement, the landlord hinting that he had taken French money.
“Do tell your wine merchant to send in his account, host, this very afternoon, if he can. It will serve warning to him that he is in troubled waters.”
“Half-pay beckons, I presume, my lord?”
“Oh, certainly not! He is to remain in service, I am told, quite possibly keeping the peace on the Slave Coast.”
That information would be spread around the town over the evening. It would serve to emphasise the gentleman’s disgrace.
Fabius settled to his dinner and was sat quietly, savouring a glass of port and wondering just what he was to do about the Dauphin – his rescue an impossible task, of a certainty – when the landlord appeared again.
“Beg pardon, my lord. There is a flag lieutenant would wish to speak to you.”
Fabius gave gracious permission for the Admiral’s flunkey to approach him.
A gilded youth appeared, beautifully dressed in a uniform that had never been exposed to the sea - superfine cloth and silk shirt and cravat – making his bow in the fashion approved by the dandy set.
“I do beg your pardon for disturbing you, my lord. The Admiral has discovered your presence and is concerned that you have found it necessary to come to Dover…”
“A minor inconvenience, Lieutenant.” Fabius produced the document from Downing Street. “You may carry Mr Pitt’s personal letter to your master, if you would be so good. Inform him that I shall be honoured to speak with him at, shall we say nine o’clock tomorrow morning? I would hope to discover then that the unlawful detention of Lady May had been resolved and that the matter of payment to her master for the period of his arrest had also been settled. I would be upset indeed to discover that the Admiral has been acting on behalf of a foreign government in this matter. I have no desire at all to see a trial for treason eventuating, with its inevitable conclusion. One must consider the fate of Admiral Byng, after all.”
“Oh, my lord! I fear you are under a misapprehension!”
“I hope I may be, Lieutenant. If I am not, then we may all be shocked and dismayed by Mr Pitt’s anger. Thank you for coming. I shall no doubt see you in the morning.”
Fabius nodded to the door and turned away, rudely dismissing the boy.
“Landlord!”
Mine host was waiting within easy call, having eavesdropped on the conversation, as was only to be expected in his own inn.
“My lord!”
“I am not to be disturbed again this evening by any naval person. Should Captain Brotherton appear, he is most welcome.”
“Certainly, my lord. What, may I make so bold as to ask, my lord, if some intermediary should seek an audience with you?”
Fabius thought for a moment – he had not considered that possibility.
“Depends on his rank, host. If he is senior, then we must not dismiss him lightly. You will know the local dignitaries, naturally. Use your discretion, if you would be so good. If there is a person who really must be seen, then bring him to me, if you please.”
That must be worth ten guineas on his bill, the landlord reflected. And quite likely a substantial douceur from the visitor to persuade him to disturb a guest after dinner. He hoped there would be a positive stream of interested parties a-knocking at his doors.
The landlord was disappointed – there was but one and him only the harbourmaster and worth no more than a crown piece in his hand.
“My lord, the Harbourmaster of the Port of Dover begs the favour of a word with you.”
“He does? Then I must see him. I cannot refuse the man who holds so ancient and senior an office.”
Fabius took care that his voice was just loud enough to be overheard. He stood as the gentleman entered his private room.
“My lord, ‘tis late in the evening, I know, but I thought it better to talk to thee now. The arrest of Lady May, private armed vessel, is strictly a naval affair, my lord. My office was not consulted and has played no part in the business. There is no writ of mine nailed to her mast, my lord. I informed the Admiral Commanding three weeks since that I consider the arrest to be unlawful and that I refuse to offer him the services of my people in any court proceedings. Furthermore, my lord, I have offered her crew full liberty on shore, though the naval party aboard her have refused them permission to leave their vessel.”
“Then, Harbourmaster, I must offer you my thanks for your actions. Should the naval authorities try to act against you for your stance, then you must send an Express to me, Lord Oakham, at Oakham House in London. I assure you of my protection, and I speak for Mr Pitt in this matter, sir. Please to inform your people that such is the case.”
