Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Downing Street
In his cupboard of an office, Thornbury was practically dancing on the spot as he read the report.
‘We are going to win!’ He bumped into a pile of papers but didn’t care as they cascaded to the floor. ‘Did you read this? Of course you did!’
Jacob watched him with amusement as the Second Senior Clerk to the minister capered. ‘If you read on, you’ll see that the late comte did caution that the American War might endanger that outcome, tying up the armies when we need them most, that we might not win that engagement.’
‘Yes, yes, but picture the map of Europe, once Napoleon’s for the taking.
He has pushed his rule to almost every corner of the continent and now he is overreaching.
Look how he is neglecting the Peninsular Campaign where Wellington is making headway in Spain and Portugal while he concentrates on the north, aiming to reach Moscow to teach the Tsar a lesson.
Napoleon’s grand army will not be so grand once he marches it into the Russian countryside.
We had thought as much ourselves. Many of us believe Bonaparte will do the prudent thing and halt once the winter arrives and wait for spring, but the late comte thinks he won’t be able to resist chasing after the retreating Russians like a hound on a scent that takes him tumbling over a cliff.
Wily old Kutuzov knows this and has the guts to bank on it. ’
‘That’s about the sum of it. Thornbury, may I ask why you put so much store in the comte’s view? If others are speculating this might be the outcome, why is this report worth killing for?’
The Foreign Office man finally sat down and reverently spread the report out before him. ‘It is all to do with his reputation. Have you ever known a man who can predict the rise and fall of the market, the one who makes you thousands and saves you from great losses?’
‘If I knew such a man, I’d be much richer than I am today.’
‘Wouldn’t we all? But D’Antraigues was like this for events on the continent.
At first, we were sceptical that this émigré blown in from Germany could know anything, but time after time his opinion proved correct.
Why else did we pay him his pension and put up with his ways, calling on the Foreign Secretary as if they were old school friends? ’
‘Did you know he was shopping this report around and looking for another paymaster?’
Thornbury looked a little uncomfortable.
‘The First Senior Clerk did mention something like this to me a few days ago when I asked to see the file. There would’ve been ructions in the department if D’Antraigues had gone ahead with his stupid auction, calls for his pension to be cancelled, so I doubt he would’ve done so when push came to shove. ’
A gust of irritation blew through Jacob. ‘And you only mention this now?’
‘It never happened and was only a rumour. I didn’t want to slander the dead.’
‘Our understanding is that the comte wanted to present this at a musical party on the day he died, handing it to the highest bidder.’
Thornbury looked away and up at the high window. ‘And if so, we had decided not to get involved in that disgraceful bidding process but press him for our own copy of the report quietly or tell him he could say goodbye to the pension. He would have liked being paid twice for the same information.’
‘Who was bidding, do you know?’
‘The chief contenders were the Prussians, the Swedes and the Russians. My money was on the Russians winning the bid as he was closest to them.’
‘This is good news for them, isn’t it?’
‘Only after a lot of suffering. I would think it a mixed bag myself. Imagine if it were here instead. Imagine that Wellington was fighting at home and decided that everything between Dover and London could be sacrificed to stop an invasion – crops burned in the fields, great houses reduced to ashes, barns pulled down. There would be a revolution if he suggested such a thing.’
‘Whereas in Russia…?’
‘The country is so vast, such losses are absorbed like a stone dropping into a deep pool. Besides, the Russians have serfs – which is another name for slaves – and not our independently minded peasantry. I can’t imagine the serfs ever revolting.’
‘I imagine King Louis said the same thing. Now we have the information, what do we do with it? I’m sure you will share it with your superiors, naturally, but everyone is sniffing around for the report, even the French. People are willing to kill for it.’
Thornbury drummed his fingers. ‘Yes, it is a conundrum, isn’t it?’
‘It strikes me that if the French put as much weight on the comte’s assessment as you do, letting them know what is in this report could be exceedingly damaging.’
‘You’re right. We must keep it away from them. What do you suggest?’
‘I have a plan both to wrongfoot the French and expose the person behind the assassination of the comte and his wife and subsequent attacks.’
‘That sounds intriguing. Tell me more.’
‘It requires the auction to go ahead and for you to play your part. You’ll need permission, of course, and I’ll need to ask the new comte if we can stand in his stead.’
‘You?’
‘Not me, exactly, but the comte’s banker, Mr Austen. He can say that the will has now been read and the late comte has entrusted it to him to sell the report on behalf of the estate.’
‘Yes, that does sound like something the clever old comte would have done.’
‘It might be dangerous, but if we get this right we will have honoured the comte’s final wishes.’
‘And what did he wish?’
‘The defeat of Napoleon, of course.’
Returning to Bruton Mews, Jacob listened to what Dora and Miss Austen had discovered about the hiring of the gunner.
‘Excellent. That is confirmation of what I suspected,’ he said. ‘The Russians are in this up to their ears. Or at least one of them is.’
‘It certainly is looking that way. Do you think Miss Petrovna was acting alone or with her government’s approval?’ asked Dora.
‘Odd business, shooting at your own representative and his wife,’ said Jane.
‘It looks more like the actions of someone going far beyond their orders,’ said Jacob. ‘The only way we can find that out is to talk to Count Vorontsov. His near brush with death will likely have made him suspicious that there are dealings in the embassy to which he isn’t party.’
‘I think you should call on him,’ said Dora. ‘It would be natural for you to do so as you attended him last night.’
‘Agreed. I’ll make that a priority. We’ll need his cooperation for what we do next.’
‘Which is?’ asked Jane.
‘Use the report as bait to bring them into the open?’ suggested Dora.
Delighted that her ideas were running in the same direction as his, he wanted to smother her in kisses and take her to bed, but they had company. ‘My thoughts exactly. We should go ahead with the auction and see who comes to bid.’
‘But you can’t sell this report if there’s a chance it might fall into the wrong hands!’ protested Miss Austen.
Dora grinned. ‘Oh, Jacob, I can tell from your expression that that is exactly what you hope will happen.’
‘You know me so well, love. Michel Percy will find it irresistible.’
‘What are you two cooking up?’ asked Miss Austen suspiciously.
‘We need a few unusual ingredients in our dish to tempt our foreign guests to attend. Dora can supply one of them.’
‘What spice would that be?’ asked the novelist.
‘Let’s just say I have an accomplishment that might come in very useful,’ said Dora.
‘Why do I think you aren’t talking about painting tables, covering screens or netting purses?’
‘Because you, dear Jane, are a lady of great discernment.’
‘Do you think your brother will agree to host this auction?’ he asked the lady novelist, changing the subject away from Dora’s unusual skill.
‘I believe so, if it does not put Eliza or anyone in the household at risk,’ said Miss Austen.
‘I see it rather as a way of ensuring publicity so that no one comes looking for the report again – no more break-ins, no more attacks on us as we go about our business. You can publish your next novel in peace. Dora, what is your opinion?’
‘I think it is a brilliant idea if we can pull it off. And if Jane were not here, I would kiss you.’ Dora beamed at him.
‘Don’t mind me,’ said Miss Austen.
Jacob grinned at her. ‘Would you mind going together to Sloane Street to pave the way for the event? Invitations must be written and other preparations made. You know what you must do?’ he asked Dora.
‘Yes, Jacob. I’m glad my skills are finally being exercised.’
‘Where do you want us to conceal the report?’ asked Miss Austen.
‘I’m planning to call again on Julien and ask to borrow the transparency. He might wish to be present.’
‘I was under the impression he wanted rid of the whole sorry business,’ said Dora. ‘He handed the report to us like a hot potato.’
‘But he would likely want to witness the person behind his parents’ death being brought to account.’
‘Count Vorontsov is unlikely to be able to attend,’ said Dora.
‘I will call on him after I’ve spoken to Julien. As you said, it would not be so odd for me to visit the Russian embassy after being the first person to treat his injuries. It is time we had a frank talk.’
‘Then we will bid them all to attend Eliza’s musical party tomorrow night,’ said Miss Austen. She gave Dora a teasing smile. ‘I wonder if Mr Pierce would like to organise it?’
‘I think he would like nothing more to do with us. Do not worry, I know where we can get performers at short notice.’
‘Oh? Where?’
Dora chuckled. ‘Jane, for a lady with keen powers of observation, have you not noticed we employ them, and I have made my living on stage? I even have one of my singing partners here in London. I’m sure she will be thrilled to do something other than shopping for an evening.’
She was talking about Ruby. ‘Do you think that wise?’ asked Jacob.
Dora tapped his cheek softly. ‘Wake up, Jacob! You are holding a party for killers. You need tough, experienced performers we can trust. I think Ruby is the perfect choice.’
He trapped her hand and kissed her fingers. ‘I will be guided by you.’ He just had to hope she was right about Ruby’s trustworthiness.