Chapter Thirty-One
Breakfast with Rufus should have been a simple matter of reporting what they had learned at the Lyon’s Den, but Will’s spying career had quickly taught him not to depend on things going as planned, which was why he’d always had several back stories ready to cover unforeseen events.
As soon as coffee had been poured and breakfast set out on the sideboard, Rufus dismissed his servants, moving the coffee pot within his reach before hearing their report.
Will helped himself to a serving of herring and eggs and set about eating, allowing Laurent to tell Rufus about their encounter with the Frenchmen.
Rufus drained his coffee and sat back. “Two Frenchmen, you said, and one was called ‘Antoine Plessis’.”
“That’s right.” Laurent slid the calling card that Antoine had slipped him during their handshake at the end of the evening across the table to Rufus.
Will scooped up his last mouthful of herring and egg and set down his cutlery on the plate.
“I believe the younger man, Jean-Pierre, was not of his choosing as a co-conspirator. He imbibed freely and let slip information that annoyed Antoine. Something about it feels off, but I can’t put my finger on it.
” He wiped his mouth with the linen serviette before reaching for the coffee pot.
“Jean-Pierre Latour?” Rufus’s voice sharpened and his gaze narrowed as he picked up the calling card.
“He never gave his surname. Why? Do you know of him?”
Rufus’s nod was grim. “He was an actor before he took up spying for the French. My guess is he wasn’t drunk and they weren’t the bumbling fools they appeared to be.
But if Plessis gave Laurent his card, most likely they were feeling him out.
Laurent, if you express sentiments about Boney that align with theirs, they may try to recruit you. ”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Laurent frowned. “I’m sure they didn’t suspect us.”
Will nodded, looking at Rufus. “You might be right. My gut feeling was that their relationship was an odd one. I couldn’t see why Antoine would put up with Jean-Pierre’s foolishness unless they were related, but that wasn’t even suggested.
“I think they could have been feeding us titbits to see if anything came of them,” Will added. “If they see a response to that information, they’ll know we’re working for the government, and we’ll lose them as a potential source. We’ll have to sit on it for now.”
“But how could they know?” Laurent asked. “We were careful.”
Rufus topped up his coffee and sipped it.
“It’s unlikely they know who you are. More likely is that Plessis is being extra careful.
They must be aware that additional precautions will be in place to keep Boney secure, and a second attempt to free him will be much more difficult than his escape from Elba.
If they fail this time, there will be no third chance.
“Whatever action we take, we can’t increase activity around St. Helena by bringing in more British naval boats without tipping them off. But if there is a plan to rescue Bonaparte from the island, perhaps they’ll try to use a private shipping line.”
Rufus tapped one finger on the calling card lying before him. “We need to keep an eye on Plessis. For the time being, I’ll assign men to discreetly tail him.”
Will reached for the coffee pot and poured a fresh cup. “What if the government put out a special contract to supply the island? If I were to assign my newest ship to that route, it would be simpler to control who and what goes in and comes off the island.”
“Isn’t that ship the one you planned to do the Canadian run with?” Laurent asked.
“It was.”
Rufus shook his head. “There’s a slim chance they know of our connection, Will.
If you’re awarded a government contract to supply St. Helena Island, it could tip them off that we suspect what they’re doing.
But I like the idea. If I can find another shipowner willing to take on the run, it has promise. ”
“What do you mean, ‘willing’?” Laurent was surprised. “Wouldn’t any shipowner be pleased to have a government contract? It’s secure, guaranteed payment.”
Will replied, “It’s supplying the greatest enemy England has faced in recent history.
It will be deeply unpopular. There is a possibility that other customers might take their business elsewhere.
A risk some shipowners will refuse to take, even the less ethical of them, especially since we won’t be telling them everything. ”
“So what’s your plan then?” Laurent was still puzzled, and Will realized how alike Rufus and he had become in their thinking.
“Watch and wait for now,” Rufus said. “You’ll accept this invitation from Plessis and learn what you can. Expect to gain little actual intelligence from the first meeting, but if your interests seem in line with theirs, they may eventually invite you to join their cause.”
“And my business with Will, can that go ahead?”
“I don’t see why not,” Will replied. “Our business connection has already been established and is becoming known. If Plessis and his group see us setting up a route in the opposite direction to St. Helena, it may serve to keep their attention off us and give you a chance to ingratiate yourself with them.”
Turning to Rufus, he asked, “What do you think?”
“Go ahead, if you’re both of the same mind.
Spying for England should not require that which provides your income to be adversely affected.
In fact, if you publicize the establishment of the new trade route to Quebec, I agree it will serve to divert attention away from our other endeavor.
” Rufus pushed his chair back, and Will followed suit.
“Do you want me to put out feelers for you about the St. Helena route?”
“What is this phrase, putting out feelers?” Laurent asked, joining them. “What are feelers?”
“The antennae on an insect,” Will replied. “They are used to sense their surroundings, but for us, it means to test the opinion of others in small ways before taking a bigger step.”
Laurent nodded, and his lips moved as though repeating the phrase to himself. While his English was good, Will had noticed certain informal expressions and idioms puzzled him.
Rufus walked towards the door. “Leave it with me, Will. I’ll have to discuss the idea with Carstairs and others first anyway. It may take time to get their agreement, if we do. For now, watch and wait is our brief. Laurent, report to me at White’s two days from now.”
“Will, I’ll see you at Clem’s ball. You’re accompanying the regent, I believe?”
“Am I? That’s news to me.”
“Your official invitation to be a part of the regent’s entourage will arrive today. Sorry if that blows up your plans, but he expressly requested your presence, hero of Waterloo and all that.” Clapping a hand on Will’s back, Rufus escorted them to the door.
“Oh, and Will, be careful what you tell Clem for now. She’s managed to get information out of me that I had no intention of sharing. Might be wise to focus her attention on the Canadian business until after the ball.”
Will tensed. Not that he’d planned to visit Clem, but to be told to stay away now they were finally in the same city as each other felt wrong. Especially knowing Clem was optimistic about Rufus succeeding in voiding their engagement. He stared at Rufus. “Is that a direct order?”
“Merely a suggestion. She’s an intelligent woman, as I have cause to know.”
Laurent took his hat and gloves from the footman and placed his hat on his head. Drawing on a glove, he said, “I must meet this Clem of yours. Do you think I might be invited to her ball?”
Will shook his head. “Only if you make a huge donation to the Soldiers’ Hospital.”
“I might just do that,” said Laurent with a grin. He drew on his second glove and took his leave. “Au revoir, mes amis.”
Rufus put out a hand and stopped Will from following Laurent out the door. “A moment, Will. Did you meet with Prinny yesterday?”
“You know I did.”
“And?”
“Was that your doing?”
“No one tells Prinny what to do, but he might have shared his idea that you should receive an appropriate reward for your service, and I might have agreed.” Rufus gestured to his butler to join them.
The butler offered Will a small silver tray on which reposed a wrapped box.
“A small gift of my own. Open it when you get home and use it well. By the way, there is one missing.”
Will frowned, rattled the box, and then put it into his pocket. “Adding a touch of drama, are you?”
Rufus shrugged. “Don’t tell Clem yet. The ball will be soon enough.”
“Always the ball with you. What’s that about?”
“For once, just accept that some things are a mystery—until they aren’t.” On that cryptic note, Rufus left the butler to show Will out.