The Wisest Fool mog-4

by Nigel Tranter

  "They appear… fairly well matched. Scarce at odds," Heriot commented, straightening up.

  "No' right sorely bewitched? Vicky-how think you? As a magistrate, mind."

  The Duke bent down, to peer. "So-o-o! Very nice," he said. "But-why Philip Herbert, James? Though, I confess, he looks well up to the business."

  'You'd rather I'd chosen yoursel', Vicky? Och, well-I jaloused Philip to be mair experienced in the matter. Mair like to win quick results. Forby, I dinna like yon wife o' his." "I scarce see the connection…"

  "You will-any moment now 1 He's got her right on the bed now, Geordie. Och, aye-Philip kens what he's at. See there- prying and probing like a ferret at a warren I I'm no' wagering man, mind, but…"

  "No call for wagering," Lennox reported. "See-she spreads herself."

  "A-a-ah! Shrive me-he's in! Guidsakes-aut amat aut odit mulier, nihil est tertium! And nae fight, as you might say, at the latter end! Latter end, see you. A surrender, just. A right capitulation! There they go, post and spur and stirrups short! Merry work!"

  Lennox rose. "That's it, then. Only the run-in, now. Another glimp, Geordie?" "I will accept your word for it The matter seems to be decided."

  "Aye-but bide a wee," James directed. "We'll wait for her squeal. Witnessed, wi' oral and enunciate proof. We hae our lawfu' duties to complete, mind. My, oh my-up she goes! Heels red as apples. There fa's Samuel Colt's case I Solved by simple practice. Solvitur ambulando, after a manner o' speaking! Sine ira et studio."

  A high whickering gasping laughter from the bed served instead of the hoped-for squeal, and James, careless now about silence, grabbed arms for support and led the way back to the main apartment.

  In the doorway thereof, he halted, as all turned to bow again. "This case dismissed likewise," he announced. "Disproven and witnessed. The woman Deborah isna closed up, as libelled, nor yet bewitched. Sam'l Colt to be fined in the sum o' thirty-five pounds Sterling, o' which thirty pounds to be given to the aforesaid Suzanna Gaffney, in compensation for wrongous accusation o' witchcraft, five pounds cost for wasting the time o' this and other o' my royal courts o' justice. Failing payment, the said Samuel to be put in ward-though nae doubt Mistress Deborah could well earn the siller as a talented whore! Aye, well-that's it, my lords and gentlemen. A guid day to you a'." Nodding, the King turned his companions around, and hobbled off.

  Heriot recollected. "Your stick, Sire. Your staff. On the table." He disengaged himself and hurried back into the chamber, amongst the bemused judiciary and litigants.

  When he returned the stick to its royal owner, he took the opportunity to introduce the object of his presence there. 'The Master of Gray gave you this stick, I understand, Sire. Brought from France. I have certain information for you, about both."

  "Ooh, aye. France, eh? Is that the airt the wind blows? Man, our Patrick's ower active for his ain guid! But, bide a wee. Philip Herbert's no' the only one who has earned a beaker o' wine this morning. Forby, if we're going to discuss yon limmer Gray, we'll be needing something to wash the ill taste o' him frae our mou's. This Whitehall's a gey comfortless house, but I've got a bit corner, wi' a decent fire o' holly logs I keep for mysel'-deid holly's the stuff for a right cheery blaze mind. Though it doesna heat sae well as a guid-going note-o'-hand for pounds Sterling-eh, Geordie? Come you-we'll hae a jug o' frontiniak I've got."

  In a distinctly overheated study thereafter, Heriot recounted the results of his mission to Scotland-or such of them as he deemed James ought to know. As ever, it was difficult to tell what was news to the King and what he already knew or suspected from undisclosed sources. One item which he was sure that his liege lord did not know, however, and which he was notably loth to enlighten him upon, he had to divulge at length.

  "Finding affairs in such state, and perceiving danger to your Majesty's and the realm's interests growing the more serious, I decided that it was necessary to pay the Master of Gray the sum adjudged to him by your Cornmissioners, She," he informed, slowly at first, but ending in something of a rush. "This nineteen thousand pounds-odd Scots. As a matter of urgency." "Eh…? Pay? You did? You decided!"

  "Yes, Sire, I did. You had sent me up there to look to your interests. It was clear that delay in the payment was greatly harming those interests. And Your Majesty's credit. I therefore took it upon myself to pay the moneys, there and then. Before worse harm was done…"

  "You paid the money. Precious soul o' God-you paid siller to Gray?" "To your Comptroller, the Lord Scone, yes. For Gray."

  There was a silence which all but throbbed, in that stuffy room. James Stewart glared, licking away the saliva which dribbled from both corners of his slack mouth and breathing heavily.

  Greatly daring, Lennox spoke up. "Wise," he said, though a little thickly himself. "You are fortunate, James, in having someone there who could pay money on such a scale…"

  "Quiet, Vicky Stewart! When I require your sage guidance, I'll ask for it!" The King swung on Heriot. "I'll need an explanation for this, Geordie," he said, in a quite different voice, quietly, sibilantly. "Aye, an explanation."

  The very quiet and brevity of that was in itself alarming, so different a reaction from the monarch's usual garrulity. Heriot drew a deep breath of his own. "The explanation is simple, Sire- my love for Your Majesty. The Master of Gray is the cleverest man in Scotland-now that you are no longer there in person. He already conceives you to have injured him in refusing him leave to come to London, and dispensing with his services. He plots against your policy-but the menace of his plans is later, not yet. Your Majesty, and your ministers, have time. To counter him, it is thought Grievously to offend him further, and he could well strike now, in his anger. That time I judged to be precious, for your cause. Therefore I bought time, with that money. I paid Your Majesty's adjudged debt, that you might not have to pay a deal more dearly."

  "You paid what wasna yours to pay! I adjudge that dishonest as it was insolent, sir!"

  "With respect, She, not so. I paid what was my own. The note-of-hand I gave Lord Scone was mine, and mine only. That money he will draw from my account. Whether you repay me hereafter is for Your Majesty's own decision. I shall not ask you for it"

  "So-o-o! That's the way o' it? Geordie Heriot plays high and mighty-and no' for -the first time! To his liege. That's pride, man-the wicked pride o' riches, o' worldly gear. Insolent, as I said. You think that you can buy your liege lord wi' siller!"

  "No, Sire. But I think that I can buy time against a notable Catholic plot with siller-if not yours, then my own. Am I at fault in that?"

  "You are at fault In overturning my policies, man. By your ain showing, Patrick Gray seeks to turn my realm o' Scotland Catholic again. And to turn my parliament o' England against me, to my hurt A fell ambitious and expensive scheme, for which he needs money, much money. And you hae given him near twenty thousand pounds Scots to aid him in this, kenning it against my wishes. Think you I hadna heard something o' this plot, and wasna taking my precautions?"

  "All of which I guessed, Sire-although you did not confide in me. Yet you sent me to Scotland to act for you, and to gain information. I acted in what I believed the best interests of the Crown, overturned no policy-but bought you time."

  "Aye, you're a right eloquent advocate, Geordie Heriot-for your ain case I You ken how to look to your ain business."

  "And yours, I hope, She-since I am still Your Majesty's man-of-business. But if you would be quit of me in this, I am at your entire disposal." "I might tak you at your word, Geordie."

  'Then, Sire, I should gladly sell my business here in London, return to Scotland, marry, and set up as a small laird in Strathearn. I might even be the better off!"

  Thoughtfully monarch looked at subject. 'That you will never do, my friend," he said softly. "I promise you that" After a pause, he shrugged. "Aye, well-what o' the man Shakespeare and this MacBeda ploy? How does he fare?"

  On this safer topic Heriot could relax somewhat. He recounted progress, and assured that th
e playwright was full of enthusiasm, and quite enamoured of Scotland and the Scots, at least in dramatic terms. James pooh-poohed any ideas that the witches might be located on the Eastmuir of Dunsinane instead of the Hardmuir of Forres. The North was the most truly wild and barbarous area, he contended, where old hags and beldames most aply belonged.

  "Why are your witches always old?" Lennox demanded. 'To my mind, young queans are much more like to bewitch successfully than old crones. Surely, witches must be born, not made? So should they not manifest their witchery at all ages?"

  "Na, na, Vicky-Satan finds auld dames o' mair use to him, auld in wickedness. Even Holy Writ says it."

  "Holy Writ? I claim no great knowledge of the Scriptures, James-but I'd like to hear you give chapter and verse for that!"

  'You would? What o' this? 'The Devil walketh in dry places…'?" The King tee-heed loudly at his sally. "Matthew 12, verse 43, if I mistake not. Mind, I could do better, given time." Suddenly, he frowned. "Time-aye, time I wasna here. I've yon French ambassador to see, before we eat. He'll hae been waiting this hour-and the French are fell important, in my policy 0' peace. Especially wi' yon Maister 0' Gray at work-and wi' siller to burn! Eh, Geordie?" James raised an eyebrow, and tapped his goldsmith's arm. "See my new Purse-bearer, Geordie-he'll gie you your money. Ninteen thousand pounds Scots, mind-that only. I'm no' paying any interest, Guidsakes…! Your airm, Vicky."

  19

  THE ELEGANT GENTLEMAN looked around George Heriot's modest premises with a strange mixture of hauteur and embarrassment. "My name is Dewsbury. Sir Asher Dewsbury," he declared. "And I, ah, come on a matter of business." That last was enunciated in a tone which made it clear that he would not be seen entering such a place were the business not highly important.

  "As do most who come here," Heriot acknowledged, gravely. "How can I help you, Sir Asher?"

  "I do not seek help, sir!" the other said sharply. "A matter of business as I say. No doubt to your advantage." That 'your' was stressed. "Ah. Then I should be grateful, Sir Asher-should I?"

  "H'm. So I would judge. My man is outside. He has, ah, certain items for your consideration. Items of value, you understand. Have him in, Master Heriot" "You have him in, sir."

  The knight frowned, then went to the door, and beckoned a servant in from the Exchange. The man carried a large and obviously heavy bag. "You will understand, sir, that the circumstances are unusual. Very unusual. And that this entire proceeding is distasteful to me."

  "Ah. If I can lessen the distaste for you, I shall do so, Sir Asher. You wish to pawn something? It can happen to any man."

  "Good God-pawn, sir? No! I do not… pawn! I have come to sell you certain items of great value. A simple matter of sale. The items are no longer required by me. They might as. well be made use of, by others." "I see. A worthy attitude, sir. May I see…?"

  Dewsbury, looking detached but pained, gestured to his man to open the bag, and then stalked over to investigate some jewellery on display as though with a view to purchase on some suitable occasion He kept bis beautifully-garbed back stiffly turned while Heriot examined the contents of the bag.

  "Very nice," his back was told, in due course. 'The silver of good quality, the plate fair, the jewellery excellent, if old-fashioned…"

  "Old-fashioned, sir! What do you mean? These things have been in my family for generations."

  "Exactly. As I say, old-fashioned though of fine quality. Fashions change in jewellery as in other matters, Sir Asher. You desire me to buy these?" "I desire to dispose of them. If your price is sufficient."

  "I perceive the difference, sir. Let me see, then." Heriot examined the pieces more closely, took the jewellery over to the light, scratched the plate a little, and weighed all in his hands. "Shall we say seventy pounds, and one hundred pounds, and another seventy pounds? Two hundred and forty pounds Sterling in all. Or… make it two hundred and fifty pounds as a comfortable figure."

  "But… 'fore God, man-this is ridiculous! Not half their worth. You are insulting, sir. I want six hundred pounds, at least."

  "Ah. Then I am sorry, Sir Asher. I fear that you must take them otherwhere."

  "I shall, sirrah-I shall. But-probably you are making a joke? Testing my wits? I am no pigeon to be plucked, Master Heriot Come, sir-give me an honest price."

  "An honest price, sir, would be two hundred and forty pounds. But I will repeat my two hundred and fifty. If it is insufficient, go otherwhere, by all means. But I would advise you that you will not get ten pounds more in all London-and most like be offered less."

  "But-the quality, man! You said yourself that the silver was good quality. In weight alone…"

  "Unfortunately, it has your arms engraved on all, sir. One of the disadvantages of your rank and status. Before I could sell it for use by others, I must remove that. Otherwise, merely melt all down." Dewsbury looked shaken. 'You swear on your word as a gentleman, Master Heriot, that I will get little more elsewhere?" "I am a tradesman and no gentleman, Sir Asher-so I cannot swear as one. But I will swear as the King's jeweller that it is so. If that will serve."

  "Ah. Yes-to be sure. But… I need six hundred pounds, sir. And quickly. I can spare no more such items." The knight took a turn up and down the shop. "Master Heriot-I believe that you also lend money upon usury?" "Aye-I am a usurer, sir. I lend-where the credit is good."

  "I have two thousand, four hundred good acres in Dorset, sir. Two manors. Will you lend me the remainder of the six hundred pounds?" "I shall consider it, Sir Asher." "I require it at once. Today. I shall repay you, shortly."

  "How shortly? My interest is twelve per centum. For three months. For folk in a hurry!" "You shall have it back before three months."

  "Sir Asher-are you a wagering man? For I am chary of lending to such. Wagers can fail-and my repayment with them."

  "No. No such thing. Never fear, sir-your money will be safe enough. Entirely safe. I have an office of profit in the Queen's household." "Ah. Indeed. Now you interest me, Sir Asher."

  'Yes." The other seemed to recover something of his assurance. "I am to be one of Her Majesty's Almoners. Now-will you let me have the six hundred pounds, sir? Today?" "Is there such haste? Will tomorrow not serve?" "No. I must pay it tonight. To Sir Robert Carr." "Carr? You have been borrowing from young Carr?"

  "I have not, sir. I have never borrowed aught in my life! At least, h'm, until today. But I must pay Sir Robert six hundred pounds by tonight-or fail to gain the office of Queen's Almoner."

  Heriot drew a long breath. "I see. So… Sir Robert Carr is selling you the office? Is that it?"

  "In a fashion, yes. He uses his influence with the King to gain such appointments. And, and charges for his services."

  "Six hundred pounds is a large charge, Sir Asher 1 See you, I had heard rumours of this practice-but doubted the truth of it. There have been other such… arrangements?" "To be sure. Carr can gain anyone a place, they say. But he is damned expensive"

  "Very well. I think that I may just be able to raise your six hundred pounds on the premises. Two hundred and fifty pounds to buy these items. And three hundred and fifty pounds at twelve per centum. I shall write the papers…"

  After Dewsbury had gone, George Heriot sat very thoughtful, for a while.

  ***

  Two days later, on a grey November afternoon, he presented himself at Denmark House, a thing he had not done for two years, and sought audience of the Queen. He had not to wait for so long as he expected, before being conducted to a pleasant small boudoir where Anne and the Marchioness of Huntly sat before a fire of scented logs, stitching embroidery. His welcome was stiffly wary- but at least the Queen called him Master Geordie, not Master Heriot, and managed a hint of a smile as he bowed low.

  "You have not found occasion to call on us these many months," she declared, after the formal greetings. "In consequence, I have had to purchase my jewellery from Sir William Herrick." That was distinctly tart

  "An excellent gentleman," Heriot said. "I am sure th
at he will serve Your Majesty passing well."

  "No doubt," she answered, frowning a little. "His prices are fair. But he is mighty mean in the giving of credit." Heriot sought to look sympathetic, but did not comment. They eyed each other needfully. "What have you come for?" the Queen asked, at length.

  "I have been desirous of coming, for long," the man declared then, frankly. "Wishful to end this… estrangement I still consider myself Your Majesty's servant. I have been much grieved that I no longer had your trust and confidence." "I have never refused you audience, sir. You have never come." "Because I did not believe my coming welcome, Madam." "And you do now?" "Who knows? But now, at least, I have reason to come. A matter to speak of." "A favour to ask, perhaps?"

  "No. Or, perhaps, that too. But not firstly. My main concern, indeed my duty, is to inform Your Majesty of a matter which has come to my notice-and which I cannot believe you to be aware of. I believe that you ought to be aware of it I have learned that appointments are being made to your household-one appointment, at least-for payment of moneys. Payment to a person at Court. Large payment"

  "To my household? Not the King's? How dare they? Are you sure, Master Geordie? Have you proof?" "Yes. I think I have." "My new Master of Hawks? Strickland?"

  "No. Or, it may be so. But that is not the one I learned of. It is Sir Asher Dewsbury, Almoner."

  "But-he is not yet appointed, I have but heard his name mentioned." "He has already paid for the office, Madam. Whether or no you have appointed him. And paid sweetly." 'To whom?" "To Sir Robert Carr."