by Griff Hosker
I began to open my jacket and the pistol appeared next to my side again. “I smiled, “I am just getting out the letter I was asked to deliver.”
“Do it carefully then.”
Sir William chuckled. “Colonel Selkirk here was a soldier and I think he misses guns.”
“No my lord, it is just that there is something about this young man that does not ring true.” He spoke in English and Sir William replied in the same language.
“He cannot escape and I cannot see what he has to gain from this.”
“He looks to be a fit young man and he could be an assassin.”
“Then why did you leave him his sword?”
“The sword is not the weapon of an assassin. By the time he drew it McIntyre behind us would have shot him. Isn’t that right marine?”
I heard McIntyre’s cheerful voice from behind me, “Yes sir. It would be no trouble at all.”
I kept an impassive face so that they would not know that I had understood their words. I had recovered the letter from my belt and I was pleased that it was still sealed. I handed it over. “This is the reason I asked to see you, Sir William.”
I relaxed as I leaned back in the chair relieved that I had achieved my objective. As he opened it Sir William said, “He is a cool customer for one so young.”
“And that is why my gun is still ready. There is something about him…”
Sir William waved an impatient hand to silence the colonel. “By Jove. It is from the Boney fellow, General Bonaparte.”
“The one in Egypt eh. Isn’t he the chap who fired on the French mob?”
“That is the fellow and this starts to make sense. Sentry, ask the Admiral to join us. I think he is entertaining my wife in the garden.”
“But sir, the prisoner…”
“I think we can handle him McIntyre. Now off you go.”
Once he had left the room, Sir William read the letter. His only reaction was a slight widening of the eyes. He folded it and handed it to Colonel Selkirk. Sir William asked me, “Do you know the contents of this letter?”
I nodded, “Yes sir. The general told me.”
“Then he must trust you very much. This is a powerful letter and, were it to fall into the wrong hands…”
“I have done work for the general before. He trusts me.”
“Do you mind me asking you sir, how old are you?”
“I am twenty two.”
“You are a soldier?”
“Yes sir, the 17th Chasseurs. I am a captain.”
The colonel finished reading the letter and handed it back. They both reverted to English. “I think we wait until the Admiral arrives before we discuss it.”
“I agree Sir William and what do we do about him?” He inclined his head at me.
“I think he can stay at the moment. According to the letter this is not imminent. He can stay here as our guest for a few days.”
My heart sank; so much for a speedy escape in the ‘Carillon’. On the other hand the fact that they had not dismissed the idea out of hand meant that Bonaparte had judged the matter well. I wondered who this Admiral was. The door behind me opened as the sentry allowed the Admiral to enter. Sir William said, “You can wait outside McIntyre.”
“Admiral Nelson, we have a letter from General Napoleon Bonaparte. This soldier has just delivered it. We have sent for you as it directly concerns your ships.”
I turned my head and saw the famous Admiral Nelson. All of the sailors I had interrogated had mentioned him and all seemed in awe of his skill as a sailor and as an admiral. I was surprised. He looked to be the same height as General Bonaparte but the difference was the general was inclined to be stocky this admiral looked like he was so frail he would blow over in a strong wind. I knew he had lost and eye and an arm but you hardly seemed to notice. Despite his diminutive stature he held the room with his power.
He seated himself next to Sir William and read the letter. When he had read it twice he put it on the table and then looked at me. “And this fellow? What of him?”
I found it fascinating, almost amusing, that when they spoke about me in English it was as though I was not even there.
“Interesting chap. A cavalryman and he seems to be resourceful.”
“Hmn. I wonder how he got here.”
This Nelson had a sharp mind. The other two had not even bothered to ask me. Sir William asked me, in French, “How did you reach Naples?”
I pointed vaguely to the south; the port was to the north. “I landed by ship.”
Colonel Selkirk nodded, “Probably north of Sorrento. There are little coves there. Perhaps his ship is still there Admiral Nelson. Maybe one of your ships could…”
Nelson laughed and it was a piping little laugh. “I do not think it would have hung around. A more pertinent question would be how does he intend to get back to Egypt with our message?”
“Good point, but does he need to go back at all? What is in it for us?”
“Let us not be hasty Colonel Selkirk. We should not dismiss this out of hand.”
I could see that the man, who had captured me, was shocked and surprised at Admiral Nelson’s suggestion. This was the first time I began to believe that General Bonaparte’s plan might just work.
“Let us look at the facts. This general could well be stuck in Egypt for some time. I have Sir Sydney’s latest reports. Although Acre is still holding firm, mainly due to our ships, this general has defeated every Ottoman army sent against him. Apparently he defeated twenty five thousand Mameluke horsemen with just four thousand of his own men. This is a dangerous general. If he stays in Egypt who is to say he could not conquer the Ottoman lands?”
“But surely that is an argument for not bringing him back to France.”
I noticed that Sir William was allowing the two men to argue between themselves which allowed him the luxury of hearing both sides of the argument. My face remained stoically impassive, almost bored. I fiddled with the edge of the table and I looked at the paintings as though interested in them but I took in every word they were saying.
The little admiral shrugged. “I have heard that he has royalist leanings. He put down the mob in Paris savagely enough as he did in Cairo. This man is not a revolutionary. He is someone who would like things the way they were.”
“The admiral is correct, colonel. The politicians in London want the revolution destroyed and not France. France has always been a buffer against the ambitions of the Hapsburgs. The Prussians are now flexing their muscles too. If we leave him in Egypt he might well conquer that land and that would mean the Russians would move west. We just need to know more about this new general.”
“Why not ask the messenger?”
“A good idea. Do you speak French Admiral Nelson?”
“A little and badly but I will try to follow.”
Sir William smiled at me as though he had noticed me for the first time. “Now then er…”
“Robert.” I pronounced it the French way.
“Well then, Robert, what is this general of yours like? If you have performed such tasks as this before you must know what kind of person he is. Does he support the revolution?”
This was not what I had expected. If I spoke with them would that make me a traitor? I decided that as the general’s envoy I could tell them things which were in the public domain and not private.
“He is hard working and rarely sleeps. He is the most efficient man I have ever met and he is a great organiser.”
I could see that my answers were not what they wished to hear. “Yes but his politics? What of them?”
“I am a soldier I know nothing of politics.”
Admiral Nelson slapped the table with his good hand and roared with laughter. “Just like my sailors. They care not a jot who runs the country just so that they get their prize money and beat the enemy.” He shook his head. “The general is a political creature else he would not have lasted this long. He is pragmatic. In the letter he says that he desires pe
ace with Britain and that makes sense to me. The Austrians are a ripe plum for the taking and Italy can soon be his.”
Although I understood all that they were saying and wished to reply to the admiral I kept my dumb silence.
“But can we let him have a free rein in Europe?”
“I am not a politician either but if he leaves Egypt then my ships can then rule the Mediterranean and we can keep his fleet in port. We have to keep ships off the Holy Land and Alexandria and yet there are no French ships for them to watch; the remainder of their fleet is bottled up in Alexandria. With this general out of the way then the army will atrophy and wither and we will have won.”
“I will have to think on this. Colonel, could you look after this chap? He is a soldier and you were one until recently. Have Caruthers find him a room and put a guard on his door.”
I could see that Colonel Sinclair was not happy but he smiled ruefully and said, “Yes Sir William.”
“See that he is scrubbed up and brought to dinner. Lady Hamilton might find him diverting.”
“Come with me captain.”
Leaving the diplomat and the sailor to continue their discussion I was led up the stairs. We ascended the wonderfully ornate staircase to the third floor. I suspected this was where minor officials slept in this Palazzo Sessa. It was still an opulent home. Colonel Sinclair opened the door. “While Sir William makes his decision you will stay here. As an officer do I have your word that you will not try to escape?”
“Of course.”
“Good,” he smiled, “although I will put a guard there.” He hesitated, “For your protection. You will dine with the family tonight. I will send up a servant to clean your clothes a little.”
“It is not a problem.”
“I know which is why I have a servant to do it for you. This is not France you know.”
After I had taken off my jacket and shirt I washed. I wondered how long it would take Sergeant Tobias to tell them that I could speak English. I was not worried; it was not as if this would jeopardise the negotiations after all.
The servant came to my room and knocked discreetly. He tried speaking English to me and I feigned ignorance and then answered in Italian. He was delighted that he would be able to speak to me in his own language. Carlo was a fussy little Neapolitan; he was almost effeminate but the best gentleman’s servant I have ever met. He shook his head at my clothes and left the room. I was at a loss. He returned with a dressing gown. “ Sir, please take your clothes off and put this on and I will make you presentable. You cannot go to dinner smelling of fish!”
I suppose I was used to the smell but I had been on the ship for some days and the odour must have clung. I did as he asked. When I emerged from the dressing room he said, “Follow me!”
He marched imperiously down the corridor to the bathroom. My marine guard followed. Carlo opened the door and said, “I will bring towels in half an hour. It will take that long, at least, to get rid of the smell.” He sniffed the perfumed water and nodded happily. Then he left.
The bath did feel good and I fell asleep. I was awoken by a gentle tap on the arm and Carlo stood there with towels. As he shaved me, then dried and dressed me in the clean clothes he went prattling on about the Neapolitan Revolution. “I cannot understand it. In France it was the peasants who wanted rid of the king. Here it is the aristocracy. I have heard that they have invited the French army here! What a thing. No offence sir, but you can keep your revolution in France. Here we know our place and we like it. If they succeed then I will return with Sir William to London, which is, at least, a civilised country.”
He stepped back when I was finished. “There. You clean up quite well sir.” He stroked the lapels of my jacket making me feel most uncomfortable but I think he meant nothing by that. It was just his way. “I will take you to the terrace where they are gathering.”
The house looked out on the Bay of Naples and the terrace afforded a magnificent view. The others were already there and speaking English when I arrived. There was a sudden silence at my appearance. It gave me the chance to look at the most famous woman in Britain, Lady Hamilton. She was stunning but more than that, she made you like her at first sight. I do not wonder that Admiral Nelson fell in love with her. That much was obvious to me from the moment I saw them. It was as though they were the couple rather than her husband, Sir William. The diplomat did not seem to mind.
“Ah my dear may I introduce Robert, our guest.” He spoke in English and I just stood. He then said, in French, “Robert this is my wife, the Lady Hamilton.”
My mother had been a lady and taught me how to speak to and treat ladies of quality. I bent one knee and, taking the proffered hand, kissed it lightly and said, “I am enchanted your ladyship.”
Her smile lit up the room. “How delightful! What a charming young man.”
Carlo was hovering in the background and I saw the happy nod and smile. He walked over with a glass of a yellow liquid. He said, quietly in Italian, “That was well done sir.”
I said equally quietly, “And what is this I am drinking?”
“Limoncello. It is an iced lemon liqueur. Sip it and you will enjoy it.”
He slipped away as quietly as he had arrived. I did sip it and found it pleasant and refreshing.”
The only person missing was Colonel Selkirk. The door opened and he suddenly appeared. He ignored everyone else and stormed up to me. “You speak English! You are Scottish!”
Before I could say anything Sir William said, “Steady on colonel. What has upset you?”
“Sergeant Tobias told me that this man arrived this morning and he spoke English with a Scottish accent.”
Sir William looked at me. I noticed that the Admiral and Lady Hamilton seemed faintly amused at the colonel’s tantrum. “Is this true? Are you Scottish and can you speak English?”
“Yes I can speak English,” I said in English, “but I am only half Scottish and I was born and raised in France.”
Sir William seemed exasperated. “Then why didn’t you tell us?”
I shrugged, “You never asked.”
While he and the colonel looked lost for words Lady Hamilton and Admiral Nelson fell about laughing. The dinner gong sounded just in time.
Chapter 9
The colonel was so flabbergasted that he could say nothing. We were led into the dining room and seated. Eventually Admiral Nelson leaned across the table to me and asked, “So, captain, what is your name and what is your story?” He turned to Lady Hamilton, “I think that we may find this quite interesting and it will allow Colonel Selkirk to regain his composure.”
“My name is Robert Macgregor. I never lied. I was born to the Count of Breteuil and Marie Macgregor, the granddaughter of a Jacobite supporter of Bonnie Prince Charlie. My mother died some years ago and my father was executed at the Place de la Revolution. I joined the cavalry and now I am a captain of the 17th Chasseurs serving in Egypt.”
Sir William seemed happy with that. “Now I can see why Bonaparte picked you. You are a perfect choice.” He wagged an admonishing finger at me. “You were less than honest with us about your knowledge of our language although I can see why you did so. You heard what we said. Had we known we would have been more guarded in what we said.”
The colonel had recovered his voice. “It was deception, plain and simple!”
I spread my arms. “There was no deception when I came to Palazzo Sessa. I spoke English but I was thrown out by Sergeant Tobias and then had a gun stuck in my ribs. Would you have behaved any differently?”
I saw the first hint of a smile creep across the colonel’s face. “No I suppose not. But no more lies and no more secrecy. Tell me now where the ship you came on is at present?”
“I will not tell you.”
“What? Then your words mean nothing. What of honesty?”
“I said I will not lie and I am not lying now but I will not put in jeopardy the brave men who brought me here.”
“Then how will you retur
n to Egypt?”
It was my turn to smile as I looked directly at Admiral Nelson. “I believe the Royal Navy has more than a few ships. I suspect they could easily take me.”
Nelson and Lady Hamilton were joined in their laughter by Sir William. “By Jove sir, but you have wit. The general chose well.”
Despite the fact that we were enemies I did enjoy the evening. Lady Hamilton was both vivacious and funny. She had a great sense of humour and Admiral Nelson had a great sense of fun. It was bizarre but Sir William was more like a parent than a husband. I also managed to talk to Colonel Selkirk. Once he got over his outrage at my deception he saw why I had done it. He too came from Scottish stock and he had been a cavalryman. “Aye I served with the Scots Greys. We all rode bonnie grey horses.”
“Are they Dragoons sir?”
“Aye , heavy cavalry.” He seemed to see me for the first time. “I can see why you joined the French army but Bonnie Prince Charlie has been dead for some years. Why not come home? I could get you into one of our regiments.”
I shook my head, “Think about it sir. Could you serve in any other regiment than the Scots Greys?” His head dropped. “It is the comrades I have fought with that keeps me there.”
His head suddenly turned, “Will you not be leaving with General Bonaparte?”
“I could but I will not leave my regiment.”
“You have honour sir but not much hope. If the general leaves you will either all die or become prisoners.”
“I will not leave my friends.” I said stubbornly.
He laughed, “You are a Scot, through and through! Mad as a hatter!”
As the evening drew to a close Sir William tapped his glass for silence. “Firstly, I would like to thank our guest. He has been an unexpected pleasure this evening. Secondly I have made my decision but,” he held up the empty bottle of port, “I will tell you of that choice in the morning.”
I was satisfied. The colonel escorted me to my room. “Just to make sure you didn’t escape,” he joked.