Simpson's stance was as rigid as ever. "We have not been invited to any… 'hobnobbings,' as you put it. Neither upper-crust nor any other kind. And even if we had, I can assure you-" His voice was starting to rise hotly again.
"John." Again, Simpson broke off. "Give me a break, will you? I wasn't accusing you of anything."
Mike motioned toward the ironclads. "As a naval officer in the service of the U.S. government, I will expect you to refrain from public attacks on your commander-in-chief. Or, if you feel strongly enough about something that you can't, I will expect your resignation. But what you say about me in private, as long as you're reasonably discreet about it… I won't go so far as to say that I don't care about it, but I will look the other way. Is that fair enough?"
Simpson's hesitation was very brief. "Yes," he said curtly. "That's fair enough."
Mike nodded. "Good. That's settled." His smile was now actually a bit warm. "Do keep in mind, of course, that I certainly won't object either if-just now and then-you find you have something positive to say about me also."
Simpson chuckled. And, there too, there was a bit of actual warmth in the sound. "Actually-and just in private, between you and me-there are a few things I like about you. Not many, mind. But…" He took a deep breath of his own. "I'll give you this much, Mike Stearns. At least you're not one of those presidents we had back up-time who shilly-shallied and danced around every time the shit hit the fan."
The reminder jolted Mike. "Oh, hell," he muttered. He held up his watch, trying to read the old-style face in the dim lighting. That was the disadvantage of the somewhat antique mechanical watch he owned. The advantage, of course, was that it still worked-where almost everyone else's fancy digital timepieces were unusable because the special batteries had gone dead long since, and Grantville had few spares.
"You need to send a radio message, while the window lasts?"
Mike nodded. "Yeah. I've still got a bit of time, though. But I'd better-"
He was starting to turn away already. Then, struck by a thought, stopped and turned back.
"What the hell. As it happens, John, I've got a decision to make. And-in a different way-it's the same kind of decision you and I fought about once. When a man stumbles, does he try to break it by running or taking the fall? So I'll be interested to see what you think about this one."
Quickly, he sketched out Becky's radio message and the choice he had to make. When he was done, Simpson shook his head.
"Jesus. That one's a bitch." Simpson thought a moment. "Even leaving aside the decision itself, it's the kind of thing your political enemies could try to make hay over."
"I'm not worried about that."
Simpson smiled thinly. "No, you wouldn't be. If nothing else, because-with your roughhouse political skills-you'd leave them bleeding in the street."
"Yeah, I would. Bloody, bruised, battered, and beat to shit. And I'd make no apologies for it, either." Harshly: "But that's neither here nor there, John. I wouldn't let that influence me anyway. You may not like my character, but don't make the mistake of thinking I don't have one."
"Oh, I won't make that mistake. I meant what I said. I can think of former presidents of the U.S.A. up-time I wouldn't want in your shoes now, making this decision. I wouldn't trust them-especially that worthless bastard-"
He shook his head. "Never mind. Of all the silly things I can think of, hauling in old partisan squabbles from another universe ranks right at the top."
He gave Mike a sharp glance. "You're inclined to go for it, aren't you? Use a knife in a knife fight-even if it's your own wife who's the blade."
Mike nodded. "Yeah, I am. So's Becky herself, by the way. Her own opinion was, ah, firm."
Simpson nodded. "Cowardly, the lady is not." He thought a moment further. Then:
"Do it, Mike." He glanced at the ironclads. "And for what it's worth, the Navy will back you up to the best of our ability."
"That's worth quite a bit, John. In fact, the time may come when it's worth a lot. And now, I'd better go. I'll have more than one message to send tonight."
After taking a few steps, Mike turned back around.
"Before I forget, one other thing."
"Yes?"
"As Admiral of the U.S. Navy, I expect you'll be getting a fair number of social invitations. You and your wife, both. Quite soon, in fact." He raised his fist and coughed into it. "Not to put too fine a point on it, I'll see to it. And I think it would reflect badly on the United States if you didn't accept them. It might give the aristocracy the notion that we don't have any manners, you know. Won't leave our houses because we're afraid we won't know which fork to use in polite company."
For a moment, Simpson's face almost turned puce. "Mary? She could-"
His shoulder heaved a little, suppressing a laugh. Then, smiling: "Thank you, Mike. I'd appreciate that."
Mike nodded and began to turn away.
"Mr. President."
"Yes… Admiral."
Simpson squared his shoulders. "As a rule, I'd prefer formality. It's not a matter of personality. Well… not much. But I'm building a military force here, a navy. And while-"
He paused, briefly. "I will not interfere with General Jackson and Colonel Wood. They can create whatever traditions and customs in the Army and Air Force they choose. But I will insist they extend me the same courtesy. And you also."
"Fair enough. Admiral."
Simpson nodded stiffly. Then, for the first time since Mike had appeared on the wharf, the admiral seemed to relax completely.
"Did you have any horse traders in your family tree, Mr. President? I'm just curious."
Mike grinned. "Two, that I know of. And at least one horse thief. Family tradition has it that they never caught and hung 'im, neither." Solemnly: "Even though, of course, everyone agreed that was a great shame and he was a disgrace to the family name."
Chapter 32
Rebecca returned to the prince's quarters early the next morning. "My husband agrees to the alliance," she said, as she began lowering herself into the seat offered.
Frederik Hendrik smiled. "So. Overnight, no less. How nice to see that my advisers were wrong about something else. Your mysterious 'radio,' it seems, does not require gigantic constructions after all."
Rebecca was so startled that she plopped onto the chair instead of sliding gracefully into it. She realized-too late-that she had not even considered what she would be revealing.
Sensing her unease, the prince waved his hand. "Have no fear. Your secret will remain safe with me." As he took his own chair, his expression was odd. Something like a combination of a scowl and a grin of pure glee. For a moment, with his gingery facial hair and ruddy plump cheeks, he looked a bit like a prosperous pirate contemplating another rich prize.
"And let's hope Richelieu doesn't find out until it's too late. Which he probably won't, the cocksure bastard. That's the one advantage to having a cardinal for an archenemy. He thinks God is whispering tactics into his ear."
Once seated, Frederik Hendrik planted his hands on his knees. "What I need, immediately-although I can't see what it would be-is whatever help you can give me in holding Amsterdam. We will be under siege here within a week, and it will be a bitter one. In fact-as I'm sure you know-the siege has begun already. Spanish warships fired on the city yesterday evening."
Rebecca nodded. She'd heard the sound of the cannonade from the house the American delegation had taken for its quarters. The owners of the house had rented it to them shortly before leaving Amsterdam themselves, seeking refuge in a town further east. They hadn't seemed too concerned about how they'd collect the rent, either. Two months in advance, coin in their hands, and they were off.