He sipped his whisky, his face set. "One issue Tess wrote that, I'm afraid, indicates her thinking: Struan's solicitors are drafting a brief to nullify in court, the "Ludicrous Ceremony"--she puts that in caps--whatever the legality or illegality, whatever the pregnancy result, and to contest any will if one is found there or in the Japans."
"My God! Poor Angelique... how awful!"
"An emphatic yes to that. My letter asking for forbearance had no effect. Bloody, eh?" Sir William stalked to his desk and brought out a dispatch. "This is what I really wanted to discuss --highly confidential of course."
Babcott turned up the oil lamp.
Daylight was fading fast. The Governor of Hong Kong wrote formally: My dear Sir William, thank you for your dispatch of the 13th. I'm afraid it's not possible to send extra troops at the moment. I have just heard from London that all troops are needed elsewhere, that budgetary considerations preclude raising new levies in India or elsewhere so you will have to do with what you have. However, I am sending another 20-gun, sailing frigate, H.m.s. Avenger, on temporary loan.
Rest assured if there is a major attack on Yokohama, in due course the attack will be punished.
I am instructed by London to inform you of the following directives for immediate prudent action: you will collect the indemnity demanded, together with possession of the murderers (or witness their trial and execution), you will punish and bring to heel the petty tyrant responsible, Sanjiro of Satsuma. I am to advise you further that the Naval and Army forces you presently have at your disposal are considered more than adequate to deal with one petty princeling.
Babcott whistled tonelessly. At length he said, "They're a bunch of idiots, the whole bloody lot."
Sir William laughed. "I rather thought the same. But having said that, what do you think?"
""Immediate prudent action"? That's a negation."
"Diplomatic verbiage to cover their tails, obviously."
"We have the indemnity, we..."
"The bullion was advanced on Sanjiro's behalf. It was a loan not a payment by the guilty party."
"True. And both murderers are dead, probably."
"Yes, by chance and not one hundred percent certain and not as punishment for the crime."
"Well yes. We..." Babcott looked at him and sighed. "What do I think? Between us I think you've already decided to launch a punitive strike against Sanjiro, probably at Kagoshima, particularly as Yoshi gave you tacit approval."
"Possible approval. Is the dispatch and are my answers enough to convince Ketterer a strike, if any, is authorized?"
"No doubt about that, they've given you directives. The dispatch clearly makes it obligatory, however stupid and however much I disapprove of it."
"Because you're a doctor?"
"Yes."
"If you ever have to take charge, George, I hope you'll forget that you are."
"You don't have to say that, William. I know which side my butter is breaded. Meanwhile Put not your trust in princes, bureaucrats or generals they will plead expedience while spilling your blood from a safe distance." He raised his glass. "To London. Christ, I'm tired."
"Meanwhile remember that Machiavelli also said, The safety of the State is the overriding duty of the ruler, or some such platitude." His eyes crinkled. "Now Anjo."
Babcott told him. And being asked, gave his considered diagnosis. "Six months. A year, no more. Subject to my tests."
"Interesting." Sir William thought long and hard. Outside night had settled, the fleet bedding down. He closed the curtains against the drafts, went over to the fire and poked a blaze. "Putting that aside for the moment, my inclination is to order an immediate naval presence off Kagoshima, immediate bombardment if Sanjiro gives us no satisfaction--as much for Yoshi's benefit, Anjo and his Council of Elders as for scallywag Sanjiro, especially Yoshi."
"Sending the fleet there leaves the Settlement naked. What about the reports of samurai quietly surrounding us--we saw a great number around the Tokaido."
"That's the risk."
Babcott looked back at Sir William steadily and said no more. The decision was not his. He would happily obey like everyone else, insisting on being part of the expedition. He got up. "Think I'll nap before dinner, didn't sleep much last night. By the way, Phillip did a cracking good job. I'll start my tests later and let you know."
"Do you want to have a late bite to eat? Nine o'clock? Good, and thanks for Anjo, that's very important. That makes Yoshi even more important. If he can be trusted. If."
"In this land that's a major problem." Then Babcott said, still sickened by Tess's attitude, "Rotten about the "court case."
That's going to be messy for Angelique, so unfair, isn't it?"
"Has life ever been fair, old man?"
At dinnertime, Angelique knocked on the tai-pan's office door, dressed to go out.
"Albert?"
"Come in! I say, I love your hat." It was an elegant dinner hat, discreet, still suitable for mourning, dark blue, yet made chic with a few silk flowers she had tucked into the band.
"Thank you. You're working late."
"Part of the job." Like everyone else he wondered what was in the letter Tess had written to her, wild rumors around the Settlement, from ordering her to get out of Asia to charging her with murder. There was no sign on her face, only a becoming melancholy.
In his own letter Tess had cautioned him to be wary about making commitments on armaments, and if proposed, to keep them very confidential. To use McFay if need be.
I have asked him to cooperate with you. Of course his main interest will be to promote his own business but you are to treat him as friendly. Now that Mr. Edward Gornt has assumed control of Brocks in Japan, he is enemy--be careful of him, he's more cunning than we presumed. As to that other person, Dr. Hoag has agreed to assist me.
I understand she still occupies quarters in our house granted by my son. You will be informed later of new arrangements.
"Where are you dining? French Legation?" he asked.
"I accepted to sup next door with Mr.Gornt." She saw his face harden. "It was a last-minute supper invitation with mutual friends, Dmitri, Marlowe. He asked me to ask you to join us to, to escort me if you would--are you free?"
"Sorry, can't, glad to take you to the door and to call for you but that's Brock and Sons, he's the head of it and this's the Noble House."
"You should be friends, you could still be competitors.
He really was my husband's friend, and mine, and Jamie's."
"Sorry, it's my problem not yours." He smiled again. "Come on." He took her arm, not bothering about a coat and they went into the cold. The wind tugged at her hat but did not displace it.
She had secured it with a chiffon scarf.
"Evening, Ma'am." The guard on Brock's door bowed.
"Evening. Thank you, Albert, no need to come and fetch me, one of the others will see me home, off you go or you'll catch cold." He laughed and was gone. In the same moment Gornt was there to greet her.
"'evening Ma'am, my but you look smashing."
Now, as he accepted her wrap, her worries began to well up again. What trumps? A burst of laughter came from an inner room. She recognized Marlowe, saw that the guard had gone and there were no servants about and they were alone for the moment. "Edward," she whispered, her concern overcoming her caution, "why are you so sure I'll be all right?"
"Tess invited me back. Don't worry, it's in control. Better we talk during your promenade tomorrow--tonight is only for good conversation amongst friends, gentle pleasure. I'm truly honored you accepted my invitation--it's due to you I'm head here." Gornt took her arm and in a normal voice said, "Welcome to Brock and Sons, Angelique. Shall we go in?"
The dining room was as big as the one in Struan's, as lush, the silver as good, the wine superior, the linen richer. Liveried Chinese servants. Marlowe, Pallidar and Dmitri stood in front of a roaring fire, waiting to greet her. They kissed her hand, admired her hat that she kept on as was custom, Marlowe and Pallidar in their informal uniforms. And while she greeted them and listened with her quiet charm, her inner motor was sifting Gornt, what he had said and what was missing.