‘Cabin boys for the most part,’ he stammered, awed by the display. ‘Steward comes up some nights and feeds them any scraps left over from dinner.’
‘Can you ask whether any of them were bandaged, or have lost a rosary?’
‘This is ludicrous,’ exclaimed the chief merchant, throwing his hands up in the air. ‘The truth is obvious, and yet you won’t have it.’
Sammy ignored him and continued his conversation with the captain. ‘Who knows the ship’s route back to Amsterdam?’
‘I plot it once I’ve got the stars above me,’ he said proudly. ‘The other ships take their lead from us, best they can.’
‘You’re not worried about becoming separated?’
‘Aint no way to keep a convoy together for eight months, wind and waves won’t allow it. Even in calm weather, we have to keep our distance for safety. Two ships carried on without us this evening, and we’ll lose the others eventually, there’s no help for it.’
‘And yet our mysterious pursuer keeps finding us,’ said Sammy, glaring at the spot where the Eighth Lantern had disappeared. ‘It’s an impressive feat.’
‘It’s devilry,’ repeated the chief merchant stubbornly. ‘And I’ll not stand by and let it consume us. Captain, I’m ordering you to return us to Batavia at first light.’
Crauwels fixed his jaw for an argument, but it was instinct rather than good sense. With a sigh, he relented. ‘Aye, I reckon that’s the best way. I’ll put a message out to the fleet at dawn, but we’ll need the governor general’s wave.’
‘You’ll have it,’ said Van Schooten, departing.
As they settled the details, Arent pulled Sammy away. ‘We don’t need to seek the owner of this rosary,’ he said, under his breath. ‘I already know who it belongs to.’
‘That’s marvellous!’ exclaimed Sammy. ‘Did you see somebody holding it?’
‘Yes,’ said Arent. ‘My father. The day he disappeared.’
41
Creesjie Jens sniffed her pomander, trying to banish the memory of the slaughtered animals. It was the blood that tormented her. Not the sight, but the smell. It was in her hair and on her skin. She felt it trickling down her dress, even though she hadn’t touched it. It was as if she’d bathed in it.
‘You’re shivering,’ said Vos solicitously.
‘It’s shock,’ said Creesjie, descending the staircase on to the quarterdeck. ‘I’ve never been that close to death before.’
She’d left to attend the governor general, as was her duty, only to find Vos trailing behind her silently. This was the first time he’d spoken, and, as usual, she found his presence hugely discomfiting.
‘May I speak to you about a personal matter?’ he asked, in that same bland tone he used for everything else.
He really was made of cogs and springs, she thought. After everything they’d just seen, he spoke as if they were taking a promenade. Why couldn’t he see that she was upset and wanted to be left alone?
‘Can’t it wait until tomorrow, I’m –’
‘I’m about to come into a sum that will change my position quite considerably,’ he interrupted, watching her face for a reaction.
‘How?’ responded Creesjie, short of anything better to say.
‘I have been making plans for some time,’ he said. ‘And they’ll come to fruition when we reach Amsterdam. Using my newfound wealth, I intend on pressing my suitability to become the next governor general of Batavia to the Gentlemen 17. I’m counting on Jan Haan’s support, of course.’
She stared at him, bludgeoned by this new information. ‘Why are you telling me this, Vos?’
‘Because I would like to ask for your hand in marriage.’
Her mouth fell open.
‘I realise you’re promised to the Duke of Astor, but my research suggests the duke’s accounts are a war away from ruin, and he’s never far from a war.’
Creesjie could only stare at him. She was being proposed to by an abacus. Oblivious to her bafflement, he pressed his case.
‘The Duke of Astor is a fine match, but what will you do when he dies on the battlefield in three years’ time? You are beautiful, but beauty fades. And when that happens, how will you live, how will you eat, where will your money come from? What I propose is a mutually beneficial marriage. I admire you, and would give you rein, while you helped me build the career I consider my destiny.’
‘I … I …’ Creesjie flailed. She couldn’t find the words. She wasn’t even certain she would recognise them if she did.
‘I thought he was a count?’ she said, lamely.
‘A mere count would be beneath you.’
Creesjie’s eyes roamed Vos’s bland face, as if seeing it for the first time.
‘I didn’t realise you had such ambition,’ she said, her interest showing itself for the first time.
‘The governor general does not tolerate it and I’m not fool enough to displease him.’
‘The wealth that you’d require –’
‘I have made the calculations. I know what I’m asking, and what is offered. I could show you my figures, if you’d prefer.’
They passed awkwardly through the helm into the great cabin. The candelabrum had been snuffed and put away, along with all the plates and good cheer. The chairs were stacked, the cabin lit solely by moonlight, the lattice windows carving it into a web of shadow.
‘You understand how dangerous this proposition is,’ said Creesjie, lowering her voice. Candlelight snuck beneath the governor general’s door. ‘I’m only onboard the Saardam because Jan Haan wished it so. He bought my ticket and he pays my allowance.’ Vos frowned slightly at this, his fingers doing their strange little dance at his side, as if these were not taboos he’d previously considered. ‘If he discovered you’re attempting to woo me while I’m still his mistress –’
‘I’m not asking for an answer now, but a promise of your consideration would help me sleep easier,’ said Vos.
‘You have it,’ said Creesjie, inclining her head. Vos beamed, returned the nod, then disappeared back the way he’d come.
Creesjie breathed out in relief, his arguments still clattering around her thoughts. It had been a good proposal, she thought. He’d put words around every doubt she’d harboured, then sucked the sting out of them. For the first time since they’d met, she found herself smiling at the memory of him.
Crossing the room, she arrived at the governor general’s door.
‘Good evening, madam,’ said Guard Captain Jacobi Drecht, in that slightly disapproving tone he always adopted with her.
It was Creesjie’s power to be desired by every man she met, so when she’d first encountered Drecht’s scorn, she’d considered it a challenge. She’d flirted with him, brought him food, invited him to functions, but everything had failed.