“I have accepted Ravenscar’s kind invitation,” the Duke finally said, “and moreover I have done so in the presence of those other five, who are among the worst gossips in London-so much so that Roger has probably got wind of it already. But there is a proviso to my acceptance, which I did not mention to them. Neither shall I write it in the very courteous note I’ll presently send to the Temple of Vulcan. I tell it privily to you, and rely upon you to convey it to him.”
“I am ready, my lord,” said Daniel, trying not to let his voice betray a certain here we go again weariness.
“Let me remind you of the agreement on which you and I shook hands, on the night of the Glorious Revolution, as we stood together on the causeway of the Tower.”
“I recollect it clearly, my lord, but there’s no harm in reviewing it.”
“I said I would be your friend if you would help me to understand, or at least to keep track of, the machinations of the Alchemists.”
“Indeed.”
“I flatter myself that I have been of service to you, as occasions warranted, in the twenty-five years since then,” said John Churchill. For now it seemed they were speaking not as Duke and Regent but as John and Daniel.
“Now that you mention it, it is a bit odd that my name turned up on Bothmar’s list.”
“I had many occasions, during and after the War, to sing the praises of certain Englishmen to the Electoral Prince,” John said, “and the high esteem in which you are held by Princess Caroline cannot have hurt your chances, either.”
“You have done the son of Drake unexpected honor, then,” Daniel said.
“Now, Daniel, since we made our compact, much has changed-Roger’s Juncto re-shaped the country. He placed the world’s leading Alchemist in charge of the Mint. That Alchemist is still there, and shows no sign of faltering. By some accounts he is diligent beyond compare. But reports have reached me concerning the Pyx, and such arcane and eldritch matters as the Solomonic Gold and the Philosophic Mercury and other such semi-occult doings as have no place in this the Eighteenth Century. Now that Anne is gone-may God rest her-and George is coming, I bear upon my shoulders the greatest imaginable responsibilities to help our new King-nay, our new Dynasty-understand what is going on in his Kingdom. I will ensure that the Mint is in the hands of officials sane and competent, and that the coinage is sound. Can Newton be trusted to run the Mint, Daniel? Will he run it as a mill for turning out disks of metal, or as a laboratory for Chiliastic researches? Is he a bloody sorcerer, Daniel? And if so, is he any good at it?”
The Temple of Vulcan
AN HOUR LATER
“WHAT DID YOU TELL HIM?” asked Roger, slightly more fascinated than aghast. He and Daniel were strolling in Roger’s rose-garden, which was ten times the size of Marlborough’s, though not so well located-Roger’s gardeners couldn’t nip over the fence and borrow a spade from the King of England’s.
“I fear I was a bit too evasive for the Duke’s taste,” Daniel answered, after pondering it for some moments. “I assured him that whatever Newton does, he does very, very well, hence if he is a sorcerer, he must be a right clever one.”
“Oh my lord,” Roger exclaimed, “this cannot have improved the Duke’s mood.”
“I don’t know. I believe I convinced him that Isaac is not a lunatick. That is no bad start.”
“But it is only a start. Hmm.”
“The point of the conversation, Roger, was not to condemn or exonerate Isaac. It was to send you a sort of warning.”
“I am ready.”
“Marlborough has accepted your invitation.”
“Yes, I had the news hours ago.”
“Consequently all the Quality will attend, whether you invite them or no.”
“I have already laid in supplementary help, to cope with party-crashers. Is that the warning? That lots of people will come to my party?” Roger’s attention had begun to wander, and his eyes lit on Daniel’s gold ring. His brow furrowed, his lips parted. Daniel interrupted before he could change the subject to jewelry.
“No. Marlborough is profoundly unhappy about all of the mysteries and controversies surrounding the Mint. He is going to call for a Trial of the Pyx around the time of the Coronation-a couple of months from now, probably-to get all of those coins out of the Pyx, and ensure that all of those minted under George shall be free from any taint. In the meantime, he wishes to see progress made toward the resolution of these Mint troubles. He wishes to feel confident about Newton. If the situation has not begun to improve as of September the first, he’ll not show up for your Party.”
“Oh, horrors!”
“The humiliation shall be exquisite, and conspicuous. All London shall know that you are in disgrace, and shall never be made Lord Treasurer, or even Lord Dogcatcher. The first of September shall, in other words, mark the first day of your retirement.”
After a suitably awe-full pause, and perhaps a few moments’ silent prayer, Roger boomed: “Then let us ready the Volcano!” He revolved about his walking-stick, turning his back on Daniel, and marched through the garden to the main house. It was a fine show of bravado; but Daniel got the sense that Roger did not want Daniel, or anyone else, to see his face for some moments. And so Daniel did not inspect Roger’s phizz too closely, but instead pretended to look at the plumbing of the Volcano.
And of its Maker; for MacDougall had removed one of the curved plates that made up the Volcano’s slopes, and set it aside, and shoved his head deep into the apparatus.
“Your arse-crack is showing, Mr. MacDougall,” Ravenscar shouted, “which I ever take as a sign of hard productive labor, in a man of your profession.”
The arse in question began to shimmy as MacDougall attempted to disengage. There were two thuds and a curse. Then a head, crowned with a torch-flame of embarrassingly red hair, appeared. MacDougall’s hair and cheeks were so red that everything near him looked dusky.
“MacDougall,” Daniel said.
“It is a pleasure to see you, Dr. Waterhouse.”
“Have you obtained the phosphorus yet?” Daniel asked.
“It’s as I told you the other day, sir-I don’t purchase it direct from the maker, but through a sort of go-between.”
“And have you placed your order with this go-between yet?” Roger demanded.
“Oh, yes, my lord. Did it yesterday.”
“Then go back to him and double it!” Roger commanded.
“Oh, I’m not certain they can make so much so fast, my lord!”
“Double it anyway, and if the Eruption of September the first is not the grandest ever, then the fault shall lie with our deficient phosphorus industry, and no man shall be able to claim that the Marquis of Ravenscar stinted or scrimped!”
“My lord, let’s see if they don’t rise to the challenge! I’ve a feeling they just might do it!”
“That is splendid, MacDougall,” Daniel said, “will you please join me at my Clubb to deliver your report in person?”
“Oh, Dr. Waterhouse! I should be honored!”
“Then do you gather your tools together and meet me and my lord in the front of the house when you are ready.”
Roger and Daniel departed the ballroom and circumvented the plashing fountain of Vulcan coming on Minerva’s thigh. “Where is the lovely pair to-day?” Daniel inquired, unable to get his eyes off the goddess.
“I beg your pardon?” asked Roger-a bit distracted himself.
“Catherine Barton, and her Body.”
“Ah. They are out shopping-the Body requires a new dress for the party.”
“Magnificent.”
“Say,” Roger said, “you have quite foxed me. Why are you taking MacDougall to your Clubb?”
“I know MacDougall well. He has proved most invaluable at the Court of Technologickal Arts. Most ingenious.”