Keeping Bad Company (33 page)

He took that as a compliment. A brief smile came to his bruiser's face.

‘So what's your condition?'

‘Just that. Ruin Smith.'

A month later, Mr Disraeli cantered up to me as I was riding in the park.

‘I dare say you've heard from your brother about the latest doings among our East Indians.'

‘What?'

‘Eckington-Smith's brother has been hammered. He's had to flee across the Channel to escape his creditors. A boarding house in Boulogne, so I'm told.'

The way he said Boulogne made it sound like a cooler suburb of hell, which was probably how Smith would see it.

‘And that rogue McPherson seems to be flourishing again, in spite of not getting his compensation. Useful things, jewels.'

‘Very useful,' I said, wondering as usual how much Mr Disraeli guessed. Quite a lot, judging by his next question.

‘Odd business about the brother, don't you think? I'd have said Eckington-Smith was too shameless to kill himself.'

‘Yes.'

‘But then, no man's death is entirely regrettable if it produces an interesting by-election.'

‘In his case, not regrettable at all.'

‘I agree. As ever, a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lane. Please give my best wishes to your brother.'

As he raised his hat and turned away, I said: ‘And is there still going to be a war against China?'

‘Indeed. Quite settled.'

And off he cantered.

Two days later, I went down to Gravesend to see Tom off to India. His departure had been delayed for two weeks because he was to sail with the Rani and her party to see them safely back home. He'd spent a fair part of those two weeks showing Chandrika around London, with myself in the unusual role of chaperone. He was head over heels in love, for the first time in his life. Goodness knows how it would end, but when I remembered Chandrika on the night of the rescue I knew he hadn't fixed his love unwisely. The idea that she was Griffiths's daughter seemed to him to give his old friend's approval to their love. I didn't hint to him, and never would, that on my reading of Griffiths's story, she might equally well owe her getting to The Merchant or The Soldier. Some questions are better left unanswered. The day before they left, the Rani had given me a bracelet set with small diamonds and rubies. When I'd told her that Smith was financially ruined, she'd smiled.

‘I'm glad to hear it. He betrayed me twice over.'

From her face, I knew it was no use expecting more.

At Gravesend, our party took a launch out to the boat that was to carry them to India. Tom saw everybody safely settled below then came up on deck with me. The launch was waiting to take back to shore those of us who were not sailing. We stood side by side, looking at the bustle on the quayside. It was hard to find words.

‘I've given Tom Huckerby Mr Griffiths's manuscript,' I said. ‘He's going to shorten it into a pamphlet against the opium trade.'

‘I'm glad to hear it. Liberty . . .'

I waited. He was still looking towards the quay.

‘I'm sorry for some of the things I've said. You've made a life. It might not be the life I'd have wished for you, but I think our parents would have been proud.'

I couldn't talk. Tears were running down my cheeks. He hugged me suddenly, very tightly.

‘You'll think of coming out to see us, Libby? Not to stay I mean, if you don't want to.'

‘I'll think about it, yes.'

The launch blew its steam whistle. He watched as I joined the other passengers on board. As we drew away, Chandrika came and stood beside him at the rail. His white handkerchief and mine fluttered back to each other until they were no more than dots in the bright dazzle from the water.