The Stockholm Octavo (23 page)

“But they are known Royalists, and Margot a foreigner and Catholic besides.”

“The Nordéns are in the good graces of The Uzanne for now, and so Duke Karl will make sure they are not harassed. And Christian and Margot are my friends. They are your friends, too. We are lucky.” Mrs. Sparrow gave me a dazzling smile, full of hope and excitement. I remember it well because it was one of the last I witnessed for a very long while. “We will take this game. We will. The stakes are high—the winning cards will make the map of the world, now and forever. Did you stop to consider this, Emil? We are playing for kingdom come!” We both laughed heartily at this, but thinking back there was a subtle undertone in the sound of our laughter; mine was high and nervous, hers had the dark timbre of lunacy.

“Now, we both must hurry,” she said. “The curtain rises at nine o'clock.”

We went to the front hallway where I took my cloak and gloves from Katarina. The porter called to the coachman to help him with the trunk. “You may go, Katarina,” Mrs. Sparrow said. Relief transformed the housemaid's face, and we waited until the darkness swallowed her hurried footsteps to her porter. Mrs. Sparrow took me by the shoulders, squeezing my arms with surprising strength. “I am not sure when I will next see you. My rooms are no longer safe. I must disappear until the Parliament ends.”

“That may be months,” I said, feeling my throat constrict with a strange sense of loss.

She nodded. “It is wonderful to have been given a Courier who is so much more than I ever imagined.” She kissed me tenderly on the cheek. “A son, really. Good-bye, Emil.”

Chapter Thirty-One
The Courier

Sources: E. L., M. Nordén, anonymous coachman

FEVERISH, I STEPPED INTO
the waiting sleigh and called out my destination to the driver. The coach smelled of wet wool and men's cologne, and pine wafted up from the carpet of boughs that had been placed on the floor to soak up the snow and mud. I put my feet up on the trunk; the silver buckle on my left shoe was missing. An income to support years of silver buckles was packed inside that trunk.

It would be simple to redirect the coachman to Stavsnäs. From there I could go to Sand Island, contact Captain Hinken, board the
Henry,
and set off with a small fortune. I shut my eyes and tried to imagine a life of comfort in Copenhagen or perhaps south as far as Frankfurt, but I knew I would not be going farther than Cook's Alley. I was a man of the Town and ever would be, now that Mrs. Sparrow had nailed me fast with a motherly kiss. Perhaps this was her meaning of love and connection.

The driver gave a cluck and a light snap of the reins and we cut through the snow and ice onto West Long Street, crowded with Twelfth Night celebrants. But on Brinken, the steep climb that led to the royal palace, the crowd thinned to a scatter. We passed the looming bulk of the Great Church, and then turned onto the plaza at the Castle Yard. “No light in His Majesty's rooms tonight, see?” the coachman called back. “Perhaps the king has already left for Gefle. He sent his silver throne ahead on a sled pulled by six horses. He'll be away three, four weeks at the very least. Forever at the most, if the talk I hear be true,” he said.

“What kind of talk is that, coachman?”

“Oh there is all manner of talk. Some say that Pechlin plans a Patriot revolt and will have the queen take Gustav's place as a pretty puppet.”

“A Danish queen? Never. What about Duke Karl?”

“Indeed. The duke would like the throne for himself but cannot push his brother off it. They say he'll have the navy spirit Gustav away. Others think the commoners will take it all home in the end, and we will not have a king at all.”

“And what do you say?”

He spat a wad of tobacco onto the street, suddenly wary of all my questions. “Gustav is still king for now, eh?”

We rode to Cook's Alley in silence, and the coachman yanked the horse to a violent stop. “Excellent time, and such skillful driving on this damned ice,” I said, paying the fare with a ridiculous tip. He took the bait with a nod, the corners of his mouth turning ever so slightly up. “I wonder if you would be so kind as to help me take this trunk up to my old aunt's upstairs here. She has been ill and is in need of these medicines and books during her convalescence.” I jingled the coins in my pocket, and he hopped down with a thud, grabbing the handle of the trunk to pull it out.

“Books and medicine? This must be filled with stones, to weight your auntie's pockets and throw her in the drink,” he complained.

We wrestled the trunk out of the coach and walked awkwardly inside. The stairwell was dark, pungent with cooking smells and the muffled sounds of conversation, a child's laugh, porcelain clink, drifted into the stairwell. By the fourth floor I was quite out of breath, and we set the trunk down. “Naught like honest work,” the coachman noted, picking at his teeth with his thumbnail. “It's what all the high-and-mighties need—won't you agree, sir?” I nodded, as I hadn't breath to say much. “Those what work hard, they deserve to have a say in things, to be rewarded, right?” I wasn't sure if he meant to enter into a discussion of politics or his tip, and did not reply. He peered up the stairs. There was not even a hint of life at the top. “Your auntie may not have need of these rocks; seems she was tired of waiting on you and gone to her Maker already. Can we leave the trunk here until after the funeral? It's damned heavy.”

I jingled the coins softly against my leg, as though considering this suggestion, and then gave him a sad smile. “She would want us to bring it all the way up.” We heaved the trunk up the last flight, I gave him far too many coins, and the coachman scuttled down the stairs. I stood in a patch of illumination from a courtyard window, listening to minute noises behind the Nordéns' door—whispering and the soft pad of bare feet on wood floor. Thinking Mrs. Nordén might answer, I straightened my sleeves and adjusted the waist of my trousers, then brushed my hair with my fingers, when the door flew open with a bang that nearly sent me backward down the steps. There stood Margot, holding a carving knife. “Margot!” I yelped, my heart racing. “It is your friend Emil.”

She peered into the dark, her hand still grasping the knife. “Dear God! Emil! I sincerely apologize. I am
en garde
from all the talk of late!” I replied with a ragged but flowery apology of my own, mentioning Mrs. Sparrow several times and the trunk that she insisted I bring at once, without a note of warning, which was so like the barbarians of my country etcetera, etcetera. She finally set the knife on a sideboard in the entryway and lit an oil lamp, asking me to come inside. In the lamplight I could see that her face had filled out and noted the curve of her belly pushing out beneath her bodice. The entryway smelled faintly of fried fish and lavender. It had plain white plaster walls and a wide plank floor upon which lay a braided runner. On one wall hung a brass cross as in any good Lutheran home, or that of a Catholic. “Christian is finishing a fan and she must be absolutely perfect. He may behave rudely. You understand this, yes?” she asked.

I nodded. “Perhaps if I might speak to him through the door for just a moment . . .”

“I did not mean he would bite you,” she said with a laugh. “Come.”

We hefted the trunk between us through the entryway and down the hall to the room at the very end. The door was just ajar, and warm light seeped out into the gloom. Margot knocked softly and gave a singsong hallo, poking her head through the door. “What is it?” an irritated voice called faintly from inside.

“We have a visitor,” Margot said and pulled at her end of the trunk to indicate it was safe to enter. She pushed the door wide with her hip, allowing the brilliance of the room to escape. I had seldom seen so many candles lit in one small chamber, and had to close my eyes for a moment against the brightness. The lemon color on the walls was the same as the stripes in the shop downstairs. It seemed like half a dozen mirrors on each of the other three walls reflected the light infinitely back and forth. There were three or four mismatched cabinets, and against one wall was a curtained bed.

We pulled the trunk into the center of the room, to the foot of the small traveling desk where Christian sat tightening the rivet of a fan under a magnifying glass. The sticks were ebony and plain, the blade gray with thin bands of silver along the top edge and running along each fold. The effect was that of rays of moonlight emitting from the hand that held her. “What lady in the Town has such simple and elegant taste?” I asked.

“Ah, she is elegant, but she only appears simple. The secret is revealed in the hand of her mistress.”

“The Uzanne?” I asked. He nodded. “And what is the secret? Your wife has told me every fan has one.”

Christian looked up for an instant, his face opening to the topic of his work. “That is for the lady to reveal, but I will give you a clue,” he said. “The pinion feather this fan contains will allow her skills to soar,
and
hold fast the one that she desires.”

I peered closely at the fan. There was not a feather in sight. “A fine riddle, Christian. But I would worry at giving The Uzanne too powerful a weapon. After the demonstration she gave, it is clear she could engage the royal guard and the king himself and take them all down handily.”

“The Uzanne could indeed take down a regiment, and there would be a long line of warm and tousled bedclothes along the way,” Christian said, opening and closing the fan to test the action. “She is a soldier of Eros, is she not?”

Margot stood behind her husband, careful not to jostle him. “Remember our business is art, husband, not war,” she said.

“I trust The Uzanne has sent her female regiment here to arm themselves,” I said. “The young ladies seemed most eager to perfect their technique.”

Christian's smile appeared forced, and he glanced at Margot to find his words. “Business has not been all what we hoped, but we believe the young ladies will eventually see the benefit of owning a Nordén fan, and their coming debut will carry us through the winter and into a sunnier time.” He looked up again, this time with a genuine smile. “There is a child coming, you know.”

“He knows, Christian. He was the first to know!” Margot said. I could see the combination of joy and fear on their faces.

Christian closed the gray fan, then stood and shook my hand. “What brings you to us on Twelfth Night? I would have imagined you to be out among the celebrants, young bachelor that you are.”

“I may yet celebrate, but was asked to serve as a courier for our mutual friend,” I said.

“He is here with Madame Sparrow's trunk,” Margot whispered.

“Ah,” Christian said. His grip upon my hand tightened. “So it comes to the Town.”

“What is it that comes?” I asked.

He released my hand but stood very still. “This is how it began in France, Emil. Mrs. Sparrow called on us just after Christmas, on St. Stephen's Day. We spoke at length of the geometry, of our two kings, the ways in which our countries aligned, the darkness that is falling over France. And we discussed a plan should such things come to pass here in the Town.”

“What plan?” I asked. Margot and Christian shot each other a glance. Neither of them spoke. That Mrs. Sparrow had but an hour ago kissed me as a son yet kept her true plans secret made my throat tighten like a noose. I forced a laugh nonetheless. “Well, she calls you her Trickster, Christian, and telling would ruin the jest.”

“This is no jest,
Sekretaire,
” Margot said. “This is war.”

I heard the word and felt my body stiffen, as if anticipating a blow. When I opened my mouth to deny their fears, I could only focus on my wet shoes tightening around my feet. “Please forgive me,” I said. “My shoes should have been left at the door.”

They looked at me with a mixture of puzzlement and pity. “You are distraught,” Margot said. “I will bring you some water.” She hurried out of the room, Christian's eyes following her, and returned with a cup of water so cold that it hurt to swallow. The scratch in my throat had become a throbbing, and I wrapped my scarf more tightly around my neck. “You are so welcome to take a late supper with us, Emil,” Margot said.

“Thank you, no,” I answered quickly; I was too confused to eat and did not want to talk any more about this coming storm. “It is Epiphany tomorrow and I mean to celebrate tonight as if it were my last.”

“Good, Emil. Lent will be here soon enough,” Christian said and shook my hand. “We will meet again at The Uzanne's next lecture.” He gestured to the desk, where the silver edge of the gray fan glimmered. “You will see she is not simple at all.”

I bowed to him and kissed Margot's small warm hand, trying not to show my eagerness to escape. I was struggling to stay afloat in this great tide of events beyond my knowledge, experience, or desire. I stumbled down the stairs in a rush and out onto the street, hoping to find a sleigh to spirit me to Baggens Street where I could fuck myself into forgetfulness.

Chapter Thirty-Two
Opera Box 3

Source: J. Bloom

“GUSTAV IS STILL NOT HERE,
Madame, and the royal box remains empty,” said Johanna, lowering the opera glasses.

The Uzanne rapped her fan shut on the arm of her chair. The orchestra began tuning up. The audience drifted back to their seats, revived by the conversation and refreshments of the interval. “No one of any merit has come tonight. No one comes but commoners now,” hissed The Uzanne.

“If only commoners attend, then why have you come, Madame?” Anna Maria asked.

“Even the most bitter tart will attract the attention of a hungry man, Miss Plomgren. I had hoped to catch His Majesty's eye. He would see my presence as an offering of reconciliation, and become even hungrier.”

“A horrible thought,” Anna Maria said, leaning forward from the shadow of her second-row seat. “Must we stay for the final act?”

“The final act is always the most dramatic. And if Gustav does appear he will make note of you as well. Lesser beauties have found their way into his favor.”

“I have no desire for his favor, only for his demise,” Anna Maria whispered.

“Miss Plomgren, you must learn that engagement is a crucial stage in any battle. If you draw close and are at your most enticing, you can extract your husband's pension before your revenge.”

“Revenge against whom?” Johanna asked. There was an uncomfortable silence. “It is said that His Majesty has overwhelming charm,” Johanna said finally.

“Charm is for snakes. I have been bitten before.” Anna Maria reached between the chairs, grasping the free hand of The Uzanne.

“Miss Bloom is correct to make note of Gustav's skill. You must be aware of your opponent's advantage at all times, and charm is a crucial component of any arsenal, snakes and women especially. Now let go, Miss Plomgren; you are hurting me.”

Johanna placed her hand gently on the arm of The Uzanne's chair, careful not to touch her. “Madame promised to refrain from politics tonight. You know that it disturbs your slumber.” Johanna scanned the audience through the opera glasses. “Here is something more amusing, Madame, down on the parquet—an old woman dressed in a
robe à la française,
as though it were 1772!” Johanna handed the binoculars to The Uzanne. “She is looking up at us like she knows you.”

Liveried footmen doused the candles of the house chandeliers and turned the wicks up on the footlights. The audience was cast in shadow. The Uzanne studied Mrs. Sparrow's dark silhouette for what seemed a full minute. “An aging French émigré, no doubt, here to beg for sanctuary.
Pathétique,
” she said, then slowly lowered the opera glasses to her lap. “But that old woman could be a vision of my future: the aristocracy lost, displaced by mob rule.”

The darkened chandelier creaked its way up to the ceiling, hoisted by white-gloved hands pulling thick gold ropes. The audience settled into their seats, whispering and wrestling with gowns and stiff coats, waiting for the drama to begin.

“We cannot wait for the masked ball,” The Uzanne continued. “We will act at Gefle when Gustav convenes his Parliament.”

“Act how?” Johanna asked softly.

The Uzanne trained the opera glasses on the empty royal box. “The snake must be charmed and locked safely away.”

“I would do it,” Anna Maria whispered.

The opera glasses came away from her eyes, and The Uzanne twisted around in her chair to gaze at Anna Maria. “Would you?”

“You know I would. With pleasure.”

“That is the best way,” The Uzanne said. She reached over and touched Johanna, her warm white fingers barely brushing her wrist. “Did you prepare the False Blusher as I asked?” Johanna nodded; she had gone to the Lion and ground the dried mushrooms to a fine dust. “Excellent. And have you tested it?”

“Not yet, Madame.”

“You must.”

“Is it . . . General Pechlin you wish to subdue?” Johanna asked, sensing this was not the case but hoping she was mistaken.

“I am so fond of you, my Upland naïf.” The Uzanne smiled and turned her attention to the curtain rising on the final act. “But that will not be necessary. Pechlin will hang himself when I am done.”