The Twisted Sword (13 page)

'It's a new policy I have,' said Ross. On the Sunday they were invited to sup with a Countess de Jordan at her apartment in the rue de Clichy. Ross had referred the invitation to Jodie de la Blache - as he was coming to refer many things - and she said: 'I know this one by repute but I have never met her. There are a number such in Paris. She has no title: it is just assumed to give her the importance. As you will have seen, titles are held in esteem in Paris today and one can hardly afford to be without one.'

Yet you abandoned yours.'

Jodie fingered the ring de Sombreuil had left her. 'It was an Austrian title. And the de la Blaches do not need one in Paris.'

Ross inclined his head. 'Is there anything against one going to take supper with the lady - apart from the fact that she is presumably a parvenue?'

'She is not so much a parvenue as an adventuress, employed by other adventurers to entice the unwary. After supper you will be invited to gamble, and the tables are always crooked.'

Ross looked at Demelza. 'We have accepted, but can make an excuse ..." To Jodie he said: 'There will be army officers there?'

'Oh, of a certainty.'

'So it's likely that much will be said about Bonaparte ... I am trying to gain all the information I can ... Would it be better if I went without Demelza?'

'No,' said Demelza. So they went together.

Their hostess was elegant in a slim-fitting gown with black sequins and ostrich feathers. She was gracious to all, and her guests, though not of the group with which the Poldarks had previously mingled, were titled and rich and from both the army and the navy. Another fine house, this, with two rooms adjoining, one for supper, one for gaming. Silver candelabra lighted each end of the dining-table, which was laid with a damask cloth, Limoges china, antique silver. A sirloin of beef was flanked by game, poultry, ham, tongue, lobster, salads; preserves and confections, creams, jellies, fruits. The rooms were made to look larger by the use of carefully sited mirrors and mirror branches candle-lit; the chimney pieces were hung in crimson and gold velvet; chandeliers suspended from the ceiling seemed to glisten as much from the cut glass as from the lights they carried. Before supper and through supper, as Ross had hoped, the topic was Bonaparte. He could now no longer be ignored, but as the foggy weather had persisted accurate information was impossible to come by. It was said that he had reached Grenoble, marching two hundred miles in a week, and not a shot had been fired. At the gates of Grenoble, confronted by troops under hostile officers, who were ordering them to fire, he had walked forward calling,

'Soldiers of the Fifth, do you recognize me?' and when it was clear that they did he had opened his greatcoat and walked towards them smiling and inviting them to shoot their Emperor. They had unanimously thrown down their arms and joined him. Some said Bonaparte now had four thousand troops at his disposal, others eight thousand. But in any case, this was all several days ago. What of Lyon, the capital city of the Rhone, only eighty miles north of Grenoble, where the Royalists were in force under the command of the Comte d'Artois, the King's brother? It was said that Napoleon had met with resistance on the way and had turned back towards the south. There was also talk of a revolt that had broken out in Lille and, led by General Desnouettes, was now heading for the capital... But overall the mood was jolly, not unaided by the dry, cool, tingling champagne served before, during and after the meal. Soon after supper people drifted towards the gaming room where a long oval hazard table occupied the centre of the room, with rouge-et-noir on one side of it and roulette on the other. A very pretty French girl approached Ross, and he allowed himself to be steered in the direction of the tables. (It had been planned before between himself and Demelza that he should allow himself to be treated as a dupe; but she could have wished that the girl might have been less obviously ravishing.) Early on they had seen the Duke of Otranto was present - though this time not accompanied by Tallien. So far they had avoided him, but going into the gaming room they came face to face.

'Sir Ross,' said the Duke, in his even, clerical voice. 'So you are still in Paris?'

'Did you suppose I should be elsewhere?' It was only the second time they had ever spoken. Ross looked restlessly over this priestly regicide, this one-time leader of the Jacobins, who by sheer manipulative skill had ridden all the storms of revolution, dictatorship and restoration and still remained a power in the French establishment.

'My inquiry was a solicitous one,' Fouche said, bowing to Demelza. 'Reports have it that many English are making preparations to leave Paris, or have already left. I understand that the Duchess of Wellington plans to leave tomorrow.'

'Are you suggesting that it is dangerous for the English to remain in Paris?'

'I am suggesting nothing, sir. I am simply observing observing not so much a migration as an emigration. I suppose it is always possible that if Napoleon should reconquer France - which Heaven forbid! - the British might suffer at his hands in the way they did before. That must be the opinion of your Minister Plenipotentiary, who, when consulted, is advising your countrymen to leave.'

'And what if the other revolt should succeed?'

"The other?' Fouche's eyes, which Demelza thought were like a fox's, clouded. 'Oh, that uprising led by General Desnouettes? If the King of Rome is put on the throne, there will clearly have to be a regency, of which I shall hope to be a member; and I can assure you in that case that the English will have nothing to fear!'

'Nor the French?' Ross asked. "The loyalist French?'

'Oh,' Fouche shrugged; 'I have lived in every climate; why should not they?'

'Perhaps they do not all have your ability to trim your sails to differing winds.' After Fouche had looked his dislike at the remark, Ross added: 'Many were not given the opportunity.'

'I don't think I follow you.'

'Courtesy forbids me to remind you of the massacres in Brittany, the countless women and children murdered on the guillotine.'

Fouche smiled. 'It is a strange kind of courtesy, sir, which seeks to offend while pretending the opposite. This is an English custom, no doubt?'

'It is an English custom', said Ross, 'to dislike regicides.'

And passed on.

'Ross,' whispered Demelza, 'you should not have said that! You promised! He is still a dangerous man.'

'Who should be in prison,' said Ross, wiping his hands, which had become damp with anger. 'And surely will be if the Bourbons stand firm and his insurrection fails.'

'And if it succeeds?' Demelza said; but the ravishing French girl was plucking at his sleeve. They gambled for a while, but Ross was too old a hand to allow himself to be drawn in deep. He had two soldiers as his neighbours, and between hands they exchanged news and speculations which he was careful to take note of. For a while Demelza stood watching, then she moved to a table where coffee was served. She enjoyed champagne unlike most wines it uplifted instead of making you heavy in the head - but after a time it dried the mouth and one became thirstier than before. (As thirsty as a goose with one eye shut, as Prudie would say.) So she took coffee. One thing the French could do was make coffee. They seldom drank it in Cornwall; henceforward it would be much more used at Nampara. She thought of Henry, who was ailing. So far the change of food and surroundings had affected him not at all, but today he had been fractious and queasy. Demelza had brought a variety of Dwight's powders and syrups for just such an eventuality, and she hoped they would put him right again. Thank Heaven for Mrs Kemp, who had been an absolute rock all through the visit, disapproving of everything French but adapting herself to whatever she found she could not change. She provided a sturdy English Cornish basis on which you could rely or refer back to. She had been helpful too dealing with IsabellaRose's recent moods. IsabellaRose, you might conclude, had also been ailing. For two days after Lieutenant Havergal left she had hardly eaten a thing, picking at her food, complaining of headaches, ready to burst into tears at the least excuse. Ross did not have the greatest patience with moody children, so it was lucky he had been away with Henri de la Blache at the Paris barracks for most of the time. It was young love, of course. Demelza knew the signs all too well. It was sad that it had come to Bella so early, because at that age there was no hope of a favourable outcome. Yet maybe it was salutary. The first time was the most awful for any girl - or any young man; after that it was never perhaps quite so terrible, and IsabellaRose would get over it, and the inoculation would have worked. In fact she was already getting over it; Demelza had heard her humming today; surprising how one missed it when it was not there, like a flower garden from which the bumble bee has fled. They had seen King Louis this morning when they had attended mass in the chapel of the Tuileries. Distinguished visitors were permitted to sit in the Salle des Marechaux and see him walk into the chapel. He had lumbered in, one foot swathed in bandages, helped by a page; but he had looked cheerful and well and happy, and he had bowed to the English and other guests as he passed. How could he be suddenly unseated by a defeated and discredited usurper? And what of Dwight and Caroline? If they heard of Bonaparte's escape, would it prevent them from leaving England? Had not Bonaparte been particularly gracious to English scientists like Sir Humphry Davy, inviting him to come over and meet the French scientists, right in the middle of the bitterest part of the war? So even if the unthinkable happened ... Demelza got into conversation with two handsome young Frenchmen whose names she never knew. She was learning a little French and could make herself understood by the two servants who looked after them in the flat, but when it came to a social occasion such as this her new tongue completely deserted her and she had to help them struggling with broken English. However, they made do very well, and somehow it turned into a laughing interchange about the Palais Royal, which both of them assured her was not nearly so shocking as it was rumoured to be, and they would together be altogether enchanted to show her round any evening after five. There was a stirring by the double doors which led from the large lobby to the gaming salon. A man unsuitably dressed for such a smart occasion had just come in, his face sombre, his leather jacket and riding breeches and boots spattered with dust and mud. A flood of French which she could not follow, and then the taller of her two young escorts bent to explain to her.

'Lyon has fallen.'

Fitzroy Somerset said: 'Yes, the Duchess is leaving this morning. A precautionary move - no more - but if there is fighting, as there surely will be if Bonaparte continues to advance, Paris is no place for the wife of the Duke of Wellington. She would be too important a capture if anything went wrong. As for the ordinary individual holidaying in Paris, it is a personal choice. Ney and an army of twenty thousand are blocking Napoleon's advance. There is another whole army corps at Sens.'

Ross said: 'It seems that the garrison at Lyon and all the troops in the vicinity surrendered without firing a shot.'

'They didn't surrender, they just changed sides. What are your plans, Poldark?'

'To stay, of course. I believe I have been able to send home a few despatches which may have been useful. And now there is this emergency, it seems there is at last a good reason for my being here.'

'And your family?'

'Will stay with me for the present.'

Fitzroy Somerset plucked at his lip. 'I am undecided about Emily. You know she is with child?'

'No, I didn't. My congratulations.'

'Thank you. But in those circumstances I may decide to send her home. If one errs, it should be on the side of safety.'

'Of course. Have you news of the other rebellion?'

'What? Oh, the one from Lille? It has collapsed. Part of an army corps set out on Sunday from Lille, led by General Desnouettes and proclaiming the King of Rome; but it met with so little endiusiasm that by yesterday evening hardly a brigade was left. That dispersed at Fontainebleau. At least one crisis is over.'

'And Fouche?' said Ross.

'Fouche?' Somerset raised his eyebrows.

'Was he not behind the revolt?'

'I hadn't heard so. Had you?'

Yes.'

'I wonder if the King knows.'

'I think he may by now.'

Somerset looked at Ross. 'Your mission has led you into strange company Ross did not answer.

'In any event,' said the young diplomat, 'I doubt if Fouche could be moved against. Proof would probably be hard to come by, and at the moment it is unlikely that the King, needing all the popular support he can get, would touch him for fear of alienating the Jacobins. Do not forget that under the Bourbons they have found a much greater freedom to operate than they were allowed under Bonaparte.'

'You know, do you, that I am invited to Auxerre again on Thursday.'

You'll not go?'

'Oh, I may do. In two days, of course, the major battle may have been fought. But it is a long way from Lyon to Auxerre. I have been studying the map. Near on two hundred miles. An army can't move at that speed, even without obstruction.'

'Well,' said Fitzroy Somerset, 'now the weather has cleared we shall get our news more quickly. How long do you plan to be away?'

'If I leave on Thursday I can be in Auxerre before dark on Friday. Friday evening as a guest again of Brigadier Rougiet. I think there are some cavalry exercises he wants me to see on Saturday morning - I can leave late on Saturday and be back on Sunday evening.'

"The stables I recommended: did you get a good mount?'

'Excellent, thank you.' Ross got up. 'I realize that there may be no cavalry manoeuvres when I get there. Or they may have become manoeuvres in earnest.'

When he returned to the rue de la Ville l'Eveque he bore with him two letters Fitzroy Somerset had handed him which had come in the diplomatic bags. One was from each of their grown-up children. Jeremy wrote:

Dear Absent Parents, I trust you are both well and happy and are preserving a decent moral dignity among the depravities of Paris. We are well and very, very happy. This time last year I would not have conceived it possible. Yesterday was Cuby's Birthday and I gave a party for a few friends, which ended in the small hours and was much enjoyed. She is a wonderful wife, and I still count my good fortune that - partly thanks to the encouragement of my mother and the urgings of my outrageous father -I was able to bully her into coming away with me. I want very much that you shall meet her properly very soon, and I am delighted that you will have room to accommodate us in your apartment in Paris, for we have been overspending of late - or rather I have been overspending and Cuby has been clinging to my coat-tails to deter me. We shall all be together for at least a week and I can see my big brother again and pull Bella's hair. Know you when the Enyses are arriving? It would be even more pleasure still if they were in Paris for Easter too. News reached us last night that old Bony Part has slipped away from Elba and is in France again. Some Belgians are whispering that the English deliberately let him go. Can you imagine anything more stupid than that? Others think he will come heading straight for Brussels, and a few English are leaving. I'm sure you have more recent reports than we do, but he could make a Nuisance of himself. Perhaps by now he will have been re-netted and will not be casting shadows over our Easter holiday. Did you before you left have any advance information as to the likely profits of Wheal Leisure? When I was home the 30, 45 and 80 levels were all yielding well, so I am hoping for a bumper share-out to see me free of my debts. I am hungry to be home long enough sometime to get the engine house thoroughly cleaned - apart from the engine which of course is spotless. It is a curious habit of mining engineers that they are only concerned for the working parts. By the way, did you see about the disaster that occurred at Newcastle Colliery, Durham? A great many people assembled to witness the opening of the new steam railroad to carry the coal in wagons to the dockside. The engine burst and killed ten, with another fifty badly scalded. Perhaps I am safer in the army! Seriously, some people will never learn. I am comforted to hear that the London Times newspaper will shortly be printed by steam. Perhaps their editorials will become more explosive! Cuby is beside me and sends you her love to join with mine. Your loving son, Jeremy

Clowance's letter ran:

Dearest Mama and Papa, It was more than good to receive your letter and to learn you were safely installed in a comfortable home. How lucky you are to be there. I so very much envy you, and especially I envy Bella the opportunity to learn French. And the opportunity to see Paris after all these years of War! I trust you had my earlier letter telling you of my joy that Papa had decided to accept a tide. It is so right that he should have done so. I trust you are now getting used to being so addressed. Stephen says he walks three inches taller for having a baronet for his father-in-law!

We are beginning the building of our new house! It is very exciting and I believe will be wonderful when finished. Stephen is away at times but less than he used to be. Sid Bunt is permanently in charge of the Lady Clowance, and Andrew of the Chasse Marie. Stephen is so proud of Adolphus that he is at present using her for quick trips to France and back only and commanding her himself. He can't bear to be away from Falmouth for long; but he has asked me if I can Deputize for him when he is away and maybe help with the office work even when he is home. Of course I shall love to do this, and in no time will be making out Bills of Lading in triplicate form!

Long before all this you will be home from your stay in Paris and will have told me all your adventures. Dwight and Caroline were much looking forward to joining you, and I only so much wish that Stephen and I could grow wings and make up the family party. Lady Harriet (Warleggan) has been in a great taking because someone in the woods above Cardew has been setting mantraps to deter poachers, and one of her great boarhounds wandered off a couple of weeks ago and was caught in the trap. By chance I found him - returning from the Enyses accompanied by Music Thomas - and we bore him home. He has his leg in a splint but I think will have come to no hurt. Harriet's fury knows no bounds. She is still trying to find who is responsible and has narrowed the search to the Devorans and the Hills. (Lord Devoran, of course, wouldn't harm a rabbit, but Betty is capable of anything!) I incline to think she is to blame. In any event, Music profited by it, for Harriet gave him five guineas and a new suit of clothes. I do not believe he had ever seen so much money, and I am sure he went lolloping off in the snow singing all the way at the top of his voice. He is a much improved person since Dwight took him in hand. He was wonderful with the hound. The weather is brilliant now, but with a chill wind. The daffodils are in full bloom, and I'm sure the garden at Nampara looks its best. I am hoping to have a garden. We shall be exposed to the east winds, but look what a wall has done for Nampara! We hunted twice with the Stithians pack last week. Nero is fine, but Stephen is still looking out for a hunter for himself. It is expensive to hire them and we cannot for ever be borrowing from Harriet. I saw Paul Kellow in Truro last week looking very smart - the coaching business is strangely prospering for him - and with a new inamorata, one I had not met before, called Mary Temple. Someone says she is a daughter of the Temples of Tregony, who are supposed to be rich, aren't they? All my love, Clowance

'It does not look as if Jeremy yet knows about you,' said Demelza, turning the letter over. 'It is addressed to Captain and Mrs Poldark. You did say you had written to him?'

"Yes. I believe I omitted to mention it.'

"You ...? Oh, really, Ross! I cannot believe you! That you should not tell him the most important thing! I wish I had written myself!'

Ross said: 'What would you have had me say? "Dear Jeremy, you will be shocked to know that your father's egoism has triumphed over his honesty and he has allowed himself to be pushed - not quite resisting every step, protesting loudly but insincerely - into accepting a title which he neither needs nor deserves. Furthermore, this absurd appendage which will now forever more be hung at the front and back of his name like a rosette on a donkey's head and a ribbon on his tail, will on his decease - which may occur any day - be transferred to you. This blot, this scar, this appendage, can never more be discarded--"

Whatever's the matter?'

He could not go on for Demelza was crowing with laughter.

'Stop it!' he said angrily. "You sound like Bella!'

'My lover,' she gasped. 'My dear, dear Ross. I did not know you could express - express yourself so well! You have said you are no House of Commons man, but I am sure the - the chamber, is it? - would - would listen spellbound.' She sobered suddenly, dabbing her eyes. 'At heart, my lover, is it not now that you are being insincere? Not for accepting the title but for even pretending that Jeremy will look on it that way. Or that anyone else in the whole world over would, my dearest. Would they? Would any of your radical friends, even? They would say, if we have a friend called Sir Ross Poldark, is he not more valuable as a helper than Captain Poldark?'

"You don't understand at all--'

She went up to him and squeezed his arm. 'I think maybe I do a little. You are too proud to need a title, is that not it? Your name is good enough anywhere in the world. Well, nobody has ever been prouder of the name of Poldark than I have since you gave it me. But this is just just a little icing on the cake, is it not? Not to be taken serious. Not to grow larger in the head and more proudful for it. Not to expect folk to bow and scrape because you are a baronet. Not to let it make one scrap of difference how you think and feel about people or people's rights, or justice or freedom. You are the same as you ever were, and if the world thinks different it will soon discover its mistake.'

Tour hand's cold,' he said.

"Tis your arm that's hot,' she said. 'Hot with annoyance because somebody has persuaded you to take what you do not want to take. So now you must sit down and write to your son today. Or else I will write.'

"That is someone at the door,' he said.

'Let 'em wait, Cap'n Poldark.' She slipped her hand down to his. 'See how your heat is warming my hand, Cap'n Poldark. It would warm my heart too if I thought you were as happy as I am about it.'

'Are you happy about it? About that?'

'Of course. It is just what I said - a little icing on the cake.'

'Caroline thought you would be.'

'Caroline?You haven't seen her!'

'After Christmas. I saw her one afternoon. She said you would have wanted me to take it.'

'I believe you take more notice of her than you do of me!'

'Sometimes. On some subjects. Yes. That is someone at the door.'

'If we wait long enough they will go away.'

'Jodie said she was coming round this afternoon to take you shopping. But it would be early for her.'

'I don't know what I can possibly want. Only perhaps shoes. Is Jeremy right, Ross? Is Leisure doing well?'

'Very well. We shall not want for a loaf of bread.'

'I dearly hope Jeremy does not get into the hands of moneylenders. I have always felt he was so good about money. Now I am not so sure.'

'Why? What has he done?'

'It says in the letter,' Demelza corrected herself hastily,

'that he is in debt. I just worry when I think of any of my children in debt.'

'No one is going to the door,' said Ross. 'Meurice is a lazy skunk and Etienne little better.' He detached himself from his wife.

'Ross,' she said.

'Yes?'

'If you hate a title so much why did you allow yourself to be called Captain? Should not plain Mister have been enough?'

He considered her. Then he reached forward and tweaked her nose.

'Ow!' she said. He kissed her nose and patted her hand as he went towards the door. "You should be in Parliament,' he said,

'not I.'

II

It was Jodie, and she was just turning away.

'Oh, I thought you were from home. I came early for I may not have time this afternoon. Can you come with me this morning, Demelza? She was looking very smart in her scarlet merino coat and white silk hat trimmed with striped ribbons. But her face was colourless and her dark eyes at their most desolate.

'Well, I can't go in this!' said Demelza. 'Give me five minutes to change. Have you brought your coucouf

'Yes. It is quite a long way to walk.'

'I delight to drive in it.'

'Wrap up. The wind is cold.'

When Demelza had gone Ross walked to look out of the window at the trim little carriage with its single roan pony and the waiting groom.

'Do you have further bad news for us?'

'... Perhaps it is the news we do not have which is worrying.'

'Tell me.'

'Well, we have reports of Bonaparte's proclamations. He proclaims himself the liberator of his faithful subjects from a foreign-imposed Bourbon tyranny. He says his eagles are on the wing and will perch from spire to spire until they reach Notre-Dame. He proclaims that he was permitted to leave Elba by the British (who control the Mediterranean), that he is to be joined en route by the Empress and by her son, the King of Rome, and that they will shortly be crowned in Paris. (Thus implying that Austria also favours his return.) He has already named part of his cabinet:

Cambaceres as Minister of Justice, Carnot of the Interior. Fouche's back to his old position as Chief of the Police. He promises free elections, a free press ... Above all he asserts that he comes in peace and wishes peace with all nations. He is here to re-establish the Empire and the self-respect and dignity of France.'

After a minute Ross said: 'Part of it is lies, but it will appeal to many people.'

'Free press!' exclaimed Jodie. 'Four newspapers are published in Paris when Bonaparte rules, and all are in strictest government control.'

'What else do we know?'

"They say his route will be by Macon and Chalon, making for Dijon. But before he gets there he must meet and defeat Ney's army.'

'Do you rely on Ney?'

'I know him well, my friend. He has lived a dissolute, a vivid life. He is impulsive, generous, brave to a fault, warmly fond of his wife in spite of all his infidelities, indiscreet, quick-tempered, emotional. He has quarrelled bitterly with Bonaparte but I suspect, yes, I suspect secretly loves him. He has two very loyal generals under him, Bourmont and Lecourbe, who will certainly keep him faithful to the King, even if he were to waver. But I do not think he can possibly waver - after such promises.'

Ross kicked at the fire. It was a cold day, and when there was a north wind this room was always chill.

'Well, the other insurrection has collapsed. The march from Lille. Fitzroy Somerset told me.'

'I have not seen Henri today. He has been working day and night to bring all our forces up to the maximum strength - just in case they are needed. The King's Bodyguard has been almost doubled by the enlistment of new Royalist volunteers. There is every sign of high spirits and warm affection in the Palace. This second army is to be concentrated before Melun.'

Demelza returned wrapped in a grey suede coat with fox fur at collar and cuffs. Her hat was of green suede with a small brilliant feather. Jodie smiled at her.

'We shall not be so long, Ross, for I have urgent work this afternoon.'

'And Fouche?' said Ross.

'Fouche. Ah yes. A strange thing has happened. The King sent for him this morning. He knew of his involvement with Desnouettes, but was not intending to face him with it. The King wished that he might ask for his advice, on the assumption that Fouche would be useful in this crisis. But when they send round they learn that the Duke of Otranto has gone away for a few days ... This is clearly a diplomatic absence. He is somewhere in Paris - with Tallien, no doubt - waiting the events of the next few days before he emerges again from his sty.'

'Bonaparte has already said he wants him to serve as his next Chief of Police.'

'So our agents report. Of course if that ever happened .. .'Jodie opened the door and waited for Demelza. Demelza said: 'If that ever happened?'

'I should be arrested at once. Fouche would never miss a chance like that.'