Caribbee(83)

Renzi explained what had happened leading up to Curaçao, his humiliation and the likelihood Kydd would refuse to be involved in yet another theory.

‘I understand. Then we shall invite Captain Kydd to a cosy dinner, we three, hein?’

‘The evening went well?’ Renzi asked at breakfast.

‘Why, yes. The admiral keeps a capital table and the Antigua people were most civil in their appreciation of our late action.’ He reached for the plate of salt fish and ackee. ‘Saving their anxiety about their shipping, which is serious and vexing to them. And yourself? Something of an old acquaintance you were dining with, you said.’

‘Um, yes. You may recall her – Madame Louise Vernou,’ Renzi said off-handedly, pouring more coffee.

It didn’t register at first. Then Kydd dropped his bread roll and rounded on him. ‘You didn’t say, you sly beggar! She’s here – in Antigua still? I must see her, Nicholas!’

‘Well, yes. She asked to be remembered to you, of course, but do recollect, old fellow, that she recalls you as a young and unlettered seaman of somewhat direct manners and speech. You will not alarm her at all?’

The door was flung open. Louise ran to Kydd and hugged him tightly, then held her arms outstretched, her eyes sparkling. ‘My brave sailorman! To see you again – looking so handsome and commanding!’

Kydd blushed with pleasure, then performed an extravagant bow, protesting in his best French that not only was he enchanted to meet her once again but that the honour was to be accounted entirely his.

Her astonishment melted to delight and the evening promised to be a wonderful reunion  .

‘When I saw you on the land, those wicked people all around you, I cried so much to leave you. And now you tell me you were in no danger at all and went off to Jamaica.’

‘Er, that’s true enough. But afterwards …’

‘Have you found an amoureuse at all, Thomas? It’s not seemly that a man of such distinction and élégance should toil alone.’

‘Er, not at this moment, Madame Louise. My sea duties do claim me, I find.’

‘I’m desolated to hear this. But you will have seen sights inconceivable to we land creatures.’

The dinner passed off in great style. Then, as the Armagnac was produced, Louise casually said, ‘Oh – before I forget this thing. I have it in mind to visit my cousin very soon. We were very close and I so worry about her in these … douloureux times.’

‘I honour you for it,’ Kydd said comfortably, cupping his drink; the Armagnac was magnificent.

‘She will be cast down, that poor one, and I wish to take her some comforts. You are a captain of the sea, M’sieur, who may advise me wisely how I might safely travel.’

‘Er, where will you visit, Madame?’

‘Why, Guadeloupe, of course! Where she has been since—’

‘What?’ blurted Kydd. ‘No – this is not possible! Louise, the whole island is under the strictest blockade and … and …’ He tailed off, at a loss to put into words the utter impossibility of what she was asking.

‘There are no cartel ships?’ Renzi asked innocently.

‘None, and well you know it. Louise, you cannot do this. They’ve a villainous crew in power and you being a …’

‘Nonsense. I’m merely returning to the place of my birth for a quick visit. Who can object to that? Besides, I shall keep quiet and no one will notice me.’

Kydd fell back speechless, then returned strongly, ‘Well, it’s just not thinkable. We have the island under the closest watch and not a sail moves in or out without we know it. Why, L’Aurore herself will sail in two days to be part of the blockade.’

She brightened. ‘Hourra! Then you will stop and row me in a boat onto the land. I don’t mind where.’

‘No!’ Kydd spluttered. ‘This is war, Louise, have you forgotten? And on a King’s ship!’

‘A pity,’ she said sadly. ‘Then it must be that I ask a little fisherman to take me. They say they’re most obliging for a silver dollar.’

‘A fisherman? Louise, do give up this mad idea, I beg.’

‘She does have a point, dear fellow. We’ve nothing to fear of what the French can bring against us, and simply to heave to, a quick landing—’

‘Nicholas! This does not concern you, and I’ll thank you to keep your suggestions to yourself. No, Madame, this I cannot do, and that is my final word.’

‘All quiet, sir,’ Curzon murmured. The night was inky black but the bay off Pointe-à-Pitre was well known to English ships, used to lying off the buoyed channel that led through the reefs, effectively sealing it off from all movements.