Commander Cantrell in the West Indies(206)
“A welcome occasion, a party,” Tromp observed as he remained well to the back of the slightly elevated platform at the rear of the building.
“A novel occasion,” van Walbeeck corrected. “This is the first true party we’ve had.”
Tromp, who had spent many weeks on patrol, and the rest of the time too busy to partake, or even become passingly familiar, with the social life of Oranjestad, started. “Can that—can that be?”
“It most certainly can, Maarten. What did you think? That while you were slaving away for the good of the colony, the rest of us were dancing and drinking?”
“No, no, but I—”
Jan laughed someplace down in his belly, and put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You are always so delightfully earnest, Maarten. I know you were well aware that our colonists have not had a lightsome time, this past year. But I do suspect that you might have imagined that, out here in the town, the rituals of life managed to go on as before, albeit much diminished.”
Tromp reflected. “I suppose I did. I suppose I wanted to imagine it that way. Because if there was some semblance of normal existence, it meant that I—we—were providing for the colonists sufficiently.”
Jan squeezed his shoulder. “Well, see now? All your hard work is finally rewarded: a party!”
“Yes,” Tromp grumbled, “mostly victualed from the larders of Danes.”
“Well, how should it be otherwise? It is a presentation of their king’s daughters to the society of Oranjestad. Such as it is.”
“We have ‘society’ in a town that has not had a single party in a year?”
“Of course we do.”
“And how do you tell the members of society apart from everyone else?”
“Quite simply, Maarten. The members of Oranjestad society still have real shoes.”
Tromp stared sidelong at Jan, saw his smile, and could not resist joining him in a brief chuckle. “It is good to have a moment to leave business behind, my friend.”
“It would be,” Jan admitted in a slightly more somber tone.
Tromp resolved not to frown. “And what is it now?”
“I have had word from Michael McCarthy. He believes the radio will be ready tonight.”
“Tonight? So he will not be here?”
Jan shook his head. “No. And I suspect he is secretly relieved at the coincidence. He sent his formal regrets to Lord Sehested, who seemed relieved to receive them, as I understand it.”
“Sehested doesn’t like McCarthy?”
“Oh, no. Nothing of the sort. But I suspect he may plan to use this social event as an opportunity to do a bit of politicking. And radio messages to and from Europe would only get in the way. Particularly since those communications would involve contact with up-time authorities.”
“Ah,” Tromp exhaled, seeing where Jan was leading. “So you think Sehested wanted Eddie on his own, tonight, and without recourse to his leaders?”
“The possibility has crossed my mind. However, one thing is certain: before this party begins, you and I must decide who we shall continue to meet with openly as we frame our plans for Santo Domingo, and who we must exclude.”
Tromp nodded. “Because we must restrict spreading word about the radio, which will be an integral part of those plans.”
“That, and general prudence against setting loose lips flapping here in our own town. Consider Corselles. He has no role in deciding upon how we shall attack Santo Domingo. However, were he to be kept apprised, he would, alas, be quite capable of giving away subtle strategic details without even knowing he was doing so. And there are other avenues by which necessarily secret information might become widely known. For instance, ship’s captains often drink to excess just as much as their sailors do.”
“Jan, are you referring to—?”
Walbeeck held up a hand. “I am not mentioning individuals because I am not thinking of individuals. I simply note that, the more persons who are involved in the early planning of our attack, the more chances we have of enemies getting wind of its particulars.”
Tromp sighed. “It is sad, but prudent. Besides, there is entirely too much dissent among our own landowners. They have regular contact with our captains, our pursers.”
Van Walbeeck shook his head. “And what of our tradesmen and workers who go back and forth from St. Christopher’s? They seem to do a more lively trade in rumors and gossip than anything else. And the French there, those who mix in with the English, will carry those rumors down into their capital at Basseterre. And we know that both governors, Warner no less than d’Esnambuc, both turn a blind eye toward trade with the pirates of Jamaica and Tortuga.”