The Privateer's Revenge(14)

"Then I should thank you for supporting the reverend doctor with your presence. Are you by any chance an old scholar of the college?"

"No, sir." So the lecture had been a noble attempt by the dominie to attract the public, the gentleman speaking with him an old boy loyally present. Judging by the painfully chalked Latin epigrams still on the board, Renzi surmised that the lecture would not seem to be typical of the kind of instruction normally carried on.

"Then . . . ?" the man asked politely.

"I have a penchant for the outworkings of human culture of any age, sir."

"An unusual inclination for a sea officer, if I might remark it." The man's bearing was aristocratic, his eyes shrewd.

"I—I am not a naval officer, sir. My situation is fortunate, being that of a man of some learning afforded the felicity of board and lodging, while I undertake my investigations, for the trifling price of acting as ship's clerk."

"How curious!" The man hesitated, then held out his hand. "My name is Vauvert, and it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr . . . ?"

"Renzi."

"My carriage is at present in use, else I should offer to transport you back to your ship, but my house is near and no doubt you will appreciate refreshment before you return."

Vauvert's house was one of the large, handsome buildings on the other side of the road. "I'm by way of being an écuyer, that is to say a négociant, a merchant investor, and my name is not unknown in these islands."

Renzi took in the fashionable adornments of the drawing room. "Mr Vauvert, it would gratify me considerably to know how it is that a distant island, barely five miles across, can display such wealth and success, when others . . ."

"The reason is simple. We are left to our own devices, Mr Renzi. Parliament in London plays no part in our affairs and our loyalty is not to the English King but to the Duke of Normandy."

"I'm astonished to hear it," Renzi murmured uneasily.

"This is so," Vauvert said firmly. "Our islands were anciently in the fiefdom of Normandy and we see no reason to shift our allegiance to the Crown of England."

Renzi held still. In the face of the revolutionary madness sweeping Europe, savage laws had been forced through by the prime minister William Pitt with swift and dire penalties for illegal and treasonable association. If—

"Therefore our loyal toast will always remain to the Duke of Normandy—who, since his subsequent conquest of England in 1066, now occupies the throne in the person of His Majesty King George."

At Renzi's expression he continued smoothly, "Which confers considerable benefits, chief of which is an independence in matters of trade and law—for instance, we are outside the remit of English Customs and Excise . . ."

"I have heard the term 'smuggling' used in that connection," Renzi said delicately. "Teazer's days of guarding the Cornish coast were still fresh in his memory.

"Never in these islands!" Vauvert said stoutly. "We are the suppliers of goods only. If our clients choose to evade payment of duty on subsequent import then this cannot be our concern. It has served us well over the centuries, in truth."

"And privateering, I've been led to believe."

"And privateering. It must be confessed that many fine houses along Grange Road here were raised on the profits therefrom. But, pray, do not be deceived. It is our trading that has made us what we are. That and our independence. You will want to hear of our Bailiff and Constable who in this land hold powers higher than a prime minister, our jurats, States and Royal Courts—but I fear you will not wish to be delayed."

Renzi gave a polite bow and murmured a farewell.

"It is, however, an unlettered place," Vauvert added. "I would very much like to hear of the progress of your studies here, Mr Renzi, perhaps at a later date . . ."





* * *





CHAPTER 3


AS RENZI ENTERED THE CAPTAIN'S CABIN, Kydd threw him a dark look. "Th' ship in th' state y' see her, and y' step ashore on the ran-tan like some jackanapes wi' not a care in th' world? I'm surprised at ye, Nicholas!"

"It was ship's business," Renzi replied, "and there being no boat going inshore after dark, as you'll recall." He had spent a cold night on the foreshore, waiting for "Teazer's milk-boat at dawn, and did not need a lecture.

"There's some who'd say as ye're guilty of being absent fr'm place o' duty," Kydd said hotly. "How c'n I keep discipline if'n you're straggling ashore as it pleases ye?"

Renzi paused. "I feel you're not yourself, my friend. Perhaps you should—"

"Don't y' understand me?" Kydd said harshly. "You're ship's clerk an' have a duty t' the ship. Y' know, I c'n have ye in irons f'r breaking out o' the ship—desertion!"