Chapter Thirteen

 

To say that she had received a shock would have been an understatement. With a fixed smile on her countenance Julia held out her hand as Alain bowed over it, managing to murmur, ‘How pleasant to see you again, Chevalier.’

Those same dark eyes looked into hers as he replied, ‘The pleasure is all mine Mademoiselle, for I so regret missing you, as I did when I called at Bruton Street, to find that you had already left for the country.’

Julia let that pass with a shrug of her shoulders, as the two men were introduced. Stephen was all stiff and formal, his face failing to hide his obvious disapproval of the Frenchman, while Alain was all easy grace and nonchalance, as if the Englishman was a mere appendage to it all.

Lenore watched this with an amused smile as she casually explained, ‘I was so fortunate that dear Alain was able to escort me here, and to assist us in sorting out legal niceties of our ownership of the vessel, Julie cherie.’

‘There is no question of any sorting out regarding the legal situation of the ownership of the ‘Lady Lydia’ said Stephen, in a voice that brooked no argument. ‘The ship is owned jointly by Miss Farraday, and you Madame Fouquet. What we need to know is if Captain Clarke, as the master of the vessel, is aware of this fact, and what has happened to the cargoes he has been carrying, and thereby any profits from his voyages.’

‘Exactly Captain…Warren, no pardon me, was it Wareham? That is precisely what Madam Fouquet feels, and being a foreigner in a strange land she has asked me to assist her, like your good self, in joining her and Miss Farraday for the meeting with Captain Clarke,’ the Chevalier said smoothly. ‘As a member of the feminine sex, she is naturally unused to business dealings.’

Julia stifled a smile. Lenore would probably have Captain Clarke eating out of her hand in two minutes, despite the fact that he sounded a most disagreeable individual.

There was a knock on the door, and a footman appeared followed by a housemaid carrying trays of coffee and tea as well as refreshments. They sat down and Lenore acted as hostess as the men showed their appreciation for the food and drink before them, while they discussed minor details of the questions they wished to put to Captain Clarke.

Afterwards, they retired to tidy their appearance after their trip to Dover and arranged to meet back at the room Lenore had hired.

Walking together to the retiring room, Julia could not resist questioning Lenore.

‘I must say I was surprised to see the Chevalier, Lenore. I had assumed that Giles Arbuthnot would have been your escort here.’

Lenore gave a tinkling laugh. ‘I know Julie cherie. Giles had an invitation to a house party for a week to attend the York races, and I could not let him miss out on that just to escort me here. I felt sure you would not mind if Alain accompanied me,’ she added slyly, ‘so here we are.’

Julia said nothing, but could only hope Lenore could not read her mind.

She returned to the coffee room before Lenore, and when the door opened next it was Alain d’ Augusseau who entered. Closing the door firmly behind him he swiftly crossed the room and before she could protest took both Julia’s hands in his as he earnestly leaned forward.

‘Thank goodness I have you on my own for a moment. I do most humbly apologize for not being able to call on you in London earlier before you left for Winchelsea, but embassy business prevented it.’

His brown eyes were full of concern as he continued. ‘I know a little about your relationship with Madame Fouquet, through her connection with Gerald Hamilton. It was of some interest to the embassy, for as you know,’ here he hastily looked around and lowered his voice. ‘For she is, as Hamilton was, a dedicated Bonapartist supporter.’ His voice and face were filled with disgust. ‘You, I know, have nothing to do with such people, but sadly for France there are these fools who would cause civil war in my country to try and bring back the Corsican upstart.’

Seeing the look on her face, his own softened into a smile and he said gently. ‘Do not worry ma petite, all will be well, I assure you.’

Then, to her amazement, he leaned further forward and kissed her, long and gently, on her upturned lips.

It seemed to last forever.

When the door started to open, instinctively they sprang apart as Lenore, followed by Stephen, entered the room. Julia walked over to a small table where a newspaper lay folded, and made a concentrated effort to study the front page, aware of Lenore and Stephen’s eyes fixed upon her.

‘Ah…’ purred Lenore, ‘has Alain been entertaining you in our absence, Julie?’

‘Naturally, Lenore,’ Julia answered briskly. ‘Whatever else would he be doing?’

Lenore looked surprised. ‘Well, in that case I am delighted.’

Alain shook his head in consternation. ‘Lenore, really… the things you say.’

Stephen looked bemused and bewildered, as if he was trying to understand what the badinage between the two of them was all about.

‘I do believe it is time to make a start to visit Captain Clarke, and the ‘Lady Lydia’, if you ladies are quite ready,’ he said sternly.

Both ladies agreed they were, and together the party made their way out of the Queen’s Head to the waiting carriage outside.

 

***

 

It was only a short distance to the wharf where the ‘Lady Lydia’ was temporarily berthed, and in no time they were there. The smell of tar and salt water assailed Julia’s senses as she alighted from the carriage, while overhead a group of seagulls screamed and called to each other as they circled in the blue sky. A young officer was waiting at the top of the gangplank, obviously expecting someone, though his eyes opened wide in surprise as he saw the two ladies.

The barque was of a good size and obviously a cargo carrying ship, but seemed sorely in need of some overdue maintenance to Julia’s watchful eye. She remembered her visit to the ‘Glorious,’ where that ship had been spick and span by comparison.

They followed the officer down the hatchway and along a narrow passageway until they came to the Captain’s stateroom where they knocked on the door.

A voice called ‘enter,’ and Lenore sallied in followed by Julia, Stephen and Alain.

Captain Clarke’s face was a picture of consternation. He addressed his opening remarks to Stephen.

‘My understanding was I was receiving a visit from Captain Martin of the Excise vessel ‘Glorious’, and you sir, are not I think, Captain Martin?’

Stephen agreed this was so and introduced himself as being from the Excise service. He apologised for Captain Martin’s absence, but explained he was representing him, and introduced the rest of the party.

Captain Clarke’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed each person in turn, his expression curious, while his eyes lingered longest and most appreciatively on Lenore. He was a man in his late forties, slight of build, dark skinned, and with a receding hairline. Julia remembered Captain Martin’s words, ‘shrewd and wily, and not to be trusted.’ Yes, looking at him she could only agree with John Martin’s estimation.

As Stephen explained the ownership status of the ship, again Jacques Clarke’s eyes roamed over the two women, this time lingering longer on each one. When Stephen explained about Mr Farraday’s sudden death, and Gerald Hamilton’s involvement in a smuggling ring and his death at the hands of a dragoon, his face registered genuine amazement.

‘Of course I had no idea that this is how things are. Having been away back and forth to Jamaica, I had no knowledge what has happened here. I had been given permission by the two late gentlemen to choose the most profitable cargoes for trade. I have my share of the profits from what is sold, and the balance is sent to the solicitor of Mr Farraday and Mr Hamilton. I assumed that they would lodge the monies into those gentlemen’s bank accounts. Not that there has been a lot of profit to bank of late, for trade has been tight, and there has not been much profit in our recent voyages.’

‘If we could have the name of the solicitor to whom you were instructed to send the money, it would be most helpful Captain Clarke,’ said Stephen.

‘Of course,’ agreed the other, ‘it is one Joseph Carswell Esq, based in Lincolns Inn, London.’

He brought out some parchment from a drawer and wrote out the address and passed it to Stephen. ‘So you two ladies are now the owners of my ship,’ said Captain Clarke affably. ‘I would be happy to show you over her, but,’ here he shrugged, ‘we had a rough passage home, and there is much maintenance and repair to be done, so you must forgive the state she is in. I call her my ship, as I am master, but of course she is now yours from what Captain Wareham has now told me.’

‘You say,’ said Lenore, ‘that your last voyages have been, did you say, not very profitable?’

‘I’m afraid so madam,’ Captain Clarke said with a sigh, spreading his hands wide. ‘Times are even more difficult now peace is here, with more competition, and commodities are not reaching the prices they were.’

‘That is too bad,’ said Lenore severely, ‘for unless there is enough money, how can this ship be maintained and repaired?’

‘I know madam.’ Captain Clarke looked genuinely sad. ‘Perhaps it would be better if you sold the barque, to save expenses of course,’ he added hastily.

‘But who would buy it if things are so bad?’ answered Lenore innocently.

‘I have a little money put aside,’ said Captain Clarke. ‘As master of the ‘Lady Lydia’ I have a fondness for her, and would be grateful of first refusal, if you should decide to sell.’

‘We will bear that in mind Captain,’ Lenore answered thoughtfully, ‘but in the meantime…’

‘I think we will need to speak to Mr Carswell,’ said Julia, ‘and perhaps after that we can speak to you again.’

Captain Clarke bowed his head in agreement.

‘You will not be sailing again for some time?’ asked Alain suddenly.

Captain Clarke looked thoughtful. ‘Not immediately. She will have to have repairs done, and I will need to organize another cargo, which may not be easy at this time.’

‘I understand you have been known to transport passengers for a fee,’ said Alain again.

Captain Clarke eyes narrowed. ‘Why, yes, colonists returning home from the West Indies have paid to travel home as passengers.’

‘I meant closer at hand. Passengers being transported from France?’

Captain Clarke frowned, and there was a long silence. ‘Occasionally,’ he answered slowly, ‘we have done so, but usually along with a cargo of wine or other goods.’

‘My understanding is that there have been felons who have been wanted by the authorities in France, who have escaped to England by ship, and others who have been taken back to France, namely this one.’

Captain Clarke bridled. ‘That is a monstrous lie,’ he blustered. ‘I assure you sir, no such thing has occurred while I have been master here. Regretfully, I cannot speak for the previous masters of this ship, but,’ here he addressed Stephen as Captain of the Excise service, ‘I have done nothing wrong, and have a perfect record to prove it, as I am sure you are aware.’

Alain d’Augusseau muttered something under his breath, and Jacques Clarke gave him a disdainful look, but no more was said.

The meeting ended with addresses being exchanged. Captain Clarke was going to be staying in Dover for at least the next three weeks as repairs were carried out, and after a brief look over the ship they made their farewells, headed down to the carriage, and back to the Queen’s Head.

 

***

 

Ensconced back in the parlour of the inn it was again Lenore who took charge of the conversation by addressing Julia in a forthright manner.

‘As I am in London I think it best if I make an appointment to go and visit this solicitor, Mr Carswell, and see if Jacques Clarke is telling us the truth. I have the bill of sale and the ownership papers so have the proof of my interest in the ship.’

Stephen frowned. ‘I doubt very much he would be lying about that fact. It is too easy to check on, and he cannot sail away on the ‘Lady Lydia’ as she needs repairs. Perhaps you, Julia, should write a letter giving this Joseph Carswell permission to disclose all the information to Madame Fouquet on your behalf.’

Julia nodded her head in agreement. ‘Yes,’ she said slowly, ‘that is perfectly agreeable to me, and Lenore can let me know all the details. I will make a call though on Mr Carswell, when I visit London at the middle of May for Caroline’s coming out ball,’ she added for Stephen’s benefit.

He looked surprised at this news, and not best pleased, but at that moment a footman appeared with ale and tea and cakes, so no more was said until he left the room.

‘You asked Captain Clarke sir, about carrying undesirable fugitives into England?’ said Stephen severely, addressing the Chevalier.

‘Indeed I did,’ Alain replied. ‘Our agents have been suspicious for some time concerning escapees from the law, that they believe have been transported across the channel on the ‘Lady Lydia.’

‘Bah,’ snorted Lenore. ‘What does that matter, Bourbons, Bonapartists, politics, all as bad as one another. Today’s heroes, tomorrow’s villains. I have no patience with all this political nonsense.’

Julia caught Alain’s eye as a faint smile curled his lips, and he lifted his eyebrows as if to acknowledge their line of thought.

Really, thought Julia, he was amazingly cool and composed. There was no frisson of embarrassment at having kissed her, and he could look her in the eye and almost flirt with her. Surprisingly, she felt herself relaxed and at ease with him, and could only think with pleasure at the memory of that kiss.

‘That is all very well,’ Stephen said dryly, ‘but we do not want felons in this country, and it is surely your duty sir, to report such conduct, suspected or otherwise, to the official authorities.’

‘Indeed Captain, you are correct,’ answered Alain smoothly. ‘My understanding is that this was done. However, capturing the offenders was not possible, for reasons that I am not fully aware of,’ here he shrugged. ‘Perhaps protection in high places? Our belief is others have been taken back to France.’ There was a pause before he continued. ‘Captain Clarke, though, I feel is not to be trusted.’

There seemed to be general agreement on that score.

Lenore rang the bell for the lackey to get the necessary writing equipment, and soon Julia was penning the missive to the unknown Joseph Carswell to give to Lenore.

Once finished they made their farewells, and while Stephen and Alain bowed to one another stiffly, Julia felt a tug of thrall as Alain bowed over her hand and said, ’I shall look forward to seeing you in London in May, as I am going to Paris for two weeks and then returning.’

Stephen looked grim, while Lenore gave a wry smile as she kissed Julia’s cheek and said softly, ‘Remember my words about Alain, Julie Cherie. He has broken so many hearts stronger than yours, I think.’

Outside they climbed into their respective carriages and made their way back to Winchelsea and London in the warm spring sunshine.