letâs find some privacy in the Dukeâs library.â
With that he turned abruptly and with Lord Nelson walked towards a corridor leading from the ballroom. A puzzled Ramage was just going to rejoin Gianna when he saw St Vincent glance round and beckon him impatiently. âIâm sure His Majesty would be grateful if he knew you could spare his First Lord of the Admiralty a few minutes of your valuable time, Ramage,â he growled, âand Iâm equally sure that the Marchesa will be flattered that a couple oâ hundred fellow guests saw you leave the ballroom in the company of one of the Kingâs ministers and one of his most famous fighting admirals.â
âQuite so, sir; Iâer ⦠didnât â¦â
âStep lively and donât talk so much.â
The library was a book-lined cavern, and Lord St Vincent went straight to a table and sat down, gesturing to Lord Nelson and Ramage to be seated opposite.
Lord Nelson looked across at Lord St Vincent. âThereâs no doubt about this report, sir?â
âNone. Wish there was.â
âBut I donât trust these French agents,â Nelson said querulously. âNo patriotism; theyâre doing it for money.â
Ramage wished he had heard the earlier part of the conversation, and was just reflecting that the question of allegiance depended upon whom you regarded as your leader, when the First Lord said: âThis man is Scots born. Lived most of his life in France. Our best agent, Iâm told.â
âApparently the Secretary of State has heard nothing,â Nelson said doubtfully. âIâd have expectedââ
âLord Hawkesbury will have received the report half an hour ago,â the First Lord said impatiently. âThis manâs an Admiralty agent: reports directly to us, and we send copies across to the Secretary of State.â
âThat canât make him popular in Downing Street,â Nelson commented. âThe Secretary of Stateâs office like to deal with all intelligence activities.â
âQuite so,â St Vincent said acidly, âbut they didnât have any choice with this fellow: heâs highly placed in Bonaparteâs circle, so his life hangs by a thread.â He looked up and saw Nelsonâs puzzled expression. âHeâs the son of a former naval officer, and his reports reach England byâwell, unusual seafaring routes. More convenient if the Admiralty handles them.â
Nelson reached out his hand. âPerhaps I could read the report again?â
At that moment there was a double knock on the door and a man Ramage recognized as Lord Hawkesbury walked in.
âAh! There you are,â he said, sitting down at the table. He glanced at Ramage, gave him a perfunctory nod and then said pointedly to the First Lord: âI want to discuss this report we have just received.â
âItâs all right. Ramage here knows nothing about it yet, but he is likely to be involved. You know him, I see.â
The Secretary of State nodded absent-mindedly. âI guessed Iâd find you here and came at once. What do you think about it?â
âI believe it,â St Vincent said firmly. âIâve been expecting something like this. Thatâs why his Lordship,â he gestured toward Nelson, âhas been given this âSquadron upon a Particular Service.ââ
âQuite so,â Lord Hawkesbury said. âBut the agent makes a very bald statement!â
St Vincent shrugged his shoulders. âHe could have used a thousand words to say the same thing, but mercifully he didnât.â
âBut he gives no proof,â Lord Hawkesbury complained.
âHe never does. He is a member of Bonaparteâs staff, and he knows we are aware of that. But if youâll look at the report againââ he motioned to Nelson to pass the sheet of paper, âyouâll see itâs so worded