4 Under Siege (12 page)

‘I’d just like to know what’s going on, Alain.’

‘I’ll tell you when we get back.’

After a final round of farewells, they went out to the stables and collected their horses. After helping Rachel into the saddle, Daniel handed her the lead rein of the donkey. She kicked her mount into action and trotted out through the gate. Daniel was a few yards behind her. As he turned back to the tavern, he saw Raymond and his mother waving vigorously, but it was the face at the window that he would remember most clearly. Estelle was staring blankly at him, her hand raised in a forlorn wave.

The streets were teeming and Daniel had difficulty keeping up with Rachel as she threaded carefully through the jostling hordes. Soldiers were everywhere. The arrival of Marshal Boufflers with the reinforcements had lifted the spirits of the whole town. What Daniel didn’t know at that time was that the marshal had wisely brought bags of gold coin with him to pay the arrears of the garrison. At a stroke, he’d removed the main cause of discontent. When they got in sight of the main gate, Daniel saw that there would be a long delay. Soldiers were stopping everyone who wanted to leave, questioning them at length and searching their belongings.

Two of them spotted Rachel and both reached the same conclusion. Making their way across to her, they asked her to dismount from her horse. Upset by their curt manner, she glared at them as she descended to the ground. Daniel nudged his horse across to her and spoke as if he’d never met her before.

‘Is something wrong, Madame?’ he asked.

‘Go your way, Monsieur,’ she advised. ‘These dolts have mistaken me for someone else. They say that I’m under arrest.’

He turned to the soldiers. ‘What’s her offence?’

‘Mind your own business!’ one of them snapped.

‘You can’t arrest an innocent person.’

‘We can do as we wish, Monsieur, as you’ll see if you don’t get out of our way. Would you like to be locked up as well?’

Since he was carrying the stolen plan, the last thing that Daniel wanted was a spell behind bars. He’d certainly be searched and his guilt would be exposed. Looking at Rachel, he tried to explain his dilemma without using any words. She understood how important it was for him to get out of the town.

‘Don’t bother about me,’ she told him. ‘It’s very kind of you to take an interest but there’s no need. Once this matter is sorted out, they’ll have to release me. I bid you goodbye – and thank you.’

There was no more to be said. Rachel was led off by one of the soldiers while the other tugged the two animals behind him. Daniel joined the queue at the gate, wondering what could possibly have happened. Had they known what he was carrying, the soldiers would have arrested him, yet it was Rachel – blithely ignorant of his activities in Lille – who’d been taken into custody. It was alarming. His turn at the gate eventually came and he dismounted to answer a barrage of questions. He submitted readily to a search, doffing his hat and holding his arms out wide so that he could be patted down. Finding nothing suspicious on him, they sent him on his way. Daniel waited until he was outside the town before he put on the hat in which his dagger was cunningly hidden. Vauban’s plan was concealed in one of his boots and he’d not been asked to remove those.

In the sense that he’d obtained the plan, his mission had been a success but the unexpected loss of his accomplice removed any feeling of achievement. One thing was uppermost in his mind. He owed a profound debt to Rachel. She’d trusted him enough to enter an enemy town with him even though he was unable to tell her why they were there. What she’d offered him was a means of disguise. He couldn’t abandon her now. His priority was to deliver Vauban’s plan to the Duke of Marlborough but, the moment that was done, something else would take precedence.

He had to return to Lille to rescue Rachel Rees.

Amalia Janssen and her father had been jangled as they were driven away from Blenheim Palace. The Duchess of Marlborough’s attitude towards them had been wounding. They’d been treated less like honoured guests than unwelcome interlopers. They nursed their hurt feelings all the way to Woodstock. When they saw the accommodation, however, the clouds over their visit dispersed instantly. A rambling house awaited them, complete with two servants and a cook. Occupying a corner of a large estate, it had sizeable gardens at the front and rear. It was utterly charming and picturesque. What added to their pleasure was that the owner arrived on horseback to greet them in person.

‘Welcome, welcome,’ he said, effusively. ‘As long as you’re here, be bold to call on me for anything you require – Sir John Rievers at your service.’

‘Thank you, Sir John,’ said Janssen before introducing his daughter. ‘Your kindness is much appreciated.’

‘Oh, it’s not kindness, dear sir. It’s an act of homage. Your reputation comes before you. I have a friend who owns a tapestry woven by Emanuel Janssen and I’m consumed with envy whenever I behold it.’ He smiled at Amalia. ‘Your father is an exquisite artist.’

‘I know of none finer,’ she said, loyally.

‘Nor do I, nor do I.’

Remaining in the saddle, Sir John swept off his hat and beamed at his visitors. He was a fleshy man of medium height with impeccable attire cut by an expensive tailor to diminish the bulge of his paunch. Well into his forties, he had an unforced air of distinction that could only have come from good breeding. Framed by a periwig that rested on his shoulders, his face had a flabby openness that endeared them to him immediately.

‘By Jove!’ he cried. ‘It’s a joy to entertain you.’

‘The pleasure is ours, Sir John,’ said Janssen.

‘Have you met Her Grace yet?’ When their faces darkened, he burst out laughing. ‘Yes, I can see that you have. Blenheim Palace is not the ideal venue for a first encounter. Whenever she’s there, Sarah spends all her time battling with the architect or the builders.’

‘The duchess did seem rather preoccupied,’ said Amalia.

‘Take no notice of it. That’s just her way.’

‘I’m glad to hear it, Sir John.’

‘When she sees you tomorrow, she’ll be full of apologies, I’m sure. Oh, in my urge to meet you, I almost forgot. You’re invited to dine with me at the Hall. Sarah – Her Grace, I should say – will be joining us for an hour or so.’

‘That sounds encouraging,’ said Janssen.

‘It’s a very informal gathering. My dear wife will be there, of course, though I should warn you that Lady Rievers is not in the best of health. A malady has been dogging her in recent years. Barbara has stoic endurance but she tires easily. However,’ he went on, ‘she was as insistent as I am that you dine with us tomorrow and tell us how we can best be of use to you.’

‘We’ve no wish to put you out, Sir John.’

‘You could never do that, Mr Janssen.’

‘Your cordiality is a tonic in itself.’

‘Then I’ll not give you an overdose of it,’ said Sir John, putting his hat back on at a rakish angle, ‘for I know how weary you must be after all that travelling. Rest is the order of the day. Servants are at your disposal and you must eat your fill.’

‘We cannot thank you enough.’

‘No,’ said Amalia, overcome by his generosity. ‘We are in your debt, Sir John.’ She glanced round. ‘Is the Hall nearby?’

‘It’s on the other side of the estate,’ explained Sir John, ‘less than a half a mile away. Rievers Hall is nowhere near as sumptuous as Blenheim Palace but it’s a comfortable home and has been for generations of my family. I guarantee that you and your father will find your visit there – indeed, your whole stay with us – a memorable event.’ He shared a smile between them. ‘That’s a promise.’

Wheeling his horse, he rode off across the estate at a canter. Amalia watched him go, grateful for the way he’d obliterated the memory of their discourteous reception at Blenheim Palace. Sir John Rievers had been genial and reassuring. He’d clearly gone to great trouble for their sake. Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough had been less approachable but in Sir John, Amalia sensed, they had a real friend.

As he rode out of Lille, Daniel went past the teams of men working on the outer defences and he made a mental note of their progress. Some of them were waist-deep in a ditch, shovelling out earth to form a rampart. With the aid of horses, others were trying to manoeuvre massive tree trunks into place. Before the Allies got anywhere near to the town walls, there’d be many obstacles in their way. They, in turn, had not been idle. When he was some distance from the town, Daniel saw other groups toiling in the morning sunshine, sturdy peasants who’d been recruited from the surrounding countryside, helping to build fortifications that would eventually encircle Lille and cut off all access to it. British and Dutch engineers were in charge but it was local labour providing much of the workforce. Having seen what was happening in and immediately outside the town, Daniel was certain of one thing. Lille would not capitulate easily.

‘Saints preserve us!’ exclaimed Marlborough, rising from his chair. ‘Is that you, Captain Rawson?’

‘It is, Your Grace, and I apologise for presenting myself in this state. I just felt that you’d want to see this as soon as I got back.’ He handed the plan to him. ‘Otherwise, I’d have taken the trouble to wash, shave and put on my uniform.’

‘You found it?’ said Cardonnel. ‘Well done, Daniel!’

‘Well done, indeed,’ echoed Marlborough, unfolding the plan and placing it on the table. ‘This will be invaluable. When we sent you off to Lille, I wasn’t even sure that this would be there.’

‘I, too, had grave doubts, Your Grace.’

Cardonnel was excited. ‘Do tell us how you came by it,’ he encouraged. ‘Where was it and how did you manage to steal it?’

Daniel smiled. ‘It’s a long story.’

‘We insist on hearing every bit of it.’

‘And don’t couch it in any false modesty,’ said Marlborough. ‘Give us the full details. You’re entitled to boast.’

‘My visit was not entirely successful, Your Grace,’ said Daniel, thinking of Rachel Rees. ‘Let me explain.’

They were upset to hear that Guillaume Lizier was in custody but impressed by the way that his family had sheltered the visitors. What amazed them was how Daniel had used a rope to cross from the church to the town hall. It had been a remarkable feat. Since the rope had been left in place and since the archives had been scattered everywhere, the guards had quickly worked out that enemy agents had been in the town. Measures had been taken to stop them escaping. Only one of them had managed to leave.

‘Why should they arrest your accomplice?’ said Cardonnel.

Daniel shrugged. ‘I wish I knew.’

‘Was she carrying anything that gave her away?’

‘Not as far as I know. Rachel had sold most of her wares in the market. There was very little left in her saddlebags.’

‘At least they didn’t connect the two of you,’ said Marlborough. ‘It would have been a catastrophe if you’d been arrested as well.’

‘I agree, Your Grace,’ said Daniel. ‘Had they found that plan on me, I’d have been hanged with the rope I used to get into the town hall. I’d look for no mercy from them.’

‘How will you get back into the town?’

‘I’ll have to devise a different method next time.’

‘Will you go alone?’

‘No, I’ll take someone with me, Your Grace. Before I do that,’ said Daniel, ‘I’d like to get out of these clothes and have a good wash. I’m not sure that a beard suits me.’

‘It changes your appearance completely,’ said Cardonnel.

‘Well, it’s not going to stay.’

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Daniel went out and headed for his own quarters. He was intercepted by Jonathan Ainley who had to look twice before being able to identify him.

‘You’re back with us, then,’ he noted.

‘It’s only for a short time, Jonathan.’

‘May I ask where you’ve been?’

‘You may ask,’ said Daniel, ‘but I’m not able to tell you. Suffice it to say that I’ve been busy behind enemy lines.’

‘Better you than me, Daniel. I wouldn’t have the bravado for that kind of work. I could never pass myself off as a Frenchman or as anyone else for that matter. As soon as people look at me and listen to my voice, they know that I couldn’t be anything other than a British officer.’ Pursing his lips, he shook his head. ‘It’s a shame, really. I’d love to do something really venturesome.’

‘Isn’t fighting a battle venturesome enough for you?’ They traded a laugh. ‘You’ll have to excuse me while I clean myself off.’

‘Of course,’ said Ainley. ‘By the way, there was someone asking after you the other day.’

‘Oh – who was that?’

‘I didn’t get his name. He’s one of the camp followers, I think. He fought in the Hessian army earlier in his life. But he was very keen to talk about you.’

‘Why was that, I wonder?’

‘He’d heard about some of your exploits.’

‘Have you seen this man since?’ asked Daniel.

‘Yes,’ replied Ainley. ‘He was hanging around this morning, as it happens. He seemed a friendly sort of fellow.’

Daniel thanked him for the information and went off. Now that he was back in camp, he was keen to shed his disguise. When he was shaving, however, he decided that the beard would not vanish in its entirety. He kept a neat moustache and trimmed it with care. As he admired the effect in the mirror, an idea slowly blossomed. It made him smile. Donning his uniform, he rode off to the other camp in search of Henry Welbeck. As expected, he met with refusal.

‘No, no, no, Dan!’ said Welbeck, jabbing his pipe in the air.

‘All I ask is that you think it over.’

‘The answer will remain the same.’

‘A lady is in distress. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?’

‘Yes,’ said the other with a glint. ‘It means that the blessed woman won’t be able to pester me here in camp.’

‘That’s very ungrateful of you,’ said Daniel. ‘You’re talking about someone who gave you a pouch of tobacco out of the kindness of her heart. Rachel told me about it on the way to Lille. It was your favourite brand as well, wasn’t it? You’re enjoying it this very moment.’

Snatching the pipe from his mouth, Welbeck banged it on his heel to empty its contents before stuffing it into his pocket. He spoke with a resentful curiosity.