‘That was simply thrilling,’ said Jane as they got into a hackney carriage. ‘I felt privileged to witness how you two work together, like a well-oiled machine. Is your life always like this?’
Dora was tempted to laugh at that description. She could think of many occasions when she and Jacob had rubbed up against each other and produced sparks. ‘Sometimes. Much of what we do is patient watching or asking the right questions of those who know our targets.’
‘I’ve always thought the greatest marriages are those between two people who complement each other, whether it be to run a gentleman’s household, a ship of the line or a vast landed estate.’
‘We aren’t married.’
‘Not quite on the same page yet?’ asked Jane.
‘You could say that.’ Dora listened as Jacob gave the driver instructions to drop the ladies at the address for the stage manager in Covent Garden and then take him on to the Foreign Office. They were dividing their efforts, weren’t they? She didagree that they had to make haste, but he should have asked her. He saw her expression when he took his seat.
‘I thought we agreed?’ he said warily.
‘When did we agree?’
‘When our eyes met and you… You’re right. I merely thought I’d understood your intention.’
‘Shall I fetch the oilcan?’ said Jane archly as she nudged Dora. The carriage began moving.
‘I find words are usually necessary to avoid misunderstanding, Jacob,’ said Dora dryly. ‘It is a good plan, but remember that these people are still at large. We aren’t safe until they know they are too late to get their hands on the report. And we will still have to guard against them lashing out in anger.’
‘What did the report say?’ asked Jane. ‘I was dying to ask but thought I should show restraint.’
‘I found it rather encouraging,’ said Dora. ‘Do you want to read it?’
Jane shook her head. ‘Please summarise the main points for me. I’d prefer we talk about what we are doing, in the time we have left before we get to our destination.’
‘Thecomte’s last report said that Napoleon had made a serious error. The emperor does not understand the general he is up against,’ said Jacob.
‘Field Marshal Wellington?’ asked Jane.
‘Not him this time. Napoleon is unlikely to face him as they are in very different theatres of war, one in Spain the other on the border of Russia. Thecomtewas writing about Prince Kutuzov.’
‘Head of the Russian armies?’
‘That’s the man. Kutuzov is a general of the old school who doesn’t flinch at doing what is necessary. He will burn every building and destroy all the crops between Kiev and Moscow rather than let the French get hold of them. Thecomtepredictedthat the French armies would march into a desert with a Russian winter approaching. There will be nothing to requisition and the line of supply too long and vulnerable to feed so a huge force.’
Jane wrinkled her brow. ‘Napoleon doesn’t know this? How can he not?’
‘Because he thinks the Tsar is a young man who would prefer to sue for peace as he did before. Napoleon doesn’t expect Alexander to sacrifice his own country to stop the invaders. He has not given sufficient weight to the stubbornness of the old soldier in charge.’
‘Thecomtepredicted that Napoleon will retreat?’
‘Not before he goes too far. D’Antraigues predicted that Napoleon will lose– and that means he will lose everything. That was the explosion thecomtepromised.’
Dora had read the same message too. It felt unreal at this time when the emperor’s power was at its zenith. But perhaps that was just it– the hubris of a man who had come to believe that he couldn’t lose a battle? He had reached a peak and now was destined to decline. He had forgotten that other forces were ranged against him, bloody-minded peasantry and the approaching winter to name but two; these no general could defeat.
‘Who had the motive to kill to keep this quiet? The allies must welcome the news. Our government will be encouraged and find renewed enthusiasm for the fight. The Russians too must be very happy with this verdict,’ said Jane. ‘I know my brothers in the navy would celebrate to hear their contribution to the war has not been in vain.’
‘Does this mean the French are back in contention as our killers?’ asked Dora, then immediately corrected herself. ‘That doesn’t feel right. It seemed to me that Michel Percy was one step behind us, or more. We wondered if Lorenzo, hating Napoleon as he did, killed his master because he couldn’t standthe report predicting French success, but we have a report saying the exact opposite.’
‘I think I know what happened,’ said Jacob. ‘Or, at least, I have a suspicion of the motive for keeping this report out of circulation. I’m just not certain who.’ He shook himself. ‘Let’s get this report handed over to Thornbury in the strictest confidence. We can say it has been found, but we must make sure no one knows what is in it. That is the best way of unmasking our killer.’
‘What are you plotting, Jacob? You know I don’t like to be kept in the dark.’
‘Visit the stage manager and get confirmation of who put the gunner in the orchestra. If that name is the person I suspect, then we have confirmation. I don’t want to prejudice your questions by giving you the name now.’
He was up to something, but Dora trusted him enough to let this play out as he suggested. ‘And after we have the name?’
