‘Dear God, how are you alive?’ gasped Hope incredulously.
‘His aim was a little off,’ responded Gabriel ruefully. ‘Clearly throwing people out of windows is not something my cousin does every day.’
Hope opened her mouth to speak again but Nicholas held up his hand to forestall her. After throwing an apologetic smile her way, he turned back to the Viscount.
‘But the French didn’t simply walk into Cadiz. Marshal Victor’s troops surround the island still, but they have not been able to take it. Major General Graham abides there yet and has by all accounts transformed the fortifications of the city.’
Gabriel grinned savagely. ‘If you will allow me to continue your grace, I have much yet to tell you.’ He waited until Nicholas nodded a touch impatiently.
‘As I said, my cousin’s aim was most definitely off. As he pushed me from the window, he stupidly did not wait to check whether I’d hit the ground. I actually fell onto a ledge two floors down and fainted. When I came to it was dark. I managed to drag myself to the window where I was observed by a priest. He did not ask any questions, merely took me in and saved my life.
‘I don’t remember much of the days that followed. I was incredibly fortunate that the monsignor had a knowledge of healing - rivalling even that of yours Malcolm.’ He turned to the valet who raised his eyebrows in mock disbelief.
‘By the time I had recovered enough to speak, we were well into January. I had no idea where the Seahorse was or indeed what had happened. The monsignor quickly appraised me that the French had already bypassed Cadiz and were marching onto Seville.’ Gabriel shook his head wearily and look around at his mesmerised audience. The only sound in the room was the fire crackling in the grate and Freddy’s soft snoring in front of it. The Duke did not interrupt again, merely leaned forward and refilled the Viscount’s glass.
Gabriel took a sip of the amber liquid before continuing.
‘I didn’t know how much to tell the priest. The man was kindness itself, but I had no idea whether Henry was still in the city. I was afraid to ask if the Seahorse was still at anchor - I did not know until this evening whether the bastard had actually returned home. According to the monsignor, Napoleon’s troops were entirely pre-occupied with subduing Seville but clearly it was only a matter of time before they turned their attention back to Cadiz. The Andalusian capital had all but fallen and as I’m sure you are well aware your grace, once they had taken Cadiz, the French would finally have succeeded in their long-awaited subjugation of Andalusia’
Nicholas glanced at Adam at this assessment and both men nodded in agreement.
‘There had been no further Spanish reinforcements arrive in Cadiz while I was insensible. The city was entirely unprotected with what was left of the Spanish army marching south in a desperate attempt to save Seville. I finally left the city under cover of darkness. Although the monsignor did not know what had befallen me, he was persuaded that I needed to leave in secret, and he arranged for a small fishing boat to take me across the Rio Santi Petri to the mainland.’
Gabriel shrugged and took another sip of his brandy. ‘From there I made my way towards Seville, hoping to intercept the Spanish armies marching south. At the very least I felt duty bound to warn someone in authority that Cadiz was entirely unprotected. We were now into the last days of January but as I found to my cost, only the Army of Estremadura under the Duke of Albuquerque had actually succeeded in reaching Andalusia before Seville finally fell. I wasted days trying to catch up with them, and by the time I was granted an audience with his grace, his troops were only twenty miles from Seville.
‘As luck would have it, the Duke had that morning received new orders to move his army on to Cordoba. I remember it was the twenty fifth of January. His grace was incensed knowing that it would be an entire waste of his time as Cordoba had been taken by the French that very same day. I impressed upon the Duke that Cadiz was entirely defenceless and would almost certainly fall to the French without even a shot being fired. Should such a calamity transpire, then the war would be all but over. I had no proof on me. Nothing to authenticate my claim that Cadiz would be forced to simply open its gates to Napoleon’s army when it finally turned its attention away from Seville. I don’t know what persuaded him about my sincerity, but he made a fateful decision.’
‘It was your information that convinced Albuquerque to ignore his orders and retreat to Cadiz?’ questioned Nicholas incredulously.
Gabriel shrugged. ‘I doubt my words were his only consideration. He was well aware of the wretched state of the Spanish army and no doubt conceived it very possible that Cadiz had been left completely undefended, but whatever made up his mind, the Duke marched twelve thousand men into Cadiz on the third of February. Two days before the French army arrived.’
‘Did you return to Cadiz?’ asked Hope breathlessly.
‘I did not,’ responded the Viscount. ‘I realised I needed to return to England as soon as possible.’ Gabriel looked around the room and spread his hands in surrender.
‘And there you have it. My story in its entirety. My closest family went to great lengths to put an end to me, and I’m certain that should my uncle or cousin get wind of my survival, they will not hesitate to try again. Indeed, they now have no choice. But I cannot simply walk in and accuse the Admiral of parricide. My uncle has more connections than one can shake a stick at, while I have few friends and am generally considered an eccentric recluse with a relatively unimportant title.
‘But now, I have no idea who I can trust. My uncle could well spin a tale convincing everyone that I am addled and simply have me locked away.’ Gabriel paused and turned to the Duke. ‘But you have been like a brother to me Nick and not only that, you’re the most honourable man I know. That’s why I decided this tale would be for your ears only.’ The last was said drily as he shook his head in exasperation.
There was a small silence, then Adam asked, ‘How the deuce did you finally get home?’ Admiration was clearly evident in his voice.
‘It took me months to make my way to the east coast and I finally managed to secure passage aboard a merchant ship by selling the last of my trinkets. Naturally I dared tell no one of my real identity, though by then I don’t think anyone would have believed me if I’d declared myself.’
‘But someone must suspect you still live,’ argued Hope. ‘Else why did those men chase after the carriage? And why did they question whether it belonged to Nicholas?’
‘It would appear that we are not the only ones convinced the news of your demise may have been a trifle premature,’ Nicholas commented wryly.
‘Your reputation as a man of honour is well known,’ observed Gabriel, ‘as is our connection, so...’
‘So, if you happened to miraculously rise from the dead,’ the Reverend chimed in, ‘it’s reasonable to assume you would head for Blackmore.’
‘What do we to do now?’ Temperance pressed.
‘Tonight, we do nothing,’ responded the Duke wearily. ‘It’s late, it’s Christmas Day and it’s my belief we are all entirely done in. The varmints who harried the coach did not believe it mine so are no further forward in confirming whether Gabriel is either alive or in the Country. While we suspect them to be working for either the Admiral or Henry Atwood, we currently have no proof of that. Tomorrow after a good night’s sleep, we will reconvene and decide our strategy.’
Gabriel looked around helplessly at the nodding heads around the room. He had sought one man’s help but had ended up with an entire clan. He shook his head. Truly he was done to a cow's thumb and wanted nothing more than to seek oblivion between some clean sheets. His efforts to convince Nicholas that it was sheer folly to involve his entire family in such treachery, would have to wait until the morrow.
And in truth, he had a sinking feeling that the choice had been entirely taken out of his hands.
