The Circle of Sappho (13 page)

‘Not at all,' replied the magistrate, ‘if Swann is agreeable to it?'

Swann nodded to confirm that he was.

‘Splendid,' said Charles. At that, he ushered Swann along one of the corridors and followed after him. Fitzpatrick turned and headed towards the bar.

They entered the room put aside for them. Inside were several Chesterfield armchairs and two four-seat sofas, upholstered in dark-red leather. Two of the armchairs were placed opposite one another, either side of a crackling fireplace. The politician gestured for Swann to sit down in one of them, then walked over to a cabinet and opened its glass door.

‘Fitzpatrick informs me you are a wine connoisseur, Mr Swann.'

‘I would not venture to call myself that, only …'

‘Indeed, indeed. There is an appealing '87 Château d'Yquem, if that would be agreeable?'

‘Most agreeable,' replied Swann.

Charles brought two crystal glasses back with him, along with the bottle, and poured a substantial measure into each. He offered a glass to Swann and put the other on the table between them. He then seated himself opposite.

‘If you do not mind, Mr Swann, I will come straight to the point as to why I requested your presence here. How much do you know of my predicament?'

‘Fitzpatrick has prevailed upon me the briefest of details. I understand that you are at present the victim of blackmail.'

Charles looked suitably forlorn.

‘I will not try to condone my behaviour, or deny my indiscretion, Mr Swann. I know I have acted wrongly, but there is more at stake than my own reputation and career. If permissible, I wish to outline the reasons by which I feel you should reconsider your decision not to take on this case.'

Swann gestured for Charles to continue.

‘This country of ours, England, is, I fear, standing on the precipice of disaster and faces one of the greatest challenges in its history. The last thirty years have seen monumental events – America's independence, the French Revolution and subsequent Reign of Terror, the ascendancy to power of Napoleon and the Irish uprisings – which have all severely chipped away at the very foundations of our nation. Everywhere one looks there is unrest, instability and potential conflict. Why, at this very moment Napoleon sits across the Channel waiting for spring to arrive, so he can ‘jump the ditch', as he refers to it, and eradicate this island's freedom for ever. Whilst on our other coast, the Irish are across their own sea, waiting for any opportunity to exact revenge on us for what they perceive as unjust rule. And all the while these unsavoury and menacing forces gather themselves together and grow stronger on a daily basis, we have, for want of a better phrase, a dithering prime minister who refuses to embrace the need to equip ourselves realistically to rise up to face this challenge.'

Charles stopped talking momentarily in order to gauge Swann's reaction thus far. He raised his glass to his lips and swallowed a mouthful of the d'Yquem.

‘Perhaps I am being too passionate but I believe in this country, Mr Swann, and I believe in its continued right to be free. I also firmly believe in the duty of government to serve the people and I believe this is not happening at present. Addington needs to be replaced as soon as possible and the only man suitable for the job is Pitt. With the King suffering another bout of illness, we have to be as secure as possible.'

‘Why not Grenville or Fox to replace the prime minister?' asked Swann.

‘They have too many personal issues between them to be able to ever lead this country. And besides, Fox is an advocate of peace on any terms. He has been against this war with France since Napoleon assumed power. “Is peace a rash system?” are his very words. “Must the bowels of Great Britain be torn out – her best blood be spilt – her treasure wasted?” We need war, Mr Swann, and our party can deliver it, but not with Addington at its head. We need Pitt to lead the country once more and behind him a strong, supportive government. This is where I believe I can make a contribution. As Fitzpatrick may have informed you, my intention is to become a Member of Parliament in a forthcoming by-election. Are you a supporter of the Conservative Party, Mr Swann? No, do not answer. I do not wish to know another man's leanings, especially when they may be in direct opposition to my own. I am a Tory, Mr Swann, as my father and his father before him. I believe I have a substantial career in politics in front of me and I know I can offer much to this country and her people. The fact of the matter is, Mr Swann, there are people depending on me to achieve certain goals in my political ambitions and this disagreeable matter might put an end to them.'

‘So what exactly do the blackmailers hold against you?'

‘A number of letters, Mr Swann, composed while infatuated with a girl at a certain establishment in the city and coerced by the recipient into writing them.'

‘The contents of which, if made public, would I assume be most damaging?' said Swann.

‘Exactly,' replied Charles. ‘I have surely paid the price for my indiscretions, Mr Swann, not only in monetary terms but also in anguish and distress. Putting my own political aspirations aside for a moment though, I can only guess what this would do to my devoted wife and young son if these letters were published. I feel that I have so much to offer and it hurts me to even think of its potential loss. I can almost taste success. Pitt is gradually being brought around and coming to his senses. He has to be convinced to seize control from this amateur, to put his own personal promises aside and take power back, it is the only way to defeat Napoleon. And when the day comes, which I believe will be soon, I would like to think I will form part of that government which will help to secure victory for England.'

‘If I understand you correctly, Mr Moorhouse, you are saying that you may be part of the next government, if you are successful in the city's by-election?'

‘The by-election is not in Bath, Mr Swann. Goodness no. If I were to pit myself against such stalwarts as Thynne and Palmer I would never stand a chance. No, this is up in Knaresborough. One of the incumbent MPs has unfortunately passed away and his seat is therefore vacant.'

‘I do not believe I have heard of this place; it is nearby?'

‘No, it is in West Riding, in Yorkshire. It is a burgage borough.'

‘Is that similar to a rotten one?'

‘Only in so much as any form of democracy is absent within both. Whereas the electorate of a rotten borough are “guided”, let us say, by a certain party or parties with a vested interest as to which way to vote, the main landowner in a burgage borough appoints the MP himself. In the case of Knaresborough this is the Duke of Devonshire. Up until now it has been staunchly Whig, but my supporters believe his allegiance can be swung.'

‘Which MP was it that died?'

‘James Hare.'

‘I remember reading his obituary now,' said Swann. ‘Was it about a week ago?'

‘Ten days to be exact, and I take it as an auspicious sign that it was here in Bath that he expired.'

‘He did not reside in Yorkshire, then?'

‘Lord no! One does not have to live among the people one represents; merely speak on their behalf in the Commons. Although having said that, from what I understand Hare was not a great orator. A fine wit though. To answer your question about a governmental position, Mr Swann, this would probably not be achieved immediately, but if Pitt does assume position of prime minister, I am certain there would be a reshuffle soon afterwards, a culling of dead wood so to speak, and I believe there would indeed be a place for me in that government. So you see, Mr Swann, it is imperative that this matter of blackmail is resolved satisfactorily and as soon as possible. If this was to continue, then either the scandal would destroy my career or …'

‘… or the blackmailers would have something more powerful in their grasp than money,' finished Swann, ‘political influence.'

Charles nodded, gloomily.

‘And do you think your blackmailers know this?'

‘I can only hope they do not, but if I am successful at this by-election they would surely soon find out.'

Swann thought for a few moments.

‘My reason for declining your case, when Fitzpatrick asked me yesterday, was that I have seen far too many of them, with most ending tragically. I cannot say I will be able to resolve this to your satisfaction but I will certainly give it some thought in the next day or so and if I feel I can do anything to help, be assured that I will do so.'

Charles smiled and rose out of his seat to shake Swann's hand.

‘Thank you Mr Swann, that is as much as I could have hoped for.'

‘Please tell me exactly how the handing over of the money is carried out. Would I be correct in assuming you give it directly to them or is there a third party?'

‘I hand it over directly. I receive a message early in the morning, which tells me where and when to meet that evening and the amount of money I should bring. It has been a different location each time.'

‘And when is the next meeting?'

‘I have not been contacted yet, although I expect it to be any day soon. Lately it has been every other week and it will be two weeks tomorrow since the last time.'

‘Well, as soon as you find out please inform Fitzpatrick, so that he can tell me. I will be there when you hand over the payment. Do not worry, though, as I will not compromise your situation. I shall not be seen and will only be there in an observertory capacity'

The two men left the room and headed back along the corridor to the top of the stairs. As they did so, Swann noticed an older gentleman gesturing in an attempt to catch the politician's attention.

‘Thank you once again, Mr Swann,' said Charles.

‘You are welcome, Mr Moorhouse. I will not detain you any longer, as I believe there is someone who wishes to speak with you.'

Charles looked across at the gesturing gentleman.

‘Ah yes. Well, if you will excuse me, Mr Swann.'

Swann watched as the politician walked over to meet the other man, no doubt, he thought, in order to tell him the outcome of the meeting. Swann went through to the bar, although there was no sign of Fitzpatrick. He had only been in there but a few moments when a gentleman approached him. The man leant forward and spoke discreetly to Swann.

‘Good evening, sir, I do not believe I have seen you here before. Are you a member of this club?'

‘No,' replied Swann. ‘I am a guest of Henry Fitzpatrick, although I do not seem to be able to locate him at present.'

‘Ah, very good, sir,' replied the gentleman. ‘I believe Mr Fitzpatrick in is the Faro room, sir.'

‘Thank you.'

Swann made his way out of the bar and along the corridor, to the room Kirby had entered earlier. As soon as Swann went in he observed Fitzpatrick, albeit through a dense cloud of cigar smoke. He was sitting at a card table. Swann hesitated, but then went and sat down in the vacant chair next to the magistrate.

‘Ah, Swann, there you are. I decided to try my luck at Faro.'

Across the table came the familiar voice of Kirby. ‘Will you join us Swann? I have the bank.'

‘I do not play,' said Swann.

‘Each to their own, I suppose,' said Kirby. ‘Henry, another round?'

Fitzpatrick nodded and Kirby dealt the hand. There were four other players gathered around the oval-shaped table. The game was easy to learn and had become popular due to its fast action and odds of winning. Players would participate by placing bets on cards pasted on a board, which had one complete suit – usually spades – on it. A deck of cards would be shuffled and the top card would be discarded. The next two cards were then dealt out by the dealer, the first card drawn being called the ‘banker's card', the next, the ‘players' card'. Any player who had placed a bet on a card pasted on the board and whose denomination matched that of the ‘banker's card', lost their money. Anyone who had placed a bet matching the denomination to the ‘player's card', however, won and received back double their bet. Two more cards would then be dealt by the banker and the game would continue, with the rest of the rules mostly being picked up as the players went along.

The game of Faro was, however, as Swann knew only too well, one of the card games where cheating was almost compulsory. Any man could cheat if he knew the game well, though the banker, who also dealt, would normally hold court above all. It was little wonder, he thought, that Kirby was in the banker's seat. As Swann watched for several hands, he noticed that Fitzpatrick and the other players had their share of luck but that the banker naturally had more. By the time they played a fifth hand, Swann could tell Kirby was cheating and by the seventh hand was able to observe how he was doing it. It was an old trick and Swann reprimanded himself for not noticing it sooner, though he had not been in a card room for at least five years. Although he knew Kirby was cheating, the way in which he was doing it meant that he could easily deny it and Swann would not be able to prove it. At the same time, he did not wish to cause disruption in the club, as he was, after all, a guest of Fitzpatrick. He would wait for the right opportunity.

‘Count me out,' said the man two seats to the right of Fitzpatrick, after Kirby had enjoyed a run of six consecutive wins.

‘Better luck next time,' said Kirby, shuffling the pack once more.

‘I will take his place, if that is agreeable Kirby?' said Swann.

‘Excellent,' said Kirby. There was, however, a slight expression of surprise in his eyes, which Swann immediately noticed.

The top card was once again discarded and the following two laid face up, one either side of Kirby. The banker immediately began to lose and the other players started to win a little of their money back. Swann himself won the first three games. Kirby laughed at Swann's ‘beginners luck', as he called it, after he won the next two hands as well, but soon realised the other man was also cheating.