Edward Marston - The Amorous Nightingale

Shadows were lengthening when he finally reached Addle Hill. Wanting to rest after a long day, he felt misgivings when he saw a horse tethered outside his front door. Sarah's greeting only intensified his concern. As he stepped into the house, her face was shining.

'We have a visitor, Jonathan,' she said with excitement.

'Do we?'

'Mr Redmayne.'

'What does he want?' grunted her husband.

'You'll have to ask him when he comes down.'

'Comes down?'

'Yes,' she said cheerily. 'Mr Redmayne very kindly offered to read to the boys. He has such a lovely voice. I could listen to it all day.'

'That's more than I can do!'

Jonathan was about to start up the stairs to interrupt the reading when he saw Christopher descending. The latter's polite wave gained only a brief acknowledgement. Jonathan was suspicious.

'What have you been doing up there, sir?' he asked.

'Reading to them from the Book of Judges,' said Christopher, 'the story of Samson. They seemed to like it at first.'

'At first?'

'It sent them both asleep.' He resorted to a whisper. 'I suggest that we keep our voices down and continue this conversation elsewhere.'

Jonathan gave a signal to his wife then led his guest into the parlour. Sarah went upstairs to check on her children. The constable was embarrassed and' annoyed, uneasy at the thought of entertaining a gentleman in his humble dwelling and irritated at the liberties his visitor had taken while he was there.

'I'll thank you to leave any reading to me,' he said huffily. 'They're my sons and I give them a Bible story every night.'

'So I understand, Mr Bale, and I applaud you for it. But you were called away this evening and both Oliver and Richard were desperate for someone to read to them. I offered my services, Mrs Bale was only too happy to give me her permission. The boys seemed happy, too – until they dozed off towards the end.'

'I don't want it to happen again, Mr Redmayne.'

'Then I'll respect that wish.'

'Thank you, sir.'

Jonathan was standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. He waved Christopher to a chair then sat opposite him on a low stool. In spite of himself, he was not entirely displeased to see his guest again. He had developed a deep and lasting respect for him as well as a grudging affection. They could never be kindred spirits but an adventure had drawn them together in a way that was bound to forge a bond between them. It was one which put a friendly smile on Christopher's face. The constable's manner was more wary.

'What brings you to my house, Mr Redmayne?' he asked.

'I'll not pretend that it was the pleasure of reading about Samson, though that does have its charms. No, Mr Bale. I come on the most urgent business – at the express request of His Majesty.'

Jonathan quailed. 'His Majesty?'

'Do you recall what he once said to us?'

'How could I ever forget?'

'He said that he might need us again one day.'

'The words were like a hot brand.'

'Then steel yourself for more pain, Mr Bale. The call has come.'

'To you or to me?'

'To both of us. His Majesty was most specific about that.'

Great surprise. 'He remembered who I was?'

'By deed, if not by name.'

'But I'm only a humble constable.'

'I know, Mr Bale. I'm a struggling architect but that doesn't stop His Majesty from selecting the two of us for this assignment. It's a bizarre choice, I grant you, but not without its reason.'

'Reason?'

Christopher leaned forward. 'Before I say anything else, I must impress upon you the importance of secrecy. We are dealing with a very delicate matter here. Nothing must be heard outside these four walls.'

'You can rely on me,' came the brisk reply, 'and nobody will eavesdrop. When my wife comes downstairs, she'll go straight to the kitchen. You can trust Sarah. She understands.' His eyes narrowed. 'Now, sir, what exactly is this very delicate matter?'

'It concerns a lady, Mr Bale. A rather special lady.'

Christopher was succinct. He gave a clear account of the facts without embellishment. The effect on Jonathan was startling. He was, by turns, shocked, alarmed, scornful, interested, almost sympathetic then patently disgusted. One question burst out of him.

'Was the lady alone when she was abducted?' he asked.

'Apart from her coachman, Mr Trigg.'

'There was no one else in the vehicle with her, then?'

'Such as?'

'A maid, a companion.'

'No, Mr Bale. The coachman left us in no doubt about that. Mrs Gow was completely alone. That's what made her such an easy target.'

'I see.' Jonathan relaxed visibly before coming to a quick decision. 'Find someone else, Mr Redmayne. I'm not your man.'

'What are you saying?'

'That I've no wish to be involved. Why should I be? This crime has no relevance to me. It didn't take place in my ward and I can bring no particular skills to the solution of it. Someone else might. Seek him out and press him into service.'

Christopher was aghast. 'You are daring to refuse?'

'On a point of principle.'

'But this assignment comes with a royal command.'

'That's what appals me,' said Jonathan levelly. 'I'm sorry to hear that the lady in question has been kidnapped and I hope that she can be rescued before any harm comes to her, but I've no wish to be part of a scheme which has one obvious purpose.'

'And what's that?'

'Retrieving someone for His Majesty's bed.'

'You put it very bluntly, Mr Bale.'

'Bluntly but honestly.'

Christopher was stung. 'I make no comment whatsoever on the King's motives,' he said quickly, 'but this I can tell you. Harriet Gow's importance does not rest solely on her relationship with His Majesty. She is an actress of supreme talents, adored by all who have seen her perform or heard her sing.' He rose to his feet. 'I had the good fortune to witness her on stage myself and I've never been so moved by the sheer histrionic power. The lady is a genius. Let me nail my colours to the mast,' he said proudly. 'To save Harriet Gow, I'd go to the ends of the earth and endure any hazards. But I'll not succeed on my own. That's why I need your help.'

'It's not at your beck and call.'

'Nor even at His Majesty's?'

'There are other constables in London.'

'But none with your particular abilities, Mr Bale. How can you hold back, man? You're sworn to uphold the law. A dreadful crime has been committed and you're turning your back on the opportunity to bring the villains to justice.' Christopher was almost imploring him. 'Please consider your decision again. You simply must help me.'

'It's out of the question, sir.'

'But why?'

'I told you earlier. It's a point of principle. You may trumpet the lady's virtues but she inhabits a world of vice. Theatre is a symbol of all that's wrong with this city. I'll not subsidise corruption.' He got to his feet, his broad shoulders straightening as he did so. 'Nor will I provide a missing favourite for the King's bed. That's not what I call upholding the law, Mr Redmayne. It's condoning a vile sin in order to solve a crime.'

'The lady is in grave danger!' said Christopher angrily.

Jonathan was unmoved. He crossed the room to open the door.

'Then you'd better try to find her,' he said calmly.

'Why are you asking me all these questions about Harriet Gow?'

'Idle curiosity.'

'I know you better than that, Henry.'

'The lady fascinates me.'

'She fascinates every man with red blood in his veins,' said Killigrew, twitching a lecherous eyebrow, 'but that doesn't make them interrogate me like this.'

Henry Redmayne dispensed his most charming smile. 'I ask purely in the spirit of friendship, Tom.'

'Friendship with me – or with Harriet?'