Nigel Tranter - The Wisest Fool

"I do not seek help, sir!" the other said sharply. "A matter of business as I say. No doubt to your advantage." That 'your' was stressed. "Ah. Then I should be grateful, Sir Asher-should I?"

"H'm. So I would judge. My man is outside. He has, ah, certain items for your consideration. Items of value, you understand. Have him in, Master Heriot" "You have him in, sir."

The knight frowned, then went to the door, and beckoned a servant in from the Exchange. The man carried a large and obviously heavy bag. "You will understand, sir, that the circumstances are unusual. Very unusual. And that this entire proceeding is distasteful to me."

"Ah. If I can lessen the distaste for you, I shall do so, Sir Asher. You wish to pawn something? It can happen to any man."

"Good God-pawn, sir? No! I do not… pawn! I have come to sell you certain items of great value. A simple matter of sale. The items are no longer required by me. They might as. well be made use of, by others." "I see. A worthy attitude, sir. May I see…?"

Dewsbury, looking detached but pained, gestured to his man to open the bag, and then stalked over to investigate some jewellery on display as though with a view to purchase on some suitable occasion He kept bis beautifully-garbed back stiffly turned while Heriot examined the contents of the bag.

"Very nice," his back was told, in due course. 'The silver of good quality, the plate fair, the jewellery excellent, if old-fashioned…"

"Old-fashioned, sir! What do you mean? These things have been in my family for generations."

"Exactly. As I say, old-fashioned though of fine quality. Fashions change in jewellery as in other matters, Sir Asher. You desire me to buy these?" "I desire to dispose of them. If your price is sufficient."

"I perceive the difference, sir. Let me see, then." Heriot examined the pieces more closely, took the jewellery over to the light, scratched the plate a little, and weighed all in his hands. "Shall we say seventy pounds, and one hundred pounds, and another seventy pounds? Two hundred and forty pounds Sterling in all. Or… make it two hundred and fifty pounds as a comfortable figure."

"But… 'fore God, man-this is ridiculous! Not half their worth. You are insulting, sir. I want six hundred pounds, at least."

"Ah. Then I am sorry, Sir Asher. I fear that you must take them otherwhere."

"I shall, sirrah-I shall. But-probably you are making a joke? Testing my wits? I am no pigeon to be plucked, Master Heriot Come, sir-give me an honest price."

"An honest price, sir, would be two hundred and forty pounds. But I will repeat my two hundred and fifty. If it is insufficient, go otherwhere, by all means. But I would advise you that you will not get ten pounds more in all London-and most like be offered less."

"But-the quality, man! You said yourself that the silver was good quality. In weight alone…"

"Unfortunately, it has your arms engraved on all, sir. One of the disadvantages of your rank and status. Before I could sell it for use by others, I must remove that. Otherwise, merely melt all down." Dewsbury looked shaken. 'You swear on your word as a gentleman, Master Heriot, that I will get little more elsewhere?" "I am a tradesman and no gentleman, Sir Asher-so I cannot swear as one. But I will swear as the King's jeweller that it is so. If that will serve."

"Ah. Yes-to be sure. But… I need six hundred pounds, sir. And quickly. I can spare no more such items." The knight took a turn up and down the shop. "Master Heriot-I believe that you also lend money upon usury?" "Aye-I am a usurer, sir. I lend-where the credit is good."

"I have two thousand, four hundred good acres in Dorset, sir. Two manors. Will you lend me the remainder of the six hundred pounds?" "I shall consider it, Sir Asher." "I require it at once. Today. I shall repay you, shortly."

"How shortly? My interest is twelve per centum. For three months. For folk in a hurry!" "You shall have it back before three months."

"Sir Asher-are you a wagering man? For I am chary of lending to such. Wagers can fail-and my repayment with them."

"No. No such thing. Never fear, sir-your money will be safe enough. Entirely safe. I have an office of profit in the Queen's household." "Ah. Indeed. Now you interest me, Sir Asher."

'Yes." The other seemed to recover something of his assurance. "I am to be one of Her Majesty's Almoners. Now-will you let me have the six hundred pounds, sir? Today?" "Is there such haste? Will tomorrow not serve?" "No. I must pay it tonight. To Sir Robert Carr." "Carr? You have been borrowing from young Carr?"

"I have not, sir. I have never borrowed aught in my life! At least, h'm, until today. But I must pay Sir Robert six hundred pounds by tonight-or fail to gain the office of Queen's Almoner."

Heriot drew a long breath. "I see. So… Sir Robert Carr is selling you the office? Is that it?"

"In a fashion, yes. He uses his influence with the King to gain such appointments. And, and charges for his services."

"Six hundred pounds is a large charge, Sir Asher 1 See you, I had heard rumours of this practice-but doubted the truth of it. There have been other such… arrangements?" "To be sure. Carr can gain anyone a place, they say. But he is damned expensive"

"Very well. I think that I may just be able to raise your six hundred pounds on the premises. Two hundred and fifty pounds to buy these items. And three hundred and fifty pounds at twelve per centum. I shall write the papers…"

After Dewsbury had gone, George Heriot sat very thoughtful, for a while.

Two days later, on a grey November afternoon, he presented himself at Denmark House, a thing he had not done for two years, and sought audience of the Queen. He had not to wait for so long as he expected, before being conducted to a pleasant small boudoir where Anne and the Marchioness of Huntly sat before a fire of scented logs, stitching embroidery. His welcome was stiffly wary- but at least the Queen called him Master Geordie, not Master Heriot, and managed a hint of a smile as he bowed low.

"You have not found occasion to call on us these many months," she declared, after the formal greetings. "In consequence, I have had to purchase my jewellery from Sir William Herrick." That was distinctly tart

"An excellent gentleman," Heriot said. "I am sure that he will serve Your Majesty passing well."

"No doubt," she answered, frowning a little. "His prices are fair. But he is mighty mean in the giving of credit." Heriot sought to look sympathetic, but did not comment. They eyed each other needfully. "What have you come for?" the Queen asked, at length.

"I have been desirous of coming, for long," the man declared then, frankly. "Wishful to end this… estrangement I still consider myself Your Majesty's servant. I have been much grieved that I no longer had your trust and confidence." "I have never refused you audience, sir. You have never come." "Because I did not believe my coming welcome, Madam." "And you do now?" "Who knows? But now, at least, I have reason to come. A matter to speak of." "A favour to ask, perhaps?"

"No. Or, perhaps, that too. But not firstly. My main concern, indeed my duty, is to inform Your Majesty of a matter which has come to my notice-and which I cannot believe you to be aware of. I believe that you ought to be aware of it I have learned that appointments are being made to your household-one appointment, at least-for payment of moneys. Payment to a person at Court. Large payment"

"To my household? Not the King's? How dare they? Are you sure, Master Geordie? Have you proof?" "Yes. I think I have." "My new Master of Hawks? Strickland?"

"No. Or, it may be so. But that is not the one I learned of. It is Sir Asher Dewsbury, Almoner."

"But-he is not yet appointed, I have but heard his name mentioned." "He has already paid for the office, Madam. Whether or no you have appointed him. And paid sweetly." 'To whom?" "To Sir Robert Carr."