The Chemickal Marriage

Grey –’
    ‘They were corrupt fools.’
    ‘Better to follow fools than your neck in a noose, eh?’
    ‘Follow where? Robert Vandaariff controls every such laboratory, does he not? For heaven’s sake, what is your
serious
question?’
    Schoepfil hesitated, and his voice dropped to a nervous whisper. ‘What has my uncle
done
to this Cardinal Chang?’
    A discreet cough announced Mr Kelling, soot-smeared but unperturbed. ‘The Duchess of Cogstead, sir. She insists –’
    Before Mr Schoepfil could welcome the lady or attempt to refuse, the Duchess made her entry. Miss Temple hardly recognized the old put-upon woman she had seen in the baths, for here was a high lady of court, wig and powder perfectly applied, and her dress, in happy contrast to the clinging bathing costume, a triumph of buttresses.
    ‘Your Grace.’ Schoepfil made an unctuous bow. ‘As you see, we
do
prepare our exit –’
    ‘Where is that woman?’
    ‘Woman?’ Schoepfil fluttered a hand, a grey wren shaking its feathers, at the leather case and papers. ‘Kelling, if you could collect all that and bring it to the coach?’
    ‘The woman in your protection,’ said the Duchess.
    Schoepfil chuckled. ‘I am no church offering sanctuary –’
    ‘The Contessa di Lacquer-Sforza. She is in your hands. I want her.
Now
.’
    ‘Goodness!’ Schoepfil turned, distracted by politeness, to Svenson. ‘My apologies, madam, do you know Doctor Svenson? Personal attaché to the late Crown Prince of Macklenburg. Doctor Svenson, Her Grace the Duchess of Cogstead, Mistress of Her Majesty’s Bedchamber and
de facto
mistress of this entire facility –’
    The Duchess shifted her voice, hard as a stone, to Kelling, who was gathering items as instructed. ‘Put that down. Nothing will leave this room.’
    Schoepfil raised his hands. ‘First you tell me to go,
now
–’
    ‘Until I have this woman your effects are impounded. You will not leave.You will not communicate. Your moment – yes, I am aware where Colonel Bronque has gone, and where Lord Axewith has been diverted – your
moment
to engage with
events
, Mr Schoepfil, will
pass
. Unless I have that woman.’
    ‘I’d no idea the Contessa held such value at court –’
    ‘You have three seconds to reply.’
    ‘Your Grace, I need only one. Of course you shall have her. At Colonel Bronque’s suggestion, she waits in the custody of his soldiers. Allow me to escort you, and understand that I myself have no position on the lady. Apparently the Contessa and the Colonel are acquainted by way of the Duke of Stäelmaere …’
    But instead of following Schoepfil, the Duchess only called to a group of courtiers who stood outside. ‘Mr Schoepfil will take you to her. Once she is in your hands, you know what to do. Mr Nordling!’ A grey-haired courtier came forward. ‘Escort Mr Kelling and his crate of goods to the guardhouse. Nothing to leave until you have my word.’
    Schoepfil pursed his lips. ‘O Your Grace, I do assure you –’
    ‘
Go
.’
    Schoepfil disappeared down the corridor, waving both arms to hurry the pace of his escort. The Duchess and Mr Nordling watched Kelling put the last of the papers into the box. Before Kelling could prevent him, Doctor Svenson slipped a hand through the strap of the leather case and slung it over his shoulder. Kelling looked up with shock.
    ‘I’ll carry this,’ said Svenson.
    ‘No!’ cried Kelling. ‘You will give that back!’
    Svenson switched the strap to his further shoulder, ahead of Kelling’s grasping hand. He spoke to Nordling. ‘It was mine to begin with, you know.’
    ‘No!’ insisted Kelling, but he was suddenly a mere servant in a roomful of his betters.
    ‘Whatever takes the least time,’ said the Duchess. ‘To the guardhouse, Mr Nordling.’
    Svenson clicked his heels to the Duchess and marched out. Mr Kelling snatched up the crate and hurried after. Mr Nordling bowed gravely and left his mistress alone.
    The Duchess of Cogstead cleared her throat.
    ‘That can’t be comfortable, no matter how small you are. Come out, child, so I can decide whether you ought to hang as well.’
    Miss Temple emerged on her hands and knees, meeting the Duchess’s gaze as proudly as possible. She knew enough to understand that, while highly placed people expected deference, they did not respect it, and that, properly presented, confidence could serve as a compliment instead of an affront.
    ‘Miss Celestial Temple?’
    ‘Yes, Your