The Dakota Cipher

When you’re watchful, every stranger seems to be watching. What had seemed an hour before to be an assembly of friends now looked ominous and menacing. With so many soldiers about, my assailants could most easily have infiltrated by being invited guests – but if so, which ones were they? I hadn’t got a proper view in the dark. Gaiety still reigned, inebriation was almost universal, laughter and wit were loud, and the only person who looked out of place was the one proposing to be my companion, Magnus Bloodhammer. Wouldn’t Danes be blond? I looked at every light-haired male with suspicion, but none even noticed my scrutiny.

Perhaps they were lurking by the gate. My hired coach wouldn’t be hard to spot and follow, once I climbed in, and in the dark forest between the chateau and Paris I’d be easy prey. I could ask Bonaparte for escort, but then I’d have to explain about Magnus, treasure, and his married sister. Better to steal off discreetly. I was considering how when a small hand pulled my arm.

‘Come,’ Pauline whispered. ‘There’s time for another round in a boudoir upstairs!’

By Cupid’s arrow, the randy girl didn’t discourage easily, did she? I’m dragged off, half-cooked, have to boat myself back to the party with my hair on fire, and she behaves like all we’ve had is a lover’s recess. I couldn’t imagine what a full night with the minx would be like. Actually, I could imagine, and it was intimidating.

‘I’m afraid I have to leave.’ Then inspiration struck. ‘Say, could I share your carriage? I’m trying to avoid those men who interrupted us.’

Her eyes sparkled. ‘Such delightful temptation! But if you were seen by my brother or his officers, word could get back to my husband.’ She cast her eyes down, as if demure. ‘I do have my reputation.’

Indeed she did. ‘I could disguise myself as a footman. Do you have one my size I could trade clothes with? It would be a great favour to have him draw those rascals off. He could have my coat as payment.’

Now she looked impish. ‘And how might you repay me, monsieur?’

I bowed. ‘By discussing the customs of a Cairo harem I once visited.’ No need to tell her it had been more discouraging than a cold tub in an unheated woodshed.

‘I do adore geography.’

‘There are all kinds of places we could explore,’ I encouraged. ‘Say, I have a friend …’

‘Monsieur!’ Her eyes widened. ‘Menage a trois?’

‘Who would be happy to ride outside beside the coachman.’

I swear, the girl looked disappointed that there would be no threesome. But I didn’t have time to gauge her full reaction, instead quickly ushering her through the crowd so she could send a message to the stables where the servants loitered. Two of her men were to trade places with Magnus and me. While the lads were fetched, I retrieved my rifle and tomahawk to secrete in her coach. Then I sought out Jean-Etienne Despeaux, the organiser of the festivities, and asked if there were any leftover fireworks from the display.

‘You didn’t get a close enough look on that island, Monsieur Gage?’ he asked with raised brows.

‘It was such a powerful experience I’d like to do some experimentation. Might electricity be harnessed to augment such a magnificent spectacle?’

‘Do you ever rest, American?’

‘It’s surprising how difficult that is to do.’

He did have some pyrotechnics remaining – it hadn’t been clear just how much of the arsenal would fit in the middle of the pond – and I carefully packed as many explosives as I could in a small trunk liberated from the chateau. I sprinkled loose powder on top and fastened a spare rifle flint on the lid against the lock so that when the box opened, there would be a spark. Then I made something of a show of carrying it through the dispersing crowd, looking secretive and important, and lashing it to the back of the carriage I’d ridden to reach Mortefontaine. Once this pantomime was acted out, I disappeared to change clothes with Pauline’s servants, inspecting the laundry of the lower class for fleas.

‘You can keep my coat as payment for this favour,’ I told a strapping lad.

‘And you mine, conjurer,’ he said cheerfully. ‘And now I get to play the Yankee, with sprawling stride, loose elbows, and gaping curiosity.’ He pretended to imitate me in an annoying manner as he marched out in the dark to my carriage, cloak and hat masking his features. I daresay my posture and walk is more elegant than that.

At the same time Magnus and I made our way to Pauline’s coach where it waited in line. He had a leather cylinder strapped on his back like a quiver, but I took it to be a case for his promised map. He’d also bundled an old cape and slouch hat under one arm. He went to climb inside but I blocked him. ‘Up on top, Bloodhammer, where the servants ride. Unless you’d rather hang off the back.’

‘Your disguise is no different than mine, Gage,’ he hissed. ‘Why do you get to be inside and I have to be outside?’

‘Because I’m the servant with the service our hostess requires.’

‘Are you mad? Hasn’t she caused you trouble enough?’

‘Actually, no. We didn’t sample the vintage as much as I’d hoped.’

He was frustrated, but much more arguing and we’d draw attention to ourselves. ‘Caution, American,’ he muttered. ‘We’re not out of danger yet.’

‘Which is precisely why you need to climb to the top of our conveyance. Keep a lookout, will you?’

Pauline departed the chateau and minced quickly across the gravel, her woollen cloak flaring behind as she held its throat shut against her flimsy gown. I sunk low in the coach as she boarded. ‘To Paris!’ she ordered, rapping the ceiling, and we moved out with a jerk and smart pace, on a journey that wouldn’t be completed until well after the sun rose. My own carriage had already departed, and I hoped that the Danes, if that’s what they were, had taken the bait and followed it and its tempting trunk.

I figured they’d howl when they realised I’d switched places with a footman, but do the servant no harm. In frustration they’d have a look at my things. And then …

‘You’ve had quite the brilliant evening, Monsieur Gage,’ Pauline murmured once I risked sitting higher.

‘More dramatic than I intended.’

‘Who were those horrid men in the cellar? I should have my brother arrest them and shoot them for their rude timing. I was not really finished, you know.’

‘I’m not sure of their identity. Maybe they were jealous of your beauty.’

She sniffed. ‘I shouldn’t blame them. I’m sitting for portraits.’

‘You must favour me with one.’

She smiled. ‘I’m sure you can’t afford it, but it’s sweet of you to ask. And so bravely escaped! Did you thrash the rascals?’

‘They ran.’

She looked up at the brocaded ceiling. ‘Is your friend along, as you asked?’

‘He’s playing watchman next to the coachman at this very moment.’

‘How gallant. Then you and I can continue our discussions of antiquity.’ She hoisted a bottle. ‘I liberated this from Joseph when I fled his cellar.’

‘You have foresight as well as beauty.’

‘It’s a long way to Paris. Is that where we’re going?’

‘Actually, Madame, it would suit my purposes better to set course for Le Havre.’ I’d been thinking ahead. While I hated to leave the comforts of Paris, it would be the first place any enemies would look for me. How long before Leclerc learnt I was dallying with his wife? ‘I have pressing business in America.’

‘Then we must make the most of your time here.’ She rapped the coach roof again. ‘Henri! The coast road!’

‘Yes, madame.’

She turned back to me. ‘We’ll take you to a public coach, but only when we are far enough away from Mortefontaine that you’re safe. Meanwhile, I have glasses in the compartment there. Let us toast.’

‘To survival?’

‘Monsieur Gage, I always survive. To reunion!’

As we clinked glasses I heard the echo of an explosion through the estate’s forests and looked out the window. There was a glow, two rockets arcing through the air. My assailants apparently had followed my carriage. And ransacked my things.

I sat back inside. ‘Brigands.’