Racing with the Wind by Regan Walker

Author:Regan Walker
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-07-23T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Martin Powell gazed across the desk at Hugh Redgrave, watching him read the missive. It reminded him of something he had once heard: A country can make a man. That was certainly true in Ormond’s case. A country had molded the man. His duties in France had changed him, required things of him, and after each conflict a different man moved forward. Like a rock being weathered by tides and rain, Ormond had been shaped by war. No, not all of Britain’s heroes in the war with France were celebrated. Some had served in secret. Ormond was one of those, a man of stealth and strategy. As long as Napoleon had remained in France, the British lord remained the thief of the emperor’s secrets. Ormond and Martin had survived many narrow escapes and worn many costumes. Along the way, they had become friends.

Martin’s Paris office was not large, though it was all he needed. It had a good-sized wooden desk, now covered with maps and papers piled in neat stacks. A few bookcases held various government documents and records, and a large black safe stood in one corner. He and Ormond often retreated here to think and to plan just as they did this night.

Ormond looked up from the paper. “What does all this tell you?”

“You will find the story amazing, my friend.” Martin reached into the bottom drawer of his desk to pull out the French brandy he kept there. He poured the amber liquid into two glasses he took from a shelf and handed one to Hugh. “It seems we are not yet finished with those who resent the Bourbons. We’ve identified some Napoleon supporters who want to return the Nightmare of Europe from yet another of his exiles. Now of course it is St. Helena. From what we’ve uncovered, they are willing to undertake drastic measures to see it done.”

Ormond sighed. “We’ve been down this path before.” He took a big swallow of brandy. “What kind of people would join such a group?”

Martin almost laughed, grim though the answer was. “Napoleon’s former soldiers, his officers now on half pay, government workers ousted by the ultra-royalist Chamber, enemies of the monarchy, liberals objecting to the revenge of the ultras… The list is a long one, I’m afraid.”

Ormond grimaced. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. The king will face treachery for years to come.”

“Louis is a wise leader, one who can weather the storm.”

“But he is an old one. I wonder if he will be able to deal with opposition like this.”

Martin tried to bolster his friend’s spirits. “The men he has attracted to his government—men like Decazes and Richelieu—will bring stability. It gives me hope, Ormond. England will one day benefit from the friendship it offered Louis when he was in exile. You shall see.”

Ormond gazed into the distance. “I hope you are right. France needs a stable government. Hell, Europe needs one.”

Martin nodded. Leaning back in his chair, he put his hands behind his head just as his eyes caught some papers upon his desk.

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