The Alchemist of Rome

by M C Dulac

  “Come, Antonio. It appears the men might be delayed, so we must begin the work ourselves.”

  We spent the night assembling crates. Price sent me upstairs to check his ledger and when I returned, the first crate was full. We winched the heavy crate onto a trolley and rolled it over to the smuggler’s shaft. Price and I lowered the crate on the pulley, ruining our fine shirts. I wiped my dusty brow. Why couldn’t he get men from the town to help him? But I knew the answer: no one was meant to know what we were doing.

  “Good,” Price said, “We will assemble what we can, and the Duke’s men can do the rest. The Duke’s captain will pay us when he receives the load.”

  “And then we return to Rome?”

  Price was silent for a moment. With his work over, we had no reason to stay in Amalfi. But what would that mean for his friendship with Carissa?

  “We will see,” Price said quickly, “Thank you, Antonio, you are dismissed.”

  I was glad to rest for the impending arrival of the fleet and Schumann’s threats had set my nerves on edge. But I found it hard to sleep. I heard a noise after midnight and went to the window.

  The door to the terrace was open. Price was walking down the steps to the lawn, where Carissa was sitting on a bench. When she saw Price, she stood up and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. Price looked surprised, although he was clearly delighted at her greeting. Carissa leaned forward and they kissed.

  The blood drained from my face.

  Didn’t Price know how dangerous it was to meet her alone in the garden? As an heiress, Carissa had great value to her family. I knew the ways of Naples and the codes of family honour. I did not relish what might happen to us, if her family found out she was meeting Price alone. Did he intend to marry her? Marriage was the only option for a girl of Carissa’s social status. In my view, she could do a lot better than Price. The romance had moved so fast, I hoped he knew what he was doing.

  And should he be romancing Carissa at such a dangerous time? We were leaving for Rome shortly. He had a cellar of alchemist’s gold. If things went wrong with the fleet, anyone associated with this house would be in grave danger. What would happen to Carissa if Price were captured? Would the authorities torture her to make Price give up his secrets? I was filled with fury at my master, for behaving so recklessly and selfishly. One way or another, he seemed to be hurtling toward disaster.

  Price gently removed Carissa’s arms from his neck. It seemed she was more smitten than he was. My unease grew. Carissa had just come out of a convent. I did not want to see her heart broken. And one never knew how a woman might react to betrayal. It was not right for him to play with her like this.

  He led her to a seat and began talking seriously. Carissa threw her head on his shoulder, then gazed imploringly at him. He smiled and kissed her hand. Carissa rose at last. She kissed him on the lips and skipped across the moonlit grass to the villa. My master stood up and watched her until she disappeared into the trees.

  The next morning was crisp and cool. A few flowers bloomed on the drive, but winter’s chill was in the air. My mind was spinning with danger as I walked down the grand staircase. What would go wrong first? The romance with Carissa, or the shipment in the cove? Before I could reflect more, I heard a noise outside. I peered through the front window and saw two men standing by the main gates.

  They wore fine clothes and had an air of authority. As we had no butler, I opened the front door and walked down the gravel drive to greet them.

  The men looked at me imperiously.

  “A message from the Duke,” they said, handing me a letter with a familiar crest.

  I ran inside and woke Price. He ripped open the letter. He read it several times.

  “Who are those men, sir?”

  “The Duke’s advisors. The fleet is on its way,” his eyes scanned the letter, “Depending on the wind, they will reach here in the next day or two.”

  “So soon?”

  “Yes, Antonio, so soon,” Price pulled on his coat and brushed his hair, “You better let the advisors inside.”

  I ran downstairs and unlocked the gate. The men followed me to the palazzo. Price was waiting in the hall.

  “The shipment is ready,” he told them, “I need men to pack the crates immediately, if we are to be ready for the fleet.”

  “We are arranging the workmen now,” said the first advisor.

  “Good. I want the pulley tested thoroughly and the ropes replaced,” Price said, “And the dock must be cleaned before any ship arrives.”

  “The men will do so as soon as they get here.”

  Price unlocked the door to the cellar and we all rushed down the stone steps.

  “May we see the goods, Signor Price?”

  “Of course. Antonio, can you go upstairs?”

  “Why, sir?”

  Price frowned at me. Realising I was being dismissed, I nodded and ran up the stairs of the cellar. Price led the advisors behind the curtain. As I closed the cellar door, I caught a flash of gold bars.

  The workmen arrived at noon. They were strong, sullen men. They spoke a dialect from south of Naples and I guessed that many had been in the army. The Duke must have arranged for men to come from as far away as possible, so as not to arouse suspicion in the local towns.

  I led the workmen into the cellar, which was soon full of tireless activity. New ropes replaced the old. Men hammered the rough crates together. They filled the crates and wheeled them over to the pulley. One by one, the crates of gold were lowered into the cove.

  “There is a fortune here,” I heard one man say.

  “Dare you to slip a bar in your pocket,” his companion grinned.

  “We must work fast,” the Duke’s advisor said to Price, “Naples is awash with gossip.”

  “I have spoken to no one,” Price said.

  “Nevertheless, your name has reached the King.”

  I crept down the steps. Price had told me not to enter the cellar while the men were working.

  “What is it, Antonio?” he growled.

  “Should I send your apologies to the villa?”

  Price ran his hands through his hair, “Are we visiting the villa today?”

  “No, sir. But you invited Carissa and her uncle here this afternoon.”

  A frown creased his brow, “We will go ahead as normal. To cancel may make them concerned.”

  “Are you sure, sir?”

  “Yes, Antonio. Get the sitting room ready.”

  I shook my head with disbelief at my master’s recklessness. When the heavy door to the cellar was closed, the hall was silent. Perhaps our visitors would not notice the noise. Upstairs was deceptively tranquil.

  I waited at the front window until the carriage arrived. Carissa and Gianetti chatted gaily as I led them to the sitting room.

  I raced along the hall, opened the cellar door and nodded to Price. He slipped up the servant staircase to his rooms. When he came down the main staircase, he was dressed in a velvet coat and cravat, and there was no sign of sweat on his brow.

  He entered the sitting room, greeting Gianetti and Carissa warmly.

  “The tea, Antonio,” he ordered.

  Price entertained in the fine rooms above, while the men worked below. Only I seemed to feel the strain, for Price was completely at ease.

  “So, Albert,” Gianetti said, “Surely the time must come when a young man thinks about finding a wife.”

  “Indeed,” Price said, gazing at Carissa.

  “A sensible wife is a great asset to a man. If she combines sense and beauty, even more so.”

  Price nodded and buried his nose in his empty tea cup. Carissa’s cheeks glowed.

  Gianetti nodded politely toward the gate, “I saw some carts arrive today. Are you leaving soon?”

  My heart skipped a beat, but Price answered coolly, “I will stay until the end of the month, at least.”

  I rolled the tea trolley out of the room. When I returned, Carissa’s uncle and Price were al
one.

  “You must visit us in Rome,” Gianetti said, as he and Price walked into the hall, “Carissa’s aunt is very keen to meet you.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “We shall introduce you to all our friends. And I do not speak in jest. Perhaps it is time for you to marry, Signor Price,” the old man’s eyes twinkled.

  “It is true, I have long wanted a home of my own.”

  “Carissa is her parents’ only heir,” the old man said softly, “She stands to inherit a considerable fortune.”

  Price nodded. Not that Carissa needed wealth to add to her charms.

  “It is a matter of some delicacy,” her uncle went on, “which perhaps we can discuss further, when we meet again in Rome.”

  There was a noise from the cellar. Men shouted and metal screeched. It sounded like there was trouble with the pulley. There was a thud and then the men cheered. Gianetti frowned.

  “You must excuse me, sir,” Price said, “And bid farewell to Carissa. The sweet girl must be in the garden.”

  “I will certainly say goodbye for you,” the old man nodded.

  Price walked fast along the hall.

  Gianetti got into his carriage. He sat by the carriage window and stared at the palazzo. Frown lines creased his brow.

  I began to collect the cups. The doors to the terrace were locked, so Carissa was not in the garden. I glanced along the hallway, wondering if she were in one of the other rooms. I peered into the library, but she was not there.

  There was a noise overhead. It was rare to hear any noise in the house. As I listened, I realised someone was walking upstairs. I glimpsed a flash of silk on the landing. I stepped behind the doorway as Carissa ran down the main staircase.

  She cast a frightened glance along the hall. Moving as quietly as a cat, she opened the front door and ran across the gravel drive.

  Gianetti opened the door to the carriage and waved her inside. The carriage sped away.

  The floor rose up to meet me. I felt ill.

  For under Carisssa’s arm, was the book of alchemy from Price’s study.

  chapter sixteen

  My heart turned to stone. I could not get Carissa’s cunning eyes out of my mind. These guests we had entertained had betrayed us.

  The consequences might be disastrous, for the heart was a strange thing. Price had fallen in love quickly and recklessly. Maybe betrayal of that love would result in equally intense feelings. If I were to speak to him, would he believe me or lash out at me? For who could believe that sweet, innocent Carissa was a liar? My master might be angry, hurt and moody for months. I felt scared for him, and for me.

  Then beneath my anger, other worries bubbled. My master was practising strange magic. The book placed us in great danger. I had no idea why Carissa had taken the book, or what she intended to do with it. If she took it to a priest or official, Price and I would both be thrown in jail.

  I ran down to the cellar and found Price supervising the workmen. The cellar was almost empty now. All the crates of gold had been taken to the cove. The vat in which he had made the gold was being dismantled. The powders and bottles were lined up on the table, ready to be transported to Rome. The elixirs sat on a shelf on the far side of the cellar, well out of the way.

  Price disappeared down the steps to the cove. When he returned, he was surrounded by workmen. I waited impatiently for him to be alone.

  At last I followed him upstairs to the sitting room. He sat at his desk and opened a ledger. He took a pen and began writing.

  “What is it, Antonio?”

  “I must speak, sir.”

  “Then speak,” he ran his hand through his hair, “Just as I thought. The Duke is paying less than our bargain. There are taxes and duties apparently - paid straight into his pockets. Well at least we will have credit for the next few years, Antonio.”

  “Sir, I must warn you of danger.”

  Price put down his pen, “What sort of danger?”

  “There are people watching you - and asking what you do.”

  He leaned back calmly, although he was clenching his fist, over and over, “What people?”

  “Otto von Schumann, the big German we met in the coach. He stopped me in the town. He would not let me pass! He threatened me. Then he offered me a bribe, master! He wanted me to tell him about your work.”

  Price rose from his chair and paced to the window, “When did this happen, Antonio?”

  “A few days ago.”

  “Why did you not tell me?”

  “You were busy, master. He could get nothing out of me. He told me terrible things to get me to betray you, but I would not.”

  “You did well, Antonio.”

  “But sir, there is danger here. I saw someone - in the house.”

  I could not bring myself to say it was Carissa. I didn’t want him to break down or get angry. I needed him to concentrate on the fact we were in danger.

  “Someone in this house?”

  “Yes, I saw a shadow in the hall. I think they took a book.”

  “A book from the Duke’s library?”

  “A book from upstairs.”

  Price grabbed a candle. We ran up the staircase to the study. He opened the cupboard and swung the light around the shelves, until the flames streaked in the darkness.

  “There is a book missing! When did this happen?”

  “Just now.”

  “The men were all in the cellar. Perhaps the thief came in when I was with Carissa and her uncle.”

  “Is it a valuable book?”

  “It is incriminating,” he said simply.

  I followed him down the stairs, “But we have the protection of the Duke.”

  “The Duke has enemies. And debts. That’s why I am working for him.”

  “You have been discreet, sir. You have spoken to no one here, except Gianetti - and Carissa,” her name was vinegar on my lips now.

  “They are too goodhearted to have spread gossip. Schumann, however - oh yes, I have met many like Schumann in my time.”

  Price was checking all the doors and windows on the lower floor, “Everything is locked. I do not understand how the thief got in.”

  “Carissa and her uncle might be in danger,” I said, “Perhaps you should not see them again - until we reach Rome.”

  Price spun around. The candlelight flickered over his face, “Yes, sweet Carissa. I could never place her in danger. What will she think if I leave without saying goodbye? She is such a gentle soul. It would break her heart.”

  He really had no idea. I hated the thought of the two-faced spies, worming their way into my master’s confidence, “But if you meet her, she will be in danger. You can write to her from Rome.”

  Price sunk into a chair, “Maybe she will hear rumours when I have gone. Why would she want to see me again? I ruin all I love. If only I could have a normal life. Is that too much to ask? There is so much happiness I will never know, Antonio. I am cursed. Utterly cursed.”

  I patted him on the back, as he placed his head in his hands.

  “What will the thief do with the book, sir?”

  “They will learn no secrets from it. Without the other books, it is worthless. But there is enough in it to quench their thirst and to blackmail me.”

  “Why, sir?”

  Price peered through his fingers, “Do you know why I like you as a servant, Antonio?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Because you have no interest in my work. Please let it remain that way.”

  “I am sorry, sir.”

  “Curiosity has overcome my servants before. It rarely ends well.”

  He rose from his seat and walked across the moonlit drawing room, “You may go now, Antonio.”

  That night I found it hard to sleep. More worries rattled around my mind. Carissa had taken the very book that Schumann wanted. Did Carissa know Schumann? Her uncle said they knew no one in Amalfi. Had he lied? Or had someone else asked her to steal the book? If so, who else was watching
us?

  A moonbeam touched my pillow. The moon had extraordinary power over me now. The sun beckoned ordinary men, but the night summoned me. When another sleepless hour passed, I rose from my bed, walked down the staircase and out to the gardens.

  Suddenly, I heard whispers on the terrace below.

  “But I do not understand why you did not come to the lawn tonight.”

  “Carissa, you cannot come here.”

  “Why not, Albert? I love you and you love me.”

  The minx was throwing her arms around my master again. I hated her on sight now.

  “Carissa, my darling, I am leaving for Rome soon.”

  “Why, Albert? You said you were staying until the end of the month, at least!”

  He guided her to a garden seat. She caressed him with her snowy arms and snuggled into his chest.

  “The more I tell you, the greater the danger you will be in.”

  “But when you are gone, who will protect me from danger?” her dark eyes were as big as saucers, “My uncle has a garden in Rome. You must visit and tell me the names of all the herbs and plants. I wish you would tell me more about what you do.”

  Price kissed her hand, “One day I will share it all with you.”

  “Not one day - tell me now!” Carissa stroked his cheek, “Tell me of the lady who told you these secrets. The one who walked in the gardens in the moonlight. When did she first teach you about the potions and the powers of the moonbeams? I wish you would show me how to make the elixirs.”

  “I will Carissa, when we meet again in Rome.”

  “I want you to make me the elixir of youth,” she said, folding her hands in her lap.

  He gently touched her chin, “I would gladly give it to you, my darling. Your beauty deserves to last forever.”

  I rolled my eyes. But I was appalled how much my foolish master had already told her. I scanned the bushes, for I would not be surprised if she arranged for my master to be caught with her, and arrested.

  Carissa went on, “Do the ships come tomorrow?”

  “Yes, at sunset. Then my work here is done and I must leave.”