by Kris Tualla
He frowned when he saw the documents. “Shall I remain with you, my lady?”
Gustavo cut his eyes to hers; their grey darkened and they narrowed ever so slightly.
“No, thank you Esteban.” She forced a smile. “I shall call on you if I need you.”
The majordomo bowed stiffly, and stalked from the drawing room.
Avery took a chance and acted on what she believed she saw in Gustavo’s glance. “Why did you wish him to leave?”
The man shuffled through his papers until he found the one he was searching for. “Because I did not know if you were aware of his business dealings with your—with Paolo.”
“Esteban?” Avery’s concerned gaze flicked to the closed door and back. “My majordomo was in business with Paolo?”
“Yes.” Gustavo slid the contract across the table. “Paolo came to me almost two years ago and asked me to invest with him to build two trade ships.”
Avery pulled the contract closer, her gaze moving over it. “Are you still involved?”
“No. As you can see, Paolo never signed the contract.”
She frowned at him. “But what has this to do with Esteban?”
Gustavo’s expression was kind as he pointed at the document. “I saw these same ships being built about nine months ago, so I enquired as to the owners’ names.”
Trepidation wrapped around her like a poisonous vine. “Paolo and Esteban?”
“Yes.”
Avery shook her head. “That is not possible. For the last year and a half, Paolo was in not of sound enough mind to enter knowingly into—Oh!”
She felt the slam of realization hit like a thick plank across her chest. “Esteban made the contract and forged Paolo’s signature.”
“So it would seem.”
“But with what money—damn.”
Gustavo’s eyes rounded at her profanity. “Lady Averia!”
“Do not begrudge me the one single word!” She glared at him. “I assure you, I am exercising a great amount of restraint at this very moment and not loosening a floodgate!”
Gustavo raised both hands and leaned back in surrender.
Avery pounded a fist on the table. “Who owns these ships now?”
“No one, actually. This is where you have some leverage.”
She frowned, confused. “What sort of leverage?”
Gustavo leaned forward again. “The ships are being held until final payment is made. Esteban seems to have run out of funds.”
“Don’t you mean he has run out of my funds?” Avery dropped her head onto her arms, folded on the table in front of her.
Her entire world was shaken once again, this time by the revelation that her up-to-this-moment trusted majordomo had used Paolo’s money for his own gain. And it was beginning to appear that he bankrupted her in the process.
She had finally received word this morning from Paolo’s lawyer and accountant that they would meet with her the day after tomorrow. Perhaps once she saw the figures, she might find a way to salvage the ships.
She lifted her head. “What were you going to export?”
Gustavo blinked, startled by her unanticipated shift. “We planned to carry Merino wool, olive oil, and wine.”
“And import?”
“Whatever we find of interest.” He laid a hand over Avery’s. “I wish to help you, Averia. That is why I wanted to meet with you.”
Avery considered the very attractive man across the table. “What will you gain from doing so?”
He blinked again. Obviously he was not accustomed to such blunt questions from a mere woman. “Shall I be honest?”
She sighed, frustrated by his even asking her such a thing. “If you do not intend to always be honest with me, then get up and leave, and do not return. Ever.”
Gustavo dipped his chin, his cheeks reddening. “I take your words to heart, my lady.”
She rolled her eyes. “Speak.”
He laid out one palm. “On the one hand, I retain my desire to partner in these two ships. Trade with the new world is growing, and they have need for what Spain produces.”
He laid out the other. “You are a very beautiful woman, Averia, and your life has been complicated by an arranged marriage to a clearly less than desirable sort of man. Now that you are freed from that burden, I would like the chance to win your heart.”
That statement mimicked Jakob’s challenge in England, the connection unfortunately throwing the Norseman to the forefront of her thoughts.
Yet another man who wanted to win her. She was starting to feel like nothing more than a trophy to be put on display.
“Do you have the funds to buy out the ships?”
He blushed. “I—ah—no. Not yet.”
No blink that time; perhaps he was beginning to adapt to her forthrightness. “Do you have any plans for how to procure those funds?”
Gustavo smiled then. “You and I might surely figure that out together.”
“Along with my royal connections, no doubt.” She wondered, then, if she should simply ask Catherine for the money and take ownership of the vessels herself.
“If that is your preference,” Gustavo deflected. “But I was thinking of finding investors.”
Avery considered the gentleman. Having another ally was a strong enticement. And if Jakob decided he no longer wanted to marry her, then she should not be so hasty as to reject Gustavo. He was handsome and clean, and promised to be honest with her.
Three attributes which her former husband lacked.
“I accept.”
Gustavo’s smile widened. “Thank you, my lady. How shall we proceed?”
Avery pointed at the untouched remainder of papers in his folder. “What about all of those?”
Gustavo chuckled. “They are merely for effect. It was the contract for the ships that I wished to bring to your attention and discuss with you.”
Avery huffed her welcomed release. “I am quite relieved. I was not anticipating a pleasant audience when I saw the bulk of documents which you carried in.”
Gustavo folded and tied his packet. He slid an intent gaze in her direction. “I do not believe you should say anything to Esteban as yet.”
Of course not. “I did not intend to.”
He nodded. “We will also need to ascertain how much capital you have at the moment.”
“I have an appointment with Paolo’s lawyer and accountant the day after tomorrow. I should have a fair idea by then.” That audience would not end so easily as this one, she was certain of that.
Gustavo straightened. “Shall I be present?”
Something in Avery recoiled at the suggestion. She was only just beginning her independent existence and the idea of this man—who was essentially a stranger—being privy to her private finances was repulsive to her.
“No. Thank you. I would rather deal with those men alone.” She gave him half a smile to soften her rejection. “In the event that I blurt out anything else unseemly.”
Gustavo did laugh at that, in spite of the disappointment etched on his face. “I understand, Averia.”
“Are you hungry as yet?” she asked, suddenly aware of her own state. “I believe the midday meal should be served shortly.”
His features eased. “Are you inviting me to stay?”
“I am.” She gave him a full smile now. “After the news you have brought me, I could use a hefty dose of charm and wit—and I am counting on you to deliver it once again.”
*****
Avery lay in bed and stared at her canopy. While she managed to enjoy her meal with Gustavo, she tensed every time Esteban entered her presence. She knew she must pretend that nothing was amiss for now and try to figure out a way to claim the ships, which her money had built, before she confronted him and released him from her service.
I need to speak with Jakob.
She wanted to get out of bed and go to him immediately—and she might have, if she knew where he lived. How was she going to get a message to him? She would ha
ve to send Esteban to ferret out the Nordic knight’s location and deliver a missive requesting that he visit her immediately.
With a sigh of frustration, she threw her covers off and walked into the outer chamber of her apartment. By the light of the banked fire, she set out quill and ink, and then lit a candle.
The message should be brief, her urgency only implied.
Avery hated that she thought Esteban might open the note and read it, but the possibility certainly existed. After Señor Salazar left her, the previously trusted majordomo had hovered nearby, as if trying to read her thoughts and discern what she might have learned.
Avery never considered herself to be an actress, though after nine years in the Tudor court she had learned to successfully mask her true thoughts when required. The skill proved helpful this evening, and she would need to call upon it every day until her situation was settled.
Please visit me at your earliest convenience. A.
That should serve her purpose.
Avery folded the paper and sealed it with the de Mendoza crest. Then she crawled back in the bed to resume staring at the canopy.
December 3, 1518
When Jakob received Avery’s note, he took it to Maria and asked her opinion of its meaning—to ascertain if hers matched his.
“I would guess that something has happened, but she does not feel it would be safe for her to put that something in writing,” the erstwhile lady’s maid suggested.
Jakob nodded his silent agreement with that assessment.
Maria handed the missive back to Jakob. “Was the seal broken when you received it?”
“I do not believe so, but I did not examine it closely.” Jakob tapped the note against his fingertips. “Is there anyone in her household whom you do not trust?”
Maria shrugged. “Her majordomo, Esteban Gonzalez, assumed more and more of Paolo’s duties as the old man sickened. Perhaps he is not pleased to have the Lady Averia returned to stand in his path.”
Jakob pondered that thought during his walk to Avery’s house. It was quite probable that, because no one in the household knew anything about her whereabouts, they would assume she knew nothing about their actions. And a trusted majordomo would have access to household funds. What might he do with them?
Jakob arrived at the Mendoza palazzo one hour after noon. A servant opened the gate and Jakob entered the courtyard. Esteban waited at the top of the stairs.
“How may I be of service, Sir Hansen?” he called down.
Jakob climbed the stairs slowly, but deliberately, ignoring the ever-present stiffness in his right thigh. “The Lady Averia has requested my presence. Will you inform her that I have arrived?” He left off the por favor intentionally.
“Wait there.” Esteban walked away, disappearing through a doorway.
Jakob topped the stairs and stood on the balcony in the shade of the upper floors. Even in December, the Barcelona sun was strong.
Esteban returned several minutes later. Jakob assumed the delay was intentional on the majordomo’s part. Like a chess game, he mused.
And the knight maneuvers in unexpected ways.
“The lady will see you now.”
Avery stood behind a tall chair in the same drawing room where she always met with him. Her hands rested on the back of the chair, but her whitened knuckles betrayed her otherwise restful stance. “Thank you Esteban.”
Jakob noted that ale and sangria, along with glasses, were already in place. Avery clearly did not wish to be interrupted once their interview began. He turned back to watch the majordomo close the door and did not speak until he heard the latch fall.
Avery stepped around the chair and nearly ran to his side. Jakob forced himself not to extend his arms as if to embrace her, as much as he desperately desired to do so.
She grabbed his forearm. “Thank you for coming so quickly,” she whispered. “Please sit with me.”
She sank onto a couch, tucking her skirts out of the way to make room for him. “Do you want something to drink?”
Jakob shook his head and took the proffered seat, and then cut to the heart of the matter. “What has happened?”
Avery did not hesitate, clearly unconcerned by the bluntness of his question. “I met a man at an earl’s house on Advent Sunday. His name is Gustavo Salazar and he had dealings with Paolo.”
Avery’s intense expression stopped Jakob from asking any of the myriad of questions which were popping to mind. He dipped a quick nod of acknowledgement and she continued.
“He came to see me yesterday. He had a contract from Paolo to share in the building of two merchant ships. Only Paolo never signed them, and he—Gustavo—thought the ships were never built.”
Jakob frowned. “Thought?”
“Yes. He discovered that the ships were actually begun, but not finished, because of monies still owed.”
Avery bit her lower lip and pulled a deep breath, her countenance alarmingly dismal. “He went to the dock and asked the shipbuilder whose ships they were, and the names he was given were Paolo de Mendoza and Esteban Gonzalez.”
“Your majordomo? Where did he get—Oh!” Jakob knew the answer before he finished the question. “There are two names, but one source of funds.”
“Yes. I believe that Esteban expected to finish the ships, and when Paolo died he would leave and become a wealthy trade merchant on his own.” Avery waved a hand around her head. “And possibly he expected to take over this very house.”
Jakob’s earlier supposition was obviously correct. “He did not anticipate your return.”
“No. Though I believed it would be quite obvious to everyone that I would come back to Barcelona when my husband died…”
Avery’s shoulders slumped and she looked very small and vulnerable. Her eyes lifted to his.
“Please help me, Jakob. I cannot manage this alone.”
Chapter Ten
Just having the tall, strong, and unshakeable Norseman by her side eased Avery’s growing desperation. Jakob was a calm and logical thinker, and he knew that she understood logic. He would treat her as an equal in this, not as a man swooping in to rescue a helpless woman.
Whatever plan of action they decided on together, would be acted upon together.
Jakob leaned over and poured himself a mug of ale, obviously deciding that the circumstances of this audience required it. “First, you have to know exactly how much of Paolo’s money remains.”
“Yes. I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon at three on the clock with Señores Garcia and Montenegro, and I shall not allow them to leave my presence until I have obtained that very clear answer.” Avery drew a resolute sigh. “I originally asked Esteban to be present as well, but considering what I have learned, I do not believe that would be wise.”
“I agree.” Jakob sipped his ale.
She gave him a hopeful look. “Might you join us, instead?”
His brow twitched. “I thought you wished to avoid gossip.”
“Damn the gossip,” she huffed. “There would be plenty of gossip to chew on if my majordomo managed to steal my estate out from under me.”
The lady made a profane yet accurate point. “In that case, I shall attend.”
Avery looked relieved. “What is the next step? Discover how much is owed on the ships?”
“I would think so, yes.” Jakob stroked his short beard. “But that must be discerned carefully, so that Esteban is not alerted.”
“And how do you believe that could be best accomplished?”
“An interested party, one with whom Esteban is not acquainted, must make enquiries.” Jakob smiled. “Percival Bethington, I think.”
Avery’s brow shot upward. “Would he agree to do this?”
Jakob nodded. “He is as bored as I am at the moment, waiting for the Order to convene. A diversion would be quite welcome.”
“You will not be bored after the first of January,” she opined.
“No. And we should not wait to do this.” Jakob refill
ed his mug. “The ship builders will know that Paolo is dead and they will want their payment.”
“And if they discover that Esteban is only the majordomo, they will assume that no further payments are coming.” Avery blew a breath. “I do hope he lied about that.”
Jakob chuckled. “If he wished to be successful in his scheme, then he must have.”
“It would be easy work for him to dress finely. To ride in Paolo’s carriage. The ruse could be accomplished quite effectively.” Avery cast him a sly glance. “As we are both very well aware.”
*****
“Let me make certain I understand this.” Percy planted his feet wide. One arm rested across his chest and he gestured with the other. “I am to go to the shipyard and say that I heard there were two nearly-completed merchant ships available for purchase.”
Jakob nodded. “Yes.”
Percy’s brow furrowed. “Where did I hear it?”
“From… an acquaintance who knew Paolo?” Jakob waved a hand. “Make it a distant connection.”
Percy pointed a finger in the air. “A man, who was at the funeral, told my acquaintance that he overheard it there. Then my acquaintance told me.”
“Good.”
Percy rubbed his chin. “And who am I?”
“You have to be wealthy. Why do you not wear your collar and be a knight of the Golden Fleece?” Jakob suggested. “Then, as an outsider, there will be no concerns when no one in Barcelona knows anything about you.”
“And yet, as a member of that exalted chivalrous order, I shall be considered trustworthy.”
Jakob grunted. “We hope.”
Percy’s gaze narrowed. “Should I be myself?”
Jakob pondered the ramifications of that idea. Though Esteban had not met Sir Percival Bethington, was he likely to? And if he was given the knight’s name, would he connect the Englishman with the Norseman?
Yes, of course he would. The two knights were sharing the leased house. That arrangement had become common knowledge among the servants—especially since the two palazzos were in such close proximity. And as proof of that theory, Maria was familiar with Esteban’s situation.
