The Gilded Lily (35 page)

To Jay’s great relief Foxy and Lutch had delivered Allsop’s notebook as they had agreed. ‘We didn’t dare take on a reader,’ Foxy had said
scowling, ‘in case he couldn’t be trusted. Better the Devil you know.’ After a little haggling and parting with a larger sum than he had deemed proper, Jay now had the notebook in
his possession. He banked up the fire in his chambers and settled down to read it.

By the time he had read the first close-packed page he knew why Allsop was so desperate to get the book back. Each page was dated, and each page detailed in exhaustive particulars Allsop’s
encounters with the filthy doxies from the gin houses of Blackfriars. Jay pored over the document, turning the pages in growing disbelief. It was all here – how Allsop had bribed the gaoler
of Newgate to supply him with brutish condemned women for a fee, until the gaoler was replaced with someone younger and, it seemed, less corrupt. How he was bereft of the wild company he sought
until striking a bargain with one Josiah Whitgift, described to Jay’s intense annoyance as
a rogueish dandyprat, who puffs himself up beyond his station
. It told how Jay’s men
supplied him with rough-hand whores from the stews of Southwark, and what was more, it showed in figures how much Allsop had won and lost at cards, and described Jay’s loans as extortionate.
The blaggard has me by the hamstrings
, Jay read.

Jay closed the book with a snap. There was enough knowledge in here to hang him three times over. He’d have to put the screws on Allsop, make sure he did not sing. But it was awkward. It
would need delicate handling. Allsop might turn the tables on him, was not beyond a bit of blackmail himself if he was in a tight corner. Jay stood up and paced up and down the narrow space in the
room, stooping to avoid the eaves, mulling over what to do next.

Should he burn it? Well, it was safest that way, but then again, there was knowledge in here could be used to sink more than one ship. That gaoler, for instance. What fine gold or plate might he
have in his house? And who knows what other gentlemen may be mentioned therein? Then he smiled. Of course – he could take out the pages that referred to him – or better still, pay Togsy
the forger to set it right.

As for Allsop, Foxy and Lutch had broken into his house like he had asked. He had to pay the pair a sweetener to extract the information, but eventually they let drop that Allsop had an
extensive collection of wrought silver, enough fancy swords and daggers in a purpose-built armoury chest to start a rebellion and, what was more, a collection of fine paintings including some
twenty miniatures painted on glass. And yet that coxcomb Allsop had been mealy-mouthed about paying back the interest on his loan.

Foxy had said the miniatures were laid out on top of the French writing desk in Allsop’s private chamber. Jay’s fingers had begun to itch as soon as these were mentioned. He owned
many fine collections, but his favourite items were always the small things that could be squirrelled away in a drawer, away from all prying eyes. Jay unlocked the Chinese cabinet on his desk and
slid the diary inside. He sat for a moment before turning the key. He could not resist those miniatures. He would take Lutch for backup, and if Allsop would not play, well, there was always the
cane.

After reading the diary, he had sent a runner the next day to tell Allsop he would be calling, and at nine in the evening he was admitted by a bland-faced manservant into Allsop’s newly
built house in Whitehall. He had detailed Lutch to wait for him with the coachman outside, and to come in if he had not reappeared by the time the clock struck the half-hour.

‘You have my notebook?’ Allsop was awaiting him in the overstuffed hall, a look of nervous expectation on his jowly face.

‘Yes.’ Jay patted his waistcoat.

‘Are you a lettered man, Mr Whitgift?’

‘If you mean have I read it, then yes, of course I have. It is best to know exactly what I am dealing with. So yes, even a dandyprat such as I can understand its implications.’ He
raised his eyebrow at Allsop, who visibly paled. ‘Now, send your manservant away.’

‘Don’t try any funny business with me, Whitgift.’

‘I’m doing no deals unless he leaves.’ Jay wanted no witnesses to this particular conversation.

Allsop thought a moment, then nodded to the manservant. ‘Wait below.’ He kept himself close to the door, Jay noticed, and his face was very pink. He must be rattled.

‘You will keep it to yourself, won’t you, Whitgift, once we have agreed a fee?’

‘That depends on the fee,’ Jay said, walking through to the drawing room and sitting himself nonchalantly on one of Allsop’s mahogany chairs. He crossed one long slim leg over
the other.

Allsop was sweating. ‘What figure did you have in mind?’

‘Well, as I said, ten pounds. That seems a fair price, as I went to considerable trouble to locate it for you.’ Allsop was about to protest, but then sat down heavily, pinching his
fleshy eyebrows between finger and thumb. Jay continued, ‘But then, I had not read it. Now I find there is still the matter of my discretion. It is of value, is it not?’

‘You mean I must pay you to keep quiet?’

‘I prefer to think you might wish to offer me a gift. You know I am a connoisseur of fine painting, Mr Allsop. Particularly miniatures. Have you anything like that?’

‘You devil. How did you know?’

‘I have my informants. It is my business to know.’ He leaned back comfortably. ‘I believe the miniatures are on your French escritoire across the hall.’

Allsop blanched. He rubbed his face, confused. In that moment Jay knew it would be all right. He had been right to get the knowledge about Allsop’s house. Now he had the upper hand, Allsop
was on the back foot and both men knew it. His puzzled face showed he was trying to work out how Jay could possibly know the details of the inside of his house.

‘I’ll have to think about it. Those miniatures have been in my family for generations. Give me a few minutes to fetch your fee. I’ll be back.’

‘Oh, and by the way,’ Jay said, ‘my men are just outside. So I wouldn’t try to go anywhere if I were you.’

Allsop cast his eye out of the window, and Jay saw the flicker when he caught sight of Lutch.

‘Ask your manservant to fetch your purse.’

Allsop poked his head into the hall and gave instructions.

‘I’ll help myself to a drink then, as you did not offer,’ Jay said. He took off his open cloak and muffler and strolled over to the glass decanter to pour a draught of port
wine. He held up the glass to look at its chased stem before sitting back down and taking a large swig.

Allsop stood awkwardly by the door until the servant returned. When the servant had gone Jay put down the glass to take the leather bag Allsop offered him. Allsop stepped away from him as if he
might burn his fingers. Jay tightened the drawstrings and tucked it away.

‘Aren’t you going to count it?’

‘No, we made a gentleman’s agreement. You know better than to gull me. I trust you know what’s good for you.’

‘My notebook, then.’ Allsop held out his hand.

‘In a moment,’ said Jay, patting the bulge in his waistcoat pocket. ‘Now, shall we take a look at your miniatures?’

‘I don’t see why it’s of interest. It’s not a very good collection, not valuable – just a few trinkets, mostly from my father.’

‘I’d still like to take a look, I have a few myself.’

Allsop frowned. ‘This way then, but I’ve told you, they only have sentimental value. Family portraits.’ He went ahead of him into a smaller, well-furnished chamber; it was hung
with green moiré paper, with a window, not yet shuttered, looking onto the street. The fire blazed under a stone mantel. Jay glanced outside again to see the solid-hewn figure of Lutch still
stamping his feet on the hard-packed snow and rubbing the horse’s nose. Jay smiled. Seeing his accomplice always gave him confidence.

Turning to Allsop, who was fidgeting with discomfort, he said, ‘It’s not the value, though, that interests me, but their beauty, don’t you think? Some things just set up a
flutter in here –’ he pointed to his chest. ‘They can be worthless, but the sight of them still makes me long for them.’

Allsop did not reply. They had stopped in front of a table with brass claw-and-ball feet. On the inlaid surface lay about twenty portraits, each no bigger than a pennyweight. The colours glowed
through the domed surfaces of the glass.

‘Take this one,’ Jay said. ‘This portrait is particularly appealing, with the embroidered ruff. Look at the quality of those brushstrokes, sharp as needles.’

Allsop grunted. Jay held up another and grimaced. ‘Now this is valuable. But ugly. I won’t have ugliness in my personal chambers. My father will deal in anything, as long as
it’s worth a bit. But I like to think I have taste,’ Jay said. ‘Can you bring me more light?’

Allsop reluctantly brought over a branched chandelier and lit it. The pinpoints of light fell on the domed glass surfaces. Jay smiled. Good, Allsop had fallen to doing his bidding like a lapdog.
Jay homed his gaze on each painting in turn, while Allsop hovered, his hands pressed together.

‘I’ll take this one, and this one too with the pretty lady in ermine. It’s by the great Cooper, if I’m not mistaken.’

‘One alone would serve my dues, surely?’

‘I thought you said the miniatures were of little value?’ Jay smiled.

‘What about taking this one instead?’ Allsop picked up a larger one in a brass frame. ‘It’s a portrait of the Duchess of Albemarle, my father thought her a great
beauty.’

‘Really? She looks a little homely to me. But then I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder. No, I’ll take those two and these ones.’ He pointed to four more.

‘Just a minute, Whitgift, those are the best in the collection, I’ll have nothing left.’

‘I can see we both appreciate fine things. But if you give me all six you can be assured that my lips will be forever sealed. The journal was most illuminating. Your financial affairs are
fascinating, not to mention your little arrangement with Newgate Gaol.’

‘Four, Whitgift. Four is surely enough.’

‘With four or five, well, you may hear a few rumours. Nothing definite, mind, but rumours.’

‘You dog.’ Allsop turned away, as if to wash his hands of the whole business. ‘Take the six,’ he said tersely, with his back turned. ‘And then, do I have your
word?’

‘My word as a gentleman. And then there will only be the original loan owing. Thirty pounds, was it not? Let’s shake hands on it.’ He offered Allsop his hand, and
Allsop’s damp white palm enclosed his briefly for a fraction of a second before falling away.

Ignoring the sweating Allsop, Jay drew the six best miniatures into a group and lined them up precisely in a circle on the veneered table, his long fingers picking up first one then another to
arrange them in a pleasing order. Then he stepped away. ‘Have your man wrap them for me, will you.’

Allsop rang for a servant.

Jay walked ahead of Allsop back to the drawing room as if he lived there. Allsop followed him a step behind.

‘Well, Mr Allsop, it has been a pleasure doing business with you again,’ Jay said. ‘Sit down, do. You may be assured I have never set eyes on any notebook. Discretion is a part
of my service, so be sure to call on me, should you require anything further.’

‘My notebook. Give it over now.’

‘That? Oh no, sorry, Allsop, I haven’t got it with me.’

‘But I thought—’

‘What, this?’ Jay drew a folded broadsheet out of his waistcoat. ‘It’s just the latest news. I had a little article I was going to publish there if things did not go to
plan with a certain client.’

‘Damn your eyes! I’ve given you the fee, haven’t I? Give me my book!’ He lunged for Jay, who sidestepped neatly.

‘I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.’

‘I’ll call the constable!’

‘Sit down, do, Allsop. You know as well as I you can’t do that. It has been an easy matter to take out the pages of the book that refer to me. But whilst I have the book in my
possession . . .’ He let his words sink in. Of course he hadn’t yet removed those pages, but it was safe enough locked in his cabinet.

Allsop sat down heavily, the chair creaked under his weight. He put his head in his hands.

‘Now here is my offer,’ Jay said. ‘I have many contacts, and can supply just about anything in London, and I see no reason why we should not continue our little business. You
need a particular kind of girl and, as you know, I can obtain them. There must be many other well-to-do gentlemen such as yourself who will pay for that sort of service. And then again, I suppose
there may be other gentlemen who may require a loan in these hard times. I expect you to supply me with some names.’

‘Are you blackmailing me?’

‘That’s an ugly word. I told you, I don’t like ugliness. No, just a little business arrangement. Call the journal my insurance. I would like to meet some of your friends,
Allsop, particularly those who are received at court. What could be wrong with that? No reason why we should not grease each other’s palms.’

Allsop wiped the back of his neck with his hand. ‘And if I should decline to do business with you?’

‘Oh, I wouldn’t do that. After all, I’m offering you what you want – your reputation – and you are giving me what I want in return. What could be better?’

‘I need to think,’ Allsop said, pressing a palm to his temple. ‘My man will see you out.’ He rang the bell.

‘If I were you, I would not be too long thinking about it. I’ll be back tomorrow.’ Jay put on his gloves, easing each finger into its leather pocket, then interlacing his
fingers. He took up the cloth bundle containing the miniatures from the manservant, bowed slightly to Allsop and bounded down the steps to his carriage.

Behind him, Allsop shut the shutters tight and slammed the bolts on. He summoned the servant and told him to double-check the windows and doors, make sure they were locked. He
went over to the desk and tried to rearrange the few inconsequential miniatures that were left. They looked lost without the rest. Impatient, he opened the lid of the desk and thrust them inside
out of sight. Then he poured himself a measure of sack and sat ruminating for a long time, before going to his collection of wrought silver and lining it up along the shelf in the cabinet.