‘Yes. What did the princess tell you? About countering a great force of hatred?’
‘She spoke of an equally great love, sir.’
‘Well there you are, then. A great love. She performed in accordance … provided same.’
‘But where do you come by such a thing at a moment’s notice? They don’t have that on the shelves at the Co-op. What’s she been up to? Are you saying she’s got a bloke lined up and given him marching orders to get aboard ship with that killer? Sir! This can’t be right!’
‘Oh, I don’t know … seems to be working. Get your hat on, Wentworth. We’ll go together to put the screws on the old girl. Find out what she’s stirring up and who it is she’s cajoled or bribed to cosy up to our Anna. I shall go on referring to her as Anna. And I want you to do the same. Remember I’ve got your signature where it counts!’
Foxton was expecting them. ‘Her Highness is up in the drawing room where she hopes you will join her in a glass of champagne,’ he said, smiling a conspirator’s smile.
The champagne was chilling in an ice bucket and a manservant was on hand to uncork, pour and offer dry French biscuits to accompany it. The princess, Joe noted, was looking very chipper. She’d chattered non-stop since they entered the room and seemed to have had a load lifted from her shoulders.
When they were all equipped with flutes of Dom Perignon she dismissed the manservant and waited for a moment, examining the bubbles. ‘A toast, Commander?’
‘Certainly. Let’s drink to Stout Cortez! And may our absent friend be struck with the same paralysing wonder when she claps eyes on the Pacific.’
‘Ah! Cortez! Now tell me — wasn’t he the Spanish gentleman who set the fashion for burning one’s boats?’ The princess dimpled and twinkled and sipped her champagne in a high good humour.