The Silk Weaver's Daughter (30 page)

“You mean you wouldn’t mind being his steward?”

“It would depend a lot on what he plans to do with the land but, you realize, I do know a lot about it. I lived on Grandfather‘s farm all my life, and made a study of agriculture at the university in Saumur, before I met your mother and decided to get serious about the weaving.”

He looked over to his wife. “What would you think, Claudine? Would you even consider moving there?”

She looked thoughtful. “Now, you’re older, it would be easier on you physically than making a living over a loom, wouldn’t it, Pierre? I’ve never gotten used to the ways of the city. I love the country, and horseback riding, and walking in the woods—breathing country air. It would be wonderful to live like that again.” Her eyes appeared wistful.

Louise glanced from one parent to the other in amazement. “Why, I never considered you would want to go back to it. Paul definitely means to ask you, but please, don’t tell him I warned you about it. I think he might be angry with me for interfering.”

“All right, daughter, we won’t let on we know anything about it. I don’t suppose that would be lying in any way—just evasive. I’m glad you told us. It means your mother and I’ll have time to think things over and discuss it thoroughly. Now, let’s have a bite of lunch, Claudine. I’m starving. And, Louise, you’d better tell us more about this Alston Manor.”

Chapter 39

London, October 1691

T
he summer of 1691 saw significant changes for the families of both Paul and Pierre. Paul purchased Alston Manor and Pierre accepted the position of estate steward. He and Claudine planned to move there permanently the following spring. Eventually there would be a dower or retirement cottage built for them, but in the meantime, they had their own suite of rooms in the manor house. Mr. Buckley, Lady Alston’s steward, had changed his mind, and promised to stay for one year to help get them settled.

Paul, Louise, and the children spent the three months of summer on the farm and declared it the perfect retreat from the city. Much of Lady Alston’s furnishings and paintings were included with the sale of the manor; so Louise had little to do in the way of decorating except to change the position of some pieces, and add their family’s personal touches here and there. By the time she finished, the house was exactly right for them, and they had all fallen in love with Oxfordshire.

In August, Louise’s parents arrived for a month’s stay. Paul and Pierre spent countless hours planning what they would do when the land was ready for cultivation in the spring, and Pierre would move there for good. Both he and Claudine showed their pleasure at being back on a farm and threw themselves into the various activities. They picnicked in the woods or took drives into the country as far as the scenic Cotswolds.

The children loved the farm. Alice was only five, but Paul promised her that when she was eight she could learn to ride a real pony. She and her brother took turns galloping around on the small wooden horse he had bought for her. He assured the little boy he too would ride a large ‘horsy’ when he was bigger.

The two men supervised the construction of the new outbuildings, which included stables for the promised horses, a large dairy cow shed, two small greenhouses, and other various tool sheds. They turned one of the existing buildings into a private office for Pierre. It had a small kitchen with a fireplace, and another larger room where his desk, along with a cabinet for his papers, would go. As well, it had a space large enough to set up the two looms he planned to keep. Like Paul and his jewellery making, he didn’t want to give up altogether the skill at which he excelled. He planned only to take special orders from his best customers.

The day in September the whole family headed back to London, they all felt rather sad to be leaving the country.

Once they returned to the city, Paul spent much time working with Sir John Houblon on the government-banking project. As well, Claude and Henri needed additional training before he could turn the business totally over to them. Already he missed the life of a country squire.

It was early October, and Paul was back in his shop when he looked out the window to see a coach with the royal crest, drive up. Immediately, an important-looking, slightly pompous, gentleman stepped out. The doorbell jingled and, to his astonishment, in walked one of King William’s top advisors—the Earl of Portland, Sir William Bentinck. After greeting Paul, he declared, “Perhaps we could go into a less public room, Mr. Thibault. I must converse with you on a matter of great importance.” He spoke with a strong Dutch accent.

“Yes, certainly, sir. Right this way please.”

He ushered the earl into his office and motioned him into the best chair there was. “Would you like a little brandy, your lordship? It’s all I have to offer here, I’m afraid.”

“Nr, Nr,”
the king’s man replied. “I have business elsewhere, and this won’t take very long.”

He looked up at the ceiling as if trying to recall lines from a speech then proceeded to recite. “The King has only now returned from fighting on the continent, and he has asked me to extend the government’s deepest apologies for what happened to you last year. He remembers your lovely wife, and that she had to flee for her life from France; so he feels extremely sorry about the whole situation.” He stopped speaking for a moment to clear his throat.

“It has come to his attention that your business has suffered because of the accusation and he would like to make amends. I’m here to commission you to make a necklace for Queen Mary in time for the 12
^th
Night celebration.”

Paul was stunned.

“Zounds,” he exclaimed in astonishment. “Excuse me your lordship, but this overwhelms me. I never dreamt I’d receive such an honour. However, the King is correct about my business suffering. I’m afraid some of my old customers did lose confidence in me. Certainly, this would let people know I can be trusted.”

“So, then It’s settled. His majesty would like it made in gold set with diamonds and rubies. If you will be good enough to draw up some designs and have them delivered to my office, King William will look and pick the one he would like. Could you have the piece ready in two months do you think?”

“Yes. Once the king approves the design, I can have it finished within a month. I’ll concentrate on that and leave everything else to my assistants.”

“If the king likes the design, you will receive a substantial sum at that time, and full payment upon completion to His Highness’ satisfaction. We will shake on it now,
nr?

Paul could hardly believe his good fortune. It was a tremendous honour to be chosen by the King. However, he realized it would take a master craftsman to do it. As good as his apprentices were, it was too big a responsibility for them. Henri was soon to become a freeman, while Claude still had four years of apprenticeship left. Moreover, Henri was sometimes a problem. He was bright enough, but he was inclined to be lazy; and Paul suspected he actually was a little jealous of Claude’s abilities in design work.

Unless I can hire the right person to look after the King‘s commission, it’s back to the workbench for me, he reflected. I’m afraid it might be a while yet before I can retire full time to the country. Those lovely green fields of Oxfordshire will just have to wait.

As so often happened now, he began to cough.

Coincidently by the end of the month, Paul found the right man to help with the job. Lucien Robard had made an impressive reputation for himself as a goldsmith in Marseilles when his enemies discovered he was a secret Huguenot. It took careful planning on the part of friends to smuggle him out of the city before King Louis’ soldiers could catch up with him. They were fortunate to get him on a British ship, recently out of Venice, which brought him straight to England.

Upon landing in London, he went to the French Chapel in Spittlefields. There, he met Pierre who took him to see Paul. He was a gifted designer and had excellent qualifications, so Paul employed him immediately. They decided he could stay with the other two boys in the apartment above the shop.

That solved Paul’s problem of the extra work and together the two goldsmiths spent long hours making drawings of designs until they had several which they felt were good enough to submit to the king.

Paul and Lucien had the necklace ready before the end of the year. It was such an enormous success with King William that before Twelfth Night, his Royal Advisor came again to Paul’s shop.

This time, the earl looked a trifle uncomfortable as he asked if they could once again go into the small office. Even with the door closed, he spoke softly. “Mr. Thibault, King William was so pleased with Queen Mary’s necklace that he has another commission for you. However, in this particular matter, I must ask for your utmost secrecy and discretion.” He cleared his throat, looking markedly ill at ease.

“Yes, of course, your lordship. What would His Majesty like me to do?”

“He would wish you to make up another necklace. The king has— ah—a special fondness for a lady at the court. It is no secret among his courtiers, of course. And I tell you in confidence, even the queen is aware of it, although she turns a blind eye. However, it is not generally known here in England and perhaps Her Majesty would not quite appreciate the gift of jewellery to the lady,
nr?
So, we would need to have your total silence in this matter. It is understood?”

“Of course. I may have to confide somewhat to my chief designer, but no one else need know.”

“Goed.
Then once again submit your designs and we will let you know, which one he chooses. You understand it must be quite different from the other one. Perhaps, a less valuable stone such as amethyst, and not as large as the other one.
Begrepen?

Paul wasn’t sure of the Dutch words, but the message was clear. He ushered the earl to the door and closed it behind him. What have I gotten myself into, he thought. Thank goodness, I have Lucien. I’m sure he can be totally trusted in this.

King William was so pleased with the second piece of jewellery that he appointed Paul as “Goldsmith to the King.” Queen Mary had taken a notion to collect dinnerware, and it had become the latest trend with the upper classes. Therefore, the royal couple commissioned Paul to design and create a distinctive golden dinner service for Windsor Castle, in honour of the fifth anniversary of their reign the following year. Because of these privileges, the Crown allowed him to add a special phrase to the name of his company. To include all his young assistants, he decided to rename it: Thibault & Associates, Goldsmiths to King William.”

In April, this led to a surprising announcement from Windsor Castle. As one of the King‘s specialists, and for his services to the Bank of England, Paul was to be made a Baronet—a step above knighthood—with a hereditary title, which would go to Peter at his death. The investiture was to take place in Windsor in the first week of May; and Sir John Houblon once again planned a large ball at his home in Hyde Park to honour the new baronet.