The Dardanelles Conspiracy by Alan Bardos (best ereader for pc TXT) 📗

be something, thank you. The frustrating thing is that I know he wants to marry me.’

‘As I said, the man is clearly a fool and most undeserving of you.’

‘It was rather whimsical I suppose, wanting to marry the man I love. I will have to somehow tell Enver I won’t marry his aide and hope he understands, and hope my bank can extend a line of credit?’

‘I think I might have a more likely solution to your problem,’ Abraham said. ‘Have you thought about approaching Talat Pasha for help with your situation? You know him, don’t you?’

‘Yes, I know him, why would you resolve a difficult situation by suggesting I approach the most mendacious man in Constantinople?’

‘Alas, we must all do things that we don't want to. I myself would be much happier spending my time studying the scriptures, but I have responsibilities, a wife and a family to support,’ Abraham said blandly.

‘Are you saying I sell myself?’ Esther stood up to leave. She was too angry to continue the conversation. To her amazement Abraham laughed.

‘Please, Esther, you completely misunderstand me.’ He lent forward conspiratorially. ‘I would like you to provide compensation of a completely different sort all together.’

Abraham sat back and crossed his legs, adopting a blasé attitude in an attempt to downplay what he was about to say. ‘A young Englishman came to see me today, on behalf of the British Government. He would like the Grand Rabbi to open negotiations with Talat Pasha.’

‘You want me to take part in some kind of sedition?’

‘No, to help me facilitate peace talks,’ Abraham said.

Esther was shocked and felt herself tremble, as her mind churned over the possibilities. ‘Yes, I see. Talat is the most obvious person to approach. All Enver Pasha talks about is his time in Germany and how well their soldiers march.’

‘The negotiations would I’m sure be most beneficial to Talat personally and no doubt he will show his gratitude to you for facilitating such an arrangement. Grateful enough to grant whatever concessions you require for your railway.’

‘So it would be like old times.’ Esther and Abraham had worked together in the past, as she tried to find investors for the business, but nothing on this scale. ‘The Grand Rabbi has agreed to help?’

‘Oh yes, we have a coincidence of opinion on the matter. His involvement will be minimal to start with until you have sounded Talat out.’

‘Who is this Englishman and how do you know he can be trusted?’

‘His letter of introduction said that his name was Jonathan Swift. I don’t trust him, but I trust the man who sent him to me.’

‘Swift? What do you know of him?’

‘Not much apart from he has a taste for Turkish coffee and spent time in Sarajevo before the war.’ Abraham stopped puzzled as Esther started to laugh.

‘You know him?’

‘Only by reputation, but I think it would be interesting to meet him.’

Abraham clapped his hands together. ‘Excellent, in that case I think we should invite our friend to dinner, as we would any other potential investor. For the purposes of our arrangement, he should be addressed as von Jager.’

Chapter 18

Breitner entered the Embassy dining room and started rearranging the seating cards for luncheon.

‘I trust everything is correct sir?’ a servant asked.

‘Look at this, completely wrong order of precedence,’ Breitner snapped. The man looked about to cry, realising the consequences of such a error. ‘Don’t worry a simple mistake to make, get on with the place settings.’

Breitner sighed he still felt uneasy about his meeting with Esther Weisz. He had been right to decline her offer, no matter his feelings. The refusal from Esther’s father had been friendly, but categorical. Shortly after the photograph, she displayed so recklessly, had been taken he’d gone to see Esther’s father in his office overlooking Budapest’s Keleti station. Breitner had walked through rows of draughtsmen on high stools and was glad, that as a cavalry officer, he was spared such dull and commonplace work.

Her father, a sober man of affairs, had looked puzzled by his visit, but had welcomed him well enough. ‘Breitner, what can I do for you?’

‘It concerns your daughter, Esther.’ Breitner had felt the magnitude of the situation deserved the most formal manner.

‘You wish to indulge her fascination with photography and have come to plead her cause, is that it?’

‘No sir, as a matter of fact, Esther and I have reached an understanding.’

‘I hope you are not going to tell me that you’re planning to invest in her photographic studio, after I refused her?’

Breitner had laughed, such was the naivety of his joy. ‘It is my great hounour and privilege to ask for your permission to marry Miss Esther Weisz.’

Mr Weisz was flabbergasted. ‘Esther has accepted? So you hope to present me with a faint accompli.’

‘No sir, I respectfully ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.’

‘I’m afraid I’m going to have to refuse you, Laszlo.’

Breitner felt like he’d been struck, ‘I don’t understand...’

‘Don’t worry Laszlo, she won’t be the only heiress to have her head turned by a young officer of Hussars.’

‘Such a creature would be of no interest to me, sir.’

‘And I’m sure their fathers would also have concerns about their daughter’s entering into an alliance with an officer from a regiment notorious for its wild gambling and high living. As it is, my daughter’s inheritance will not be squandered in such a fashion.’

‘I have very little to do with such behaviour, Mr Weisz.’ Breitner said indignantly.

‘Then how do you plan to progress? Is merit not judged on your devil may care attitude?’

‘Yes, to a certain extent, but I have been made a junior adjutant, through prudent means and playing the odds.’

‘If you wish to be responsible for more than mucking out the stables, you will have