The Baltic Prize

Chapter 18

‘My dear Thornton,’ enthused the governor of Gothenburg genially, ‘and you’ve brought a soldier friend. Do make yourself comfortable, gentlemen. Akvavit?’

Thornton took a seat. So his good friend Rosen was being entrusted with the agreements for the first disposition.

Moore sat stiffly, cradling his drink.

‘King Gustav IV Adolf asks me to extend fraternal greetings to his new allies on his behalf and enjoins me to do all in my power to facilitate matters,’ continued Rosen.

‘We are honoured and flattered by the attentions of His Swedish Majesty and wish only to advance our common cause in the most advantageous manner,’ Thornton replied.

‘Very good. Then it is only a matter of the military priorities.’ He looked directly at Moore. ‘General, we should not lose time in preparations. It is planned that Sj?lland is conquered and garrisoned within-’

‘I will not do it, sir!’ Moore spluttered. ‘It’s impossible – and, God forbid, even if we do prevail, how shall we garrison the entire territory? Thirty, forty thousand at the least in permanent cantonment. And not to mention supply, pay. Sir, it’s nonsense!’

Thornton waited for the storm to pass.

Rosen said smoothly, ‘If this is your military judgement, General, it will grieve the King to hear of your … uneasiness to assist him but there is an alternative. The unpleasantness in Finland has to be countered, you’ll agree. The King has a plan to this end – to make quick conquest and occupation of Norway while the Danes are unable to defend it, before turning to the east, now with all his forces to command in the task of ejecting the Russians.’

With an effort at control, Moore bowed his head jerkily and said woodenly, ‘As my judgement of before. The scheme is … the plan is not possible in any wise.’

Raising an eyebrow, Rosen continued pleasantly, ‘My dear General, you have been in my country bare hours and you are dismissing our strategic initiatives outright. I shall withdraw for a space to allow your esteemed envoy to apprise you of the more … conspicuous elements involved. One hour?’

After the governor had left, closing the doors after him, Thornton rounded on Moore. ‘Sir John, I do counsel-’

‘That I should concur with this madness? I will not, sir!’

Thornton bit his lip. He knew the type: dedicated, loyal to a fault and absolutely committed to the goal to hand. But confrontation was going to achieve nothing. ‘Very well, I do concede your point. We will seek agreement that your troops will not be expected to do service in either Sj?lland or Norway.’

Moore visibly collected himself. ‘Quite. I should consider deploying in Scania opposite Copenhagen or any other within reason and the scope of my orders. Time presses, sir.’

‘Then we shall speak more generally of the nature of your military assistance.’

Rosen returned, smiling with effortless urbanity.

Thornton told him, ‘Axel, we have spoken, and General Moore quite sees the urgency of the situation and offers to take up immediate station in Scania to release your army there for Finland.’

‘Your offer is generous and appreciated, General,’ Rosen said, with a civil bow. ‘I can see how we may together advance the cause of His Swedish Majesty and the greater war against the tyrant.’

‘Then I shall give orders for my troops to disembark when I have details of their barracks or other accommodation.’

‘Excellent. Then that leaves only the small details to conclude.’

‘Oh? What are these, then, Axel?’ A stab of premonition shot through Thornton.

‘Merely the clarifying of the chain of command once the general and his men are on Swedish soil. My king is quite willing to take chief command of all forces in Swedish territory, and your military under this fine soldier.’

Moore stiffened. ‘That is impossible, sir.’

‘Oh, why so?’

‘My orders do not allow of it. I am instructed and commanded by my own sovereign, King George, sir, and I cannot be made subject to two masters. Pray bear this to your king with my regrets.’

Rosen looked at him steadily for a space, then answered equably, ‘I shall do this, sir.’

‘Then I should like to land my men after their fatiguing voyage. What are your arrangements, sir?’

‘Ah. I do not think that advisable at this time, General.’

‘Not to disembark my men? What can you possibly mean, sir?’

‘You must know, General, that the sudden appearance of tens of thousands in our midst to provision would place a grave strain on our local supply. It would drive up prices for staples beyond the people’s enduring to the hazard of public order. I cannot risk this, sir.’

‘Until conditions for the alliance are, er, further advanced, is your signifying,’ Thornton said evenly.

‘Quite.’

‘Then we needs must take our leave to consider our position, sir. Good day to you.’

In the consul’s residence Thornton stood in a bitter mood, avoiding Moore’s eye.

It was absurd, irrational. Rosen was clearly under orders and they came from Stockholm. While Gustav needed every soldier and military resource he could lay hands on he was playing foolish games to get his way. This was bad enough but in Moore he had a blinkered military type who couldn’t see past his orders. Not like Admiral Saumarez, who was diplomacy itself in the handling of the Swedes. If only Moore could have been more agreeable, accommodating in his ways.

‘General, I cannot easily see where we can go from here, and-’

‘I can,’ Moore said abruptly.

‘Yes?’

‘My men cannot be expected to endure incarceration for much longer in those execrable hulks the Transport Board provides. So, if I’m not permitted to land, I shall return with them to England.’

‘No!’ Horrified, Thornton knew that the alliance could not possibly stand after such an insult. The unstable Gustav could do anything in spite – conceivably even take against the British and change sides with incalculable consequences. He thought feverishly. ‘No – there’s another way.’ Only one course offered even the glimmer of hope.

‘Sir?’

‘General, you and I will take ship immediately for Stockholm and seek audience with King Gustav himself!’