Scales of Gold

Written by Dorothy Dunnett

Narrated by Gordon Griffin

The exploits of Nicholas van der Poele have attracted notoriety and enemies. To protect hisbank in Venice he needs new funds, and Nicholas turns his attentions to the rich and mysterious lands of Africa. . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Audio
• Release date: May 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781471249754

Reviews for Scales of Gold

[jkdavies · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After all the double double dealings of Cyprus, Nicholas sets out to restore the fortunes of his Bank, and accompanies Loppe on a journey down the Guinea coast in search of gold. Pursued by a ship of the Vatachino, a rival banking company who reared their head at the end of the last book, trading and skirmishing along route. Gelis, Kateline's sister accompanies them with the desire to take revenge on Nicholas for his treatment of Kateline on Cyprus. The journey along the coast complete, they turn inland to find the source of the gold trade, and are thwarted by friends and unfriendly tribes. They eventually end up at Timbuktu, where Gelis, nursing Nicholas through swamp fever, finds out that he is the father of Kateline's child. 
Quite why, after this discovery, Gelis and Nicholas become close is not clear. At least, not until the end of the book. Nicholas and Godscalc set out for Ethiopia to find the land of Prester John, but have to turn back, both worn and wounded. Gelis returns to Europe with Godscalc, and Nicholas is again nursed, by Lppe/ Umar. He finds peace in Timbuktu, until the warring tribes threaten again, and he becomes pivotal in the defence of the city. Finally, he leaves for Europe via the camel trains across the Sahara.
Finally reunited, Nicholas proposes marriage to Gelis, she asks for time to think and goes to Scotland. After being away for eight weeks, she returns to Bruges amid wedding preparations for the Duke of Burgundy; and finally agrees to marry Nicholas. On her wedding night she reveals <spoiler>that she is pregnant by Simon, Nicholas's disputed father</spoiler>; which comes as a genuine shock and kick in the guts. Leaving me (the first time, and subsequent times) shaking my head and asking What? What just happened?