Heart of Gold

He saw Duval with a tall, blonde woman in a blue dress. Duval smiled and gave a good imitation of an Albionish thumbs-up. Aubrey was relieved that Duval had turned his attention away from Caroline and had remained good-natured about it all.

In the distance, Aubrey spied George. Sophie was talking in animated fashion with someone whom Aubrey recognised as the Nawab of Dharmat. 'They seem to be having a good time,' Caroline said. She had to lean close to speak over the din, which Aubrey didn't mind in the least.

'You see the way George is nodding? With his finger along the edge of his jaw?'

'Yes.'

'It means he has no idea about what's being said. None at all.'

'It doesn't seem to be worrying him.'

'George, worried? In the company of a charming female? It's his favourite place on earth.'

Caroline laughed, eyes sparkling. Aubrey was gratified. He liked to make her laugh.

The orchestra began a polka. Soon the dance floor was a mass of people moving with the aplomb that only came from expensive lessons.

Aubrey was torn. He knew he could dance well enough, and he actually enjoyed it, but he did need to find his parents.

'Later,' Caroline said, interrupting his thoughts. 'I'd like to dance later.'

'Am I that transparent?'

'Not often, but sometimes.' She inclined her head. 'Is that your father?'

'I believe it is.'

Before Aubrey could move a step, a strong hand took his arm. 'Fitzwilliam. You are not dead then?'

Disengaging himself from a conversation between a befuddled-looking cardinal and a diplomat from Liburnia was Hugo von Stralick.

'And neither are you, Hugo. The explosion didn't get you?'

Von Stralick's gaze was steady. 'Hush, now, Fitzwilliam. Many ears are at work this evening.' He bowed to Caroline. 'Miss Hepworth. You look divine. Much too good for this weak-kneed Albionite. Come with me and I'll introduce you to some countrymen of mine. They have no taste to speak of, but they are extraordinarily rich and they have very fine posture.'

'I don't think so, Mr von Stralick. I'm happy where I am.'

'Really.' Von Stralick scrutinised Aubrey. 'He must have cast a spell on you.' Caroline looked sharply at Aubrey. He blinked. 'Spell? Me? I wouldn't. And I'm not sure if I could. Even if I wanted to, not that that's at issue. Because it isn't.' He spread his hands. 'I don't know what he's talking about.'

'Hmm . . .'Von Stralick said. 'Perhaps not. It appears as if you've addled his brains too much, Miss Hepworth.' He gestured. 'Walk with me a little, Fitzwilliam.'

'I can't. I have to see my parents.'

'I know. I have a few things to tell you before you talk to your father.'

Aubrey apologised to Caroline. 'I won't be long.'

'It doesn't matter how long you are.'

'No?'

'I'm coming with you.'

'Of course.' Aubrey could think of no reason why not.

Von Stralick raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. 'Well enough.'

He led them through the crowd. It took Aubrey a moment, but he realised what was different about the people. They were happy, full of the good spirits that had been missing from Lutetia for some time.

Aubrey was proud. Returning the Heart of Gold had not only stabilised the political situation in Gallia, but it had restored the Gallian nature of the people.

A tiny, peeved voice at the back of his mind whispered about how much this deed had cost him, but he ignored it. He knew he'd thrown away the stability he'd sought. So be it. He'd done something important, and it was worth it.

Von Stralick reached the wall and stood with his back to it. The orchestra moved from the polka to a lively mazurka, which brought cheers from the dancers. Aubrey stood next to von Stralick, with Caroline on the other side.

Von Stralick didn't look at Aubrey as he spoke. 'Gabriel. You know him?'

'The leader of the Sons of Victor.'

'He is one of us.'

Aubrey couldn't help himself. His head jerked around and he stared at von Stralick. 'Gabriel is a Holmlander?'

'A spy. A plant. His mission was to galvanise the Marchmaine movement and split Gallia in two.'

'He nearly succeeded. You know he's escaped from prison.'

Von Stralick stiffened. 'When?'

'An hour or so ago.'

'Very bad. Very bad indeed.'

'Why are you telling us this?' Caroline asked. 'I don't believe he's at all altruistic,' she said to Aubrey.

'I'm not,' von Stralick said. 'My superior is not Gabriel's superior. We believe that he – and his faction – are too rash, too dangerous for all our good.'

At that moment, Aubrey stopped and stared into the distance. It was as if his mind were a great clockwork mechanism just ticking over to noon, ready to ring the midday chimes. 'Gabriel's master,' he asked with dawning certainty. 'He wouldn't be a foreigner, would he?'

Von Stralick gave a tiny fraction of a nod. 'He is an Albionite. You are very astute. What led you to this?'

'Oh, the way Dr Romellier mentioned a certain name.' It also explained why Gabriel and the Marchmainers tolerated the ornithologist at the airfield. If Dr Tremaine was Gabriel's master, and if he had some interest in Dr Romellier, then Gabriel would have been ordered to keep an eye on him. 'And the audaciousness of the plan. The intricacy of what was set in motion. It reeks of our ex-Sorcerer Royal.' Not to mention that the anger spell that first threw the Marchmainers against the authorities bore the hallmarks of Dr Tremaine's magic, Aubrey thought, but I'll keep that up my sleeve, for now. 'And, of course, the ultimate result of the events here in Lutetia would have been war. A vast slaughterhouse of a war, millions of people dead – the numbers of sacrifices Dr Tremaine needs if he is to achieve his goal of immortality.'

'Ah,' von Stralick said. 'We thought Tremaine's role was a secret.'

'How did he become involved?'

'He came to Holmland after he was driven out of your country. Certain parties greeted him with open arms. His knowledge is great.'

'I know. And he is a difficult man to resist.'

'He became an adviser to certain key government figures. He was given a commission in the military, extremely senior.' Von Stralick coughed. 'I have learned that he was controlling Muller and Schnagel's commander as well, promising him great things. He had Gabriel dispose of them when they were proving too independent.'

'Are you trying to stop the war, von Stralick?' Aubrey said softly.

Von Stralick was silent for a moment. 'My superior wants the whole continent. Holmland will need to go to war to achieve it.'