‘To my mind, at least it’s better than fuelling the personal aims of a handful of stupid generals and politicians. At least my aim is an aim that will resound for the ages.’ He paused, thoughtfully. ‘Of course, being immortal I can make sure of that.’
Aubrey was exhausted. It had been a long day and Dr Tremaine’s revelation didn’t surprise him. From his point of view, with his single-minded view of the world, it made perfect sense. ‘And that’s it? What happens once you’ve worked out what this connection is all about?’
Another chuckle. ‘I could lie, tell you that is the totality of my need for you, and then roll out my next task, but I choose not to. I’m going to be straightforward.’
‘That must be refreshing,’ Caroline said.
‘Ah, she jokes! A witticism trips from those lovely lips! Here I was, assuming it would be the boy who endeavoured to keep up spirits with a quip. You must be learning from him.’
‘Don’t be foolish,’ Caroline said but Aubrey couldn’t help notice that her cheeks were flaming. In other circumstances it would be a delightful sight but ... He reconsidered. No, it was delightful, even in this unfortunate situation.
Dr Tremaine studied her, then he glanced at Aubrey, then back at Caroline. A smile crept to his face. Aubrey prepared himself for the rogue sorcerer’s taunting, but all Dr Tremaine did was raise an eyebrow and tilt his head at Aubrey. It astonished him. A murdering genius, having some delicacy with affairs of the heart? Who would have guessed it?
At that moment, the door banged open and Baron von Grolman stood there. ‘I have an idea,’ he said. ‘We can use the boy.’
Thirty-two
Dr Tremaine turned his head – but the sword still hovered at Aubrey’s throat. ‘You’ve interrupted me, von Grolman,’ he said in a voice full of wonder.
‘Sorry, Tremaine, but I wanted to catch you before it was too late.’
That’s has an unspoken implication that I’m not altogether happy with, Aubrey thought. He went to speak, but Dr Tremaine moved the sword tip infinitesimally.
‘And what is so important that you burst in here like that?’ Dr Tremaine said to the baron.
The baron clasped his hands together. He was sweating, beads appearing on his broad forehead. ‘I’ve just realised what a godsend we have here, Tremaine.’
‘You’ve just realised? Are you sure someone hasn’t been in your ear? The Mattingly girl?’
To Aubrey, the baron’s blustering denial was as good as an admission, and from Dr Tremaine’s amused expression, he thought so as well. ‘Look, Tremaine,’ the baron said eventually, desperately trying to wrest back the initiative, ‘you understand that we have the son of the Albion Prime Minister here, don’t you?’
‘There is little I don’t understand, von Grolman, but do go on.’
‘Imagine what the effect would be on the Albion populace if he defected.’
Aubrey couldn’t help himself. He blurted. ‘Defected?’
The baron ignored him. ‘We photograph him, shaking hands with you, inspecting Holmland troops, conferring with the generals I’ve brought here. It would destroy his father, for a start.’
Dr Tremaine smiled. At the sight of that smile, Aubrey immediately wanted to be on another continent, and couldn’t understand why the baron wasn’t running for his life. ‘Von Grolman,’ Dr Tremaine said, ‘I like this. It’s underhand and grubby, just the sort of thing I’ve come to expect from you. But I fail to see what you will get out of it, which makes me suspicious.’
The baron swallowed. ‘Partners shouldn’t be suspicious of each other, Tremaine. I’m being open.’
‘Yes, you are. So just to make sure, tell me how you’ll benefit from this little plan.’
‘I am a patriot. This will help us win the war.’
‘Now you’re starting to disappoint me...’
‘I have access to certain shares,’ the baron groped for a handkerchief in his pocket and used it to mop his brow, ‘in companies that are owned by Sir Darius. If I sell these now and buy them back later when the price tumbles, I’ll make a fortune.’
Dr Tremaine turned to Aubrey and Caroline. ‘Finance. It’s a magic of its own and I have little time or inclination for it.’
‘It could be your undoing,’ Caroline said, but Aubrey could see that her heart wasn’t in it.
‘I doubt it. I have a man who takes care of such things for me.’
Caroline perked up at this. ‘Excellent.’
‘Excellent?’
‘They’re the ones – after the embezzling and running off with all your money – about whom you say, “But I trusted him completely.”’
Dr Tremaine laughed. ‘You’re right, I always read that in the paper. But my man can’t run off, you see. I’ve placed a small locative spell on him. He can’t move outside the room I’ve placed him in without his heart stopping.’
The baron paled and his hand crept to his chest. ‘Well, Tremaine, what do you think about my plan for the boy?’
‘I have a potential problem with this scenario, delicious though it sounds. I don’t think that young Fitzwilliam will cooperate.’
‘Turn traitor?’ Caroline said. ‘I should think not!’
‘Not willingly, perhaps,’ the baron said, and colour began to return to his cheeks. ‘But with the right sort of lever, much can be achieved, no?’
‘No,’ Caroline said.
‘I will ask him. Tremaine, let him answer.’
Dr Tremaine moved the sword tip away a little. He was immensely amused by what was going on, as if it were a divertissement arranged purely for him. ‘He is yours, von Grolman.’
The baron moved until he was facing Aubrey squarely. He leaned over, hands on his knees, until his face was at Aubrey’s level. ‘Now, Fitzwilliam, I want to make this very clear. Unless you cooperate, I will kill her immediately.’
The baron straightened and pushed back his jacket. He removed an Oberndorf pistol from his waistband with a grunt of relief. He armed it and pointed it at Caroline.
Who laughed. Her eyes held only contempt, not fear, and Aubrey loved her for it. ‘Aubrey, don’t you dare.’
It was permission. Caroline had just given him permission to stand fast, to ignore whatever they would do to her. In training, they had been warned about interrogation. The promises made, the threats, the bribes, the tactics used. Worse than physical harm, a grey-haired colonel lectured, was the possibility of harm to a loved one.
The fate of a someone dear versus the fate of the country.
He shrugged. ‘What do you want me to do?’
Thus followed a galling round that Aubrey would rather forget. Shaking hands with a smiling Dr Tremaine. Dr Tremaine with a casual arm draped over Aubrey’s shoulders. Aubrey examining the mechanical soldiermaking machinery (carefully arranged at an angle to show little detail of the actual apparatus). Aubrey inspecting a row of the gigantic creatures, accompanied by recognisable members of the Holmland High Command and, most horribly, Aubrey inspecting a handful of Gallian prisoners who had been obviously and shockingly beaten. Here, he found it almost impossible to keep his demeanour acceptable. The baron stood next to the photographer for all the shots, requiring Aubrey to do it again when he wasn’t satisfied with his expression, which had to be either delight or approval or – at appropriate times – awe. Each expression was designed to let all Albion know that the Holmland war effort was so mighty that resistance was a poor option.
Between photo arrangements, guards gagged him and he had time to reflect on the scene in the control room once he’d agreed to cooperate.
Caroline had been shocked and angry at his acquiescence and managed to rise from the chair, flinging off her bonds and kicking the baron in his vast belly before Dr Tremaine subdued her. Aubrey had an inkling that Dr Tremaine had actually waited before moving, allowing Caroline to lash at the baron first, to judge from his grin.