‘I imagine he won’t be entirely pleased about it.’
‘You haven’t told him?’
‘I haven’t told him yet.’
‘Ah. I see.’
Lady Rose glanced at Aubrey. ‘I have a feeling I’ve slipped through the looking glass into Opposite Land. We seem to have swapped roles here.’
Aubrey gave a lopsided grin. He tried some of the fish. It was delicious and his appetite returned. ‘You surprised me with your announcement.’
‘So it seems.’
‘But why are you telling me? Telling me before you tell Father, I mean.’
‘To test your reaction. As a guide.’
‘To how Father might react?’ Aubrey thought about this for a moment while he savoured more of the fish. Then he frowned. ‘Do you think it wise, going to Holmland right now?’
‘We’re not at war yet, Aubrey.’
‘But Holmland has made at least two attempts on your life.’
‘That was in the Arctic where their responsibility could easily be denied. They’d hardly let anything happen to the wife of the Albion Prime Minister, who would be a respected and invited guest at their showcase gathering of intellectuals and savants from around the world.’ She took a sip of water. ‘Besides, I’m sure that Tallis and Craddock will fight over whose service is best placed to supply me with an around-the-clock bodyguard.’
‘Doubtless.’ Commander Craddock as head of the Magisterium would claim that his operatives would be able to ward off any magical attacks, while Commander Tallis of the Special Services would insist that his agents were experts in foiling marksmen and crazed fanatics. In the end, Aubrey could see that they’d be forced to supply a composite squad, one that would do the job extremely well because each member would be striving to prove his service the better.
Lady Rose obviously considered her trial complete, for over the remainder of her fish and the subsequent fruit course, she steered the conversation to Aubrey’s studies and his correspondence with Professor Mansfield. They’d been old friends at university, and Lady Rose was looking forward to renewing the acquaintance when Professor Mansfield returned.
While Aubrey was dawdling over an orange, Lady Rose stood. ‘Excuse me, Aubrey, but I must be off.’
Aubrey climbed to his feet and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. ‘To the museum again?’
‘For a few hours. I need to organise shipment of some specimens to this symposium.’
Aubrey had a thought. ‘Exactly when is this show?’
‘It’s not a show. Next week is the start of a progam of lectures and slide presentations by some of the brightest intellects in the world.’
‘So soon?’
‘It’s been planned for some time. I’m sorry if they haven’t been in constant communication with you. Now, after the museum, I’m meeting your father in the Parliamentary dining room for supper. We may be late.’
She left, and Aubrey lingered over his orange, making each segment last. He could imagine the supper might be a sticky one. Lady Rose was not a woman who felt she had to ask her husband’s permission for her many and varied pursuits, something which had scandalised the nation at first. But when Sir Darius showed unquestioned support for his wife’s career, it became a matter of some wonder, and inspiration for the suffragist movement. Despite Lady Rose having no formal role in the organisation, she was a model of the modern, free-thinking woman, one often used as an example by those pressing for Votes for Women.
So Sir Darius wouldn’t argue about the propriety of the obligation. He would, however, have grave doubts about his wife’s safety. And despite her confidence in the Holmlanders and the abilities of the Albion intelligence services, Aubrey was forced to agree with his father.
Professors, savants and academics from across the world cared little for politics. Many felt that national borders and the demands of patriotism shouldn’t stifle intellectual commerce. It was a noble goal, and Aubrey supported it. Perhaps free and unfettered exchanges of views may help to break down the differences between nations.
But against that was the suspicion and hostility of the military and political factions of nations. At times, it seemed as if they had a vested interest in fostering suspicion. More suspicion meant it was only natural to build strong armies and to have strong leaders...
‘Mr Fitzwilliam, sir?’
Tilly, the maid, hesitated at his elbow.
‘Yes, Tilly?’
‘It’s His Royal Highness, sir. Prince Albert. He’s here. In the library.’
Aubrey blinked. ‘What time is it?’
‘It’s two o’clock, sir. His Highness apologised for being early.’ Tilly dropped her gaze and Aubrey saw that she was blushing. Prince Albert was darkly handsome and this, combined with his status, tended to have an effect on women. Especially, but not solely, young women. He had a similar appeal to the mothers of unmarried young women, but the effect in that case was often laced with a tincture of calculation.
A serious-looking young man was on guard outside the library. He wore a dark, discreet suit. He made no secret of inspecting Aubrey before opening the door.
So I’m forgiven, but not forgotten. Aubrey couldn’t really blame them. He thought he was lucky to have got off so lightly.
Prince Albert was reading a golfing manual and looked up as Aubrey entered. He replaced the book on the shelves and advanced, hand extended. ‘Aubrey! You’ve recovered?’
They shook. Aubrey shrugged, glad that Bertie harboured no ill will. ‘I seem right as rain. Better than ever, in fact.’
‘I’m glad,’ the Prince said and Aubrey saw that it was true and wholehearted. Prince Albert was genuinely relieved that Aubrey had come through the ordeal. His own peril was of little importance to him.
They each took one of the red leather armchairs in the centre of the library, and it was only then that Aubrey saw another serious-looking young man standing by the window. The Prince followed his gaze. ‘Sommers’ idea,’ he apologised. ‘He won’t let me go anywhere any more, not without a squad or two of Tallis’s Special Services operatives. Good people, all of them, but they rather damp the spontaneity. I visited the exhibition of the crown jewels from Gallia this morning, and I could hardly move, surrounded as I was by Albion’s finest.’
‘Doing your best for the alliance, I see.’
The Prince sighed. ‘The President of Gallia thought a goodwill tour of their precious jewels would be helpful for our alliance. Splendid array, it is. Very popular.’
‘And it’s yours,’ Aubrey said, ‘by right.’
The Prince made a face. ‘Don’t, Aubrey, not even in jest.’
In their Gallian adventure, Aubrey, Caroline and George had found documentary proof that Prince Albert – through his mother’s family – was the true heir to the crown of Gallia. The way the Prince had received this information told Aubrey that he’d suspected it for some time and that the ancient deeds were only confirmation.
Nothing had been made public about this. Gallia was a proud republic and had no need for kings since its revolution. Any move by the Albion royal family would undoubtedly fracture the alliance between the two nations.
Just another complicating factor in a complex world, Aubrey thought.
He leaned back in his chair and noticed how the Special Services agent had positioned himself so he could see the garden outside the window while keeping an eye on anything in the library. ‘It’s understandable you have protection. After all, I nearly killed you.’
‘Not your fault, old fellow.’
Aubrey drummed his fingers on the armrest of the easy chair. ‘I haven’t actually apologised, have I?’