‘Hello, George,’ Caroline said. ‘I’m assuming that you and Aubrey have been involved in important matters? The symposium?’
Caroline’s artful pause spoke volumes. I want a full report on what you’ve been up to, it said, as well as a chorus of heartfelt, abject apologies for not including me.
Aubrey was prepared to comply, glad as he was to see her.
‘Symposium?’ George said.
‘Preparations are well under way,’ Aubrey cut in smoothly, promising himself to tell Caroline about the afternoon’s events as soon as possible. ‘Ah, Mrs Hepworth. You’re exhibiting during the symposium, aren’t you?’
Mrs Hepworth was still in her oriental phase. Her gown was long, flowing silk while she wore a headdress that shimmered like beaten bronze. She smiled and extended her hand. ‘And presenting a paper. “The role of the landscape in the Albion imagination.” I think they’re expecting something quite dull, so I’ll make sure to surprise them.’
Caroline rolled her eyes. ‘She does like making a scene. Just remember, Mother, we’re guests here.’
‘Of course. And a guest’s duty is to be entertaining. At least, that’s how I see it.’
Aubrey caught the eye of the Prince. Leaving Mrs Hepworth to quiz George about Sophie Delroy, his special Gallian friend, they strolled over to an elaborate marble fireplace, where Hollows was earnestly speaking with an embassy official. Both Caroline and Lady Rose found George’s rambling responses amusing, and they were doing their best to contribute.
‘Now, Bertie,’ Aubrey said to the Prince, after Hollows had dismissed the official. ‘What’s all this about arriving a week early? Spontaneity isn’t exactly your strong suit, you know.’
‘I know.’ The Prince stood with his hands clasped behind his back. ‘Blame that on a regimented upbringing.’
‘You have a busy life, your highness,’ Hollows said.
‘Quite,’ the Prince said. ‘But I must apologise again, Hollows. I haven’t done this just to get you and your staff into a flap. Although I seem to have done just that.’
‘I’m sure we can cope,’ Hollows said and Aubrey saw that the ambassador had recovered his poise. His opinion of Hollows rose a notch.
‘The early arrival wasn’t my idea,’ the Prince said. ‘It was Leopold’s.’
‘The Elektor?’ Aubrey said.
‘He spoke to me on the telephone. Very excited, he was. He told me it was the first time he’d ever used the device.’
‘I’m sure that wasn’t what he called you about.’
‘No, once he calmed down he told me that he was worried. “Frightfully concerned” was how he put it.’
‘About the tension between Holmland and Albion?’
‘In part. He was more anxious about the Chancellor. Wanted to know if I had any tips for dealing with a head of government.’
‘Ah. Tricky stuff, that. The head of government is the embodiment of the will of the people.’
The Prince smiled. It wasn’t a cynical smile, Aubrey thought, but it was a knowing one. ‘Yes. And we kings and princes are simply outmoded relics of the distant past.’
‘That means you have centuries of experience to draw on. And unrivalled family connections.’ Aubrey stared into the distance for a moment, thinking. ‘The Elektor wants to talk to you.’
‘He says he doesn’t trust anyone apart from his nephew Josef, who spends most of his time touring about, being patriotic, so is hardly around to talk to.’
Hollows nodded. ‘Duke Josef is currently visiting his cousin, the Tsar, and doing his best to keep Muscovia happy with Holmland.’
‘Wise man,’ Aubrey said. ‘So, Bertie, you wanted to spend some time with the Elektor?’
‘Before the symposium, if possible. Chancellor Neumann has Leopold at centre stage as often as he can next week. Full pomp and regalia.’
‘And how is the Security Intelligence Directorate feeling about this?’ Aubrey asked Hollows.
‘The...?’ Hollows snorted. ‘Ah, the cloak and dagger squad? Forgive me, your highness.’
‘No need, Hollows. Craddock and Tallis are good men, but they do seem to enjoy the clandestine world, rather.’
‘They sent a crack team with the Prince,’ Hollows said. ‘Fifty men and women commanded by a colonel. My head of household is having a heart attack trying to quarter all of them.’
‘A dozen of the operatives are specialist magicians,’ the Prince said. ‘They appear to be ready for anything, Aubrey, but I do feel happier with you around.’
Aubrey was touched by the Prince’s confidence. He didn’t imagine many failed assassins were welcomed into the royal inner circle. ‘You can count on me. And George.’
‘Of course.’
‘And Miss Hepworth,’ Hollows added slowly, ‘since Tallis let me know she’s still on special detachment.’
Aubrey hadn’t been sure about that, but decided that Tallis’s team would be better off for it.
Another embassy official entered the room and made directly for Hollows, who saw him coming, apologised, met him halfway, had a brief, intense conversation, and then returned looking relieved. ‘Dinner is ready,’ he announced and Aubrey had an immediate appreciation of the difficulties of the ambassador’s job. Day-to-day diplomacy was one thing, but he also had to organise a complete little world within the walls of the embassy – including such mundane matters as feeding unexpected guests.
Hollows ushered them to the grand dining room and Aubrey was impressed once again. The tables, the table settings, the flower arrangements and the hordes of waiting serving staff looked as if they had been organised months ago.
Over the course of the evening, Lady Rose and Ophelia Hepworth exchanged scandalous stories that shocked George and brought wry smiles of recognition to the faces of the ambassador and the Prince. Aubrey did his best to keep up with Caroline as she wove in and out of the conversations that flowed around the table. He’d always fancied himself as a dab hand at chat, but Caroline ran rings around him this evening. Not that he minded. Having her running rings around him was a vision that filled many of his daydreams, if truth be told.
When the dinner broke up, amid much laughter at the conclusion of a George story about matching wits with his journalistic nemesis at college, Aubrey was taken aback when he caught the time on the clock over the fireplace. It was much later than he thought.
‘I’ll walk you home,’ he said to Caroline and Mrs Hepworth.
‘Thank you, dear boy,’ Mrs Hepworth said, ‘but I’m sure we don’t need an escort on such a brief journey.’
Caroline caught her lower lip with her teeth, then raised an eyebrow at him. ‘I’d appreciate it, Aubrey. Thank you.’
When Mrs Hepworth rolled her eyes, Aubrey saw where her daughter got that gesture from. ‘You are a contrarian by nature, Caroline. I’m sure that if I’d agreed to Aubrey’s request, you would have insisted he stay here.’
‘No I wouldn’t,’ Caroline said, and that was enough for more laughter, a delicately smothered yawn from Lady Rose, a wistful look at the empty chocolate platter from George and for the ambassador to guide them downstairs to the door.
‘The gate is guarded all night,’ he said to Aubrey after farewelling the Hepworths. ‘You’ll be let in.’
Nearly midnight, but the streets gave no sign of being desolate. They were well illuminated by bright gaslight and many Fisherbergians were strolling along the pavements. Cabs were doing good business, both horse-drawn and motor.
Aubrey was glad that the city architects and town planners of Fisherberg worked on generous proportions. The streets were wide, the pavements substantial, the way well lit. This meant that he could walk alongside Caroline instead of having to trail behind the Hepworths like some sort of flunky. He did, the three of them walking side by side for some time. They told him about their earlier times in the city, the places they’d enjoyed, the delights it had to offer.