Word of Honour

'Colonialisation is a difficult issue. Albion has colonies. I hope we've treated our colonies better than some other countries have.'

'The Holmlanders looted the Rashid Stone from Aigyptos,' Lady Rose said. 'One of our warships happened to intercept the Holmlander carrying it. Ever since, the museum has taken care of the stone. Custodians, rather than owners.'

'Waiting to give the stone back to Aigyptos?' Caroline said archly.

'The political situation is awkward,' Sir Darius said. 'Holmland rules Aigyptos. If we give the stone back to the Aigyptian governor, Holmland would simply claim it.'

'Why do they want it so badly?' Aubrey said. 'And why now?'

'The Elektor's birthday. Its return is meant to be part of the celebrations, along with unveiling a host of battleships, things like that.'

Lady Rose had one last broadside. 'We could give the Rashid Stone to the Sultan of Memphis. He's the rightful ruler of Aigyptos. And a fine antiquarian.'

'Holmland doesn't recognise the Sultan. He's a rebel leader according to them. If we deal with him, it would be a decidedly unfriendly act. We're doing our best not to provide Fisherberg with any excuse for hostility.'

This was a decided dampener. Sir Darius realised it and rallied. 'University, George. It's treating you well?'

'It's busy times, Sir Darius. Very busy.'

'Not too busy to write to that charming Sophie Delroy, I hope? You and she seemed to be getting on so well at the embassy ball in Lutetia.'

Aubrey knew George hadn't written to Sophie for some time, so he swooped in. 'George has been involved in the university paper, the Luna.'

George shot Aubrey a thankful look, then launched into a description of his journalistic endeavours. The discussion that this prompted went on until dessert, with much cutting and thrusting over public opinion, newspaper ethics and state secrets. The term 'muck-raking' was used freely, as was 'freedom of the press'. A scoreless draw, the arguing was enjoyed by all.

As it wound down, Aubrey took the chance to drop in something that had been on his mind. 'I met someone who knows you, Mother. She said to say hello. Professor Mansfield.'

'Anne Mansfield?' Lady Rose said, smiling. 'I haven't seen her in ages. Brilliant woman. You remember her, don't you, Darius?'

Sir Darius patted his mouth with a napkin. 'Of course. Remarkable person. Wonderful dancer.'

Lady Rose lifted an eyebrow, but went on. 'I've never known a better linguist. She's working with Ancient Languages now, isn't she?'

This led Aubrey into the story of his adding Ancient Languages to his studies, to the interest and approval of both his parents, for which he was relieved.

Politics, however, was the topic for dessert, which Aubrey was glad to see was a lemon tart. Somehow it wouldn't be right to have anything too sweet with politics as an accompaniment.

It was Caroline who asked the leading question this time. 'Tell us, Sir Darius, what exactly is the situation with Holmland at the moment?'

Sir Darius smiled. 'Do you want the answer I give to journalists, the answer I give in Parliament, or the answer I give in Cabinet?'

'Pish, Darius,' Lady Rose said. 'Tell them the truth, instead. They're well on the way to being grown up.'

Sir Darius turned to his wife. 'Did you say "pish", my dear?'

She waved a hand and did something rare for her. She blushed. 'I didn't notice.' She sipped from a glass of water. 'It must be the Mannerford I'm reading.'

'Re-reading,' Sir Darius corrected. 'Things are difficult at work, then?'

Caroline was frowning, baffled. Aubrey leaned across the table with a stage whisper. 'My mother has a fondness for the novels of Mrs Mannerford. She has them all.'

'Harmless fun,' Lady Rose said. 'Vastly entertaining.'

'I don't suppose Mrs Mannerford has a huge Holmland readership, though,' George said.

'Well done, George,' Sir Darius said, 'a deft nudge for all of us back toward the topic. Although I do love a diversion.' He sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. 'Holmland is extraordinarily active, in a way that does not bode well. It is building its fleet, adding to its infantry, giving every appearance of a country that is going to war. All of this is open and clear. Beneath the surface, it's engaged in much diplomatic manoeuvring, making demands of its neighbours over disputed borders and the like. Then there is espionage.'

'Sordid stuff,' Lady Maria said. 'Your father would have none of it.'

'Sorry, Mother, but that's not quite accurate. Father did use spies, when he had to. He simply didn't tell you about it.'

Lady Maria touched the brooch at her throat. 'I don't believe you. Your father was a statesman, a diplomat, a man of principle.'

'And I understand that you're dedicated to preserving that image. But he was also a general involved in more than a few nasty affairs, and a politician who survived five governments. He appreciated the need for espionage in the defence of the realm.'

This was news to Aubrey. Lady Maria was ferocious in perpetuating her particular view of her late husband, Aubrey's grandfather. She'd commissioned the standard biography of him, and she was currently organising another 'to flesh out the man'.

While Aubrey had never thought of the Steel Duke as a saint, he'd only heard a few whispers of anything other than pure integrity. What his grandmother didn't understand was that this made the old man more fascinating rather than less.

'And now, Aubrey,' Lady Rose said, steering the conversation from her position at the head of the table, 'your father wants to know how your work with the Magisterium is coming along.'

Sir Darius touched his forehead. 'I've just taken a hit and I didn't see it coming.'

Lady Rose smiled sweetly. 'I do my best to keep you on your toes.'

'Er,' Aubrey said, 'did you want to know? Or not?'

'We're both interested, naturally.' Sir Darius shot a glance at his wife. She leaned slightly to her right and let it pass over her shoulder, still smiling. 'Craddock did inform me of his plan, of course.'

'Of course.' Aubrey wondered if this were strictly true, or if it was the other way around. Did his father approach Craddock, put pressure on him to give his son an opportunity? If so, it rankled. Aubrey was determined to make his own way in the world, for that would be the only way for him to know his own worth – by doing it himself.

He gave a sketchy account of Craddock's requests, enough to have both Sir Darius and Lady Rose nodding their heads. Lady Maria looked disapproving, but as that was her normal 'at rest' expression, he wasn't too bothered by it.

'I know it's pointless reminding you to be careful,' Lady Rose said, 'but do try to limit your life-threatening scrapes to one or two a week.'

'I'll do what I can, Mother.'

'And Sir Darius,' Caroline said, neatly making use of the conversational pause, 'when are you coming to speak to the Eastside Suffragists?'

'The Eastside Suffragists? Tell me more.'

'Ah.' Caroline glared at Aubrey. 'You haven't been told?'