Time of Trial by Michael Pryor Page B

‘Bravo, Caroline. Don’t let the discussion become sidetracked. The issue isn’t the suffragist movement. The issue is what’s happening in Parliament and in the party room.’
    Lady Rose came to her husband’s side and took his arm. She was wearing a loose green dress. Her hands were dirty and she had a basket over her arm from which a nose-tickling aroma arose.
    â€˜Darling,’ Sir Darius said. ‘How are the herbs doing? Sage and parsley and whatnot?’
    â€˜Splendidly. Especially the whatnot. I’m expecting a bumper crop of it. Hello, Caroline. It’s good to see you.’
    Caroline smiled and greeted Lady Rose with a warmth that Aubrey was pleased to see. He knew Caroline admired his mother and her scientific work. He did his best to facilitate Caroline’s desire to help his mother, mainly because he did his best to do anything that would please Caroline, but also because it was likely to give him more opportunities to bump into her.
    It wasn’t manipulation, he assured himself. Then he looked at it again and promised himself he’d monitor his motives carefully. After the fiasco in Lutetia, he was doubly careful to be honest in his dealings with Caroline.
    She deserved it.
    â€˜If you’ll excuse me, Lady Rose, Sir Darius. I’ve actually come to see Aubrey. And George.’ Caroline smiled and even at his distance at the top of the stairs, Aubrey felt it like a blow. A delicious, stupefying blow but one that nonetheless left his knees feeling weak as he tottered to join them.
    Sir Darius looked doubtful. Lady Rose looked frankly sceptical. ‘Well, if you must. Are you sure?’
    â€˜I am. We have matters to attend to.’
    â€˜Another threat to national security?’ Sir Darius asked, then he winced. ‘No, don’t answer that. I don’t think I want to know at the moment. Plenty enough to worry about.’
    Aubrey caught the tension in his father’s voice. ‘International or home affairs?’
    â€˜The situation in the Goltans is precarious. Arnovia and Veltran are at each other’s throats.’
    Lady Rose gripped his arm hard. ‘Holmland?’
    â€˜Behind it all, no doubt. I’m meeting their ambassador this afternoon to listen to another litany of disapproval and denial.’ He scowled. ‘To make matters worse, it appears as if the Muscovian political unrest is increasing. The analysts from the Foreign Office say that Muscovia could either collapse into revolution or sign a treaty with Holmland. I don’t know which would be worse.’
    The world was a powder keg. Aubrey felt sorry for his father, leading Albion in such times, but he was also grateful that the nation had such a leader.
    â€˜Sir,’ he said, seizing the moment. ‘Have you heard of any movements in the diplomatic staff at the Holmland embassy?’
    Sir Darius pursed his lips for a moment. ‘Anything in particular you’re interested in, Aubrey?’
    â€˜Von Stralick. I’ve heard he may be in the country.’
    â€˜Ah. Tallis sent me a report yesterday. Special Services intelligence has indicated that this is a possibility. Not as a member of the official Holmland diplomatic staff, however. As a rogue.’
    â€˜A rogue?’ Lady Rose echoed.
    â€˜A free agent,’ Sir Darius said. ‘If he’s here, he’s gone to ground. Probably with one of the refugee communities.’
    â€˜Ah.’ Aubrey exchanged a glance with Caroline.
    â€˜And this is important in what way?’ Sir Darius said.
    â€˜Von Stralick and I have unfinished business.’
    â€˜We live in a time of unfinished business,’ his father said. ‘But leaving well enough alone is a fine policy, although I find it hard to believe that either of you would take such advice.’
    â€˜Don’t worry, Father,’ Aubrey said. ‘After what I’ve seen, I’d never underestimate Hugo von