Word of Honour Read online

  'Sit,' he said. He drummed his fingers on the desktop.

  'Now, what's Craddock up to?'

  'Sir?'

  'Has he told you about the attempt on the Bank of Albion?'

  'No, sir.' Had Dr Tremaine moved on the Bank of Albion already? Surely Aubrey would have heard if the most wanted man in the land had been captured.

  'He hasn't?' Tallis nodded bleakly. 'I'm not surprised. If it wasn't for the Special Services, the blackguards might have succeeded. We caught them red-handed, trying to dig a tunnel from a building across the road.'

  'Why would Commander Craddock be involved?' Aubrey asked cautiously. Much was going on here and he strained to catch every nuance.

  'Apparently some magical methods were involved in the attempt. Magisterium operatives investigated, after we'd rounded up the culprits, but we haven't heard anything about what they've found.'

  Tallis drummed his fingers on the desk.

  'Commander Craddock hasn't mentioned it at all,' Aubrey said.

  'Don't you find that interesting? Especially since his operatives found some evidence of involvement from Dr Tremaine?'

  'Oh.' Bloch was right! 'Yes, and we both know that you have some interest in the movements of this particular individual.' He eyed Aubrey. 'You're sure he hasn't contacted you about Tremaine?'

  'Not in relation to any bank robbery, no.'

  Tallis snorted. 'It wasn't a bank robbery. It wasn't even a very good attempt at a bank robbery. Dr Tremaine can't be such a mastermind if he hires help like these idiots. They practically asked to be arrested.'

  This didn't sound like Dr Tremaine at all. 'They brought themselves to your attention?'

  'To police attention. After a few weeks, they'd managed to tunnel close to the foundations of the bank. But a hole opened in Woolcroft Street, thanks to their efforts. Left them exposed, rather.'

  'And the bank is safe?'

  'As ever. The police called us in, just in case there were any international implications, the Counting of the Coins being so close.'Tallis sat back in his chair and laced his hands on his chest. 'We've checked all around where they dug, and they hadn't even started to penetrate the foundations. We've backfilled their tunnel, made everything more secure than ever. No need of any of this magic stuff, either.'

  Aubrey was busy trying to work out what Dr Tremaine's part in this failed robbery could have been – such a fiasco didn't sound like his plotting – but Tallis's remark was pointed enough that he couldn't ignore it.

  'Is there something wrong with magic, Commander?'

  'It's a lot of mumbo-jumbo if you ask me. It's just a way for some agencies to demand – and get – extra resources.'

  Aubrey was dismayed to see such professional jealousy, but also irritated by the aspersions Tallis was casting.

  'I'm sorry you see magic that way, sir, but it's changed. It's a rational discipline now.'

  'Rational? What's rational about magic? Trumped-up, self-important poseurs making things happen that have no right to happen. Dangerous stuff.'

  'Of course it's dangerous stuff. But electricity is dangerous stuff, too, and I'll warrant that you have it wired into your own home, your own bedroom.'

  'I don't,' Commander Tallis said stiffly. 'I have gas.'

  'And gas is perfectly safe, is it? You've never heard of gas explosions, gas suffocations?'

  'Magic is altogether different.'

  'Magic is something that needs a careful, intelligent, rational approach. It's vital for our future that we understand it and harness it properly.'

  'And this is what Craddock thinks, is it?'

  'I can't presume to know what Commander Craddock thinks,' Aubrey said. 'I just know that this rational approach is how all magical research is conducted throughout the world, wherever modern, enlightened thinking takes place.'

  Tallis snorted. 'That's what you say. And what has Craddock told you about his research, then?'

  Aubrey felt as if he'd been standing on stilts and suddenly had them sawn off underneath him. 'Research? The Magisterium is conducting research?'

  'So he hasn't told you about that? Little wonder.

  I don't suppose the PM knows either, or the Parliament.'

  Tallis smiled a little and shook his head, as if amused at the things people will get up to.

  'The Magisterium doesn't do research,' Aubrey repeated. 'It's not part of its charter. It has no research budget.'

  'I see. Craddock wouldn't have any unconventional ways of diverting funds, would he?'

  Aubrey blinked. He remembered how easily Craddock had found twenty thousand pounds for Count Brandt.

  Tallis gazed up at the ceiling. 'In any case, his operatives put their hands on valuable items every day of the week. Seizures of contraband magical artefacts, the sort of thing that would fetch a lovely price in an auction in the Levant.'

  'Not something that the Special Services would stoop to,' Aubrey said, in an attempt to wrest back control of the conversation.

  'You leave that sort of thing to those that know best. Just to show you what a fair-minded fellow I am, I'll just point out that Darnleigh House is a big place. Much bigger than it looks from the street, am I right?'

  Aubrey remembered. 'It goes down a long way. Below street level.'

  'Four levels. Officially, that is. Plenty of room for research labs down there, even if you don't count the other two levels.'

  'Other two?'

  'You weren't aware of them? Doesn't surprise me. Not many are. Just Craddock and a few of his inner circle. Special access. Guarded twenty-four hours a day. It's where Craddock's most top secret stuff happens, by all accounts.'

  'And how would you know all this?'

  'Now, that's something I can't tell you. It's a secret of my own. Suffice to say, I'm in the intelligence game. And looking out for my own back means knowing what people like Craddock are up to.'

  'You're not asking me to spy on the Magisterium.'

  'Of course not. I just want you to be aware, to have the whole picture. If matters change, you'll be able to make considered decisions.' He narrowed his eyes. 'Just be careful of that Rokeby-Taylor.'

  'I've already had my suspicions about him.'

  'Good. He's a Magisterium informant, very important to them. Which means you can't trust him.'

  WITH A SERIES OF GLANCES AND GESTURES, CAROLINE insisted Aubrey keep his silence during the entire motorcar trip to Maidstone.

  It was only when the Special Services driver left the gates and they were standing alone at the elegant front entrance of the house that Caroline looked around and – finally satisfied – relented.

  'Do you recall Commander Craddock's telling Manfred he'd give all that money to Count Brandt?'

  'A fortune, it seemed to me,' Aubrey said.

  'Yes.' She pursed her lips and frowned. 'It's just that Commander Tallis told me he was organising a similar amount for Count Brandt and his friends.'

  'A double fortune,' George said, impressed.

  'That's not all,' Aubrey said. 'Since we're talking about double games, both Tallis and Craddock think that Rokeby-Taylor is working for the other.'

  'Good Lord,' George said. 'This whole situation is getting stickier and stickier.'

  Fifteen

  AT DINNER THE NEXT DAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A Fitzwilliam tradition that went back to when Lady Rose first joined the family, it was her turn to sit at the head of the table. Sir Darius sat at the other end. George and Aubrey were on one side, Caroline on the other, with Lady Maria next to her.

  Naturally, Aubrey was pleased that his mother had asked Caroline. As far as he was concerned, she made any occasion more delightful. The dinner also gave him a chance to put aside his thinking about the dizzyingly complex situation they'd found themselves in with Craddock, Tallis, Manfred and Brandt.

  Lady Rose didn't take long before her opening salvo. Soup had barely arrived before she pointed her butter knife at Aubrey – but addressed Caroline. 'I think you're far too forgiving,
Caroline, consenting to associate with Aubrey again.'

  'Thank you, Lady Rose. I do wonder about myself, sometimes.'

  'It's all right, Mother,' Aubrey said. 'We've worked things out.'

  'I'm glad to hear it,' Sir Darius said. 'And it appears as if the arrangements are amicable, at least. Now, dear, I think we should move on. How are things at the museum?'

  Lady Rose attacked her roll. 'Darius, that's the sort of question you only ask when you want to divert matters, and I'm going to make you suffer by telling you.'

  So through the soup and almost until the end of the salad course, Lady Rose entertained the table with her scurrilous opinions of the board of the museum and most of the directors. 'Tin-pot dictators, all of them,' she finished. 'They wouldn't know a specimen if it jumped up and bit them. And with the lack of funds spent in conserving some of our pieces, I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.'

  'It's never a place for a lady,' Lady Maria said severely, 'and especially not a Fitzwilliam lady.'

  'Thank you, Lady Maria,' Lady Rose said. 'I agree. It needs much more money spent on it before it would be fit. Darling,' she said down the length of the table, 'how is that bill going, the one with an increased budget for the Albion Museum?'

  'I wouldn't know, dear. Arm's length, that sort of thing. I put it Marlow's way. The museum falls under his purview.'

  Lady Maria was vexed at how she'd been outflanked. She looked as if she'd been on the verge of winning a point, but the long rally had somehow turned around. Of course, the signs of her irritation were minute, and only someone as long accustomed to her as Aubrey could see exasperation in the way she dabbed twice at each corner of her mouth with her napkin. A slight narrowing of her eyes, however, indicated she had something up her sleeve.

  'And the Rashid Stone, Darius,' she said. 'I see posters around the city, saying that the stone is on display for the last time before it leaves Albion for good. Surely you're not really letting the Holmlanders claim it.'

  Sir Darius grimaced. Lady Rose bridled. Aubrey was prepared to grant Lady Maria a point for a very fine serve.

  'It's appalling,' Lady Rose said, finally managing to put together words. 'The museum has had the Rashid Stone for a hundred and fifty years. And now the Holmlanders want it back?'

  Aubrey had seen the Rashid Stone, years ago. Covered with indecipherable inscriptions, it was an object of great antiquity, and great mystery.

  'It belongs to them,' Sir Darius said. 'At least, under international law. It was taken from Aigyptos, which is a Holmland colony.'

  'Colony,' Caroline said. 'Isn't that a polite word for a place that has been taken over and exploited by bullies?'

  '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 gra
ndmother 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?'

  'It's on my list,' Aubrey said and immediately felt he'd started digging another hole for himself, but – helplessly – he kept on excavating. 'I've been having some trouble with the membership form.'

  'Filling it in?'

  'Finding it, then filling it in would be more precise.

  I think I lost it.'

  'You never asked me for it.'