Moment of Truth by Michael Pryor Read Free Book Online Page A

distracted.’
    â€˜By your plans.’
    â€˜Rather thrown up in the air by all this, wouldn’t you say?’
    â€˜They are your plans, Aubrey, not mine. You should know their trajectory better than I would.’
    True, Aubrey thought, so why am I here?
    â€˜So why are you here?’ Lady Maria said, echoing his thoughts so neatly that Aubrey winced.
    â€˜I was looking for some advice.’
    She raised an eyebrow. ‘Really?’ Then she held up a hand to forestall his protests. ‘People come to me for advice on many things, Aubrey, but I cannot remember you doing so since you were very, very young.’
    â€˜And what was that about?’ Aubrey asked, intrigued.
    â€˜Apparently your teddy’s parents weren’t letting him do what he wanted to do. You wanted to know the best way to help him organise them.’
    Aubrey blushed. ‘Ah, yes. I remember.’
    â€˜And your toy soldiers had a somewhat similar problem with their toy commanders.’
    â€˜I see. A long time ago, of course.’
    â€˜Of course. And here you are again. Regular as clockwork: once a decade. I’m fairly rushed off my feet, advising you.’ She paused and gazed at him until he became uncomfortable. ‘I cannot counsel you in much, Aubrey.’
    â€˜I’m sorry.’ He went to stand. ‘Perhaps I should go.’
    â€˜Sit,’ she said and Aubrey’s knees gave way before he was able to give them a conscious command. ‘Let me tell you in what areas I may be of some help.’ She gathered herself. ‘As you know, I am the custodian of the Fitzwilliam family name and reputation, correct?’
    â€˜That’s true.’ True, if an understatement. Lady Maria had devoted much of her time to establishing the Fitzwilliam heritage. She was currently overseeing four separate books on the family’s contribution to Albion history, one of them a biography of her husband – the third so far.
    â€˜And in wartime, Fitzwilliams have distinguished themselves. When duty calls, Fitzwilliams are first in line, never shirking their duty.’
    â€˜I suppose so.’ Aubrey’s grandfather wasn’t the only Fitzwilliam military hero Aubrey was conscious of. His father had been decorated many times for his bravery in combat and his inspirational leadership had won the day on more than one occasion.
    â€˜And you’re wondering what you should do.’
    â€˜I always wonder what I should do.’ He ran a finger up and down the arm of the chair, absorbed in the way the velvet nap moved. ‘I was hoping you might have some more information from Holmland.’
    â€˜When undecided, seek more information. Your grandfather would approve. Seek more information then act decisively.’ She tilted her head at the letter in her hand. ‘I have had some news from Professor Delroy, but that is all that I have had from the Continent in the last week.’
    â€˜I hope Holmland agents aren’t intercepting your letters,’ Aubrey said, mostly to cover his surprise. Lady Maria was in correspondence with the father of George’s special friend?
    â€˜They always have in the past, but they haven’t been so clumsy as to cut off delivery.’
    â€˜I beg your pardon?’ Lady Maria was lobbing surprises at him like grenades.
    â€˜Don’t look so shocked. Your intelligence people, the ones you’re thick as thieves with, they intercept my letters. Intercept, copy out, then send them on so I’m not aware of their interference. That’s what the Holmlanders have been doing for years, too, and a dozen other agencies as well.’
    â€˜Aren’t you worried?’
    â€˜Aubrey, I gave up worrying years ago. A pointless expenditure of energy.’
    â€˜But people are reading your letters!’
    â€˜It won’t do them any good at all. Anything my friends tell me is couched in terms so allusive and roundabout that