Free Moment of Truth by Michael Pryor

father at that age, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear that sort of thing.’
    Aubrey rubbed his forehead. ‘How did you feel when he joined up, Grandmother?’
    â€˜It was altogether different. He went into the family regiment. The Guards.’
    â€˜I understand that. But weren’t you afraid?’
    â€˜Of course. But he was doing a good thing.’
    â€˜And so will I.’
    Lady Maria was silent for a time. ‘How can I help you?’
    Aubrey sat back with relief. ‘I don’t want you to argue my case for me.’
    â€˜Of course not. That would be rather contradictory, since you’re making a point about your self-determination.’ Lady Maria was nothing if not shrewd.
    â€˜You’ve done what you can, Grandmother. Just talking to you has helped.’
    â€˜A rehearsal, you mean.’ She tapped a finger on the arm of her chair.
    â€˜If you’re able, a word or two after I’ve spoken with them may be useful. They may need someone to talk to.’
    â€˜I’m sure I can contrive a chat with them,’ Lady Maria said. ‘And I’m sure the times when your father took it into his head to go his own way will come up.’
    Aubrey’s ears pricked up. ‘Such as?’
    â€˜Another time, dear.’ She paused. ‘Is that him now?’
    Aubrey swivelled. A motorcar had just drawn up out the front of Maidstone. For someone so old, his grandmother had very fine hearing. He jumped to his feet and kissed his grandmother on the cheek. ‘Thank you.’
    â€˜I’m pleased to help. An ally in time of need is worth more than gold.’
    Aubrey was halfway down the stairs before he realised, with some astonishment, that his grandmother had been quoting the Scholar Tan to him.
    I live with a family of first-rate surprisers.
    He found his parents in Lady Rose’s drawing room, amid the ostrich feathers and papyrus tapestries. They were standing close to each other, holding both hands and talking in low voices.
    â€˜Aubrey, good, I wanted to talk to you, too.’ His father’s face was drawn and the skin under his eyes was dull. He had monumental energy, but Aubrey could see that the times were taxing even him. ‘You’ve heard the news, I take it? Sit, sit. No need to stand around.’
    Aubrey took an oriental lacquered chair he hadn’t seen before. It had a red velvet cushion. ‘War? It’s hard not to have heard.’
    His mother and father took a small sofa directly opposite him. ‘Not that,’ his father said. ‘I’ve just come from the palace. His Majesty has taken a turn for the worse. After the King appeared to the crowd at the palace, he collapsed. He’s been confined to bed again.’
    â€˜He has taken the news very poorly,’ Lady Rose said. ‘He was convinced that his cousin would never permit Holmland’s going to war.’
    â€˜How’s Bertie holding up?’ Aubrey asked.
    â€˜Stout fellow, Bertie,’ his father said. ‘He’s taken on even more of the royal duties.’
    Aubrey was concerned for his friend. At a time like this, the nation was lucky to have Prince Albert, but it would be difficult to rally the nation and to tend to a dying father at the same time. He promised himself he’d visit Bertie when he could – but that reminded him that his immediate future was out of his hands.
    He swallowed, circling around the delicate matter at hand. ‘And how is the mobilisation going?’
    â€˜The fleet has already put to sea,’ his father said. ‘Every regiment is doing its best to ready itself. I’ve been promised that by the end of the week, we’ll be moving, but we’ll need to bring up troops from the colonies as well.’ Sir Darius touched his moustache. ‘We’re going to send an expeditionary force almost immediately – four infantry divisions and one cavalry.’
    â€˜To the