Free Dreadnought (Lost Colonies Trilogy Book 2) by B. V. Larson Page A

speak bluntly when important details of command are being worked out.”
    “There’s nothing to work out,” I said. “I’m in command of Defiant . I plan to leave the diplomacy up to you, Ambassador. Nothing else has ever entered my mind.”
    “Excellent. Now, what are we eating?”
    I ordered up a platter of pine-spiced meats, dried fruit and a bottle of sparkling wine. This last item raised Grantholm’s eyebrows, but she accepted a glass from the cabin steward without complaint.
    Once we were in a more social atmosphere, the Lady’s attitude softened. She turned the conversation to House Astra—and more specifically, my intentions toward the Lady of that House.
    “Chloe is a fine-looking girl,” she said. “She’s young, but she seems to be level-headed. The loss of her mother was tragic.”
    I knew as a matter of fact that my Aunt hadn’t been able to stand the Elder Lady of House Astra, but I gave no hint of this. Powerful people from rival Houses always believed it was the best course to praise the dead.
    “That said,” she continued, “I think you should drop your dalliances with her. What’s wrong with a nice Grantholm girl? House Astra individuals are our traditional enemies.”
    I nearly spit a cream-stuffed croissant back onto the platter with the rest. Chloe had ended our relationship officially, but that didn’t mean I wanted my Aunt telling me who to consort with.
    “What?” I demanded. “Listen here, Aunt—”
    “—Ambassador,” she corrected quickly.
    “Ambassador Grantholm,” I amended, “I’m in charge of more than this ship. I’m in charge of my private life as well.”
    She made a small sniffing noise and drank her wine. “Never mind then, boy. I was just testing your resolve.”
    “What?”
    “I wanted to get a reaction out of you. I can see you’re serious about guiding your own destiny.”
    “I am,” I said, “let me assure you.”
    She nodded slowly. “Good enough then.”
    “Lady, on another point, I do wish you’d start treating me in a manner appropriate to my station.”
    For the first time, she looked surprised. “Whatever do you mean?”
    “I’m a Star Guard captain. Despite my young age, I am in command of the only Earth starship capable of interstellar travel. That makes me a critical member of our military. I’m not a ferry pilot.”
    She shrugged. “I’m well aware of your career accomplishments, but I don’t see how I’ve mistreated you.”
    “You haven’t mistreated me—not exactly. But you’re behaving as if I’m still a teen at a family gathering. A favored son, perhaps, or an entertaining youth with a spark of talent. I’m far more than that now.”
    She stared at me for a second. “Perhaps you’re right, William. You should remember that I’m an oldster, after all. Once one goes past the first century of life, it becomes more difficult to accept the rapid growth of the young into adulthood. Now, if you’d be so kind as to allow me to retire. I’m afraid I’ve been fatigued by this journey, and I must leave you now.”
    “A pity,” I said, but despite the anger I was feeling, I realized I’d at least managed to finally engage her in a real conversation.
    I saw her out. When she’d gone, I up-ended the half-empty bottle of sparkling wine. The nerve of the woman! She’d pushed and pushed until I’d been forced to push back.
    I was left wondering what she might have demanded next if I’d agreed to stop seeing Chloe. She’d said something about Grantholm girls—maybe she’d have asked that I start courting one of her own daughters.
    They were not ugly women, but they had questionable track records in terms of romance. All of them had been married more than once—unions which hadn’t lasted. They were pushy like their mother, twice my age, and my cousins by blood. The entire idea was preposterous.
    I soon fell into a deep sleep and dreamt of women in black gowns demanding things from me. In the morning, I awoke groggy but