Chapter 12
Victoria’s formal manner evaporated the moment they were out of immediate earshot.
“Good God, Evander, you look exhausted,” she said, concerned. “Mama wrote me about the Parliamentary inquiry. Those insufferable bureaucrats! How dare they question you after everything you’ve done to protect the Empire?”
“Your Imperial Highness—”
“Vicky,” she corrected firmly. “We’re not children anymore, but we’re still friends, aren’t we? And friends don’t stand on ceremony when there’s no one listening who matters.”
Despite the unexpected complication that was his cousin’s arrival, Evander felt his lips curve in a small smile. “Very well, Vicky.”
“That’s better.” She glanced back toward his team. “That rather large gentleman. Mr. Stonewall. He’s the one, isn’t he?”
Evander would have stumbled had it not been for his walking stick.
“I—I beg your pardon?” he practically spluttered.
“Oh, don’t play coy with me.” Victoria’s tone was matter-of-fact rather than scandalised as she snapped open a fan and covered her lower face coquettishly.
“Bertie mentioned something about you possibly being involved with someone unsuitable. Given the way Mr. Stonewall was looking at me like I might abduct you, I assume he’s the one. ”
Heat crept up Evander’s neck. “How the hell did Albert—?!”
“Relax. Your secret is safe with us.” She sighed at his horrified expression and squeezed his arm.
“As for Bertie, you know he’s always been a little obsessed with you.
Why it wouldn’t surprise me if he had a spy in your household reporting every tasty morsel of gossip that takes place under your roof, including what happens in your bedroom.
” Victoria rolled her eyes. “I swear, at one point I wondered if he wanted to fornicate with you.”
Evander groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was never going to be able to look Prince Albert in the eye again. He felt the blood drain from his face at a sudden realisation.
“Wait. Does the Queen know?!”
“Of course not,” Victoria snapped. “You would have found yourself saying your vows to some poor woman in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury long before now had she discovered your sexual orientation.”
Evander shuddered. He had little doubt about the veracity of Victoria’s claim. The Queen would have dragged him kicking and screaming to the altar.
The princess’s expression turned sympathetic.
“I of all people understand the complications of the heart. Even now the Prussian court makes things difficult for Fritz and me.” Her face softened.
“Love is rare enough in our world. When you find it, you should hold onto it, regardless of what society, or Mama, thinks.”
Evander found himself unexpectedly moved. Victoria had always held progressive views even when they were growing up.
“Thank you.”
“Now then.” Victoria’s manner grew more serious. “This investigation you’re conducting. It’s connected to the incident at the Royal Institute, isn’t it? The one Mama wouldn’t discuss in her letters?”
Evander frowned faintly. “You know I can’t share operational details.”
“Which tells me everything I need to know.” Victoria paused and watched a ship manoeuvre toward the dock.
It was the royal yacht used by Queen Victoria.
An impressive steamer with a black hull, it boasted two funnels and a bow decorated with the royal coat of arms rather than a standard figurehead.
A pair of auxiliary sailing masts rose amidship, the royal standards snapping in the Channel breeze at the top a combination of the arms of Britain and Prussia flying alongside the Union Jack.
Victoria turned to face him. “I’m travelling to Brussels for a series of diplomatic functions. After that, Salzburg and eventually Berlin. My schedule is quite full.” Her gaze sharpened with a familiar hint of stubbornness he was more used to seeing on the Queen’s face. “You should join us.”
Evander blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“Join our entourage when we’re in the same city.” Victoria’s eyes gleamed with determination. “At least for the Brussels portion of the journey. Royal tours provide excellent cover for intelligence gathering and you’ll have access to people and places that might otherwise be closed to you.”
“Vicky, I appreciate the offer, but—” he protested.
“It’s not an offer, Evander. It’s an invitation.
” Her voice carried the subtle steel of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
“From the Crown Princess of Prussia to a member of the British royal family and a dear friend. Refusing would put you in an awkward position and we both know it.” She flicked her fan irritably.
“Besides, you know as well as I do that this tour is more than just me prancing around various European cities before I return to Germany. Our alliances are more important now than ever before. It is our duty to ensure that our nations survive and thrive during these trying times. We are not just royals. We are diplomats, peacekeepers”—her eyes narrowed—“and if needs be, warmongers.”
For a moment, Evander felt like he was looking at a young Queen Victoria.
The apple does not fall far from the tree.
His mind raced as he considered her proposal.
Like Victoria said, being part of her entourage might give them access to information they would otherwise struggle to obtain.
It was a golden opportunity and one he was struggling to find a reason to refuse.
Never mind that rejecting a direct invitation from the future German Empress would cause exactly the kind of trouble he couldn’t afford right now.
An impish smile stretched Victoria’s mouth.
“Think of it like old times again. You, me, and Bertie getting into trouble together.” Her expression sobered a little.
“Except this time, there is no Bertie and the trouble is rather more serious than sneaking out of balls or covering up my brother’s indiscretions. ”
“Rather more serious indeed,” Evander murmured distractedly.
He glanced back at his team. Viggo was watching them with barely concealed apprehension.
Though Fairbridge’s expression remained dispassionate, his posture suggested intense interest. Rufus looked concerned.
Shaw appeared fascinated. Ginny was whispering something to Solomon with a glint in her eyes that told Evander he would not escape her interrogation later.
“It seems I have little choice,” Evander confessed reluctantly. “I accept your invitation.”
“Excellent.” Victoria beamed. “We depart in two hours. That should give your team time to settle their affairs and prepare for a slightly different journey than anticipated.” She indicated the royal yacht.
Evander swallowed a sigh as he glanced at the ferry they were supposed to take. It was dwarfed by the ship they would now be boarding.
I’m never going to hear the end of this from Winterbourne.
“You know, I should very much like to know Mr. Stonewall better,” Victoria said suddenly. “Anyone who can make you look this besotted must be quite remarkable.”
Heat flooded Evander’s cheeks.
“I don’t look besotted,” he protested in vain.
“Darling, you look utterly gone.” Victoria patted his arm with an indulgent smile. “It’s rather sweet, actually. I never thought I’d see the Ice Mage melt for anyone.”
Before Evander could formulate a response, she was already moving back toward her entourage and calling instructions to her ladies-in-waiting about accommodations and travel arrangements.
Evander returned to the others, conscious of a slew of gazes fixed on him from around the harbour.
“Well?” Viggo asked the moment he was within earshot. Though his voice was carefully controlled, every line of his body was strained.
“We’ve been invited to join the royal entourage to Brussels,” Evander said flatly.
Shaw gasped.
“Invited,” Fairbridge repeated shrewdly, “or commanded?”
“With royalty, there’s often little difference.” Evander grimaced. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t refuse without causing a diplomatic incident.”
Rufus exchanged a guarded look with Ginny.
“But surely—” the inspector started.
“The Crown Princess of Prussia requested a member of the British Metropolitan Police and his associates join her official tour,” Fairbridge interrupted smoothly.
“Refusing would be seen as a direct insult to both the German and British crowns. His Grace had no other option but to accept.” His expression grew thoughtful.
“Going to Brussels with an Imperial escort might not be the worst thing that could happen to us.”
Shaw wrinkled her brow. “Why so?”
“Because it will give us access to places and people we might not otherwise be able to reach,” Viggo said in a hard voice.
Evander met his flinty gaze and bobbed his head curtly.
“Bloody marvellous,” Rufus muttered.
“Look on the bright side.” Ginny indicated the vessel dominating the harbour with a tilt of her head. “We’ll be travelling on the royal yacht. Not many can claim to have had that honour.”
“I’d rather be in a dinghy,” Solomon murmured.