Aethernet Magazine #5 by Ed. Barbara Ballantyne

Author:Ed. Barbara Ballantyne [Ballantyne, Ed. Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-08-01T07:21:17+00:00

One

Bartholomew Burns presented himself at the side gate of Buckingham Palace at three o'clock on the afternoon of the 1st of February, 1851, at the start of what was to prove a fateful few hours in the history of the world – though for good reasons the annals of the time have very little to say on the matter.

He was escorted by a guardsman across the grounds and delivered into the stern custody of the head-housekeeper who, after ushering Burns along interminable corridors, passed him on to the head butler. Two minutes later the butler opened a pair of double doors and announced his arrival, and Burns hurried into the capacious drawing room which overlooked a snow-covered garden.

He bowed to the diminutive figure on the chesterfield. "As ever, your Majesty, it is an honour to receive your summons."

"Burns," said Queen Victoria, "you have served me well in the past; I do hope that on this occasion your capabilities might prove as efficacious."

"I will do all within my powers, your Majesty," Burns murmured.

"Draw up a seat," said Queen Victoria, "and consider what I have to impart."

Burns did as instructed. For the past six months, since his last adventure, he had been kicking his heels, allowing his thoughts to dwell on the events of the past – which was never a healthy state of affairs. The Queen's summons had pulled him from a period of introspection, during which he had occupied himself with scotch and Macaulay's History of England.

A door opened at the far end of the room and Prince Albert, dressed for the weather in a great-coat and boots, hurried across to Victoria. He nodded to Burns and took his wife's childlike hand.

"It's past the time I was at Hyde Park, my dear," he said with a pronounced Germanic intonation. "Burns, forgive me, but matters are pressing."

Burns waved. "By all means… "

"The Exhibition proper opens in May, but on the morrow I will be showing a group of financiers and industrialists around the exhibits, and there are many preparations to oversee."

The Prince, Burns thought, seemed pale and unwell, his normally sanguine features assuming the wan hue of the finest Basildon Bond. The Queen squeezed his hand and, not for the first time, Burns was moved by this evidence of their obvious affection.

The Prince swept from the room and Queen Victoria smiled to herself. "The Great Exhibition, Burns, is quite taking up all his time and energy. I do fear for his health, especially so over the course of the past day. He does not quite seem himself."

"The Exhibition, by all accounts, will be a marvel to whet the most jaded palate."

Victoria gestured to a maid to hurry with a tray bearing a silver tea-pot of Earl Grey. The girl deposited the tray on an occasional table, curtsied and departed.

Burns poured, as was custom, and Victoria joined him in partaking of the beverage in a small china cup.

"Now," she said, "a singular matter has come to my attention. It is quite beyond the expertise of my ministers, I am sure.

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