En Garde by Michael A. Stackpole

Author:Michael A. Stackpole [Stackpole, Michael A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-04-12T15:33:53+00:00

26

Tharkad

District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth

10 April 3027

Katrina Steiner, standing on the raised dais at the northern end of the Grand Ballroom, waited until the servants had circulated long enough to serve all the guests a glass of the rare wine. Then she lifted her glass toward the vaulted ceiling and smiled as the clear liquid reflected the image of her cousin Frederick—who stood pouting below the edge of the dais—and stood him on his head. "It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you here this evening."

She looked over at Ardan Sortek and Leftenant Redburn, who stood flanking Melissa on one side of the dais. Ardan's eyes betrayed his discomfort at being singled out during the reception. "I would like to offer a toast to our esteemed visitors from the Federated Suns," Katrina continued. "Colonel Ardan Sortek and Leftenant Andrew Redburn, the Lyran Commonwealth salutes your courage."

Most of the assembled members of the court lifted their glasses like so many marionettes controlled by the Archon's hand. Ardan noticed that Frederick Steiner and Duke Aldo Lestrade were a bit sluggish in their own response to the toast. Perhaps their pained expressions mean that the Archon has ended their scheming by slipping them hemlock instead of this excellent champagne, he thought wryly. If so, I'll find a way to ship a bottle of whatever they're drinking to Duke Michael Hasek-Davion.. .

Ardan stepped away from the wall and lifted his glass. "If you will permit me, Archon, I was instructed to offer the following toast in the name of Prince Hanse Davion. T salute the beauty, valor, and intelligence of the Steiner women. Long may their steady hands steer the Lyran Commonwealth's ship of state.' "

Ardan nodded to the Archon, who accepted the compliment graciously, then smiled at Frederick. The raw hatred in Frederick's eyes echoed a similar blaze in Duke Lestrade's, but both men bowed to social necessity and joined the toast.

Melissa smiled and offered her hand to the slender, dark-haired man approaching her. The man kissed her hand gently. "A pleasure of the highest order, as always, your Highness."

Melissa's face froze into a plastic mask of royal dignity. "How gracious, Baron Sefnes." She turned toward Leftenant Redburn. "The Baron is Duke Michael Hasek-Davion's representative here on Tharkad. Surely, as you both are from the Capellan March, you must know each other."

Redburn shook his head, and the Baron answered for both of them. "The Capellan March is a large holding, Highness."

Melissa reddened slightly. "Of course. How silly of me."

The Baron nodded at Redburn. "That is not to say that I have not heard of Leftenant Redburn. The Duke himself had commented on how much he appreciates what the 1st Kittery Training Battalion has done."

Redburn snorted. "He has an odd way of showing it."

The Baron, shocked by Redburn's vehemence, frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean that the Duke sent Count Vitios and a pack of 'investigators' to Kittery to ruin the best MechWarrior in the March."

The Baron sneered. "You cannot be referring to that Capellan, Xiang, are you?"

Redburn nodded curtly.

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