The Lion and the Unicorn (Ark Royal, #15) by Christopher G. Nuttall & Justin Adams

Author:Christopher G. Nuttall & Justin Adams [Nuttall, Christopher G. & Adams, Justin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Space Marines, Interstellar War, Royal Marines, Galactic Empires, Nuttall
Publisher: Christopher G. Nuttall
Published: 2020-08-21T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Just remember to circle the ballroom,” Charlotte said. “And make sure you talk to everyone.”

Thomas tried to hide his dismay. What had been meant to be a relatively small gathering had mushroomed into a giant party, with aristocrats rubbing shoulders with famous reporters, military officers and celebrities. He’d hoped to spend time with his wife, not ... he sighed, inwardly. He’d known his wife wanted to host a party, but still ...

“I’ll do my best,” he promised, as the music grew louder. The band was local, hired from the nearest village. His wife had said something about supporting the local economy. Thomas hadn’t paid much attention at the time. “You have fun. Really.”

He pasted a polite expression on his face as he started to circle the room. It was easy to spot the patronage networks, clients, cronies and lickspittles surrounding their patrons like planets orbiting stars. The unconnected looked isolated, licking their lips nervously as they tried to work up the nerve to intrude. Normally, as host, Thomas would have done his level best to make sure they felt included. It helped to bring good publicity, but right now he felt too tired to care. The day had been long and it was far from over.

This is meant to be shore leave, he thought, as he spotted a trio of aristocratic women heading into the garden. Not ... work.

He smiled as he spotted Captain Campbell, who was chatting to two younger girls in the corner. The girls were probably considering Campbell’s prospects, if Thomas was any judge. It was traditional to bring talent into the aristocracy, a tradition that no one - not even Thomas - could defy. And Captain Campbell was talented ... Thomas was tempted to amuse himself by pushing the trio together, but decided against it. Charlotte would kill him, probably literally. She’d worked hard to make the party happen. She’d probably put a great many noses out of joint.

“Captain,” a voice said. “I trust I’ll be seeing you in the house?”

Thomas turned to see Duncan, Lord Shields. The older man was a high-ranking politician who’d taken advantage of his brother’s career to boost his own into orbit. Thomas disliked him, yet he had to admit Lord Shields was pretty good at manipulating the system to suit himself. Not the sort of person he’d invite to a private party, he supposed, but definitely someone worth knowing. There’d been suggestions Lord Shields would be Prime Minister one day. He had the clout, the connections and the experience to do a good job.

“It depends on my orders,” Thomas said. Technically, he had a seat in the House of Lords; practically, Charlotte had held his proxy since their marriage. “I may be leaving the system again in a week or so.”

“Or so we’re told,” Lord Shields said. “The navy has something in mind, doesn’t it?”

Thomas shrugged. He’d be very surprised if Lord Shields didn’t know precisely what the navy had in mind. It wasn’t as if the First Lord of the Admiralty was a law unto himself, beholden to no one.

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