Heart of Gold

'You're looking for my help,' he finally said.

'You have the magical ability that I do not. In a situation like this, such skill is important. As you point out, recovering the Heart of Gold is in both our interests.'

Aubrey sat back. For a moment, he saw his life as a giant chessboard. Von Stralick was a piece, recently moved, but Aubrey had many others he needed to manoeuvre to achieve his ends. He'd already moved George, while his mother and father were safe (he hoped) where they were. But one other piece needed to be moved.

'I'll need assistance,' he said.

'Of course. Doyle will be useful, limited though he is.'

Good, Aubrey thought, underestimate George. It may prove handy. 'I'll need someone else.'

'I'll leave that to you.' Von Stralick leaned forward. 'The Marchmaine Independence League is holding a public meeting this evening at the Academy of Sciences. I will meet you around the corner at eight. Look for me by the statue of Marshal Beaumain.'

Von Stralick slipped out of the booth and was gone. Aubrey sat for a while, pondering the Holmlander's revelations and his future actions.

When he went to go, the proprietor stopped him. Von Stralick had left without settling the bill. Aubrey paid and left, his wallet lighter and his demeanour both grim and exhilarated.

HE MADE HIS WAY BACK TO THE UNIVERSITY AND FOUND THE Taxonomy Department. Summoning reserves of energy he didn't know he had, in a short space of time he'd blandished his way past an attractive secretary and into an unscheduled meeting with Professor Lavoisier, the head of the Department.

Aubrey decided that Lavoisier was the sort of man who would be extremely difficult to see on a foggy day. He was grey, in hair, complexion, clothing and manner. He held his pince-nez in his hand and regarded Aubrey with the attitude of someone who was already trying to decide which regulation or by-law was being infringed just by his presence.

'Now, young man,' Lavoisier said in impeccable Albionish, 'you're saying that this Miss Hepworth has been abusing our hospitality? In what way?'

'Misusing personal information,' Aubrey said smoothly. 'I'm sorry to inform you of this, Professor, but I feel it's my duty.'

'You don't mind if I take notes?' Lavoisier asked. It was one of the least question-like questions Aubrey had ever heard. The professor already had a fountain pen and a large ledger at hand even before Aubrey answered.

'Please do.'

Aubrey straightened his tie and hoped that Caroline would understand. An even better outcome would be if she never heard of this piece of subterfuge at all. Much better.

He wanted her assistance in the tangled mess he'd found himself in, and not just because of her undoubted abilities – he wanted her by his side, and he knew that she wouldn't be able to devote the necessary time if she was still immersed in her taxonomy studies. So the obvious remedy was to relieve her of those duties. No more study meant she'd have the time to spend on other matters. It all seemed perfectly reasonable to him.

He was sure he could get Caroline reinstated after he'd found the Heart of Gold. Public hero, friends in high places, a little string pulling should be straightforward. All would work out for the best.

'What sort of personal information?' Lavoisier asked.

'Apparently she's been inquiring after one of your correspondents, a Dr Romellier. Despite his need for privacy, she's been seeking his address.'

'Intolerable. I will cancel her invitation immediately. She will be disgraced.'

Aubrey blinked. 'Ah, not a wise course of action, I'd suggest. Especially since Albion–Gallian relations need to be kept warm. Miss Hepworth has influential friends.' He coughed behind a folded hand. 'The Prime Minister.'

Lavoisier went from grey to wintry to outright frosty. 'Politics.'

'A suggestion: cancel her position. Do it firmly but politely. Make bureaucratic excuses about resources or the like. That will be enough.'

Lavoisier was no fool. 'And what is your interest in this matter, Mr Derringford?'

When Aubrey had used the Ambassador's name as his own, he'd been anticipating this question. 'The Albion Embassy is concerned with the conduct of all Albion nationals who are in your country. If we can avoid scandal, so much the better. In these troubled times, if you take my meaning.'

The professor pursed his lips. 'You are rather young for such delicate business, aren't you?'

Aubrey smiled. 'I'm older than I look.'

WHEN CAROLINE WALKED OUT OF THE TAXONOMY Building, Aubrey was there under the red-tiled portico to bump into her.

'Caroline!' he said, doing his best to appear as if he wasn't on the verge of collapse. 'Good to see you!'

Aubrey's intentions, schemes and strategies shrivelled when he saw Caroline's face. He could tell she'd been crying, not because of any red puffiness, but simply because tears still hung on her lashes as if unwilling to leave.

'My position has been withdrawn,' she said. She waved a hand. It had a small, white handkerchief crushed within it. 'I no longer have a place to study.'

She sat on the base of one of the pillars that held up the building's decorative arches. She gripped her handkerchief in both hands and gazed, disconsolately, at the flagstones a few feet in front of her.

Aubrey's conscience took the opportunity to give him a substantial kicking. In quick succession, he felt regret, guilt and remorse and began to understand the fine distinctions between each of them. In the end, he abandoned such niceties and, simply, his heart went out to Caroline in her distress.

I've done the wrong thing, he thought and he felt hollow inside, but he remembered the loss of the Heart of Gold – and what it could mean. Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made.

'Tell me what happened,' he said.

Caroline adopted a brisk, business-like tone, but didn't look at him. 'An administrative bungle, they said. They claim they have only one position, and it's needed for a Gallian student. Rather unapologetic, they were.' She stood and frowned at the door out of which she'd just come. 'I've a good mind to go straight back up there and take them to task. I came here in good faith and I don't think I should be treated like this.'

Hastily, Aubrey took her by the arm and steered her in the opposite direction. 'Ah. Not a good idea, I'd say, things being a bit delicate between Gallia and us. We wouldn't want to confirm their suspicions that Albionites are all insufferable, would we?'

'Aubrey?'

'Yes?'

'I can walk all by myself, you know. You can let go of my arm.'

She set off. Aubrey fell in beside her. 'Your plans, then?'

'I don't know. Mother is well entrenched here with her round of appointments and engagements.' She glanced at Aubrey. 'It seems I'm at a loose end.'