“How fascinating.” Victoria’s gaze shifted past him to where his team waited. “And these are your associates?”
She headed resolutely past him. Evander twisted on his heels and caught up with her, his stomach sinking.
“They are, Your Imperial Highness.” Evander had no choice but to make introductions as they stopped in front of his group. “Inspector Rufus Grayson of Scotland Yard. Miss Lyra Shaw, forensic mage from the Arcane Division. Lady Genevieve Hartley. Mr. Viggo Stonewall and Mr. Solomon Barden ofNightshade. And Mr. Hector Fairbridge, representing the War Office.”
Each member of his team bowed or curtsied as appropriate. Shaw looked like she was considering squealing in excitement and awe. Viggo’s posture was stiff, his expression carefully blank.
Victoria’s sharp gaze lingered on the Brute for a fraction longer than the others before returning to Evander. “An impressive ensemble indeed. Mama mentioned you were working on something important.” She smiled. “Walk with me, Duke Ravenwood. I should very much like to hear about this investigation of yours.”
Evander felt Fairbridge’s eyes boring into the side of his face. It wasn’t a request and they both knew it.
Evander dipped his chin curtly. “Of course, Your Imperial Highness.”
Victoria took his arm with the easy familiarity of old friendship and ignored the curious eyes tracking their movements as they moved toward a less crowded section of the dock. Two of her guards and one of her ladies-in-waiting followed at a discreet distance, close enough to protect her but far enough to grant the illusion of privacy.
CHAPTER 12
Victoria’sformal 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 mentionedsomething 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.
