God Save the Queen (The Immortal Empire) (32 page)

“Likewise.” I tucked the weapon into the holster hidden in the bustle of my black silk gown. Regardless of being allowed to return to work, I still had to adhere to mourning dress, as did Val, who was in head-to-toe black rather than the usual black and white. “Avery here too?”

He nodded. “Came in about five minutes ago with Lord and Lady Maplethrope. Lady M asked her to accompany them tonight, said she’d feel safer. Halstead’s murder’s being pinned on humans, and it’s got the entire peerage on edge.” Like Dede, Avery was Peerage Protectorate. Viscount and Viscountess Maplethrope were her clients. From what I understood, she quite liked them, and they treated her extremely well.

“Bad form,” I said with a frown. “Asking her to break mourning. They’re saying humans killed Simon?”

My brother arched a brow at my surprised tone. “Who else would have done it? And I don’t think either of us has the right to comment on proper mourning behaviour.”

I forced a smile. “I suppose not.” And then, since I didn’t want to talk about Simon’s death, and I was holding up the line of aristocrats behind me, “Be sharp tonight, Val.”

He patted me on the shoulder. “You too.”

The skirts of my gown swished around my low-heeled black boots. I had to lift them as I climbed the crimson-carpeted staircase. I was on the left bank as I ascended, rather than the right, where invited guests made their entrance. This segregation allowed me to go directly into the ballroom rather than wait to be announced. I passed Avery as she waited in the line with her lord and lady. I waved and she blew me a kiss. She wore a velvet gown so black it didn’t even shimmer in the light. She would have a small arsenal in her bustle as well, and probably a dagger in her garter. Mine was tucked into my boot.

Humans. They were blaming this on humans. I shouldn’t be surprised. A few days ago and I would have swallowed that story like ice cream, but I’d seen the body. I’d been there when the goblins said he’d been killed by vamps. Goblins didn’t lie, but could they have been wrong?

Or were the real killers simply trying to cover their arses? I
couldn’t be distracted by this now. I had to stay sharp. If I didn’t do my job tonight, people could get killed.

The ballroom was by no means crowded when I entered, but it was filling. Most of the aristocracy clung to the notion of being fashionably late, but they also knew better than to keep Her Majesty waiting. In less than an hour this room would be packed with not only England’s highest-ranking citizens, but also many from Ireland and Scotland as well – even some from other European houses.

The red carpet that usually covered the floor had been rolled up to reveal a highly polished surface perfect for dancing. Overhead, crystal chandeliers lined both sides of the ceiling, and accompanying wall sconces contributed to the golden glow cast over the space. At the far end of the room, two thrones sat side by side beneath a gilt arch. The Queen would sit in one of them. Perhaps the Prince of Wales would occupy the other – a seat that had once belonged to his father, Prince Albert. The thrones were two items that had been saved from the fire that ravaged the palace during the insurrection.

To the left of the thrones, in the corner of the room, the small orchestra played something by a composer I recognised but couldn’t identify. There would be no modern music for the next several hours – Her Majesty wasn’t a big fan of anything written after 1915. Social gatherings were one of those things about which Queen V remained steadfast, and she liked them to be comported in a certain manner – hers. Though, she had conceded to having electricity installed when the palace was rebuilt.

I stood off to the side, watching the guests – dressed in the style of court reminiscent of 1887 – as they mingled and a steady stream of others trickled in. It was a river of men in black and white, the women in shades that would put a peacock to shame, corseted and coiffed.

Most of them were as devoted to the old ways as Queen V was, arriving in horse-drawn carriages, wearing pounds of petticoats, the men with mutton chops. But their homes had electricity and running water. They listened to recorded music and watched the box. Aristos enjoyed comfort as much as the rest of us, but they needed to keep some of the past with them. I think it stopped them from feeling like antiques.

Or freaks.

Their names and titles were as familiar as the back of my own hand, though some I had not heard in several years. I, along with the rest of the RG, had been briefed on those visiting from other houses across the Continent. This was an auspicious occasion, after all. Victoria was the first monarch of her kind to have ruled this long.

I checked names against faces, as did my colleague on the other side of the door. There would be Guards downstairs as well, scattered throughout the palace, patrolling the grounds, watching from rooftops and lorries parked on the street. All of us were armed, prepared to risk our lives for our nobility. Avery only had to protect her family, but every aristo under this roof was my responsibility – and the responsibility of every RG – for the rest of the evening.

“You know, you’re very sexy when you’re serious.”

I smiled and a shiver danced down my spine at the sound of Vex’s voice. “Is that so?” I asked, keeping my attention on the increasing crowd. “I’ll have to remember that.”

“Aye, you should.” He stood beside me, and I appreciated that he took care not to obscure my view of the room. “So, are you on duty all evening?”

I nodded. “Until Her Majesty tosses you sorry lot to the kerb. Why?”

He shrugged, all predatory grace as muscles shifted beneath his black jacket. What was it about a black suit and white shirt that
complimented almost any man who donned them? He even wore a cravat, impeccably knotted around his neck. An easy grin curved his lips. “I thought maybe I might squire you on to the dance floor at some point.”

I hid my pleasure with a coyly arched brow. “Wouldn’t such squiring set tongues to wagging?”

His gaze locked with mine – warm and seductive, with just a hint of gold in the faded blue. “I don’t care. Neither should you.”

Maybe it was the fact that he was a wolf. Or perhaps I was caught up in the nineteenth-century atmosphere and was having an attack of feminine delicateness, but fang me, he was sexy when he put on the alpha.

I smiled. “All right. I can take a break around one. Come and find me.”

“I will.” His gaze continued to smoulder. “And when this is over, I think you should come home with me.”

I started. As in to his house? I didn’t know why, but the invitation threw me. That said something about the amount of trust he had in me if he was going to take me to where he slept. That, or he meant to kill me. “Are you sure?”

The amusement on his face might have stung were it not tempered with genuine warmth. “I’ll meet you downstairs.” Then he took one of my gloved hands in his much larger one and raised it to his lips. It was official – I had time-travelled back a century. All I needed was Mr Jones and his privacy box.

My pleasure diminished, however, when I happened to glance towards the entrance – I was on duty, after all – and spied the couple who had just been announced.

“What is it?” Vex asked.

Silently I berated myself for not having hid my reaction better. “Ainsley,” I replied in a low voice as my gaze followed the slim aristocrat and his petite wife. Both of them were incredibly
pretty – doll-like, almost. I never understood what Dede saw in the dandy, but then she would wonder the same about me and Vex.

“Isn’t he …?” Vex stopped.

I glanced at him, mouth thin. “The man my sister tried to kill? Yes.”

“Did he deserve it?”

I turned my attention back to Ainsley in all his blonde, blue-eyed perfection, and watched as he conversed with other guests as though he hadn’t a care in the world. I thought about Dede and how she had wept for him after she lost the baby. He never came to see her.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Then it’s too bad she didn’t succeed.”

I could have kissed him for that. “Indeed. You should go and mingle.”

He nodded, not the least bit offended by my dismissal. He left me with a squeeze of my hand and the promise to collect me later. I allowed myself the pleasure of watching him walk away for no longer than two seconds before putting my attention firmly back on my job, where it belonged. Just as well, because at that moment, Churchill was announced. It didn’t matter that I was no longer his student; if he caught me slacking, he’d ream me for it.

Pale eyes searched the crowd before settling on me. He seemed surprised to see me, but nodded in greeting regardless. I nodded back as I switched on the small device tucked around and in my right ear. It worked in a similar fashion to a rotary, only the line was shared by every Royal Guard in attendance.

It was quarter to the hour; all the guests would be expected to be in attendance at that time, and the doors would be shut precisely on the hour. Her Majesty would make her appearance at half past. The communication device in my ear made it easy for all the RG’s to alert one another to any possible threat.

One by one, all fifty of us on duty – our full ranks – reported in, letting the rest know we were on the job and accounted for. As I did before every society event, I sent up my usual little prayer/mantra/what-have-you that there would be no problems tonight.

I remained at my post by the door, watching the line of guests trickle to a few stragglers, then to nothing. Over my earpiece I heard a co-worker confirm that the palace doors were shut and secured. Everyone on the guest list had arrived and no one else would be granted admittance for the remainder of the evening.

That was my cue to start patrolling. Usually I preferred to work both interior and exterior security, but since the event was locked down, the guards were stuck doing one or the other. There were RGs outside right now who envied those of us inside, and in a way, I envied them. At least out there you didn’t have to witness all the fun in which you weren’t allowed to take part. I’d only get away with dancing with Vex because of who he was – not like I could refuse him.

About half an hour after we were locked in, Queen Victoria made her entrance to much applause and bowing and curtsies. My spine snapped straight like the leg of a card table when the fanfare began. A voice in my ear told us all to be on guard.

In heels she might have been five foot two, if that. The plague kept her appearance the same as it had been when she was in her late twenties, so she was fairly slim, with long, lustrous brown hair that she wore piled up on top of her head in an elegant knot. She had a round face with large blue eyes, a slightly aquiline nose and a small mouth. Her skin was so fair she looked like a china doll, though she could never be likened to one in any other way.

She was the most powerful being in the country – in the world, I suspected – and she looked like a waif. I, like everyone else, was in shameless awe of her. When she passed by, I curtsied so deeply
my knee brushed the carpet. I should have bowed my head, but I had to keep a watchful eye. Queen V gave me a once over and then nodded, and I felt the recognition and weight of that condescension. Obviously she approved of my return to work and continued observation of the proper mourning rites.

Fang me, but I don’t think she had acknowledged me since the day I graduated from the Academy – and then she’d treated me the same as everyone else. I noticed two of my fellow RGs glancing at me as though they were jealous. Idiots. If my new-found celebrity status with Vex didn’t earn me their scorn, this would for certain. It wasn’t as though I asked for it, or went out of my way to attract notice.

She walked to the back of the room, where her throne – and Albert’s empty one – waited for her. Before she sat, she looked out at us all. The band had fallen silent, as had everyone in the room.

“We are very pleased to see you all tonight,” she began, in a surprisingly strong, clear voice that carried throughout the hall without the aid of amplification. “On this momentous occasion, we thank you for celebrating with us and take a moment to remember those who are no longer with us.” En masse we all glanced at Albert’s vacant throne.

“For almost two centuries have we reigned over this vast empire,” she continued. “We have seen many changes and have shared many experiences – some more poignant than others. But what has never changed is our love for our country and our people, and so let this night be a celebration not just of how many years we have ruled, but of how many years we have endured, and will continue to endure.”

The applause was thunderous. Victoria was not what one would consider verbose, but she made every word count. I clapped until my palms stung and then watched her take her place on her throne. She would sit there for the remainder of the evening,
giving audience to guests who wanted to wish her well, and overseeing the proceedings. I would not speak to her. Only aristos were given leave to speak; we halvies were there to work.

Over the course of the evening I admit my attention slipped. Occasionally my mind would trick me into thinking I saw Dede, or even Ophelia, in the throng. My heart would give a great leap of terror, and I’d experience that chest-crushing paralysis, only to then realise I was a plonker. A few other times it was Vex who drew my eye. I watched him dance with what seemed like a legion of eligible ladies but in reality was probably only five or six. That low aristo birth rate really cut back on the number of debutantes each year.