Alexis Carew: Books 1, 2, and 3

by J. A. Sutherland

  “Did you take lessons from Eades to be able to do that?”

  “Who do you think taught him?” Dansby said. He grasped her elbow and got her moving down the corridor again. “May I assume our work here is done and we may make haste to leave?”

  “No, it is not. I’ve yet to meet with Commodore Balestra.”

  “All night closeted with one of her lieutenants and you couldn’t pass the bloody messages along?”

  “I didn’t have my tablet with me, now did I?”

  Dansby stopped and turned her to face him. He looked her over.

  “No, I suppose you didn’t …” He frowned. “You look different somehow.”

  Alexis flushed.

  Dansby raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I see. Well, at least one of us had a productive evening.” He started back toward Röslein. “For myself, I spent the night moving from place to place in a rather exposed corridor so that I could keep an eye on where you’d gone.” He glanced at her again. “I’d have sought entertainment for myself, if I’d known you were in such good hands.”

  Thirty-Five

  “You are well, ma belle?”

  Alexis shook her head. They were stopped in a side corridor a few intersections from the theatre where the opera had been held on their way to the reception. Alexis’ head was still pounding from the performance — some sort of epic filled with winged women, horned helmets, and a score that she suspected consisted of invisible trolls roaming the audience to strike the watchers’ heads with stone mallets.

  She raised a hand to her temple, rubbing gently. “Will the pounding ever stop?”

  Delaine chuckled. “Be glad it was only the one.”

  Alexis’ eyes widened. “There’s more of it?”

  “Cinq, five, I think.These are almost the national event of le Hanovre.”

  She shook her head in wonder.

  “If you are not well, perhaps this is not wise. I will make your excuses to Herr Reinacher.”

  She’d seen Reinacher before the performance and at intermission, but briefly both times as he merely said hello and rushed off. But he’d said, through Delaine, how much he looked forward to seeing her at the reception. The attention was unnerving, given that he’d said so very little to her and who he was. She was beginning to wonder if Delaine hadn’t been correct and she should have boarded Röslein and sailed that morning. On the other hand, if Reinacher’s interest was innocent — or, at least, more prurient than suspicious — she would only draw attention to Delaine and Balestra by running. Attention they could ill afford as the Berry March fleet was already under some suspicion.

  “What can happen at a reception?” she asked. “A bit of food, a bit of drink, and then we’ll say good night.” She laced her arm through his and hugged it tightly to her. “Perhaps a few words with Commodore Balestra, and I may transfer the messages to her.” She felt her tablet through the thin material of the small bag she carried. She had a moment’s regret that her dress, like the one she’d worn the night before, was ill-suited to concealing a weapon.

  “I worry about Herr Reinacher’s interest.”

  “We’ve discussed that — my failure to attend and disappearance would pique his suspicions more.”

  Delaine nodded. “Still, I worry.”

  The reception was held in a large compartment near the opera. The space took up two levels of the station and was large enough that Alexis thought she could see a hint of the station’s curve in it. The balcony around the second level was less crowded and had many alcoves and rooms branching off it for privacy. The lower level was crowded with people and small tables around a central dance floor.

  Dancing. Why must there always be dancing?

  Alexis and Delaine wandered through the crowd on the lower level. Alexis caught sight of Balestra several times, but she was always surrounded by a group of other officers and Delaine shook his head, whispering, “Too many of le Hanovre about her. She will find a time to leave them and will meet us above. Much business is discussed here” He nodded at the balcony. “There are rooms above for discussion or —” He raised an eyebrow. “— more intimate things.”

  Alexis flushed. Much as she longed for a repeat of the more intimate things of the night before, she was quite certain she wouldn’t be able to appreciate them properly with a hall full of people right outside the door, no matter how private the rooms were.

  Delaine laughed. He leaned close to her ear and whispered. “Too much of New London, still. You should be more Française.” He stepped back toward the dance floor and held out his hand. “Instead will you dance, mon cœur?”

  Alexis snorted. “I’ve two or more left feet, I’m afraid.”

  “Surely not.” He took her hand. “Come, please.”

  Alexis shrugged and took his hand, muttering, “On your own head.”

  Delaine led her to the dance floor just as the music stopped.

  Alexis raised an eyebrow. “A sign that this is a poor idea, do you think?”

  Delaine smiled as the music started again, a slow number. He pulled her close, hand on her hip. “Signs and signs, oui?” He started her into the dance. “You see?” he whispered. “It is not so — ow. Ma cocotte, you must move where — simply follow, yes? Ow. Non.” He laughed. “You do not like to follow.”

  “I did warn you.”

  Delaine stopped and looked her in the eye for a long moment, then leaned close to whisper in her ear, the feel of his breath sending a shiver through her. “Do you trust me, Alexis?”

  Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded.

  “Close your eyes.” Delaine pulled back so he could see her face. “Close them.” He leaned in again as she did so. “Move with me, mon amour.”

  The music ended far too soon for Alexis. Delaine slowed to a stop and she with him, eyes still closed and held tightly to him.

  There may be something to this dancing business after all.

  It certainly was nice once she let go and got the hang of it. Not nearly so nice as how she and Delaine had spent the night before, but it could be done in public. Odd that once she’d relaxed and simply trusted Delaine she’d had no trouble with it at all. She’d have to think on that once she had a moment.

  Alexis felt Delaine tense and opened her eyes to find Reinacher approaching, a wide, toothy smile on his face.

  “Leutnant Theibaud, Fraulein Aubert —” she heard, and that was all she understood as Reinacher and Delaine exchanged words. Once or twice Reinacher gestured to her and she smiled in return, but other than that she was completely in the dark as to the topic of conversation.

  Alexis scanned the hall while the two talked, Delaine clearly only responding to Reinacher’s prompts. The crowd, for all that they were Hanoverese, seemed normal and happy to her, not the rampant warmongers described by Mister Eades. If anything, they seemed far more relaxed and easygoing than a similar gathering in New London, at least in the systems Alexis had experience with, though not nearly so much as the French on Nouvelle Paris.

  Then again, it would be quite difficult to outdo them, I think.

  A sharp ping cut through the thrum of nearby conversations and drew Alexis’ attention. Delaine frowned and pulled out his tablet, frowning more as he read from it. He put it away and spoke to Reinacher again, smiling shrugging apologetically. He grasped Alexis’ arm and started to step away. Alexis assumed he’d received some message from his ship and was making his excuses to Reinacher to have to leave, which, frankly, relieved her, but then Reinacher laid a hand on her arm and spoke, smiling more broadly. A chill ran through Alexis and she could imagine what was being said.

  I’m sorry, Herr Reinacher, but I’m called to attend my ship and we must leave.

  Nein, Leutnant Theibaud, surely Fraulein Aubert would prefer to remain here.

  Delaine was speaking again and then Reinacher. Alexis could tell that they were simply repeating themselves and worried that Delaine’s insistence that she leave with him would seem odd. She laid a hand on Delaine’s arm and s
poke quickly as he’d told her too, stumbling a bit over a word or two and hoping Reinacher wouldn’t notice.

  “Prenez soin de votre bateau bête, Delaine. Monsieur Reinacher me divertira.” Take care of your silly boat, Delaine. Reinacher will entertain me.

  Delaine looked at her shocked and she willed him to understand. If they argued too much, it would only incite more suspicion. She could spend a time pretending she didn’t understand a word Reinacher said and then excuse herself. She’d make her way back to Röslein and retire for the night, then try to contact Balestra the next day.

  Je ne comprends pas, will be the most Reinacher gets from me. A useful phrase, that.

  Delaine paused, then nodded. He said something to Reinacher, leaned close to Alexis on the side away from the other man, and whispered.

  “Fais attention á toi.” Take care.

  Alexis kissed his cheek as he drew back, smiled assurances she didn’t entirely feel, and patted his arm. She watched Delaine walk away, her heart beating faster and faster as he disappeared into the crowd, then turned back to Reinacher with a smile that quickly faded.

  Reinacher was no longer smiling, no longer jovial. His face was set, eyes narrowed and cold.

  Thirty-Six

  Reinacher took Alexis’ arm and another man she’d never seen before took the other. Their grips were tight to the point of being painful. She started to speak, to ask what they were doing, but Reinacher squeezed her arm harder and she took the hint. The two men steered her off the dance floor and up the stairs to the balcony level, having to support her and almost drag her when she stumbled.

  She looked around frantically, hoping to see Delaine or even Balestra, though what they’d be able to do she didn’t know.

  They turned into a corridor off the balcony, one almost hidden from view by plants and decorations. It was nicely appointed, not a service hall as she’d assumed, and it soon met another corridor in a T-intersection.

  Behind those alcoves and meeting rooms Delaine mentioned.

  “Que faites-vous?” Alexis asked quietly. She was trying to think how Marie Aubert from the Berry worlds would react. Probably terrified and knowing she can’t resist the … what did Delaine call them, political police? Well, and I’ve the terrified bit of that with no problem at all.

  “Sei still,” Reinacher said, the meaning clear from the shake he gave her arm.

  They stopped at a hatchway. Reinacher held her arm while the other man slid the hatch open then Reinacher flung her inside. Alexis stumbled and fell after a few steps. She recovered her footing and looked around. It was definitely a meeting room of some kind, with a small sidebar in one corner and a pair of couches facing each other across a low table. The far wall was the outside bulkhead of the station. Most of it was a clear material offering a spectacular view of the planet below.

  Reinacher slid the hatch shut, leaving the other man outside, and walked to the sidebar to pour a drink. Alexis edged toward the door, but stopped — even if it were open what could she do? Run through the reception hall with Reinacher in pursuit and a guard outside? No, she’d have to see this through, whatever he had in mind.

  Reinacher raised his glass and said something quickly in German.

  Well, I’ve heard it often enough myself. I might as well say it.

  “Que?” she asked trying to fix her face in an innocent yet puzzled expression.

  “Excusez-moi,” Reinacher said. He took a sip of his drink. “Or we should use your English, yes?”

  A chill went through Alexis and she tried not to react.

  “Que?”

  “Do not play me the fool,” Reinacher said. He spoke in rapid bursts, each accompanied by some gesture or movement. “I have little tongue —” He pointed at his mouth. “—for languages, but I have an ear —” Another gesture to the side of his head. “— for accents.”

  He turned back to the sideboard and poured another glass. Alexis edged toward the door again. Perhaps it would be better to take her chances running.

  “Locked,” Reinacher said without turning. “You speak French, but not with an accent of the native.” He turned, carrying both glasses and held one out, finger extended to point at her. “No, you have an accent of New London in your French.” He smiled. “You arrive —” He stepped toward her holding out the glass. “— on a ship called Röslein, which we know is Marilyn, whose records say is captained by Herr Federmann, who we know is Dansby.” He raised his eyebrows and gestured with the offered glass.

  Alexis took the glass and held it gingerly.

  “We know he smuggles, and we allow this.” Reinacher shrugged. “Times being what they are. So when you are introduced as Marie Aubert, I must ask myself: How does this French Marie Aubert from the Berry worlds come to be on not-Herr Federmann’s ship the not-Röslein?” He took a sip and smiled. “Drink, please. It is a fine schnapps.”

  Reinacher waited smiling, with eyebrows raised, until Alexis took a small sip. The drink tasted of peppermint and Alexis thought she might enjoy it if she wasn’t becoming more and more certain that it would be her last.

  I would much rather my last drink taste of peat and smoke, not candy, if at all possible.

  “The answer, of course,” Reinacher continued, turning and walking back into the room, “is that she is not Marie Aubert.” He spun and put a finger to his temple. “But this … brings only more questions. If she is not Marie Aubert, then why does Leutnant Theibaud, a trusted, loyal man, introduce her as Marie Aubert? Has she deceived him? Has she —” He smiled. “— worked wiles upon him?” He shook his head. “Nein, no, it makes me think there is more to this …” This time his smile showed teeth. “We have the saying, ‘layers to the onion’, you know this saying?” He waved his hand dismissively. “Of course you do. So now I think that under not-Herr Federmann is this Dansby and under not-Röslein is the ship Marilyn, but are these the final layers? Have we peeled these enough?” He grinned widely and Alexis was reminded of a shark. “What might I discover if I peel these things and see the next layer? Hm?”

  Alexis remained still, not trusting herself to speak and not sure what she could say in any case.

  “Still you say nothing?” Reinacher shrugged. “I will peel a layer of what I know for you and we shall see.” He placed his glass on a table and pressed his hands together, fingers at his lips. “I know the men I am to watch, do you see? And so I see Leutnant Theibaud walking in the morning —” He gestured at Alexis. “— with a lady and I know that this is not Leutnant Theibaud’s habit. Since he has come to Dietraching, Leutnant Theibaud will smile and Leutnant Theibaud will dance and Leutnant Theibaud will charm the frauleins, but Leutnant Theibaud goes to his rooms or ship alone at night.”

  Alexis’ heart fell and she swallowed hard as she realized what Reinacher was saying. She’d given it away, just by her very presence and having spent the night with Delaine. If she’d sent him back to his ship and gone herself to Röslein, then Reinacher would never have seen them together. If she hadn’t been so terrified, she might have spent more time thinking about what Reinacher said, that Delaine went to his ship alone at night, and that her fears about his feelings were misfounded, but she forced those thoughts aside and concentrated on what Reinacher was saying.

  “And I think of the reports that came with this fleet from the Berry worlds,” Reinacher went on. “Prisoners who escaped and how Leutnant Theibaud was said to have spent much time with one of them.” He narrowed his eyes. “A small, pretty leutnant zur see.” He looked at her and pursed his lips. “Some might think so, I suppose.”

  Reinacher sat on a couch and spread his arms wide.

  “And so Leutnant zur See Alexis Carew, will you now speak?”

  Alexis’ mind was racing as fast as her heart. It had seemed quite a simple plan when she’d started this. Find Delaine, speak to Balestra, sail home — but she’d given little thought to what might happen if she was discovered. She’d known it was a risk, of course, but an abstract one. She’d not rea
lly believed it would happen, so hadn’t planned for it. Now she was faced with Reinacher, a man Delaine said she had cause to fear, and what was she to do?

  “I’m not.”

  “Nein, fraulein, please. Do not deny what I know.”

  Alexis swallowed hard, took a sip of her drink to stall for time, and inhaled deeply of the schnapps. The scent of the drink seemed to clear her thoughts a bit. What other reason could she have for following Delaine here?

  “I’m sorry,” she said, moving into the room and sitting on the other couch opposite Reinacher. “I meant I’m not what you called me … leutnant zur see, was it? Does that mean midshipman?”

  Reinacher nodded. “Yes, the young officer not yet Leutnant. Your midshipman. So, you do not deny that you are this Alexis Carew?”

  “No, sir,” Alexis said, “only that I’m not a midshipman. Not anymore.” She took a deep breath and looked down at the floor as though embarrassed. “I resigned my commission, you see.” She glanced up without raising her head to see Reinacher regarding her with raised eyebrows. “I never wanted to be in the Navy in the first place, you understand,” she went on quickly, speaking in a rush. “I only did because … well, because my grandfather was trying to marry me off to whoever’d have me. So I ran away and signed aboard ship.”

  She couldn’t tell from Reinacher’s expression if he believed her or not.

  “Then I met Delaine,” she said, “Lieutenant Theibaud, and I … well …” She squared her shoulders and met Reinacher’s eye as though defying him to challenge her. “I quite fell in love with him.”

  Alexis felt sick to her stomach at what she was doing. She wasn’t certain what her feelings for Delaine were, but using what they might be in this way, speaking those words for the first time as part of a lie and to Reinacher, made her feel like she was tainting something good and special.