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stepped aside, to save himself, leaving Aubrey to fight alone, what
would she think of that? There was a price at which safety cost too
much; and loyalty was part of it. Maybe that was even true politi-
cally? If you abandoned your friends so easily, on whom could you
count when you needed them yourself? And one day you would!
She looked at his broad shoulders, his perfectly tailored coat,
the back of his head so familiar she knew every curl of his hair, the
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way it grew in the nape of his neck, and she realized how little she
was certain of what he thought. What would he do to save his seat,
if the temptation arose? For a blinding moment she envied Char-
lotte because she had seen Pitt face so many decisions that drove
him to the end of his self-knowledge, his compassion and judg-
ment. She knew already what lay beyond the tested, because it was
the pattern of his nature. Jack was charming and funny, gentle with
her, and as far as she knew, loyal. He certainly had an honesty she
admired, and resolution in a cause. But beyond that when faced
with real loss, what then?
What did you say to him? she repeated.
I told him I can t abandon anyone without a reason, he
replied with an edge to his voice. I think there may be one, but by
the time I know it, it will be too late. He looked back at her. Why
in God s name did she go to a medium now? She isn t a fool! She
must know what interpretation people will put in it. He groaned.
I can imagine the cartoons! And knowing Aubrey, he might well
tell her privately that she s irresponsible and he s furious with her,
but he ll not do it in public, even by implication. No matter what
it costs him he ll be seen to defend her. He turned back to her.
For that matter, why did she go to a medium at all? I can under-
stand a public entertainment hundreds of people go but a pri-
vate séance?
I don t know! I asked her, and she lost her temper with me.
She dropped her voice. Whatever it is, it s not entertainment,
Jack. It s not lighthearted. I think she s trying to find out something
and it terrifies her.
His eyes widened. From a spirit medium? Has she taken leave
of her senses?
Possibly.
He stood still. You mean that?
I don t know what I mean, she said impatiently. We ve only
a few days to go before they begin voting. Every day s newspaper
matters. There s no time to correct mistakes and win people over
again.
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ANNE PERRY
I know. He moved back towards her, putting an arm around
her lightly, but she could feel an anger inside him, wound up and
aching to burst out, but with no direction in which to strike.
After a few more minutes he excused himself and went upstairs
to change, then returned within half an hour and dinner was served.
They sat at opposite sides of the table rather than at the ends. The
light glittered on the cutlery and glass, and beyond the long win-
dows the fading sun still glinted gold on the windows of the houses
opposite.
The footman removed the plates and brought the next course.
Will you hate it if I lose? Jack said suddenly.
She stopped with her fork in the air. She swallowed hard,
as if there were an obstruction in her throat. Do you think you
might? Is that what Davenport says will happen if you won t aban-
don Aubrey?
I don t know, he said frankly. I m not sure if I m prepared to
pay the price in friendship that power costs. I resent being placed
where I have to choose. I resent the hypocrisy of it, the cutting and
trimming until you ve paid so much you hang on to your prize be-
cause you ve given up everything else in order to get it. Where is
the point at which you say I won t do it I ll let it all go rather
than pay this one thing more? He looked at her as if he expected
an answer.
When you have to say something you don t believe, she
offered.
He gave a sharp laugh, bitter-edged. And am I going to be
honest enough with myself to know when that is? Am I going to
look at what I don t want to see?
She said nothing.
What about silence? he went on, his voice rising, his plate
forgotten. What about compromised abstention? Judicious blind-
ness? Passing by on the other side? Or perhaps Pilate washing his
hands would be the right image?
Aubrey Serracold is not Christ, Emily pointed out.
My own honor is the point, he said sharply. What do I have
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to become to win office? And then what to keep it? If it weren t Au-
brey, would it be someone else, or something? He looked at her
challengingly, as if he wanted an answer from her.
And what if Rose did kill this woman? she asked. And if
Thomas finds out?
He said nothing. He looked so wretched for an instant she
wished she had not spoken, but the question beat at her mind,
echoing all the other things it brought with it. How much should
she tell Thomas, and when? Should she make more effort to find
out herself? Above all, how could she protect Jack? What was the
greatest danger, loyalty to a damaged cause and the risk to his own
seat? Or disloyalty and an office perhaps bought at the cost of part
of himself? Did he owe it to anyone to go down with him?
Suddenly she was overwhelmingly angry that Charlotte was in
some country cottage in Dartmoor with nothing to do but domestic
chores, simple, physical things, no decisions to make, and where
Emily could not ask her opinion and share all this with her.
But had Aubrey any idea of what was really going on? She saw
his face sharp and clear in her mind with its quizzical innocence,
the feeling she had that he was so open to pain.
It was not her job to protect him! It was Rose s, and why was
she not doing it instead of going on some wild pursuit of voices
from the dead? What could she possibly need to know that mat-
tered a damn now?
Warn him! she said aloud.
Jack was startled. About Rose? Doesn t he know?
I don t know! No . . . how can I tell? Who ever knows what
really happens between two people? I meant warn him about the
political realities. Tell him you can t support him if he goes too far
with his socialism.
His face tightened. I tried to. I don t think he believed me. He
hears what he wants to He was interrupted by the butler coming
in discreetly. What is it, Morton? Jack asked with a frown.
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