Time of Trial (34 page)

‘He did that deliberately,' Aubrey said.

‘I know. He's very well-meaning.'

‘To a fault.'

The breeze ruffled Caroline's hair. Aubrey thought it was the most wonderful thing he'd seen since he last looked at her.

‘Let's just see what happens,' she said suddenly.

‘I beg your pardon?'

‘You were going to ask about us.'

‘I was?'

She smiled. ‘Your need to know everything is one of your most appealing and most infuriating traits.'

The ship sounded its horn as it neared the dock but Aubrey didn't hear anything over the roaring in his ears.

Appealing?

Some response was necessary. ‘We should let things take their course?'

‘It sounds like the most sensible idea.'

‘Sensible. I like sensible.'

‘I thought you would.'

‘And you won't get irritated, or upset, if I press my suit?'

‘Press your suit? What a charmingly old-fashioned way of putting it.'

‘Charming? I can see it's working already.'

‘Don't get your hopes up. I reserve my right to be irritated, or upset, at any time.'

‘I'll endeavour never to give you cause, then.'

Caroline gazed out at the welcoming sight of Albion waiting for them. ‘I'll be interested to see how that turns out.'

As will I
, thought Aubrey as they made their way, at last, into a safe harbour.

The unthinkable has happened: Albion is at war. Aubrey and George are swept up into the military – but not in the way they expect. With Caroline drafted into the Special Services, Aubrey is sure the combination of his magic, George's practical skills and Caroline's fighting secrets will make them a formidable team. But what if the military hierarchy has other ideas?

When Aubrey's top secret espionage unit is sent to Gallia to investigate mysterious magical emanations, what they discover is intelligence gold. Holmland is about to unleash an unstoppable horror upon the world. It could win the war within weeks. Aubrey is in a dilemma: should he obey orders and simply observe, or should he and his friends do their best to stop a bloodbath?