Chapter 3

After three months of serving the Queen, Phileas still had seen no problems near her. In political circles, it was another matter. The Tory party had become livid about her snubbing Sir Robert. There were many openly expressing their fury over it too. It's been dubbed the bedchamber scandal. Father is watching that quarter; and since Her Majesty doesn't have many Tories in her circle of friends, I don't worry too much.

All has changed, Phileas wrote in his journal in early June. A man was found, hiding right here in Buckingham Palace. He has since confessed that he had come with the sole purpose of killing Her Majesty. The fact this person got into the palace at all has father in an uproar. The commander of the palace guard has been called on the carpet, as has the officer of the watch. The secretaries and pages have also been questioned along with everyone who would have been in the man's path of entry.

In an unusual moment at home at his family house in London, Phileas practiced his fencing early with Sir Benjamin, a trainer for the Secret Service. He normally came three days a week at Sir Boniface's request when they were in town. They practiced on the lawn in the side garden. Phileas was gaining one "well done" after another, as he showed his progress. Normally, they are left alone; but Sir Boniface had unexpectedly come to join them.

Phileas straightened in surprise as his father greeted his instructor. "How goes the boy's progress?" He said.

Sir Benjamin gave a glowing report of Phileas's prowess. He often commented on Phileas's natural grace, which he said lent to quick progress.

Phileas listened to it all, trying to keep from smiling. Sir Boniface had put him to fencing lessons at age eight. Over the years, his physical training had included shooting lessons, hand to hand combat training, boxing, and the handling of a knife and other such small weapons. I've even been treated to Far East martial arts lessons, which were grueling, but fascinating. All these things are part of the plan father has for moving me into service.

After the report, Sir Benjamin was excused. Sir Boniface took up a foil to test Phileas for the rest of the exercise period. "What do you make of this man that managed to get into the palace?" He said as they began a sparring match.

"A regrettable fluke," Phileas said. "I don't take the matter lightly father," he said quickly, seeing his sire's disapproval of his choice of words. "I simply mean that the man had no weapon, and a run of temporary good luck, getting past the palace guards. We were fortunate the Queen was out of the palace that afternoon. Has Her Majesty been told of it?"

"Yes, of course," Sir Boniface said. He made a parry against his son's attack. "She takes little notice of it, chooses to see him as deranged and harmless. I, of course, do not have that luxury. It is my duty to see to her protection, as is yours." There was a note of chastisement in that last remark. Suddenly, their positions reversed. Sir Boniface went on the attack. Phileas back peddled quickly, parried a blow. He was quicker, but his father was stronger and long experienced at real combat. Sir Boniface executed a move Phileas had never seen before, causing his sword to painfully fly out of his hand. A second later, Phileas found his father's blade at his chest.

The sting was taken out of his defeat when Sir Boniface gave him a slight smile. "A maneuver I learned aboard ship during the war," he said. "The ship's Marine Major was a devil with a sword." Sir Boniface pulled back and bent to retrieve the dropped foil. Handing it back, he reviewed the move several times giving Phileas the chance to use it and learn the proper defense against it before the lesson was over.

As the foils were put back in their cases, Sir Boniface said, "In our position, a run of luck for the enemy is a bad thing to allow. We must be more vigilant. This one might have been a harmless fool, but the next one could be smarter and more determined. You have been trained to be observant, and quick to act when needed. I've seen to it you can handle any weapon needed as well as whatever is at hand. Keep your eyes open–and off the Ladies in Waiting." That he added without rebuke, but with force, nonetheless. "Court women are pretty; I grant you that. Your mother was one of the fairest. But distractions are not to be allowed."

Phileas smiled at the rare reference to his mother. She had died when he was fourteen and his father had mourned her bitterly for several years. Now, he rarely spoke of her; only making odd references on her beauty and accomplishments. One day, Phileas hoped his father would open more. He remembered her fondly but was beginning to want to know more about her personally. The chastisement was accepted silently. He wondered if the Queen's other watchers had finally learned of his secret meetings. Phileas had never seen them following him, but then again, he couldn't believe a trained agent couldn't avoid his detection.

Phileas gathered up the foil cases and followed his father into the house.

A footman appeared to take them from him.

He walked up the stairs companionably, letting his elder lead the way. Then, out of nowhere, Sir Boniface gave him a deathblow. "I heard that Miss Pamela's father has accepted Lord Quincy for her. They will be betrothed before the end of the week. A good match, I think. Her dowry includes some lands adjoining his, I'm told."

Phileas stopped dead in his tracks as that surprise hit him full force. A bucket of ice water wouldn't have had a stronger impact. Lord Quincy was forty if a day. Pamela had never even glanced the older man's way. She had certainly never mentioned the man to me.

Phileas saw Sir Boniface gauging his reaction with sympathy in his eyes. He had expected me to take this badly. He turned away and dropped his head, getting hold of himself as best he could, fighting disappointment. I didn't want father to know how far I have fallen for Pamela. When did her father set her up? She couldn't know. She would never have continued seeing me if she knew, could she? His stomach knotted. No. She's not like that. Head down, examining the stair carpet pattern, he tried to work the constriction out of his throat so he could say something. In that position, Phileas didn't notice his father walk back down and lay a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, surprised at being touched, showing his father every bit of his anguish.

Sir Boniface softly said, "May September matches are normal at this level of society, son. A man must prove his ability to support a woman before he is worthy of consideration. Lord Quincy is a wealthy man with a good head on his shoulders. He will keep her as well as he did his first wife. Marriage is more about estates and lineage around here. Don't take the set back too much to heart. You're a mere mister in a crowd of titled gentleman. It's sad to say, son, but quite true; you haven't a chance with any of the ladies at the palace for at least another five to ten years. You are just too young and unproven."

"Yes father," was all Phileas could think to say in answer to the lecture. His father took that as enough and continued up the stairs. Phileas made the climb to his own room, not sure if he would ever leave it again.

In the privacy of his own room, Sir Boniface considered his son while allowing his valet to help him change. He's a confident fellow, handsome and used to young ladies' attentions. Back home, he is king of the valley. There isn't a girl who doesn't smile on him. His other agents relayed how his son was attracting attention; some of it good, some not so good. So far, the boy has shown the good sense not to get entangled. Well, apparently not completely. Sir Boniface shook his head and sighed. He did develop a covert relationship with Miss Pamela, despite all the scrutiny. That, I wish I could have prevented. I have no problem with the girl; it is her father I distrust. A trained agent would have known better than to get emotionally attached to a source. That road leads to nothing but trouble. Of course, Phileas isn't fully trained. An eighteen-year-old hasn't the maturity to maintain a professional distance from his work. This was the main drawback I knew might come when I put Phileas in this position.

Sir Niles is an oily sort with the manner of a spider weaving a web. If there had been any way to do it, I would have him removed from court; but the bounder is too entrenched to oust. He and his pretty daughter wouldn't even be in London if the Duke of Cumberland were not keeping his pockets full. The Queen's uncle should be satisfied with the Crown of Hanover. Instead, he chooses to meddle in his niece's affairs.

Now the question before me. Is Sir Niles orchestrating these threats, or is someone else? Maybe I should watch Victoria's uncle more closely.

Sir Boniface gave his attention to his reflection while reflecting on Phileas's predicament. Miss Pamela's betrothal would end whatever liaison the two had been indulging in. Of that I can be sure. the boy is too honorable to continue seeing a girl who is spoken for. He will lose his excellent resource though, and that is a pity. The girl has proven herself loyal to the Queen and very helpful. Well, I have other sources. Ladies of the Bedchamber have excellent ears too.

Sir Boniface gave himself a nod. I will take Phileas to Whites for brunch, he decided, as his man handed him his gloves and cane. I'll show him off a bit to friends. After Phileas graduates from Cambridge, I'll put him up for membership. The boy is too young and hurt to understand, but one day, he will know how the world works and be grateful for my efforts to teach him the truth of it early.

One day, I will make an advantageous match for him, a better one than binding him to that penniless bounder by marriage. But until that day comes, it can't hurt to put out notice of him. Who knew who had a twelve-year-old daughter who would be making her debut five years from now?

Quite satisfied with his plans, Sir Boniface sent his valet to fetch his son for their outing. A broken heart needed air to heal.