-1V

The House of Lords

"First order of business My Lords," The Lord Great Chamberlain boomed throughout the chamber, silencing the buzz of voices that filled the room. "Is a report from our esteemed friend Lord Rathbone, who recently returned from a diplomatic mission to China."

Lord Rathbone rose from his seat, straightening the lapels of his always immaculate, black suit. He stepped down to the center of the auditorium. Confidence and clarity rang in his voice as he addressed them, in an attempt to break the news gently and without an overdramatic tone. The words, he knew, would be enough on their own.

"My fellow Lords." He started, "I'm afraid I bring disturbing news from the Orient. The Opium Wars have ravaged the lands and the Emperor's enemies are organizing. The most vicious are the Boxers. A band of godless rebels who murder without discretion." The house became unsettled with the murmur of nervous voices. Rathbone dropped the confident note to a dire tone, "China is not well."

While the house was swept into another murmuring buzz, Rathbone waved to the doormen, who moved quickly to open the doors. A deep roar thundered through the auditorium as a cage was rolled into sight. What had once been a tamed tiger now swiped and hissed most ferociously to those who carefully pulled it inside.

Voices arose in alarm and many stood from their seats.

"What the devil!" "Is he mad?" "What on Earth?" The voices rang down like music to his ears… it was proving much easier than he had anticipated. The old men were shaken, startled and anxious… even if to just have the tiger removed from their sight.

"Given to Her Majesty Queen Victoria by the Emperor Keung Hsu in recognition of the fifty glorious years on the throne." Fifty years too long, as far as he was concerned… the thought would remain unspoken, but his contempt was soon directed toward the tiger. "Long live the Queen."

The tiger swiped one last time before they finally rolled it back out. Rathbone turned again to the house, "I apologize for the dramatic display… but as it was presented to me, I've presented it to you. That concludes my report, and I must apologize again for not returning with better news."

Returning to his seat, he took a long, quiet breath, sitting out the rest of the meeting. When it was adjourned, the Lords rose from their seats, gathering their cases and coats at the entrance. The halls were flooded with the voices of old men, befuddled and uncertain.

Rathbone took his time, adjusting his coat and hat before he began a slow step down the hall… any moment he knew the most meddlesome of them all would come wandering up for off-the-record answers.

"Nelson!" He called from behind.

Rathbone smirked, turning to greet the man with a friendly smile. "John Gilroy. It's been a while."

Quietly the man nodded, "…Yes, it has. What was all that… hubbub about? I mean, why drag that vicious beast in here?"

Rathbone lowered his eyes and nodded, "I'm afraid it's a little more complicated than I would like to admit. Naturally, I would not have brought the animal near here at all. I'd have it straight to the zoo if it were not my only decision. However, I'll not lower myself to the level of a snitch and give anyone names for haggle target practice."

Gilroy broke his serious disposition and relaxed, a faint nod. "I understand. Was it really so unnerving there? You look so… drained now."

Rathbone's brows rose with mild surprise. "Do I?" He hadn't thought about it. But his nights had been less than sound for sleep. Walking with Gilroy, they stepped down the hall and toward the exit, "To be honest Gilroy – and this is clearly off the record-," Knowing he had the man's full attention now, he continued, "I feel comfortable in expressing to you that I sensed a threat long before the tiger was revealed to me. Don't jump to ideas just yet, no, I was treated very well – considering. It was the fact that everyone is a nervous wreck there that caused little for a feeling of security."

Gilroy sighed, nodding, "I think I understand. Well, you can trust me that this will go no further."

The two stepped out into the dismal overcast outdoors of London. Unfolding their umbrellas, they shook hands.

"Nelson," He said with a nod and turned to make his way home… or more likely to spread the news. Rathbone watched Gilroy step down toward the street. Gilroy could never keep a secret… even his own.