Page 14 of From London, With Love
Alexandra pasted a smile on her face and went about her daily business as though there was nothing out of the ordinary. She breakfasted on the terrace, finished her correspondence, and then met the Duchess of Casavian by the carriage at 11am.
Mina greeted her with a smile and clasped both of her hands. In private they may once have shared a hug, but she still hadn’t quite forgiven her friend.
“Ready to open the exhibition?”
“The question remains: Are you?” Alexandra arched a brow. “You’re rarely out of bed by this time of the day.”
“Unfortunately, Madeleine doesn’t quite seem to understand her parents’ nocturnal habits,” Mina sighed. “Her craving virus levels are so low the sun doesn’t yet bother her, which means her parents must face the day at a rather appalling time.”
It stole a laugh from her. “She’s with her father?”
“He’s taking her to the zoo.” Mina snorted. “I can’t wait to hear what adventures they have. The last time he took her out for the day, I came home to find him snoring in the library with a book over his face.”
“I’m sure he’ll have more fun than we shall,” Alexandra grumbled. “My goddaughter is eminently more interesting than an exhibition on theAdvances of the Steam Age.”
“Now, now,” Mina chided. “Who doesnotwish to see the latest design in dreadnoughts?”
Alexandra sent her friend a stern look.
“Besides,” Mina cooed, “I do believe you’re going to be the center of attention, my dear. There are at least three of your potential suitors in attendance.”
“I shall carry my smelling salts in case the excitement of their company overwhelms me.”
Alexandra gathered her skirts to climb into the carriage, then paused when she saw Malloryn appear like a blighted raven. She paused, insisting Mina go ahead of her.
“Ah, my Master of Shadows.”
“My queen.”
“Anything I should be aware of?” she asked as Malloryn handed her into the carriage.
“The papers are filled with talk of Lady Rachinger’s latest findings about the craving virus,” he replied, as he handed her a newspaper. “She presented her scientific paper yesterday at the Royal Academy, and a journalist caught wind of it.”
“The life expectancies treatise that she presented to the council three months ago?”
“Yes. I’ve had more invitations to dine with our foreign emissaries than you have. They all want to know what it means.”
Mina leaned forward from the carriage. “Of course, they do, Malloryn. Most blue bloods in England leapt at the chance to use Lady Rachinger’s “cure” to stave off the ill effects of the Fade. Several other countries took note. Now, they’re concerned that it’s going to decrease their mortality.”
Alexandra shook out the paper. She rather liked Sir Henry’s serious, intelligent wife. Lady Honoria spent her days studying the effects of her findings on the craving cure, and her latest discovery was creating quite the stir.
Several years ago, she’d been experimenting with her husband’s increasing CV levels when she’d realized that by drinking her vaccinated blood, his CV levels decreased to a manageable state. It had been quite the coup, until she’d recently revealed that along with the decrease in the virus’s bloodthirsty hold, it also decreased a blue blood’s strength, speed, and longevity.
Lady Rachinger had concluded that her husband might only live as long as she would.
“One cannot live forever,” Alexandra murmured, then caught Malloryn’s eye. “And no doubt it’s a great relief to know you may not outlive your pretty young wife, after all.”
The duke sighed. “My CV levels were never absurdly high to begin with, so I’ve not yet begun a regime of drinking the blood from the vaccinated.”
“But you will?” She wasn’t entirely certain of his answer. To see the Duke of Malloryn succumb to his feelings for his wife had been highly amusing—and unexpected. But his downfall was so recent. What would win? Love? Or power and the ability to live well beyond human years?
“I will,” he replied with little aplomb. “I’ve spent far too many years without Adele in my life. And now I’ve had a taste of what it can be like, I would not wish to live without her. What is immortality but the chance to live a long, lonely life as you watch your wife, children, and grandchildren pass before your eyes? I would prefer to live one life in full.”
The queen hid a smile. “How romantic, Malloryn. I would never have expected it of you.”
“If it’s any consolation, a year ago I would have agreed with you.” He closed the carriage door. “A marriage for the sake of duty is all well and good, but when one finds affection, loyalty, and a true meeting of the minds, one can be free to be their best self.”
“Ah, I see.” She stilled. “This is supposed to be the part where you give me a hint as to where to settle my affections?”
