Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

to be, and nothing has really changed.” “Still,” said Flynn, “I’ll bet this room is hell to dust. They must work in shifts.”
    And then, finally, they were brought into the presence of Grace Shreck. Toby and Flynn both bowed
    formally. Grace inclined her head regally from the depths of a huge, very comfortable-looking chair set just the right distance away from the roaring fire in the great fireplace. The butler gestured to two hovering servants, also in frock coat and powdered wig, who hurried forward bearing two antique chairs and set them down just the right distance away from Grace so that Toby and Flynn could sit facing her.
    They settled themselves carefully onto the delicate-looking chairs, which proved to be even more uncomfortable than they looked. Grace smiled at them both and then, without looking around, gestured to the butler. He and the two servants left the room, backing out all the way. Grace waited till the door had closed behind them, and then sniffed disparagingly.
    “Servants… it’s so hard to get good help these days. You have to be ever so careful what you say in front of them. In my young days a Family servant would never have dreamed of repeating a confidence, or anything they might have heard of their master’s business, but no one has any sense of loyalty anymore. They’re always looking for some gossip they can peddle to the scandal shows. Never mind whether it’s true or not, as long as it makes a good story, that’s their attitude. I do hope that camera of yours is not operating, young man. I take my privacy very seriously.”
    “We won’t record anything without your permission, Auntie,” Toby said quickly.
    Grace sniffed again. “You only call me Auntie when you want something, Tobias.
    What is it this time? Another loan?”
    “Not this time, Auntie, thank you very much. I just happened to be visiting another house in this area, and I thought I might as well drop in and see how you were doing. You and Clarissa.”
    “Oh, so that’s where the wind lies, is it? Thought I saw a sparkle in your eye for her the last time you deigned to pay me a visit. She’s doing very well, Tobias. What the poor thing endured would have broken a lesser type, but of course Clarissa has good old Shreck iron in her bones. She’ll pull through.
    I’ll send for her in a while. Now, nephew, you may kiss me on the cheek and come to the real purpose of your visit. You can’t fool me, Tobias. You didn’t come calling at this late hour of the evening just to inquire over my health and make eyes at Clarissa.”
    Toby grinned, got out of his chair to kiss Grace chastely on her powdered cheek, and then sat down again. “You always see through me, Auntie. I need your help for a piece I’m working on, about how the Families are rebuilding themselves under the new order. And it must be said, you’ve made a great deal of difference to the Clan’s standing since you took control.” Grace scowled. “It’s not like I had any choice in the matter. Gregor has been going mad for years, but as long as he maintained the Family prestige, no one would hear a word said against him. But when he finally fell apart and barricaded himself inside his Tower, it was clear someone had to replace him as head before the whole Clan fell apart. You weren’t interested, and all the other senior members of the Family were too busy plotting against each other, so the burden fell on me. The only senior Shreck that everyone else could accept. It hasn’t been easy, but I like to think I’ve made a difference.” “You certainly have, Auntie,” said Toby carefully. “Under you the Shrecks have moved back into the political mainstream in a big way. I wasn’t aware you knew so much about current politics.”
    “I do have a viewscreen, young man, and I have been known to watch something other than those dreadful, never ending soaps. And I have advisers. Lots of them. Would either of you care for a cup of tea?” “That would be very pleasant, lady Shreck,” said Flynn. Grace looked at him approvingly. “I’m glad to see some young people still have good manners. Unlike some I could mention but won’t. Do you want tea, Toby?” “Actually, I could do with something a little stronger…” “You’ll have tea.”
    “I’ll have tea.”
    Grace pulled a handy bell rope. “It’ll take them a while, I’m afraid. You can’t rush a good cup of tea, though heaven knows they’d try if I let them. They will