Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

responsibility if you nailed it to his forehead. He’s always been the most important thing in his life. I had hoped Evangeline might have changed that, but… He came to see me recently. Said he wanted to see the children, which was a first. I’m surprised he could remember their names without prompting.”
    “How did it go?”
    “Badly. I should have known better. He’s never been any good with children. Or anyone else, really.
    But I have to say he seemed even more out of it than usual. I’d be worried about him if I could bring myself to give a damn. I really must contact Evie, see how she’s doing. Finlay never did appreciate her.
    But that can wait. How do you feel now, Robert?”
    “Very grateful that you’re letting me impose on you. Baxter and I will move out as soon as I can find somewhere—“ “Oh, there’s no rush. Besides, you’d probably just move into some squalid little bachelor apartment, and we can’t have that. If you’re to be a part of Society, you must have a respectable address. The right address always says a great deal about a man. To begin with, I think we’ll get you settled in a suite at one of the better hotels.”
    “Addie, I don’t have that kind of money! The Clan has no assets, and while the Navy gave me a nice little bonus on leaving, it hardly amounted to a golden handshake. What I’ve got won’t last long, and it certainly won’t stretch to a suite.”
    “If you’re going to be the Campbell, you have to live like the head of a Clan,” Adrienne said firmly. “Or no one is going to take you seriously. Don’t you worry about money. Once word gets around that you’re back, people will be falling over themselves to pay your bills, in return for future favors. Even the banks will extend you open lines of credit in the hope of your future business. Everyone knows that a hell of a
    lot of money went missing when the Campbells crashed, money that the Wolfes never got their hands on.” “But I haven’t got it.”
    “They don’t know that! If anyone asks you about it, just smile and look enigmatic. Let me worry about such things, dear. You just concentrate on looking the part. How are we doing for clothes, Baxter? Is he ready to go out in public yet?”
    “There will have to be further fittings for the more formal evening wear, ma’am, but I think we’re ready to risk a few carefully controlled appearances. Did you have anyone in mind, ma’am?”
    “Well, to start with,” said Adrienne, “I thought Constance Wolfe.”
    “Are you crazy?” said Robert. “The Wolfes destroyed my Family!” “That was then, this is now,” said Adrienne firmly. “A lot’s happened since then. Jacob Wolfe was head of the Clan at the time. He’s dead now. Valentine is on the run, Daniel is missing, and Stephanie is so far out of favor that she can’t even see it from where she is. So Constance, Jacob’s young widow, is currently the Wolfe, and head of the Family. And she has very revolutionary ideas about how the Families should behave in the new order.
    She distrusts Blue Block, supports Parliament, and is very keen to mend fences with old enemies. Go and see her, Robert. Turn on the Campbell charm, make it clear you don’t hold her responsible for the excesses of her predecessors, and you might just find her a kindred spirit. She’d make a very strong friend and supporter. And it would demonstrate to all the other Families that you don’t feel bound by old feuds and vendettas. You’re going to have enough enemies as it is, Robert. Make friends where you can.”
    “Not back twenty-four hours, and here I am dressed up like a clotheshorse, and contemplating making deals with a Wolfe,” said Robert disgustedly. “Some welcome home. But if I have to…” “You have to,”
    said Adrienne.
    Robert looked to Baxter, who nodded solemnly. “It will make an excellent beginning, sir. Not to worry.
    I shall of course be accompanying you.” “Wonderful,” said Robert. “Now I’ve got a nanny as well as a butler.” He glared at Adrienne. “Anything else you think I ought to know?” “There is one other thing,”
    Adrienne said reluctantly. “Concerning Finlay. You may have to do something about him.”
    “You just said he didn’t want to be the Campbell.” “He doesn’t. But… he’s been acting even more erratically than usual just recently. Threatening people. He’s made a lot of enemies in his time, many of them major players in Society. They might