Harrington Residence, Thursday Afternoon
Hours later found Honor and White Haven seated on the back deck at 28 Sphinx Street, basking in the April sunshine. Remnants of a light lunch sprawled across the café table before them and frosted mugs of an amber rested in each lap, balanced by hands wrapped around the handles.
“So nothing’s blown up? No major scandals and attacks on my credibility?” There was some surprise in Honor’s voice as she squinted at the earl.
“Not at the moment,” White Haven replied with a chuckle. “There is some speculation that the Admiralty has you pigeon-holed or possibly on some covert operation, but overall, your usual fans are on holiday.”
Honor smirked over the rim of her mug, taking a long drink. “Yes, well, I’m enjoying the break, myself. I think Elizabeth’s idea was somewhat inspired... just don’t tell her that.”
“Not a word.” Grinning, White Haven placed his hand over his heart. “But you can’t sit there and tell me that chasing after a pack of wild teenagers is a break!”
“It’s definitely preferable to going ten rounds with the press...or a few MPs.” She shook her head. “To be honest, the kids are great. Most of them are fairly attentive and very much dedicated to the study of warfare. Some even have a bit of field experience, as scary as that might seem.”
Hamish frowned into his mug and, as Nimitz crawled up the back of her chair, she could feel the consternation radiating off of the senior officer. “War is no place for children,” he said at length. His eyes were dark as he looked to her. “We’re rushing them through Saganami so quickly now, Honor. They’re little older than the kids you’re teaching here.”
“Like it or not, My Lord, they have to start somewhere. And they all chose their vocations,” Honor replied. Her own emotions mingled with his, and she didn’t trust herself with use of his first name. “We all know our duty.”
For the briefest of moments, she reached out emotionally to him, through her link with Nimitz. She gently wrapped her understanding and support around his frayed edges, and wondered if he could even tell. He was, after all, what Nimitz might have called “mind blind,” or lacking an empathic sense; the only reason Honor herself was capable was because of her link with Nimitz. When his eyes closed, however, and she felt the bittersweet smile he gave her, she knew he could. The revelation was as shocking as it was comforting and perilous.
He opened his eyes and their gazes held for a moment before he cleared his throat. Honor could see the questions formulating in his mind, but he realized now - alone - was not the time to discuss them. He looked down at his mug. “Yes, well... I apologize for my momentary lapse. Shall we move on to lighter topics?”
“Such as?”
Hamish looked back up to her, a lopsided grin. “Well, how are your students doing?”
“They’re doing fine. I have a couple of attendance issues - this isn’t Saganami, after all - but most of them are doing well.” An idea snuck up on her, and her eyes lit with a mischievous twinkle. “As a matter of fact, our next class dinner is Monday.”
White Haven recognized the sparkle and shook his head. “Oh no, Lady Harrington. This is your class -“
Honor’s grin widened. “We’re going to be discussing politics and grand strategy. You know Clausewitz as well as I do, and you know more about Benjamin Franklin and the American alliance with the French.” On her shoulder, Nimitz’ tail twitched, showing his echoing amusement. “Think of it as an opportunity to educate more Traditionalists.”
“Put that way, My Lady,” White Haven said, affecting the Grayson address, “how can I refuse?”
Her almond eyes glinted at him over her mug just before she drained the last of the contents.
“So nothing’s blown up? No major scandals and attacks on my credibility?” There was some surprise in Honor’s voice as she squinted at the earl.
“Not at the moment,” White Haven replied with a chuckle. “There is some speculation that the Admiralty has you pigeon-holed or possibly on some covert operation, but overall, your usual fans are on holiday.”
Honor smirked over the rim of her mug, taking a long drink. “Yes, well, I’m enjoying the break, myself. I think Elizabeth’s idea was somewhat inspired... just don’t tell her that.”
“Not a word.” Grinning, White Haven placed his hand over his heart. “But you can’t sit there and tell me that chasing after a pack of wild teenagers is a break!”
“It’s definitely preferable to going ten rounds with the press...or a few MPs.” She shook her head. “To be honest, the kids are great. Most of them are fairly attentive and very much dedicated to the study of warfare. Some even have a bit of field experience, as scary as that might seem.”
Hamish frowned into his mug and, as Nimitz crawled up the back of her chair, she could feel the consternation radiating off of the senior officer. “War is no place for children,” he said at length. His eyes were dark as he looked to her. “We’re rushing them through Saganami so quickly now, Honor. They’re little older than the kids you’re teaching here.”
“Like it or not, My Lord, they have to start somewhere. And they all chose their vocations,” Honor replied. Her own emotions mingled with his, and she didn’t trust herself with use of his first name. “We all know our duty.”
For the briefest of moments, she reached out emotionally to him, through her link with Nimitz. She gently wrapped her understanding and support around his frayed edges, and wondered if he could even tell. He was, after all, what Nimitz might have called “mind blind,” or lacking an empathic sense; the only reason Honor herself was capable was because of her link with Nimitz. When his eyes closed, however, and she felt the bittersweet smile he gave her, she knew he could. The revelation was as shocking as it was comforting and perilous.
He opened his eyes and their gazes held for a moment before he cleared his throat. Honor could see the questions formulating in his mind, but he realized now - alone - was not the time to discuss them. He looked down at his mug. “Yes, well... I apologize for my momentary lapse. Shall we move on to lighter topics?”
“Such as?”
Hamish looked back up to her, a lopsided grin. “Well, how are your students doing?”
“They’re doing fine. I have a couple of attendance issues - this isn’t Saganami, after all - but most of them are doing well.” An idea snuck up on her, and her eyes lit with a mischievous twinkle. “As a matter of fact, our next class dinner is Monday.”
White Haven recognized the sparkle and shook his head. “Oh no, Lady Harrington. This is your class -“
Honor’s grin widened. “We’re going to be discussing politics and grand strategy. You know Clausewitz as well as I do, and you know more about Benjamin Franklin and the American alliance with the French.” On her shoulder, Nimitz’ tail twitched, showing his echoing amusement. “Think of it as an opportunity to educate more Traditionalists.”
“Put that way, My Lady,” White Haven said, affecting the Grayson address, “how can I refuse?”
Her almond eyes glinted at him over her mug just before she drained the last of the contents.