Chapter 17: Chapter 17
"The man's need to be outstanding is fundamental, Mr. Abram."
Lord Tennyson was saying, pouring himself a cognac.
"Please, have a seat."
He pointed and Oliver took the chair opposite the desk.
"A drink?"
"No, thank you, Sir."
It was a little after eleven.
The lord came forward and leaned against the side of the desk, crossing his feet at the ankles. He took a sip and placed the expensive crystal at an arm's reach, before continuing.
"Everything we do is a result of that need, sometimes that's a desperate wish to be important. It's essential to create something that stays. I believe you agree?"
"I do, yes."
"Unlike women, men don't create human beings. That's why we create something else. Stability."
Tennyson pushed away from the table and began pacing, hands clasped behind his back.
"I understand my son's, " he gestured vaguely around the room.
"rebellions. Experiments, if you prefer. I'm sure by now you must know what I mean."
Oliver remained quiet.
"He's always accepted himself as a victim of great injustice. My injustice."
The Lord paused and turned to Oliver
"You most likely, Mr. Abram, want to feel important, too. By helping him. Or perhaps you think you found mutual... interests and understanding?"
"I don't think I understand your question, Sir."
Tennyson stopped in front of him.
"My advice to you, young man, is to not try to run faster than you possibly can by keeping up with Callum. You can't and you're far from wherever he's trying to get."
"I'm afraid I still fail to follow your point, My Lord."
"Allow me to enlighten you, then. "
He moved closer to the table
"You'll soon find out every interest he takes in someone is temporary, even though right now you might be absolutely persuaded things are different. Let me do you a favor and assure you- they aren't."
Oliver sat further in the chair, but besides that did not offer an answer.
"Perhaps you've also noticed his mood swings?
"I'd say they're part of his character."
Tennyson exhaled audibly.
“Part of his character? Swimming in a lake with his clothes on? Or you refer to the gambling and everything else has obtained in terms of bad habits. ”
Tennyson continued, all emotion gone from his voice.
"You never wondered why he didn't have a valet before you came?"
"I haven't contemplated the matter."
"Of course you haven't."
The lord eyed him.
"Mr. Abram, you're not the first man in that situation. This is the reason why I warned you the first time you were here. I never expected you to literally report to me. But I must say I was hoping..."
he began casually.
By far Oliver had learned nothing was casual with the man, or anyone from the family.
" I was hoping you could watch out for him. "
"I don't think he expects that from anyone. Sir."
Tennyson took back the glass and said
"Our need for being important for someone could gnaw at, or dig its claws in us, threatening to eat us alive. I'm afraid Callum's desperate for a cause. It's like he..."
The lord was staring at the dark liquid, seemingly struggling with the admission.
"I'm just afraid he hurts himself in the process. He strongly disagrees with my political stance. I respect that, believe me. He's not the only one but they will soon find out it's the stable approach. Monarchy is a stable system, the way our conservative system is. We can't afford to have another government, things are hectic enough as they are."
"What do you expect of me if it's not to report for you," Oliver said flatly.
"Only to watch out for him. His so-called friends are not exactly the people one has afternoon tea with. Despite everything, Callum's still my son and I love him. "
****
Liam was already behind his desk, despite the early hour.
He lifted his head at Callum's entry, but it was most likely only an automatic movement and he hadn't registered the other man's presence in the least.
Callum took a seat in the nearest armchair and went through the papers on the table placed nearby.
Ten minutes later he'd read them all and said
"You've checked the document for the fourth time, I'm not sure it needs more reviewing."
"Uh..." Liam put the sheet back down next to the others in the pile.
"I wanted to make sure everything's correct."
"We have an accountant who does this, as far as I remember. "
"I didn't notice you come in."
Liam sounded exhausted.
"That much I gathered. Have you slept at all?"
"Of course."
Callum knew it wasn't so but decided not to argue with his brother.
The few people who occasionally did cross his brother quickly discovered it was futile, despite the matter in question.
Instead, he relaxed back and crossed his legs.
"I received the letter."
Liam moved closer to his desk
"And?"
"And they're ready to help us."
"They are?"
"Yes, Liam. Did you have any doubts about my persuasion skills?"
"I had more doubts about your self-preservation skills. These men are dangerous, Callum. "
"I never noticed."
Liam's answer was only a flat look.
"God, okay. I know. But I'm here and I think I'm perfectly fine and alive."
"You know you don't have to do any of this."
"It was my choice. I'm just trying to help my brother's in his political career. "
"Your brother doesn't have one, yet."
"But he will soon."
Liam got up from behind his desk and stood up.
"I just don't want you to get hurt in the process. Callum, whatever you're doing to persuade those people to support us, I'm sure there's another way."
"If you come up with something, let me know. "
"I..."
"Besides, I have a guard dog now, right?"
“I don’t know if he’s a guard dog, if he leaves you swim when it’s freezing and roam aroum the slums.”
“Why is everyone so caucht up in the ways I spend my free time. “
“You know what I mean. Anyway, how is he? “
“He’s been…quite efficient so far. “
"I still can't find much about him."
"Well, you will eventually. Although I know what I need to for now. And besides, we've already agreed to try it my way. It's too late to quit now. "
"It never is and we always had a choice. "
"Yes, well- that was mine. "
Callum straightened his coat and said
"Right. That's what I wanted to tell you. "
"You always do that. "
"What?"
"You run away when you don't like the direction the conversation is taking."
"Perhaps. But it's done miracles for me so far. "
Callum smiled smugly and got up.
"And stop stressing over everything so much. "
"I'm not. By the way, I have news too. I received a note from Charles."
"What is it?"
"It's brief, he says he wants to meet, once he's back to England."
"Why do you think he wants to talk to you?”
"I can't say. " Liam shook his head.
"He can't know about my political ambitions. "
"For heaven's sake, Liam. Everyone knows about your readiness to join the Parliament."
"But not the way I am planning to."
"Well, it would be quite unsettling once they find out ."
Callum smiled again and Liam shook his head.
"You never cease to amaze me. How can you be so sure?"
"And how can you be so hesitant when you have everything you need? He's Tennyson's biggest rival, perhaps he wants to make you an offer?"
"You'll never call him Father when it's just us, will you?"
Callum didn't offer any answer. Liam moved closer to the window and looked out.
He was frowning at something invisible, something away, in the possible future.
"What if we fail?"
"I'd be more concerned about what happens next when we don't. "
His brother turned and Callum headed out.
"Try and get some sleep. "
He was almost at the door when Liam said
"You won't disappear again tonight, will you?"
Callum turned and feigned surprise.
"No, why?"
"Christ, help me. You're not seriously planning on not attending, are you?"
"I don't have an invite."
"Callum..."
"I'll be there. I can't leave you deal with all the nonsense by yourself."
"The way you did last time?"
"When was last time?"
Liam grabbed for the nearest book and threatened to throw it.
His older brother was rarely so casual and Callum only said
"I'll be there. I can't miss it for anything in the world."
He left Liam to deal with all the things he couldn't rely on anyone else to do, while Callum was improvising with his persuasion methods.