“It’s good to see you again,” she went on, gripping Brigham’s proffered hand and squeezing it firmly but carefully, mindful of her heavy-worlder strength.

“Likewise, Your Grace,” Brigham said, gripping back. She nodded to LaFollet, Hawke, and Mattingly, and the three armsmen came very briefly to attention in response before they reverted to their normal watchful stances. Two more HSG armsmen brought up the rear, shepherding Honor’s personal baggage, and Brigham waved her free hand at a waiting air car in Harrington Steading colors.

“If you and your friends will step this way, Your Grace,” she invited, still smiling, “your chauffeur is waiting to whisk you away to Harrington.”

“Not to Austin City?” Honor asked in some surprise.

“No, Your Grace. High Admiral Matthews was called away to Blackbird this afternoon, and he won’t be able to return until sometime late tomorrow morning. He and the Protector decided that it would make more sense for you to get yourself settled at home before any formal meetings. Your parents and the kids are waiting to have supper with you there, and I understand Lord Clinkscales and his wives will be joining you. Your mother said she… ah, had a few things to discuss with you.”

Honor’s lips twitched in a mixture of humor and affectionate dread. It had gotten progressively more difficult to keep her mother here on Grayson and out of the fray on Manticore, yet the effort had become even more urgent once Lady Emily had knocked the scandal on its head. Allison Harrington was not noted for moderation where her family was concerned, and Honor could just imagine the smiling, merciless “I told you so” daggers she would have planted—as publicly as possible—in at least a dozen prominent Manticoran political figures.

“I think the Regent also has a little Steading business he needs to discuss with you while he has the opportunity,” Brigham continued. And he probably wants to rip a few strips off various Manticoran politicos, too… at least vicariously, since he can’t get at them physically, Honor thought resignedly. “That’s more than enough to keep you busy for your first evening on-planet, and you’re scheduled for an informal private audience over lunch with the Protector tomorrow afternoon at the Palace. If it’s convenient, we’ll meet with the High Admiral afterwards.”

“Of course it will be,” Honor agreed, and glanced at LaFollet.

“I’m sure you want to check the car for possible assassins, Andrew,” she told him with one of her slightly lopsided smiles.

“If Commodore Brigham is prepared to testify under oath that the car has never been out of her sight, then I’m prepared to forego my normal thoroughness, My Lady,” LaFollet assured her with only the smallest gleam of humor, and she chuckled.

“In that case, we’d better go quickly, Mercedes—before he changes his mind!” she said, and Brigham laughed and fell into place a respectful half-step behind Honor as the armsmen spread out in their customary triangular formation about their lady and headed for the vehicle.