“The two of them have been troublesome and obstructionist enough over other issues,” the earl continued levelly. “Given their stature in the public mind as great wartime leaders, they could prove even more troublesome over an issue this directly related to the Navy.”

“Harrington,” Janacek grated, “is a maniac. Oh, I suppose she’s charismatic enough, but she has yet to demonstrate anything approaching true strategic insight. And my God, the casualty figures she’s run up!” He snorted harshly. “ ‘Salamander,’ indeed! Too bad the fire seems to burn everyone else to a crisp!”

“But she does enjoy immense popularity,” North Hollow pointed out calmly.

“Of course she does!” Janacek growled. “The Opposition media’s seen to that, and the general public is too ignorant of military realities and too besotted with her public image of derring-do to question it.”

For just a moment, North Hollow seemed to hover on the brink of asking the First Lord if Admiral White Haven’s reputation was equally undeserved, but not even he was foolish enough to do that. The savagely caustic (and highly public) tongue-lashing White Haven had administered to Janacek when they’d both been serving officers was legendary.

“We all realize Harrington’s reputation is grossly overinflated, Edward,” High Ridge said soothingly instead, “but that doesn’t invalidate Stefan’s point. Particularly given how critical the enactment of our new budget and spending priorities has become. However she acquired that reputation, she possesses it, and she’s learned to use it effectively when she launches her attacks against our policies.”

“She and White Haven together,” Descroix amplified.

“I know.” Janacek drew a deep breath and made himself sit back in his chair. “In fact, I might as well admit that not offering Harrington a space-going command was a mistake. I wanted to keep her off any flag bridges, especially since she’s obviously totally out of her depth as a flag officer, despite the promotions the previous Admiralty administration so unwisely showered upon her. The last thing I wanted was her anywhere near the Havenite front while we were in the process of negotiations, because God only knew what sort of unilateral lunatic action she might have committed us to. That’s why I approved her request to return to the Saganami Island faculty; I thought we could keep her safely shelved teaching, instead. Failing that, I’d hoped the Graysons would be foolish enough to call her home and offer her a command, since they so obviously worship the ground she walks on. I never expected her to turn into a permanent fixture at Saganami, but she has, and now I can’t justify removing the damned ‘Salamander’ from the faculty without opening a tremendous can of worms.” He shrugged unhappily. “I hadn’t considered that she might realize that by keeping her here on Manticore I’d also keep her handy to Parliament as well as keeping her in the public eye.”

“And none of us realized she and White Haven would make such an effective team.” Descroix’s voice was sour, and for a few seconds her benign, harmless mask slipped as her eyes went flint-hard.