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Elizabeth had barely crossed the threshold of her apartment when the comm chimed. The bland, deadpan face of a complete stranger appeared on the screen. But she'd seen similar faces before, so his words came as no surprise to her.
"Mrs. Naismith?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Commodore Rader from the Galactic department would like to talk to you."
Elizabeth's heart leaped. Since she had learned from the Galactic News release that her son-in-law was the virtually unchallenged ruler of the Barrayaran empire and her daughter was the Regent-Consort (God, what an archaic title!), she had been waiting for this call.
"When and where?"
"At once. We've already sent a car." To make sure she couldn't avoid this...
"I'll wait up by the garage."
The comm cut out, and Elizabeth sat heavily down in a chair. She wondered what the conversation would be about. Asking her yet again about every word Cordelia had spoken during her short stay at home after the Escobar campaign? Or... no, better not to speculate. All in good time.
*
The Betan Security building was familiar to Elizabeth; after her daughter's flight she'd visited it a good dozen times. But this time she was led to the opposite wing, and the man sitting in the office, more spacious and comfortable than anything she had seen here before, was totally unknown to her.
"Come in, sit down, Mrs. Naismith," he said cordially.
He's playing me, Elizabeth said to herself.
"I think you can guess why we've invited you here."
Elizabeth shrugged. "Because of Cordelia, I'd guess."
"That's right," her companion, Commodore Rader, confirmed. Then he continued after a second's pause during which he returned Elizabeth's steady appraising look, "Our Government and the Government of Escobar have decided to restore diplomatic relations with Barrayar."
Yeah, Elizabeth thought sarcastically, no doubt under pressure from the large trade corporations who lose huge amounts of money when they can't travel through Komarr or trade there.
"Our extended diplomatic mission to Barrayar is going to depart soon. It will include a variety of analysts to assess the political, economic and technological situation in the Empire. We would like to offer you a place in the delegation."
"In what capacity? I'm not a political scientist, nor an economist, or any kind of specialist in advanced technology."
"You are an engineer, a doctor who can assess the technical equipment in the hospitals and medical centres there."
"And, of course, there aren't any specialists anywhere on Beta who would be more suited to the job?" Elizabeth did not try to keep the sarcasm from her voice. "Let's stop playing childish games. Tell me what you want from me, if you want to be able to count on my cooperation."
Rader frowned. "Well, if you insist. We want you to travel to Barrayar, meet your daughter and son-in-law there and ... talk to them in private."
"Put your questions to them and then recount their answers to you in detail, right? Or do you intend to make me wear a wire?"
"No," Rader answered quietly, not reacting to her sarcasm, "Bugs would be useless--the Lord Regent's security is very professional. But otherwise, you're right--we really want you to discuss topics of interest to us and tell us about the outcome. But understand this. We're not going to force you to do anything. You will decide yourself what you want to bring to our attention. Moreover, you can discuss it with your relatives, ask them what they'd like you to pass on and in what words. In fact, we are encouraging you to hold informal talks with the leaders of a foreign power. Understand this, ma'am: we are sorely lacking information on the basis of which we can build relations with Barrayar. The information coming from them is extremely contradictory, and since the transition of power there hasn't been enough time for us to draw conclusions based on their actions. And we absolutely need this information--we do not want to make mistakes and especially not to provoke a new armed conflict. I think you are as interested in this outcome as we are. After all, if--well, not friendly, but at least normal--diplomatic relations are restored with Barrayar, you will be able to see much more of your daughter. And your future grandchild."
Elizabeth shivered. Grandchildren? Oh, my God. Aloud, she said with unconcealed sarcasm, "And how, pray, are you going to maintain 'normal diplomatic relations' with a state when you have an arrest warrant out for the ruler's wife on espionage charges?"
Rader sighed. "We are currently working on this issue. I think it will be resolved soon."
There was a tense pause.
"Well," Elizabeth said slowly at last, "suppose I agree. How can you assure me that when I return I won't be greeted with a fast-penta interrogation, a 'confidential' conversation under the influence of narcotic cigarettes, compulsory treatment or anything like that?"
"We are ready to give you a written agreement in the presence of your lawyer." Rader looked noticeably relieved.
"In that case, I must consult with her first,"
Rader nodded. "Tomorrow at four I'll be glad to see you both in my office."
"You're not even going to ask who my lawyer is?"
Rader smiled. "We already know. If for some reason the time isn't suitable for you, please contact my secretary. Here's the number."
*
Elizabeth didn't sleep that night. Her heart lurched from joyful anticipation of the swiftly approaching meeting with Cordelia to anxiety over the possible consequences it might have. But the next day, at the appointed hour, along with her close friend Linda Scott, a successful Betan lawyer, she was back in the same room.
Without further ado Rader handed her a printout of the contract. Elizabeth first read it carefully herself, then gave it to Linda. Linda read for a long time, referring several times to some data on her wrist comm. Then she suggested a few minor edits and changed some of the wording. Rader readily agreed, made up a new version, and all three signed it electronically. Their signatures appeared on the screen simultaneously. Rader downloaded the signed contract into two data crystals and handed them over to Elizabeth and Linda.
"Thank you, ladies. Mrs Naismith, over the next four days you will go each day to see my colleague who will supply you with all the necessary information and a list of things of interest to us, in order. Discuss what will be convenient with my secretary."
"But what about my job--"
"Don't worry. You have already been designated paid leave for the entire period of your absence from Beta, starting tomorrow."
"And how long will this absence last?"
"I think that will largely depend on your own efforts. The delegation departs in five days. You will receive a galactic credit card for expenses."
"How kind of you." Elizabeth grinned. "And how much do you expect me to spend?"
"Anything within reason." Rader looked deadly serious. "You will report it all on your return. Have a good trip, Mrs. Naismith."
"Thank you."
*
On the appointed day, the diplomatic delegation gathered at the spaceport. The others looked at Elizabeth with curiosity, but no-one approached her or spoke to her. The last to arrive was the future Betan Ambassador to Barrayar, a tall middle-aged man with a sensible, intelligent face. He shook hands with everyone and went up to Elizabeth.
"Ms. Naismith. Very pleased to meet you. I'm Clive Derring. I hope with your help we will quickly be able to establish contact with our Barrayaran counterparts."
"That's what I'm here for." Elizabeth tried to smile as naturally as possible.
The flight passed peacefully and without surprises. They stopped at Escobar for three days and were joined by the Escobaran diplomatic delegation. Again, there were curious, surreptitious glances and conversations cut short whenever she appeared.
She barely left the comforts of her cabin for the rest of the journey.
Elizabeth was sure that Cordelia would meet her at the Vorbarr Sultana spaceport, but she wasn't there. The delegation was met by high-ranking Barrayarans from the Foreign Ministry (all in uniform) and an enhanced security escort. The newcomers were seated in limousines and taken to their mansions, pre-war residences that now housed the embassies.
The view of the city that Elizabeth could see out of the car window struck her forcibly. It was a mix of different styles: modern high-rise boxes of concrete and glass, interspersed with old stone mansions, some areas were essentially slums of ramshackle huts. One huge shapeless grey building particularly struck her with its ugliness.
When they went over a bridge across a wide river (My God, look at that river! So much water flowing freely, not through pipes or water collectors!), someone pointed to a gloomy castle rising on the opposite shore.
"Vorhartung Castle. The Council of Counts sits there. Tomorrow the Council Chamber will be awarding diplomatic credentials."
*
The ceremony began at nine in the morning. First in the large circular room came the Betan delegation. Elizabeth was last. From outside the room, through high carved doors, she saw Cordelia, both familiar and a stranger to her: a tall elegant woman in a long full skirt and a short-cut beige jacket. Her hair was arranged elaborately and held by enamelled crests. Her stomach was not yet so rounded that it was immediately noticeable, but her figure, her posture and some unusual smoothness and caution in her movements told Elizabeth's experienced eye that she really would soon become a grandmother for the third time.
Beside Cordelia on the platform stood a stocky man, only just taller than she, in a brown uniform richly embroidered with silver. His piercing grey eyes carefully watched each arrival. So that was him in the flesh: Admiral Lord Aral Vorkosigan, the Lord Regent of the Barrayaran Empire, the Butcher of Komarr, her son-in-law. Those titles combined were strange, contradictory, she couldn't make them connect and fit together in her head.
All these thoughts swept like a whirlwind through her mind as she crossed the threshold of the huge hall.
Then she caught sight of Cordelia's face, and saw a whole range of emotions reflected on her daughter's face: extreme wonder, doubt, finally, all-consuming joy. Cordelia involuntarily took a step forward, then caught herself and returned to her place. Glanced at her husband with a mute question. He nodded and smiled almost imperceptibly.
So that's it! Elizabeth realised. Nobody warned Cordelia, they wanted to surprise her. Well, the surprise was successful. Cordelia looked stunned and delighted.
Clive Derring handed his credentials to the Lord Regent, and presented all the embassy staff in turn. Vorkosigan shook hands with everyone and spoke a few words of welcome. Finally, he came to Elizabeth. Derring introduced her as an expert on medical equipment. Vorkosigan extended a hand to her and smiled widely and sincerely.
"Very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Naismith. I hope your stay on Barrayar will be pleasant."
"I hope so." Elizabeth smiled.
A short break was called before the greeting of the Escobaran delegation. A nondescript young man in a grey suit approached Elizabeth and quietly asked her to follow him.They walked through corridors and he opened a small door, holding it for her. The room beyond was a conference room. A door at its opposite end opened, and through it Elizabeth heard the rumble of voices from the Council Chamber. In the conference room were Cordelia and Aral (yes, yes, she had to get used to calling him that!) He was holding her arm, very gently, so gently Elizabeth caught her breath.
Cordelia ran to her and embraced her. Both their eyes were moist. Aral stood a bit further back, watching the scene with pleasure. Finally Cordelia stepped back, took her mother's arm and led her to Aral.
"I think," she said, smiling, "it's time for you to get to know each other better."
Aral extended his hand, and again his handshake was strong and hearty.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said quietly. "Thank you for making my daughter happy."
