Read A Small Colonial War (Ark Royal Book 6) for Free Online Page B

have a bad feeling about this, James,” he said.  “The order we built after the Troubles is dead.  It died with the war.  Neville, the appeasing toad, is right about that, if nothing else.  Either we fight the Indians, and risk heavy losses that may weaken us permanently, or we surrender and brace for the next round of demands.  The universe isn't what it once was.”
     
    “I know,” James said. 
     
    “We need time,” Uncle Winchester added.  “Time to rebuild the navy, time to incorporate the lessons of the war, time to rebalance the international order.  Hell, maybe even time to make approaches to the Russians again.”
     
    “You know what they tried to do,” James said.
     
    “I also know we may need them in the future,” Uncle Winchester said.  He gave James a sidelong look.  “Should I start looking for potential wives?”
     
    James shook his head, firmly.
     
    “Then start looking for someone yourself,” Uncle Winchester said.  “You’re a war hero, moderately handsome, well-connected ... you shouldn't have any problem finding someone willing to share your life.  Or you can set up an arranged marriage and be ... friendly , if not actual partners.  There’re quite a few marriages where the partners are homosexual and only married to produce children.”
     
    “I’m not homosexual,” James said.
     
    He sighed.  Perhaps it would have been easier if he had been.  No one gave a damn if someone happened to be homosexual, unless they were members of the aristocracy.  Then , they had to produce children, even if it meant entering an arranged - and loveless - marriage with a woman who might have the same tendencies.  But for him?  He wanted someone he actually loved .  And finding someone who loved him, instead of a gold digger, wasn't easy.
     
    Perhaps I should have taken note of Prince Henry , he thought.  The Prince had married for love, then taken himself and his wife to Tadpole Prime, well away from the media.  I could do that, couldn't I ?
     
    “Then find someone,” Uncle Winchester said.  “The family needs you to get married, James.”
     
    “I’ll start looking once I return to Earth,” James said, reluctantly.  “I imagine I’ll have time to start a search then, if I must.”
     
    It was a bitter thought.  He was still young, but it was unlikely he’d be promoted further.  Promotion into the Admiralty was based on politics as much as competence and skill; his family, he suspected, already had too much influence in the Royal Navy.  He was marginally surprised he’d been promoted to Vice Admiral, but then he was the senior survivor of Ark Royal .  It made him the greatest living hero of the war.
     
    “I can offer advice, if you like,” Uncle Winchester said.  “You’re not obliged to marry a commoner, you know.  There’re quite a few young maidens in the aristocracy who’d know the score.”
     
    James scowled.  It was tempting, perhaps too tempting.  A young woman from the same social class as himself, someone safe ... and boring.  Sweet, soft-spoken - or good at hiding her true personality from her family.  Pretty too, of course.  The families worked hard to ensure that their children were at the very peak of health.  There would be an understanding right from the start, an understanding that they didn’t love each other ... but that love would bloom, given a chance.  She would manage his estates and raise their children while he tended to his career. 
     
    But she would be boring.  And he disliked boredom. 
     
    “There aren’t many other options,” Uncle Winchester added.  “I do have a list of potential commoners, ones with the ability to fit into the aristocracy, but they wouldn't have the same background.”
     
    “Of course not,” James muttered. 
     
    He shook his head.  The British aristocracy had learned the dangers of inbreeding the hard way.  A commoner with a record of accomplishments - it crossed his mind that