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'Excuse me, Your Majesty, but he -'

James had other ideas and cut her off abruptly. 'Albert,'

the young man said, stepping towards the Queen's desk. 'It was Albert!'

There was a gasp of astonishment from the court attendants at the boy's temerity. Victoria looked just as shocked but quickly composed herself.

If you mean our late husband, we would prefer it if you addressed him by his proper title - the Royal Consort, Prince Albert,' she snapped back.

James responded with a brief nod. 'Forgive me, Your Majesty. I did not wish to speak out of turn. You see -'

The Baroness stepped to James's side, trying to keep some semblance of control. 'You see, Master James Lees is-'

The Queen silenced Luckner with a baleful glare before turning her attention back to the young man. She gave him a brief smile of encouragement. 'You were saying?'

'The Royal Consort, Prince Albert, has spoken through me on at least two occasions, Your Majesty,' James replied. 'At first I did not recognise the spirit who took control of me. It was only when I was received by the Crown Princess of Prussia the discovery was made.'

'Yes, our daughter wrote about your remarkable gift,' the Queen said. 'Her letter quite moved us. She wrote how you were able to mimic our beloved husband's voice in a most uncanny manner. We also received a letter from your guardian about your abilities, along with further information!'

Ìf Your Majesty will permit me,' Luckner interjected, still determined not to be shut out of this discussion, 'my ward is no mimic. He speaks in the tongues of the dearly departed. If you will, he becomes their earthly vessel.'

'Thank you,' the Queen snapped back, not bothering to look at the Baroness. 'We do understand the concept of mediumship. Pray, do not see fit to interrupt us again.' These last words were spoken with a lightness of tone but the underlying threat was quite evident. Luckner realised she had overreached herself. Whatever happened next, she could not speak again until invited to do so. It would be up to the boy to carry this off.

'The Crown Princess recognised the spirit speaking through me. She said so during the course of a séance and was able to converse with your late husband, the Royal Consort, Prince Albert! James announced this as if it were utterly matter-of-fact, the sort of thing that happened to him every day.

'We are intrigued.' the Queen admitted. 'You say these spirits, as you call them, possess you - they control you. Are you aware of what you are saying and doing? Do you remember what happens afterwards?'

‘I have a complete recollection of these episodes, Your Majesty. As for an awareness... it is as if I were dreaming and awake at the same time. I feel my spirit drift away from my body, until it floats in the air overhead. I look down on what is happening, observing it all. I can see my own body below me, but it talks with the voices of those who have passed over to the Other Side. When the séance comes to an end, the visiting spirits leave my body and I am drawn back down into this mortal shell.'

'Most remarkable.' the Queen replied. She began to push back her chair, a lady-in-waiting quickly stepping forward to remove it. Victoria walked around the table to stand nearer James, but maintained a safe distance from her visitors.

Às you probably know, the loss of our beloved husband has been a bitter blow for the nation, as well as for our family,' the Queen said. 'We would be most displeased should any charlatan attempt to trade upon that sorrow.'

James bowed his head respectfully. 'Your Majesty, I have no wish to obtain any pecuniary advantage from this audience. My motives are simple and honourable - to serve Your Majesty in any way you see fit, and to act as conduit for the spirit world to speak with those still on this side.'

The Queen nodded, apparently satisfied. 'What is this message?'

'Your Majesty, the Royal Consort made mention of portals between this mortal plain and the spirit world. I believe I may have already