Drake had always been amused that the most important meetings took place in the most unlikely settings. All yesterday had been packed with large meeting venues able to accommodate the members of the Group of Seven along with their legions of advisors and support staff. His own, military leader-to-military leader meetings had seemed little smaller.
Canada was hosting them in the magnificent Empress hotel—deservedly rated top twenty-one iconic hotels by National Geographic—perched on the waterfront of Victoria Harbor. For over a century, in a city not yet two centuries old, it had dominated the waterfront with luxury and British-style high teas. Even with the G-7 in attendance, the vast three-story lobby had hummed along with a quiet dignity. He’d have to keep this in mind for his and Lizzy
