‘I realize that, Robert.’ Having finished the first course, Adrian glanced around, and exclaimed, ‘The club’s rather busy for a Thursday. Usually all the married chaps are on their way to the country at this hour, off to be with wife and family. Mandatory two days before back to town and, for many, the life of Riley, as the saying goes.’

‘Only too true,’ Robert agreed. ‘It’s a man’s world we live in, but then it has been for centuries. Always will be.’

‘That’s right,’ Adrian agreed. ‘We do what we want, and get away with it. Out at work, if we have a profession or business. Then palling around with men at night, going to dinner clubs, gentlemen’s clubs like this, gambling clubs, variety shows, card games. Some go to Madame Paloma’s, seeking entertainment of a more carnal nature.’

‘What you say is true. To each his own.’ Robert let his eyes roam around the room at White’s and then he leaned closer to Adrian and said, ‘I’d bet my bottom dollar that eighty per cent of the men in this room have mistresses. What say you, Addy, my boy?’

‘I’d say ninety. Men have always had mistresses, since time began. It’s the thing, the normal thing for men. And, as often as not, the mistress is a married woman. The preferred choice for most.’

‘I’ve often wondered why that is so,’ Robert confided. ‘And I came to the conclusion that men prefer mistresses with husbands. They’re safe in the long run; too much to lose if caught. So they are careful.’

‘Were any of your mistresses married, Robert?’

‘Several, although I’m not sure I would call any of them mistresses. They didn’t last long at all.’

‘I see what you mean,’ Adrian chuckled, and went on. ‘I often wondered how many men know they are being cuckolded.’

Robert shook his head. ‘Can’t answer that, I’m afraid, but some husbands are quite compliant, know about their wives’ antics.’

‘Do you really think so?’

Robert nodded. ‘Look at Mr George Keppel. There goes a genuinely compliant husband. His wife Alice has been the King’s mistress for donkey’s years, since he was the Prince of Wales, in fact. So far, she’s his longest-lasting mistress. And still there.’

Adrian took out a cigarette, and before lighting it he said, ‘When he goes to visit her, the King, I mean, her children crawl all over him and call him “Kingy”. How about that?’

‘How do you know? That’s my question,’ Robert asked, a look of disbelief on his face.

‘Because my father is a friend of King Bertie’s, and advises him about money. That’s as far as I can go with that, the money part. My father rather likes our head of state, thinks he works hard, has proved himself to be highly competent, and an unusually clever diplomat.’