Breksby gave her a kindly look. “If Mr. Kasi Rao is merely slow, I am afraid that he will have to take on the throne of the Holkars. After all”—and Breksby gave a little giggle—“our English rulers have not always been among the brightest in the land.

“But we shall soon have an opportunity to judge the boy’s intelligence,” Breksby continued. Quill noticed that he was watching Gabby extremely closely. “Certain representatives of the East India Trading Company announced last night that they have discovered the whereabouts of Kasi Rao Holkar and in fact have taken him into custody, with the intent—”

Gabby squeaked in dismay. “They have found Kasi?”

Breksby nodded. “Mr. Kasi Rao is now in the custody of the East India Company, at the house of Mr. Charles Grant, to be exact. I gather that the prince will be introduced to various members of the English government tomorrow evening. This particular set of events is clearly being orchestrated by Mr. Grant, who is known among us as being imprudently in favor of extending the company’s territory into central India. We shall surely not allow a simpleton to be put on the throne merely to suit Mr. Grant’s wish to control the Marathas region.”

“Do you know where they located my father’s nephew?” Gabby asked. To Quill’s mind, there was a peculiar urgency to her tone.

Breksby looked surprised. “Where? Why, where else but in London?”

To Quill’s astonishment, Gabby’s whole body relaxed. It was clear to him, at least, that Gabby was pleased with Breksby’s answer. His curiosity sharpened.

“Are we invited to tomorrow’s fete?” Quill asked.

“Certainly not,” Breksby replied. “The last thing that Mr. Grant would welcome is the presence of Lady Dewland, who may be able to persuade my colleagues that Mr. Kasi Rao is incapable of rule. However, I am invited. And who is to say whom I shall bring on my arm? As it happens, I choose to be accompanied by a beautiful viscountess.” He looked properly mischievous.

“There’s nothing we can do to stop tomorrow’s affair,” Quill told Gabby. “The best you can do is stay close to Kasi so that he feels comfortable.”

“I will do all I can to make this a pleasant occasion for the young prince,” she replied sweetly. Quill frowned. He would have expected Gabby to make a passionate protest at the very idea of Kasi Rao being dragged into a room full of gawking strangers.

“If it is as you say,” Breksby observed, “we shall immediately ascertain his inability to rule the Holkars. Mr. Kasi Rao will have one uncomfortable evening, and then we will inform Mr. Grant that his scheme has failed. I should tell you, however, that Mr. Grant seems quite confident that the boy will be able to take on his responsibilities in a timely manner.”

“I shall accompany my wife,” Quill remarked to Lord Breksby.