“Mr. Kasi Rao Holkar, heir to the Holkar throne, was happily living with Mrs. Malabright in Sackville Street, and has since moved to Devon,” Breksby replied. “We in the Foreign Office were quite content to leave things as such. We decided that you were correct to fear that the East India Company would make the boy into a figurehead. But I admit that I was expecting you to expose Charles Grant’s prince as a fake, my lady.”

Gabby scooted closer to Quill and took his hand. “The East India Company almost found Kasi. I had to do something.”

“But how on earth did you manage to produce another Kasi for them to discover?”

Gabby looked embarrassed. “He will be an excellent ruler.”

“I do not question that. But I am curious who he is.”

“His name is Jawsant Rao Holkar,” Gabby said. “He is one of Tukoji Holkar’s illegitimate sons.”

“Tukoji has two such sons, doesn’t he? How did you decide which son to place on the throne, Lady Dewland?” Breksby’s voice was dry, but not disrespectful.

“There really wasn’t much of a choice. You see, Jawsant’s younger brother is docile and would never be able to ward off the company’s possession of the Holkars. Jawsant is rather militant, and he is a very good actor. You could see how well he did tonight. He is quite adept at appearing malleable, although he already led a successful battle, last year, when he was fourteen.”

Breksby smiled ruefully. “I can see that your information is much more thorough than ours, Lady Dewland.”

“It wasn’t as organized as it sounds,” Gabby admitted. “I had an idea, and so I wrote to a number of people, including Jawsant’s mother, Tulasi Bai. Tulasi Bai has been running the region for over two years. Undoubtedly she will continue to rule the court, and Jawsant will control the army.” Gabby paused delicately. “There is, of course, the possibility that Jawsant will attempt to penetrate the company’s territory. I believe he is particularly interested in Bundelkhand.”

Quill grinned down at his wife. “Not that you, as a mere female, could speculate on such a complicated subject.”

But she was biting her lip and paying him no attention. “Lord Breksby, do you think that perhaps the English government might simply leave Jawsant as ruler? Because I assure you that Kasi Rao could not take over the Holkar throne!” Now her voice had all the strained passion that Quill would have expected the previous day.

“No one could have anything but admiration for you, Lady Dewland. But as it happens, I think that perhaps this knowledge would prove overtaxing to other members of the government. And you know, old as I am, my memory is growing quite erratic. I believe I shall forget that we ever had this conversation.”

Gabby clutched Quill’s hand. “Thank you!” she breathed.