“Now, that is true,” Colonel Hastings said, grunting a trifle as he straightened from another deep bow. “You wouldn’t credit how hard it is to obtain a decent cup of tea over there. They grow the stuff, and yet it is impossible to teach the natives how to brew it.” He turned toward Gabby. “Miss Jerningham, you must be very happy to have arrived in the land of civilization. India is no place for gentle ladies such as yourself.”

Lady Sylvia took one look at Gabby’s stiff back and fluttered forward again. “I vow she has told me that a hundred times! The land of savages, that’s what we call it in this house! Lawks, sir, we must be seated. And I shall send our indefatigable Codswallop for a cup of tea, shall I?”

Gabby felt it was her turn to contribute. “I feel certain that we can provide you with properly brewed tea, sir. For such an intrepid soldier as yourself, nothing is too much!”

Colonel Hastings turned a bit red under the impact of Gabby’s worshipful gaze and allowed as how he wouldn’t mind a cup of tea.

Once they were seated, he leaned forward. “Miss Jerningham, I know already that I am on a fool’s errand, but I serve a higher master.” He paused.

Gabby barely restrained a smile. Hastings sounded just like her father when he fell into what she thought of as missionary rhetoric. Her father always talked of a higher master when he was driving a particularly hard bargain.

“My master is the governor-general of India himself, Richard Colley Wellesley, earl of Mornington.”

“Oh, my,” Gabby gasped admiringly. “I have never had the pleasure of meeting the governor-general, but…but …” She faltered. Her father would have thrown himself across the portal before allowing the militaristic Wellesley to enter his house.

Lady Sylvia jumped in. “My young charge is so overcome at the idea of being face-to-face with the great man that she cannot find the words!”

“Wellesley is a brilliant man,” Hastings confirmed. “A br-r-r-illiant man! However, I am quite certain that he miscalculated when requesting my presence at your abode, my dear ladies.”

Gabby gave him an encouraging smile.

“The idea that such a lovely young lady as yourself would know aught of Indian politics is absurd,” Hastings said.

Gabby was saved from answering by Quill’s arrival. She looked up to find him standing in the doorway. He had an extraordinarily silent way of entering rooms, Gabby thought. It was as if he brought a little pool of quiet with him.

Lady Sylvia gave a loud trill of laughter. “Isn’t this the most splendid thing, Colonel Hastings? Here is my dear, dear nephew, Mr. Dewland, and he will be able to reply to all those questions that we woolly-headed females simply are not constituted to answer!”