Arthur felt his heart sink. At a time when it was vital for the nation to be united, it was folly for the King to undermine his government. If a coalition of the political factions could not succeed, then what hope was there for the future of Britain?

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

‘The Duke of Portland? You can’t be serious.’ Arthur shook his head. ‘The man is almost permanently dosed up to the eyeballs with opium. One can hardly ever get a coherent word out of him. In any case, he’s too old for the post.’

‘Nevertheless, he has a powerful faction behind him and the King has asked him to form a government,’ Richard replied as he helped himself to another lamb chop and then sent his servant away from the breakfast table. ‘At least it means the Tories will be in power again, and we’ll have no more Whiggish liberality for a while. For that at least I am grateful.’

Arthur could understand his brother’s feeling well enough. It had been the Whigs who had been behind the calls to prosecute Richard for exceeding his authority during his term as Governor General of the colonies in India. With the Tories back in power there was a good chance that any prosecution could be delayed for years, or better still quietly abandoned in the fullness of time. No wonder Richard was in a fine mood this morning, when he had invited Arthur to join him for breakfast.

‘Of course,’ Richard continued, as he cut the fat from his chop,‘I will have some influence in the new government, even if Portland does not immediately offer me a Cabinet post. That’s understandable under the circumstances. Once the cloud of impropriety has lifted from my shoulders I will be back in office. Meanwhile, it would be most useful if something could be found for you, Arthur.’

‘Me?’ Arthur had been about to bite into a slice of buttered bread, and now lowered it as he stared at his brother.‘But I am a backbencher. And I supported the last government. I hardly think Portland will be in such a forgiving mood as you imagine.’

‘You supported Grenville out of a sense of patriotism.The need for order and all that.You were not the only Tory to take his shilling. In any case, Portland’s position is not so secure that he would turn down the opportunity of recruiting another member of Parliament to his side, particularly as you are my brother and my opinion counts for something.’