‘I’m sorry, Sir Arthur, you’ll have to pardon my rudeness, but I lack the wherewithal to shake your hand. Ah, but I see that I have discomfited you. I am sorry. Do take a seat so that we may talk.’ He gestured to the chair opposite with his surviving hand and Arthur sat down gratefully.

‘So what are you here for,Wellesley? Come to see Castlereagh?’

‘Yes, my lord.’

Nelson gestured at his face. ‘Seems you have spent some time in the sun. Jamaica?’

‘India. I returned a few days ago.’

‘India.’ Nelson nodded. ‘Bit out of my way. Can’t say I know much about our affairs in that part of the world. But I’m sure you’ve acquitted yourself capably, Wellesley.’ He frowned for a moment before nodding to himself.‘Ah, I have it now.Wellesley! Richard Wellesley is, or was, the Governor General.You must be related to him.’

‘He is my brother.’

‘So you were there helping him out in some capacity, no doubt. On his staff ?’

‘No, my lord. My brother Henry was his private secretary. I served with the army. In the field.’

‘Quite a family affair, then. It must have been helpful for your brother to have two siblings to carry out his instructions.’

Arthur winced at the implied diminution of his achievements. ‘The Governor General decided the policy. I was responsible for our forces on the ground.’

‘Quite so.’ Nelson nodded. ‘And I’m sure you served him well, Sir Arthur.’

‘I did,’ Arthur replied tersely. ‘And with a degree of success.’

‘Good. That’s good.’ Nelson regarded him for a moment and then tapped the newspaper he had been reading.

‘Exciting times, Wellesley. The French fleet is at Cadiz, our ships are massing for the big effort and all Britain wonders what my plan of action will be.You too, I’ll be bound.’

Arthur was a little surprised at the direct display of the other man’s sense of his own importance, but there was no denying that he was keen to know how Nelson intended to beat the French. He nodded.