For the first time in his life in uniform Arthur felt pleasure at the prospect of an independent command. With the capture of Manila, he would surely be granted ever greater responsibilities, and the beginnings of a reputation that would free him from the shadow of his oldest brother. Even Tom Pakenham would be forced to sit up and take notice of the name Arthur Wesley. And Kitty would surely be thrilled at his success. The brief flight of fancy ended abruptly as he reminded himself that the expedition had not even weighed anchor yet. He was fantasising like a young fool, he reflected bitterly. He must learn to control his feelings and thoughts more thoroughly.

Arthur entered headquarters and made his way up the stairs to Sir John’s office. The Governor General was not alone. Seated in one of the chairs on the far side of his desk was the slight, dapper figure of General St Leger.

Sir John smiled warmly as he waved Arthur towards a spare seat. ‘Wesley, I have some news for you! An overland dispatch arrived yesterday.Your brother, the Earl of Mornington, has been offered the post of Governor General.’

‘Has he accepted, sir?’ Arthur asked eagerly.

‘The dispatch didn’t say. But he’d be a damn fool not to, eh?’ Sir John grinned for a moment, and then the expression faded quickly as his gaze transferred to the other officer present. ‘There is one further piece of news. General, would you be so good as to explain.’

General St Leger nodded and turned to Arthur with a kindly smile that immediately made Arthur’s heart sink as he guessed what was coming.

‘The thing of it is,Wesley, that I’m going to assume command of the expedition.’

‘Oh . . .’

‘Now I realise that you’ve put a lot of work into this. The 33rd’s a damned fine regiment, and so’s their colonel. Everyone in Calcutta says as much. No one doubts that you’ve a fine career ahead of you, and you would have made a fine job of leading this operation.’

Arthur did not want to hear any more platitudes. His first big opportunity to make a name for himself was being taken away and he had to know the cause. ‘Why are you taking command, sir?’

‘Ah, well, I don’t suppose you are unaware of the fact that the destination of your - my flotilla has become common knowledge in Calcutta. Moreover, a Danish merchant ship arrived a week ago and left yesterday, for Manila.’

Arthur felt cold rage course through his veins as he turned to the Governor General. ‘Then why wasn’t the order given to impound the ship until after the expedition sailed, sir?’

‘I have no legal right to do that, Colonel.’

‘But we are at war, sir!’