Henry gestured to the seats lining the wall either side of the door to the Governor General’s office in Fort William and they sat down.‘Not the most comfortable way to spend six months of one’s life. I don’t think Richard enjoyed it much either. Spent most of the time fretting like a cat on heat. He couldn’t wait for the ship to reach India, so he could take charge of our interests here. He has some pretty ambitious designs for the future of the subcontinent.’

‘So do I.’ Arthur nodded towards the door. ‘Any idea how much longer he’ll be?’

Henry laughed. ‘Patience, Arthur! He’s enduring a speech of welcome from the local John Company representative. There’ll be plenty of time to exchange fraternal greetings before we discuss how far we aim to change the world.’

‘Time is something of a luxury,’ Arthur replied quietly. ‘I’m twenty-nine years old.There’s a war on, and I’m still plain Colonel Arthur Wesley.’

Henry frowned. ‘You still go by that name then? The rest of the family has followed Richard and returned to the family’s traditional name, Wellesley. Why haven’t you?’

‘I have had other matters to think of.’

‘Given that the three of us are to work together in the coming years, it might be best if we shared a common name. To save confusion.’

‘I’ll consider it,’ Arthur grumbled. ‘But I’ve a hard enough time building a reputation under the name of Wesley. I don’t want to have to start all over again as Arthur Wellesley.’

‘I was under the impression that a man could get on swiftly and make his fortune in India.’

‘So was I. But the former governor, and the local representatives of John Company, weren’t exactly anxious to extend British rule in India. I just hope Richard grasps the opportunity, for all our sakes, or we’ll never amount to anything.’ Arthur smiled self-consciously. ‘There I go again! But tell me, Henry, what of the rest of the family?’

‘William is busy building his political connections, Anne is making inroads into society, Gerald is being groomed for a position in the church.’

‘And Mother?’

‘You know her, living as comfortably as only she knows how and complaining bitterly about the cost of it all.’

‘Did she mention me last time you saw her?’

‘Of course,’ Henry replied quickly. ‘She’s very proud of you.’

‘Liar.’

‘Very well, then, she did say to pass on her greetings, and hopes that you will, in due course, find a proper career.’

‘Now that I can believe!’ They both chuckled for a moment before Arthur became serious again. ‘She never changes. Always the harshest of my critics. I don’t think I will ever meet with her approval.’