Arthur left the rest of his officers to marshal the men as they came ashore and take them to the barracks assigned to them, and made his way directly to the offices of the Governor of Madras at Fort St George. Despite the fact that both Mysore and Madras were supposed to be arming for war he was surprised to note little sign of any military activity in the fort. Most of the barrack blocks were empty and those few soldiers he did encounter were gambling or sleeping in the shade of the narrow thatched verandas that ran round the outside of the barracks.

Lord Clive and General Harris were in conference in the latter’s office when an aide escorted Arthur into their presence. The Governor was wearing a light cotton coat while his senior military officer was stripped to his shirt and breeches. Clive was in his early forties, generously built; perhaps too generously, thought Arthur. His hair was neatly cut and curled and his lips had a slight arrogant lift to them.

‘Who the deuce are you?’

‘Colonel Wellesley, my lord. Of the 33rd Foot. We’ve just arrived from Calcutta.’

‘So I can see.You might have dried yourself before coming in here.’

‘In this heat I’ll soon be dry enough, my lord.’

The comment was meant to be jovial and help lighten the mood, but Clive pursed his lips and tilted his head back as he looked over the new arrival without a trace of self-consciousness. ‘So you’re Mornington’s little brother.’

‘I have that honour.’

‘Yes you do. But while you are here in Madras, there will be no special favour accorded to you because of the family connection.’

‘I would not have it any other way, my lord.’

‘I’m sure.’ Clive smirked momentarily. ‘You say you’ve only just arrived? Then you can’t have heard the news?’

‘What news?’

‘Admiral Nelson has defeated a French fleet in Aboukir Bay. We received the report last night. It seems that only a handful of the enemy ships escaped destruction or capture, for no loss of our own. A striking success.’

‘Some might argue that it would have been more striking still if it had occurred while Bonaparte was en route to Egypt, my lord.’

Lord Clive glared at him. ‘Do you criticise the man’s victory, Colonel?’

‘Not his victory. I just question his timing.’

‘Hmmm.’ Clive frowned for a moment, then blinked as if he had just remembered some prior obligation. ‘Can’t stand here all day sharing the good news.’ He stuck out his hand. ‘I bid you welcome then, Colonel Wellesley. Glad to have with you with us. Another King’s regiment is bound to stiffen the spines of our sepoys.’

‘Yes, my lord. I imagine so.’

‘Fine.Well, I’m sure I’ll see you again soon. Now I have to go. Have a meeting with the finance committee. Until later then.’