‘Good. If ever you think you have reason to disagree with me, then you may make your protest in a private interview. Nowhere else. I will not have my authority questioned in front of other officers. If you disappoint me in this way again, Baird, then I will have you sent back to Madras to fill in requisition forms for the rest of the war. That would be a shame, of course, as the army could well use your fighting qualities.’

‘Then give me command of the Nizam’s column, sir.’

‘Damn you, Baird. Have you not listened to what I’ve said? I have made my decision,’ he added, with deliberate stress on each word.

‘Aye, and I don’t suppose that decision has anything to do with this laddie’s being the brother of the Governor General?’

Arthur blushed and turned towards Baird with a frigid expression of disdain.‘If I thought for a moment that I was being preferred for reasons of nepotism, then I would have no hesitation in turning down the position, sir.’

‘And what other reasons might there be, I wonder?’ Baird sneered.

‘Very well then!’ Harris snapped. ‘I’ll tell you the reasons. Wellesley has taken the time to learn one of the languages of the natives. He has befriended some of them, and many others respect him and hold him in high regard. He has moulded his regiment into the finest body of men on this continent, and I trust he will be a fine commander of the Nizam’s army.’

‘So what if the lad speaks the darkies’ tongue, sir,’ Baird protested. ‘So what if he’s chumming up to them? We’re here to fight the bastards, not fraternise with them!’

Harris stared at his fiery subordinate with icy contempt. ‘It’s that attitude which disqualifies you, above all men, for the job. I need a man with tact, with a diplomatic touch, every bit as much as I need an officer who can lead men into battle. And I’m lucky that all those qualities abound within Colonel Wellesley. If you want the truth, Baird, I chose him because he is simply the best man for the job, and I will not let another man supersede Wellesley after all he has achieved simply because he is outranked. Now, there is no more to discuss. I have made my decision and you will accept it. You are dismissed, Baird. Please leave my tent.’

Baird stood up abruptly, knocking his chair back on to the ground. He nodded curtly to his superior, ignored Arthur pointedly, and strode outside fuming with indignation and hurt pride.