Fairbrother chortled. ‘But not with the he-she ladies, evidently! Deuced queer.’

Hervey sighed. He ought to have expected they’d come. (He’d glanced more than once at Georgiana during their cavorting to see if she comprehended.)

‘But you found their company instructive.’

Fairbrother had joined the hijdas in the courtyard as they counted their coin. He’d hoped to find the nautch girls, but they’d been shepherded to a safe fold somewhere, the officer told him (and he’d been almost glad, for he’d found the hijdas prodigious tattlers).

‘They knew exactly who we were.’

Hervey nodded. ‘It was the same when first I was here. The rajah said they lived by such intelligence, always knowing when and where there’d be opportunity to intrude.’

‘And I think they know why we’re come. One of them asked “How much will you pay for Chintal?”’

‘They’re notoriously saucy,’ said Hervey, with another sigh. In truth, he’d already concluded it was best to assume that everyone knew of why they were come.

He glanced again at Georgiana. He’d exposed her to a great deal these past months. India could overwhelm the senses if not taken in moderation, but she looked entirely composed. And Annie was such a level-headed girl – woman. Really, it was quite extraordinary how fortune could suddenly favour someone as she; though of course, without there being talent to take advantage, fortune wasted its time.

There was purpose, however, in their riding innocently en famille this morning. He wanted to speak without fear of the ‘ears of Dionysius’. What intelligence was to be had of Chintalpore itself and its little army, Worsley was perfectly capable of gathering. The greater question was of will and intention. What was moving in the mind of the Ranee – and of her dewan?

It was a political’s question, not so much a soldier’s, but there was no political to ask it. Perhaps, though, ultimately the question didn’t matter. Was it not his job merely to determine how best to execute the task given him? Yet that was as maybe; the execution ought to a degree to be determined by what it was the politicals actually wanted – and that in turn ought to depend on what they understood of the situation. So far, he’d not been assured that in respect of Chintal, Fort William’s political intelligence was any better than their military.

‘They made no pretence at liking the dewan,’ added Fairbrother.

‘And of the Ranee?’

‘Nothing. But imitation being the sincerest of flattery, I conclude that they have a high regard for her.’

Hervey smiled. ‘You hadn’t opportunity to speak much with the Ranee herself.’

Fairbrother shook his head. ‘I did, though, observe her a good deal. Unfathomable, I’d say.’

Hervey turned to Georgiana, though what he could expect of a child of an English parsonage he was uncertain to say the least. ‘You found the Ranee agreeable, I think?’

‘I liked her very much, yes, Papa.’

‘It would be difficult not to, I suppose, for she paid you great attention.’