‘Hervey, a most fitting service. Capital, capital.’

Somervile had detached himself from the distaff side and advanced on him with a singularly hale expression.

‘Rather a crush, I’m afraid,’ said Hervey a little flatly. ‘We ought perhaps to have taken the cathedral.’

‘No, no; St Mary’s was the place for it. No doubt. How is Kezia?’

‘A little better today, thank you. Milne is sanguine, though, I believe. A heat languor, that’s all. The past months, very tiring.’

‘Quite.’ Somervile cleared his throat. His old friend sounded not entirely convinced, but that was by the bye; there was business to be about. ‘I had several communications from Fort William this morning. The Ranee has signed the subsidiary treaty and agreed to reparations. All very satisfactory. I think you can expect a vote of £10,000 from the Company, as before.’

Hervey nodded. It would make no difference to him personally. As was the custom – at least until Bhurtpore, when for some reason Lord Combermere chose to keep his portion of the prize money – he’d given his share of the Coorg vote to the relief fund, and as he’d said to Suneyla would do so again. But it was as well that Fort William was content, for had things gone ill with his decision to march without their leave, then it would have been cashiering, not prize money. (He’d yet no idea that Somervile had told Lord Bentinck that if they didn’t treat with the Ranee as an ally, he himself would resign and take his case to London.)

‘She gave Georgiana a very handsome necklace of rubies, and me a ring for Kezia.’

‘And asked for you to command the subsidiary force.’

‘I didn’t judge it meet even to consider the offer – even had the governor-general approved.’

‘I’m excessively pleased. It wouldn’t have served, though very agreeable for a while, no doubt. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” Or the tigress her stripes?’

Hervey smiled. ‘At least my commander-in-chief would have been several hundred miles distant. I fear I’ll have too much time for sport now that Sir Robert’s returned.’

‘Then what I’m about to propose may be agreeable to you.’

Hervey looked wary. Somervile was never happier than when plotting some scheme or other, and a little sport hadn’t been an altogether unattractive prospect. ‘How so?’

‘Hervey, in five days’ time I leave for Agra.’

‘Yes, of course. I know it.’

‘I shall be governor of what the Company has been pleased to call the Ceded and Conquered Provinces, but which are now raised to the status of a presidency.’

‘Yes, yes; I know that perfectly well. I trust you’ll have joy of it. I certainly wish you so. You asked me for an aide-de-camp, indeed, and I’ve given you one. ’

Somervile was now smiling broadly. ‘Hervey, I have just – by this day’s hircarrah – had it given into my power to appoint a commander-in-chief. I choose you. It shall be in the rank of “major-general in India”. I know that doesn’t enter on the home gradation list, but it’s a matter of time, only, before London adds your name. Meanwhile you would have all the pay and appurtenances of the rank, and the responsibility. And, indeed, you’d retain command of the Sixth, for I have it in my power to arrange too for their transfer to Agra. I didn’t consult you in the matter for I wasn’t in a position to. Now, what say you to it?’