Stephen smiled.

‘How clever you are!’

Hervey nodded. ‘And growing a little tired of the country life. This intrigue here in Ickworth has made me eager to plunge into others. Our stay will be shorter than I had at first planned.’

Lord Hervey had miscalculated. His father, Lord Bristol, who disliked Walpole intensely, was pleased that his son was considering severing his connection with him.

Molly had written to him explaining that her husband would have allied himself with Pulteney but for the fact that he had to consider the thousand pounds he received each year in payment for his duties as Chamberlain to the Queen. It went without saying that to turn from Walpole would be to lose the post, and it was for this reason only that dear John did not raise his voice against Sir Robert.

The Earl replied to his dearest daughter-in-law that he understood the predicament and was ready to do anything that would help his dear Jack. Therefore he need have no fear of relinquishing his post for his father would make up for all that he lost.

When Molly received the letter she did not run out to the gardens where Hervey was walking in deep conversation with Pulteney; that would have been showing an eagerness and Molly never did that.

She was as serene as ever and it was only after they had dined and were seated together in the retiring chamber when she produced the letter from Lord Bristol.

Hervey listened in dismay. Stephen’s large eyes were fixed fearfully on his friend’s face.

‘So,’ said Pulteney, ‘this matter is settled.’

‘No, that is not so,’ answered Hervey.

‘But you can have no objection now. You will lose nothing. Your father is willing to reimburse you.’

‘I do not recollect saying that my decision depended on this thousand a year.’

‘But you distinctly ...’

‘I do not believe I passed an opinion. You assumed. I said nothing.’

Pulteney was furious. Hervey had never seen him so angry.

‘You said ... you implied ...’

‘I implied nothing. As I remarked, and I pray you forgive the repetition, you assumed. And wrongly as it has turned out. I have no intention of relinquishing my post.’

With that Hervey rose and bowing to his wife and Anna Maria declared his intention to retire. He had a great deal to do for he intended to set out for St James’s without delay.

He left the next day, leaving a furious Pulteney who refused to speak to him.

Molly paid him a placid farewell and went back to her social life, giving parties, looking after the poor of the district, caring for her children, as though she had never attempted to persuade him to leave the Walpole party in favour of the Patriots.

Hervey smiled as the carriage rattled through the Suffolk lanes on its way to London. He was singularly blessed in his marriage. As for Pulteney—a plague on him!

As soon as Hervey returned to Court he began to ingratiate himself with Frederick. This was not difficult, for Frederick was always looking for new friends, flattery, and excitement; and Hervey, with his wit and elegance, his knowledge of the world and of politics seemed to the Prince a most engaging companion.

Frederick was restive. There were plenty to tell him that he was not treated fairly by his parents. He was kept short of money which was a bore and a humiliation. His sisters with the exception of Caroline openly disliked him; so did his parents. Whenever he could plague them, he would. And there were plenty to help him do it.

But he was not serious by nature. He did not want to be seriously involved in politics; he liked to surround himself with merry companions and drink together, play cards, or perhaps wander incognito through the town to see what adventures came their way.

After the manner of his father, he believed that it was due to his dignity to take a mistress or two, although the company of his own sex delighted him and it seemed to him that Lord Hervey was the ideal companion.

Very soon they were firm friends.

Stephen Fox was a little jealous of Hervey’s devotion to the Prince but Hervey wrote comfortingly to Stephen that the Prince was a fool and that it was not through friendship that they were so much together. While he was forced to spend his time with Frederick his thoughts were with Stephen, and when he was at a banquet at Lord Harrington’s and Stephen’s name was proposed as a toast, he had felt himself blushing as a man’s favourite mistress would have done on the same occasion. Stephen was the person whom he adored more than all the others in the world bundled together. Stephen should remember this—no matter what gossip he heard of Hervey and his new friend.

Like his father, Frederick enjoyed discussing his love affairs. They were numerous he told Hervey. And what of his?

‘Numerous also,’ replied Hervey languidly.

This delighted Frederick, who went on to explain the charms of the daughter of one of the Court musicians.

‘The hautboy player. She is very charming ... and so humble. Yet it cost me all of fifteen hundred pounds to set her up in her own establishment.’

‘Generous of Your Royal Highness. The honour should have sufficed.’

That delighted Frederick. ‘Oh, I like to be generous with those who please me.’

Over-generous, thought Hervey. There’ll be debts.

‘She is very different from Madame Bartholdi. You know Madame Bartholdi?’

‘An excellent singer. I have heard her at the opera.’ ‘A passionate woman.’

‘My dear Fred, most women in England would feel passion for the Prince of Wales.’

How easy it was to please. He liked Hervey to call him Fred. He prided himself on his democratic attitude. That was why he liked to roam the streets at night incognito.

His latest acquisition was the daughter of an apothecary at Kingston and he was constantly taking boat there to see her.

So tiresome! thought Hervey.

He himself had his duties in the Queen’s apartments. Caroline had always liked him; she reminded him of how he used to ride along beside her chaise when the hunt was on and amuse her with his conversation.

‘Are you still as witty as you were then, Lord Hervey?’ she asked.

‘I trust Your Majesty will give me opportunities of assuring you that I am more so.’

She laughed. ‘I hope it is not venomous wit like little Mr Pope’s and so many of his sort. It is so much more clever to be witty and kind, Lord Hervey, than witty and cruel.’

‘Your Majesty being both witty and kind is the cleverest of us all.’

‘There is no need for flattery. You should save that for the Prince of Wales. Ah, how different everything is now. I remember when you were a very young man and were courting Molly Lepel. How is dear Molly?’

‘Very well and very fruitful.’

‘Somehow I did not think you would be father to so many.’

‘I am delighted to be able to surprise Your Majesty.’

‘And I am delighted to see your friendship with the Prince of Wales. If you can teach him to be a little more serious ...’

He smiled. ‘When I am scarcely serious myself?’

‘A little more ...’ She was going to say like yourself, but perhaps that would be too strong. There were always people within earshot and she did not want to start a scandal about herself and Lord Hervey. He was after all about fourteen years younger than she was but she had always had a fondness for him and she knew she brightened when he stood beside her chair and enlivened her with his conversation. George would be furious if there was so much as a breath of scandal about her. And he was difficult enough to handle as it was.

‘A little more princely,’ she said. ‘I fear he wastes his time in the company of ...’