‘Go on.’

‘Our fleet was defeated. Admiral Brueys is dead. The flagship blew up.’

‘Who’s in command now?’

‘Admiral Villeneuve, sir.’

‘Where is the rest of the fleet?’

The messenger looked confused for a moment. ‘Sir, there is no fleet. The English sank or took all but two of our ships.’

Napoleon stared at him, as the full import of the man’s words struck home. There was no longer a lifeline to France. No way home for the Army of the Orient. ‘Dear God . . . We’re on our own now. Completely on our own.’

Chapter 33

Arthur

Calcutta, May 1798

‘By God! It does my heart good to see you again!’ Henry clasped his brother’s hand and smiled broadly at Arthur. ‘It’s been what, nearly two years.’

‘It seems longer.’ Arthur grinned. ‘How does it feel to be the private secretary of the Governor of India?’

‘Tolerable.’

‘I trust the voyage from England went well?’

Henry gestured to the seats lining the wall either side of the door to the Governor General’s office in Fort William and they sat down.‘Not the most comfortable way to spend six months of one’s life. I don’t think Richard enjoyed it much either. Spent most of the time fretting like a cat on heat. He couldn’t wait for the ship to reach India, so he could take charge of our interests here. He has some pretty ambitious designs for the future of the subcontinent.’

‘So do I.’ Arthur nodded towards the door. ‘Any idea how much longer he’ll be?’

Henry laughed. ‘Patience, Arthur! He’s enduring a speech of welcome from the local John Company representative. There’ll be plenty of time to exchange fraternal greetings before we discuss how far we aim to change the world.’

‘Time is something of a luxury,’ Arthur replied quietly. ‘I’m twenty-nine years old.There’s a war on, and I’m still plain Colonel Arthur Wesley.’

Henry frowned. ‘You still go by that name then? The rest of the family has followed Richard and returned to the family’s traditional name, Wellesley. Why haven’t you?’

‘I have had other matters to think of.’

‘Given that the three of us are to work together in the coming years, it might be best if we shared a common name. To save confusion.’

‘I’ll consider it,’ Arthur grumbled. ‘But I’ve a hard enough time building a reputation under the name of Wesley. I don’t want to have to start all over again as Arthur Wellesley.’

‘I was under the impression that a man could get on swiftly and make his fortune in India.’

‘So was I. But the former governor, and the local representatives of John Company, weren’t exactly anxious to extend British rule in India. I just hope Richard grasps the opportunity, for all our sakes, or we’ll never amount to anything.’ Arthur smiled self-consciously. ‘There I go again! But tell me, Henry, what of the rest of the family?’

‘William is busy building his political connections, Anne is making inroads into society, Gerald is being groomed for a position in the church.’

‘And Mother?’

‘You know her, living as comfortably as only she knows how and complaining bitterly about the cost of it all.’

‘Did she mention me last time you saw her?’

‘Of course,’ Henry replied quickly. ‘She’s very proud of you.’

‘Liar.’

‘Very well, then, she did say to pass on her greetings, and hopes that you will, in due course, find a proper career.’

‘Now that I can believe!’ They both chuckled for a moment before Arthur became serious again. ‘She never changes. Always the harshest of my critics. I don’t think I will ever meet with her approval.’

‘You will, Arthur, you will. It’s early days. Now that Richard is in charge here, you can be sure that there will be chances for you to prove yourself. Fame and honour are within your grasp.’

‘God, you sound like some ghastly political pamphlet.’

‘Alas!’ Henry feigned a hurt expression. ‘That’s the price of associating with far too many diplomats and statesmen. I confess it all.’

The door opened and they turned to see a stout, red-faced man who appeared to be in his middle age. Like so many Europeans in India, he had succumbed to the temptations of alcohol. The man bowed, turned away and strode past the two brothers with a curt nod of the head.

‘Charming . . .’ Henry muttered.

‘You’ll have to get used to that. Conduct counts for little here.’

‘Really? Then what does matter?’

‘Money and position. As you will see all too soon.’

Footsteps approached from inside the office and Richard emerged into the corridor and held out his hand. Not much had changed in his features since the last time Arthur had seen him back in England.A little more grey around the temples, and a few lighter streaks in his hair, but no more than one might expect in a man just two years short of forty. But there was an excited glint in his eye and a restlessness that Arthur recognised from childhood. As they shook hands Richard examined his younger brother.

‘Arthur, you are looking very well, I must say.’

‘Thank you. India is not the healthiest of environments. I do what I can to ensure I remain fit enough to survive the experience. As should you, and Henry.’

‘Yes, well, thank you for the advice. Now, won’t you come into the office? There’s much we have to discuss.’

He stood aside to allow his brothers to pass.Arthur and Henry crossed over to the desk and sat opposite the imposing chair behind it as their brother closed the door and joined them.

‘Arthur, are you free to join Henry and me for dinner tonight?’

‘Of course.’

‘Good. We can keep the pleasantries until then. Meanwhile,’ Richard gestured to a stack of reports and documents spread across his desk, ‘we have more pressing matters to deal with. The French influence in India is on the rise, and I think it’s safe to assume that they will be directing ever more attention towards us in the coming months and years.’

Arthur raised his eyebrows. ‘I assume the situation in Europe is favouring the enemy then?’

‘Very much so.When we left England there was little hope of enticing any of the continental powers back into the fray. That means that the French will have a free hand to concentrate their efforts against England, and our colonies. Our latest intelligence was that the enemy was planning an overseas operation. Perhaps to the West Indies, maybe Egypt, or even here. But that was months ago. Anything could have happened by now. So we must focus on what we can do for England in India and the far east. I’ve read the reports from the other presidencies at Bombay and Madras, as well as the military assessments of the French threat in the subcontinent.’ He looked at Arthur. ‘You’ve been here long enough to get a feel for the place and its politics. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.’

Arthur had been expecting the request, but was still flattered to have his views placed on the same plane as the opinions of more senior officials. Even though Richard was his brother, Arthur was conscious that family ties had been pushed aside.The matter before them was serious. Richard would weigh what he had to say very carefully and Arthur was determined to prove himself worthy of being consulted by the Governor General of India. He cleared his throat, conscious that both Henry and Richard were watching him closely.

‘I’ve given this a lot of thought, Richard. If we are to make advances in India, then we must do all we can to build strong relations with the local rulers. Most can be swayed over to our side, but there are others, such as Sultan Tipoo of Mysore, who I fear will need to be crushed. Once we have Company battalions garrisoned in their capital cities we will have effective control of India.The main danger, at present, is that French agents are doing their damnedest to undermine our relations with the locals. I’m sure you have already read the latest report from Kirkpatrick at Hyderabad. John Company has two battalions there, but some of the Nizam’s other troops are marching under tricolour flags and sporting revolutionary cockades. The Nizam is clearly falling under the spell of his French military adviser, Colonel Piron. Even though Piron is a mercenary, there’s every reason to suppose he is doing his utmost to further his country’s interests.’