‘You wouldn’t. I’m the one who has to field all the requests from ambitious young men like you. If that wasn’t bad enough, I’m bombarded with letters of recommendation from mothers, brothers, fathers, friends of fathers and fathers of friends and so on and so on, caught like a fly in a web of nepotism. No laughing matter, I can assure you.’
‘I can imagine,’ Arthur replied tactfully.
Lord Camden fixed him with narrowed eyes. ‘Oh really? I shouldn’t think you would have to exert your imagination.Your brother has already written to humbly request an office worthy of your qualities of . . . of . . .’ He paused, paced over to his desk and fanned through a pile of letters until he found the one he wanted. ‘Ah! Here it is . . . your qualities of industry and integrity. Hardly a ringing endorsement, is it? But since your brother is racing up through the political ranks in London and I may well have need of his patronage for my own family and friends one day, I’ll see what I can do for you, Wesley. Did you have a position in mind?’
‘Yes, my lord,’ Arthur replied evenly. But inside his heart was beating swiftly and he felt the anxious excitement of any man about to request the most generous of favours.
‘Well, spit it out, man.’
‘My lord, since the office of Secretary at War is not yet filled, I would like to be considered for it.’
Lord Camden raised his eyebrows and stared at Arthur for a moment before he recovered from his surprise enough to reply. ‘Upon my soul, you don’t ask for much, do you? Secretary at War? What on earth makes you think I should consider you for such an important position?’
It was Arthur’s turn to be shocked by open candour. ‘I believe I am well matched to the duties and responsibilities of the post, my lord. I have several years of military experience.’
Lord Camden wagged a finger at him.‘You have several years’ experience as an aide. Drinking, dancing, gambling and whoring. What bloody good is that?’
‘I served under the Duke ofYork in the Low Countries. I have been under fire, my lord, and led my men to safety in the following retreat.’
‘So you were roundly thrashed? And you think that is supposed to support your application? I’m looking for a Secretary at War, not a Secretary at Retreat, Wesley. Face facts, man. You are too young and too inexperienced for the job. Besides, even if you were the best soldier in Ireland it still wouldn’t matter. I need an experienced politician, not a soldier. Bloody country is on the verge of revolt. I have Grattan and his cronies pushing for reform on one side and the rump of the Tories pressing me to stamp down on the reformers on the other. I have to find a man who can handle both camps with aplomb. Do you really think you could do that?’
He stared hard at Arthur and the latter knew that his bluff had been called. And it wounded his pride painfully to accept that Lord Camden was right in his judgement of him.
‘I see that you understand me, Wesley. Don’t take it badly. Besides, it’s not as if you’re the first man to apply for the post. Half these letters are in support of far better candidates than you, and many of their sponsors are much better connected than your brother Richard.’
Arthur felt a pit of despair open inside as he took in the implications of what Lord Camden was saying. Arthur lacked the connections that would give him a chance to secure the position, and he was dismayed, not just by this rebuff, but by his longer term prospects within a system so bound up with mutual favours exchanged between powerful families. It was not fair, but he forced his expression to remain composed. Even though there was no justice or logic to the system, there was no profit in protesting against it. Arthur needed employment now. He cleared his throat.
‘Very well, my lord, if I am not to be Secretary at War, then perhaps I might be considered for another position. A seat on the treasury or revenue boards would be well within my capabilities.’
‘I’m sure it would,’ Lord Camden agreed.‘I will see what I can find for you. As a favour to Richard. I’ll let you know the instant I have anything.’ He stood to one side and stretched his arm out loosely in the direction of the door, and Arthur took the hint and bowed his head in farewell.
‘My thanks to you for seeing me at such a busy time, my lord.’
‘My pleasure,Wesley,’ Lord Camden replied automatically.‘Do please pass on my very best wishes to your brother when you next write to him.’
‘Yes, my lord.’ Arthur nodded and turned to leave the office. He marched out stiffly.
As he left the castle it began to rain and Arthur pulled up his collar and wedged his bicorn down tightly over his head. It was time, he told himself, to speak to Kitty. He had not seen her since he had left for the ill-starred campaign in the Low Countries. Even if her brother had refused to let them marry, he could at least find out if her heart was still his.
Chapter 11
Arthur could not face going to see Kitty in her own home, in case Tom was there. It was not that he had any fear of Tom. On the contrary, he held the man in contempt for his boorish obsession with money. It was just that Arthur’s presence would only aggravate an already difficult situation, and make the chance of any improvement in relations with Tom less likely. The longer it took to win Tom’s approval the more chance there was that Kitty would lose interest in him or, worse, have her head turned by another suitor. There were plenty of other young men in Dublin who were far more attractive propositions than an impecunious lieutenant colonel of foot.
As the first blossoms of spring appeared Lady Camden held a ball at the castle, the first of the season, and everyone of consequence was invited. If Kitty was still in Dublin, she would surely be at the ball, and Arthur resolved to seek her out and ask her what she felt for him.
On the night of the ball, Arthur stood in front of the mirror in his wardrobe room. His best uniform was spotless and his buttons, boots and epaulettes gleamed brilliantly, as they should given the amount the corporal on the castle staff had charged him for the work. As yet he had won no rewards for bravery, and the only decorations on his jacket were the looped lanyards. Still, he ate sensibly and exercised regularly and his body was trim as a consequence. Arthur was pleased with the image he presented, and hoped that Kitty would judge him as favourably - if she was at the ball.
The illumination from the candelabras in the ballroom gleamed through the windows and projected long, fading slants of light into the street as Arthur strode up towards the entrance. A guard of corporals was standing to attention in the arched doorway and Arthur presented his invitation.
The ballroom was already crowded with women in elaborate gowns that still owed much to Paris fashions despite the war.The older ladies sat to the side of the room while the younger women dominated the centre, where they mixed with young men in neatly cut jackets and breeches. As usual for such occasions, many of the men wore uniforms, with the cavalry being the most ornate and the Navy the most prosaic. As an officer of foot, Arthur felt himself to be smart without being distastefully ostentatious. An orchestra was tuning at the far end and men in livery moved through the crowd serving refreshments. Arthur stood with his back to one of the columns that supported the arched ceiling. He glanced over the crowd looking for Kitty, but could not see her and felt a moment’s relief that he would not have to confront her about her feelings after all. Then he felt something tap his arm and turned quickly to see Kitty smiling at him as she withdrew her fan. Her other hand was tucked under the arm of a tall naval officer with broad shoulders that seemed intent on bursting out of his uniform coat.
‘Hello, Arthur.’
‘Good evening, Kitty.’ There was a slight hesitation in his use of her name and Kitty’s fine eyebrows narrowed for a moment.
‘I do hope you aren’t going to revert to calling me Miss Pakenham all over again.’
‘Of course not, Kitty.’ Arthur smiled. ‘After all, we are close friends, are we not?’