Who else is going to be there?'

'Oh, some Americans called Peabody. He's a fabulously rich Texan. Oil, I think. We've never met them, but he's got one of the biggest collections of old guns in the States and he wants to see Daddy's. No doubt they'll both be excruciatingly boring the whole time about frizzens and multiple matchlocks and things. Then Richard's bringing down a couple of foreign diplomats, and a man called Thornton from the Foreign Office. I gather they're all going to be engaged in some sort of governmental talks. Richard asked if it would be all right and of course Daddy agreed, though why they've got to use Alderley, I don't know.'

'How - er, how is Richard?'

'Fine. He comes down about every fourth or fifth week on average. It must be quite a long time since you've seen him.'

'Over two years.'

'Really? Yes, of course, the two last times you came he was abroad. He'll be thinking you've been avoiding him.'

'Anyone else expected?'

'Well, I'm afraid - and you must brace yourself, darling -that Algy is.'

'Algy Fotheringay? Oh, Gerry, no! What on earth possessed you?'

'Not me - Daddy. Algy buttonholed him at the Eton and Harrow match. You know how he's always trying to cadge invitations. Daddy swears he couldn't get out of it. I've just about forgiven him. But I'm afraid we're all going to have to spend merry hours listening to Algy talk about himself, his rich and fashionable friends - and food.'

'If you go on like this,' said Jane, 'I may well change my mind.'


CHAPTER TWO

Ten Downing Street

The Honourable Richard Saunders sat in the ante-room to the Prime Minister's private study and wondered again why the Old Man had picked him, a junior minister, for this job.

It had happened just two weeks ago. He had been unexpectedly summoned into the Presence and given a surprising little lecture.

'It is highly important that a stable democratic state friendly to Britain be maintained in central Europe as a bulwark against both Fascism and Bolshevism,' the Prime Minister had ended. 'The Duchy fills that rôle admirably. Now, however, she is extremely weak militarily and is threatened by invasion from several directions. The Grand Duke has approached us for assistance. We want to help; it will be in our interest to do so. However, in the present political climate we cannot be seen wantonly distributing British arms to small states, or committing British troops to war in Europe, without something tangible to show in return. The Grand Duke has indicated his willingness to cede to the British crown certain so far unspecified colonial territory, where rich mineral deposits have recently been discovered, but which the Duchy herself is not in a position to exploit. He is sending an envoy to negotiate a treaty whereby we will supply military aid in exchange for this territory. What has to be determined is precisely what aid we supply - and how soon - and exactly what land is given in return. Until we can announce full agreement, the negotiations must remain secret. Clearly, neither the Foreign Secretary nor I can be involved. We want you to handle them. Think you can manage?'

Richard, of course, had said yes. But still he wondered -why him? Today he was determined to find out.

'The Prime Minister will see you now, sir.'

Richard rose and entered the private study.

'Ah, come in, Saunders.'

The Prime Minister got to his feet and held out his hand as Richard went forward.