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“There is one final thing Colonel. Although it is nothing more than a rumour I would like you to start. The officers who choose the Army, or indeed the Navy, are second sons and those even lower. They are the brave men who lead our troops into battle. My uncle himself is descended from a fifth son. It would be most satisfying if the winner was a second son, such as yourself. But it is to be nothing but a rumour, even if assiduously promoted around town.”

“Having spent my life as ‘the spare’, it will be nice, for once, to take part in a tournament where that is a blessing. Thank you.”

He stood and bowed.

“You may rely upon me to promote the rumour most diligently. As it spreads I will not be alone. Most of the officer corps is composed of people in the exact circumstances you outlined.”

The brandy was carefully packed away, placed within cradles of straw and boxed up before the Colonel left with a flourish.

“If the word ever gets out that this is entirely your idea, and from your own stocks of brandy, you will have a guard of honour wherever you go.”

“We both know I am safe from that. I confessed to having the idea but the Colonel accepted that it was all the doing of my uncle. He is a gentleman but he still underestimates women.”

Lady Maria could not refute that observation.

“You have acknowledged having a stock of ‘blood brandy’, am I too nosy if I ask you how much?”

Elizabeth smiled at her friend and mentor.

“You do have a certain curiosity but I will not tease you. I received 25 cases of brandy, and I have gifted one and a half cases of it, including six of the bottles today.”

“That is a substantial amount, larger than most cellars.”

“So I have been led to understand. But I do not want to fritter it away. There is unlikely to be another bounty such as the original shipment. The French are protecting their supply trains with more troops. There are fewer than 200 cases in the warehouse at A Coruna.”

Elizabeth stood in preparation to leave.

“I should return home and tell my uncle what I have done. It would not do for him to be ignorant that the news of the tournament is about to spread since it will be in his name.”

--

It was only three days later and Elizabeth was with the Gardiners at Gracechurch Street. It was just her uncle and aunt; Edward was at the offices and the three youngest were with their governess.

“Lizzie, my brilliant niece, you have created the event of the season.”

Elizabeth watched her uncle, waiting for more.

“Do not tease me Uncle Sir Edward. What do you mean?”

Her aunt and uncle chuckled.

“That is you told Edward. Lizzie has not called you that in weeks.”

“Yes, I did deserve that. Lizzie, this tournament is being talked about throughout the Ton. It has been received very well, almost too well.”

“Too well?”

“There are several things at play here, not least human nature. There can be only one first son, this is self-evident. So there is an heir. The common phrase is an heir and a spare. Whereas in fact there are many families were there is a third son, often even more than that. So there are a lot of gentlemen who are not heirs. Regardless of where they fall within the family line, they have proud parents, and often proud older brothers. Then there is the issue of the perception of some members of the ton. Too many so-called gentlemen are nothing but rakes and wastrels. This is an opportunity for the more dutiful to shine. Finally, there is the fact that nearly all families have someone serving in either the Army or the Navy. Therefore it has a universal appeal. What all of this means is that the tournament is the talk of the Ton.”

Elizabeth allowed herself to briefly feel the warm glow of pride at being the originator of the idea.

“Has it helped your business?”

Sir Edward observed his niece, proud that her first instinct was to ask about his business as a result of the tournament, yet also sad that it was her first instinct. The three of them in his study knew that this was Elizabeth’s idea. And yet it would never be acknowledged.

“It has in the sense that everyone knows that the tournament is my idea. Sir Edward Gardiner and Gardiner Import/Export are being talked of daily. It is too soon to see a business or financial impact but it was surprising how quickly I was received at Horseguards. There will be opportunities that will arise as a result of this tournament.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand.