Chapter Two

The Earl of Braradale took a long last look at his reflection in the mirror before moving towards the door and his valet opened it for him.

He was aware, without thinking much about it, that he was looking exceedingly smart and that the King would appreciate his appearance.

When he had come back from the War to London, he had been fortunate enough to be singled out by the Prince Regent as a desirable companion.

He had always liked young and handsome men around him, just as he preferred older but attractive women as his mistresses.

He had taken a fancy to the young Scotsman at first because of his appearance.

Then he had found that the Earl’s wit and intelligence were almost as sharp as his own.

However many criticisms might be made of King George IV, no one could say that he was not an elegant gentleman in his appearance.

His manners were perfect and he possessed a charm that was irresistible.

He was aware that a great number of his Courtiers imitated him.

Yet, where the young Earl was concerned, it was natural to him, which the Prince Regent appreciated.

The Earl himself could not help being really fascinated by London and the excitements it offered him.

He had joined the Black Watch Regiment when he was not yet twenty-one and was with the Duke of Wellington’s Army at the Battle of Toulouse.

It was the final battle in Wellington’s Campaign when the British Army had fought its way across Spain and into Southern France.

Although the French fought back, repeatedly counter-attacking, the issue was never in any doubt.

The battle ended with a magnificent charge by the fourth and seventy-ninth Highlanders with the eighth in support.

By five o’clock, twelve hours after the first shot had been fired, the ridge was in British hands.

Of the attackers more than four thousand five hundred had fallen with the Black Watch alone losing more than half their strength.

The Earl, who had not yet come into the title, as his father was still alive, had greatly distinguished himself in the battle.

The Duke of Wellington sought him out to congratulate him.

He again stood out at the famous Battle of Waterloo in a splendid act of gallantry and was awarded a gold medal.

When the fighting was over, there was no one who had enjoyed the Army of Occupation more than the Earl of Braradale.

He had never been out of Scotland before he had joined the Army.

He had been given an excellent education in Edinburgh, ending up as Head of his school.

He had never been in contact with the English as he was when they had alternated the monotony of Cambrai with the excesses and excitements of Paris.

Because he was extremely intelligent, he had learned a great deal about men.

He also had his first education of women from the exceedingly attractive, exotic and experiencedcourtesans of Paris.

It was not surprising that he had no inclination to return North in a hurry.

When his father died unexpectedly from a stroke, he came home.

After the burial, which was a very impressive Ceremony, he had received the traditional homage of the Clansmen as their new Chieftain.

It took place with the pipes playing and as many of the Clan as were available clustered round The Castle.

He had, however, by this time been to London and