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the dirty work. I don’t suppose you are disposed to consider such a position?” he offered cheekily.
    â€œYour personal lackey? I’d rather be hung… by my bollocks.”
    George affected affront and then laughed. “So you say now, but you’ll come around just like the rest of us, once you’ve done with your bout of rebellion.”
    Philip frowned. “Of that you are gravely mistaken, my friend. I desire nothing more than to be completely free of my family’s hold. I’ve already told you, I’ve no liking for politics, nor do I adhere to my family’s particular leanings.”
    â€œJacobite sympathies, you mean?”
    Philip shot his friend a warning stare.
    â€œNow don’t look so surprised, Drake. It’s a poorly kept secret after all, though your brother would try to play both sides.”
    â€œI’d rather not discuss my bastard of a brother if you don’t mind. Besides, you couldn’t understand anyway. While your family survived the viper’s nest of two courts and even thrived, mine, having never fully accepted the Hanoverian crown, has fallen completely from grace.”
    â€œBut what are your aspirations, if not politics? Don’t say you are bound for the church?” George gasped in mock horror.
    Philip laughed at the absurdity. “You know how I despise the hypocrisy of the church, with its deans and bishops who defile on Saturday the very law they would impose upon others every Sabbath. You only need look around this very place for the evidence.” Philip gestured broadly.
    Surveying the crowded cockpit, George knew he couldn’t argue the truth of it. “I had no notion you suffered from such idealism.”
    â€œIdealism? No such thing!” Philip replied. “I simply deem that if one chooses to sin openly and without shame or remorse, he is more virtuous than one who hides his sins behind acts of piety.”
    â€œApostasy!” George barked with laughter, but recovered enough to ask, “Then if not the church or the House of Commons, do you look to the Inns of Court?”
    â€œGad no! I’ve neither love for the law nor talent for academia.”
    â€œSo we may safely rule out any career as a barrister. Then what are your plans, Drake? You cannot think to continue indefinitely on your feckless adventure as the prodigal son.”
    â€œMy life of independent indolence has suited me well enough these past four years, but if you really wish to pry like an old women, I expect to soon adopt the life of a respectable gentleman.”
    George was incredulous. “You what? Just how do you propose to manage the ‘respectable’ part when you make your living by frequenting gaming rooms, late-night drinking dens, and the occasional horse race? How will you come by the funds? Though you’re no doubt one of the luckiest bastards I know, you’ve lived fairly hand to mouth since we’ve been acquainted. Have you begun playing deep of a sudden? Broke the bank at basset?”
    â€œLet’s just call it a long-anticipated windfall.”
    â€œWindfall? What sort of windfall?”
    â€œI am soon to come into a very adequate competence. Not a fortune, but shrewdly invested, it should provide sufficient income for me to set up a modest establishment.”
    â€œHow is this, Drake? You’ve never spoken a word of it.”
    â€œIt is a trust left by my mother, part of her original marriage settlement. I have not mentioned it before because I shan’t come into the bequest until my twenty-first year. I also did not care to advertise the fact and become prey for scoundrels.”
    â€œYou may trust me to keep mum, then. But we’ll surely celebrate the event, eh?”
    The peal of the bell, indicating the start of a new match, diverted George’s attention. “We’d best find a position on the rail. We’ll see nothing of the real sport from here,”