father is dead, sir. And is it fair to condemn a man for the deeds of his father?”

“It is not his father’s deeds I condemn, it is his principals I object to. Your father handed his principals to you, did he not?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You inherited this ridiculous notion that you should abstain from alcohol, but in doing so you injure only yourself. His father caused turmoil to the very fabric of society. His principals, and those now of the new Lord Barrington, stand counter to others of the House of Lords and better resemble the views of a peasant. I tell you, Fotherby, for I wish you to prosper in your future. Pitt offends the Lords with some of his disestablishment ideas and it would not surprise me at all to learn that your young friend shared the prime minister...

Please subscribe to keep reading.