'Through no volition of my own, I have for many years been a member of His Majesty's household,' Churchill began. Jack was confused by this until he recollected that 'His Majesty' no longer meant Charles II, but James II, the whilom Duke of York. Churchill continued: 'I suppose I could reveal to you my innermost thoughts about what it's like to be a Protestant patriot in thrall to a Catholic King who loves France, but life is short, and I intend to spend as little of it as possible standing in dark stables apologizing to shit-covered Vagabonds. Suffice it to say that it's better for England if I do this mission.'