Chapter 2 Summary

Flashy and Willy take to one another, outfitting and provisioning on Her Majesty's account as they join the 17th Lancer Regiment. To Elspeth's delight, society's doors open thanks to the prince. While shopping, Willy sees painted whores and demands to have one. Shocked, Flashy takes him to a high-priced, discrete establishment, St. John's Wood, Willy is inept with the "strapping blonde wench" he is given and with whom he falls in love during repeated visits.

Willy takes so well to his army duties that Flashy worries they may be assigned to action. Britons are war-crazed and certain that Russia will be swiftly defeated. On the day war is declared, Flashy and Willy report to the chaos of Raglan's headquarters, where they spend a month in staff work and feverish social engagements. During these, Cardigan pursues Elspeth when not bragging about his Cherrypickers being...