"In truth, these fish and pickled meats are already quite decent," the Duke of Leeds said earnestly as he carved up a piece of meat on his plate. "While I was in naval service, I once had to eat salted meat for two consecutive months, oh, and not these quality goods. That stuff had to be soaked in water for two hours and then hammered open before you could take a bite."
He shook his fork and added, "Perhaps you're not used to eating these things, but once you get to Saint Petersburg, it'll be better. The Russian court is full of French chefs."
Grenville laughed, "As much as the French people can be unpalatable, no one can resist their chefs."
"Especially the Russians," the Duke of Leeds took a sip of wine and continued, "In their court, it's a rule that the head chef must be French. Well, the Tsar is quite content to entrust his stomach to them."
"Oh, I must say, your journey this time is probably not an easy one."
