The Shadow of Great Britain

231: 156 Chapter Stirring up Trouble 231: 156 Chapter Stirring up Trouble The midpoint of the line connecting St.

James’s Palace and Piccadilly Square is the elegant, comfortable, and environmentally pleasant St.

James’s Square, which manages to maintain a commercial atmosphere.

Located on King Street in the southwest part of the square is the Almack’s Club, a place that countless London socialites yearn for.

Not far from Almack’s Club stands the National Library of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, rich in its collection resources, as well as the associations for Royal Navy and Army officers to network and address issues, and the exclusive Royal Navy entertainment military club.

Eld looked up at the black iron door plaque affixed to the white wall, noting the postal code—SW1Y 6SL.

These few ordinary letters were enough to indicate its prime location.

Although today’s weather was not good, with clouds covering the sun and a chilly drizzle falling on the street, and the cold wind flipping up the corners of Eld’s overcoat.

“Achoo!”

Eld sneezed, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his nose, and looked around somewhat dissatisfied.

“Damn!

Where has Arthur gone?

He couldn’t really have slipped in, could he?

How could he not wait for me?

It was just one party he attended, and now he’s already learned to fend for himself.”

Although Eld cursed under his breath, now that he was at the doorstep, he was somewhat reluctant to turn back.

Mr.

Carter paced back and forth in front of Almack’s Club with his hands behind his back.

After much deliberation, he decided to wait a little longer; perhaps Arthur would have a change of heart and come out to meet him.

The guard at the door had been eyeing this suspicious-looking young man for a long time.

Finally, after a while, he exchanged glances with his colleague and couldn’t help but step forward to ask, “Sir, have you received an invitation from the club and are you a guest invited here?”

“Ah…” Eld was asked and responded vaguely, “No…

yes, I have received an invitation, and I am waiting for my companion to come over.”

“Your companion?” The guard thought for a moment and politely inquired, “May I have the honor to know your name?

We have records of all those qualified to visit Almack’s Club.

If our verification is correct, why not come inside and warm up while waiting for your friend outside?

You see, you’re sneezing.”

“My name?” Eld hesitated for quite a while, unsure whether he should tell the truth, and he didn’t speak.

Seeing his difficulty, the guard pursed his lips and then asked, “Or perhaps your friend’s name will do.”

“My friend’s name…” Eld struggled for a long time but still didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing his demeanor, the guard immediately concluded that he must be another one trying to get into the club for free food and drink.

His smile disappeared, replaced by a stern expression.

“Sir, if you can’t explain clearly, please leave this place immediately.”

Eld, provoked by this, felt his young pride rise, and he retorted sharply, “Just my friend’s name?

I did not say it earlier because I did not want to offend his honor, and I was afraid that mentioning it would shock you.

I was considering your feelings, and yet you are so unappreciative!”

The guard, losing his patience, pulled out a short baton from his waist, “So, who exactly is your friend?

If you can’t say it, I might have to treat you to something special.”

Eld glanced at the baton, weighed his options with a snort, and said looking up, “I’ll tell you, my friend is none other than the renowned Arthur…”

The guard raised an eyebrow, “Arthur who?”

“Arthur…

uh…

Arthur Wellesley!”

“Arthur Wellesley?” the guard exclaimed, surprised, “The Duke of Wellington is your friend?”

Eld shifted his head guiltily, “At least I consider him so, whether he sees it that way or not has nothing to do with me.”

“Damn it!” The guard, hearing this, immediately raised his hand, ready to teach Eld a lesson.

But before his arm could swing down, a large calloused hand had already grasped his wrist.

The guard looked up in surprise at the man who appeared behind Eld, dressed in a neat evening tailcoat, wearing a monocle, slicked hair, and a black top hat, and asked blankly, “May I ask who you are?”

Arthur extended two fingers to pull out a business card from his jacket pocket and handed it over, “Please notify the club owner that Mr.

Mozesales from the London Philharmonic Association suddenly fell ill and might not be able to perform today.

I am Arthur Hastings, the pianist here to substitute for Mr.

Mozesales.

Here is my business card, please have a look.”

The guard took the business card and glanced at it.

It clearly stated—

Name: Arthur Hastings

Position: Pianist of the Third Orchestra, London Philharmonic Society

Even the card was stamped with the red seal of the London Philharmonic Society.

But for some reason, the card felt wet as if it had just been printed.

Perhaps the weather was too humid?

Thinking this, the guard’s expression softened, and he responded with a smile, “So you are Mr.

Hastings, you must be new to the orchestra?

I’m sorry to hear about Mr.

Mozesales’s illness, but it seems you’ve got the time wrong, we usually invite pianists to perform in the evening.

And how come you forgot to bring other accompanists today?”

Arthur laughed, “You’ve misunderstood my purpose here, I didn’t come to play today, but to try out the piano.

You guessed right, I am new here and not familiar with the instruments at Ormac’s Club.

I was afraid of messing up the performance, so I specifically came during the less busy afternoon to test the sound.”

“Ah!

I see.”

The guard suddenly realized, “You really take your work seriously.

Well, please come in; I’ll accompany you for the sound test as long as you don’t touch anything else.”

With that, the guard stepped aside for Arthur, who glanced at Eld by his side making faces at him and simply took off his coat to toss into his hands.

Arthur adjusted his shirt collar, “Eld, come in with me.”

The guard asked with confusion, “Mr.

Hastings, who is this by your side?”

This time, before Arthur could speak, Eld hurriedly answered, “I am Mr.

Hastings’ piano assistant.

You may not know, but it won’t be long before Mr.

Hastings will be promoted to conductor of the orchestra, and I will take over his position as the pianist.”

The guard, seeing his conceited expression, originally wanted to say something, but upon glancing at Arthur beside him, he ultimately swallowed the curse that had reached his lips.

He spoke, “Sir, this time it’s fine, but if you come again, please dress formally.”

After saying this, the guard smiled broadly and led Arthur into the foyer, while Eld widened his eyes staring at his back, unable to resist cursing, “Damn it, acting all high and mighty just because you’re a doorman?”

Arthur entered Ormac’s Club, scanning the decorations inside the room.

The hall was more spacious than he had imagined.

Upon entering the door, the first thing that caught his eye was several bookshelves against the walls, with coffee tables and armchairs placed beside them.

Across the mahogany floored corridor, there were a few tables used for entertainment, a private tea room, a large dining area, and a dance floor as well.

Not far from the dance floor was a white ivory staircase adorned with various carvings, indicating there were many things on the second floor not known to outsiders.

Perhaps because it was too early, or perhaps because of bad weather.

At this time, there weren’t many people in Ormac’s Club.

In the spacious hall, there were only a few gentlemen, clearly old gamblers, each holding a hand of poker cards and playing ‘Cribbage’ at a green felt table with a scoreboard.

Of course, it wasn’t necessarily that they didn’t want to try other games, but in broad daylight, they really couldn’t pull out an Italian tarot deck to play Tarocchi, or use French cards to play Piquet.

Gamblers naturally liked to try new games, but due to the Poker Act, Britain strictly prohibited the importation of foreign cards.

Although privately, the gamblers still played, they had to be cautious about public perception under broad daylight.

After all, pulling out a deck of different-standard cards in public could technically be considered smuggling.

In broad daylight, better stick to Britain’s patriotic poker.

The older gentleman facing Arthur raised his head and took a glance at the somewhat unfamiliar Arthur, flung out a Jack, and muttered, “I thought my sandwich had been delivered.

The club has this one flaw, even if there are few people at noon, there should at least be a chef on duty.”

Arthur heard this but did not say much, merely smiled and nodded in greeting, then followed the guard to the piano placed in the center of the dance hall.

The guard politely removed his hat and said, “Please wait here a moment, Mrs.

Copper is here today, I will report to her about your situation with Mr.

Mozesales.”

Having said this, the guard quickly turned and hurried up the second floor.

Eld, visiting for the first time, seemed a bit nervous, poking Arthur with his elbow, “Did you really join the London Philharmonic Association?”

Arthur took off his white gloves, blew warm air into his palms, trying to soften his somewhat stiff hands, “I will join.”

“What?” Eld’s eyes widened, “What about Mr.

Mozesales’ matter?”

Arthur turned his head and motioned him to lower his voice, “Of course, I made it up.”

“Aren’t you afraid of being exposed?” Eld looked around nervously, his hands unsure of where to place them, “Damn it!

If I’d known you were going home to change clothes, I’d have gone back and changed too.

I look like I’m just some runner from a nearby restaurant in this outfit.”

Just as he finished speaking, several gamblers at a nearby table called out to him, “Hey!

Over there, where’s our sandwich?”

Eld, hearing this, could not help slapping his face, “Arthur, Arthur!

See what I told you?

Damn it, these people really think I’m a delivery guy.”

Arthur saw this and simply said lightly, “Think positive, Eld.

Everyone who comes here is either rich or noble.

If you run errands for them, who knows, maybe these old gentlemen will take a liking to you and might even marry their daughters to you.

Since you’re not good at interacting with girls, why not change your approach and start with their fathers?”

“Hmm?” Eld rubbed his chin stubble, “That does make some sense!”

“Hey!

You there, young man!

Aren’t you the restaurant waiter?”

“No, I am,” Eld quickly dashed over like a gust of wind, pulled out a paper and pen from his pocket, stood up straight, and spoke earnestly, “I’m sorry to inform you gentlemen, but the sandwiches are all sold out.

Would you like to try something else?”