The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1842: Chapter 119: London University’s Connections Across the World (2)

For instance, the Gordon family, to which Lord Byron belongs, is a prestigious Highland family in Scotland that once pledged allegiance to the Catholic Church. During the Scottish Reformation, they were a major force in the Royalists. In the battle for the throne between Queen Mary and her son James VI (James I of England), the Gordon family firmly supported Mary. And during the English Civil War of the 1640s, the Gordon family fought as Royalists supporting Charles I against Cromwell’s Parliament Army.

Though the Gordon family has now accepted the British Royal Family’s Hanover lineage, they still, deep down, look down on these German outsiders and often speak contemptuously of the Hanoverians in private.

Sharing the same attitude as the Gordon family are the MacDonald family, who still insist on Gaelic education to this day, known as the ”Kings of Western Scotland,” possessing ancient Scottish royal bloodlines and often calling the Hanover family upstarts, as well as the Cameron family of Highland nobility, who believe Highland blood is nobler than German.

Additionally, families like the Hamilton Duke family, praised as Scotland’s top nobility, and the Bessborough Earl family, dating back to the Tudor Dynasty, occasionally make public jabs at the Royal Family. The latter even accused, in a heated moment in a House of Lords meeting, that ”Hanoverians cannot understand British traditions.”

Eld mentioned this and suddenly banged his cup on the table: ”These people, deep down, most despise the German fellows from Hanover. Have you met Elphinstone? He belongs to such Scottish nobility. The first Lord Elphinstone died in the Battle of Flodden Field between England and Scotland as a Scottish soldier. Not to mention the Hanover Royal Family, he doesn’t even respect the Tudor Royal Family all that much. A young noble with such pride at just fifteen or sixteen, who is wealthy, talented, and of gentlemanly demeanor. Even though his appearance isn’t the most outstanding, his assertive temperament can easily attract a palace-bound young lady.”

Although Arthur didn’t want to admit it, he had to.

What Eld said seemed to make some sense.

Victoria already enjoyed the thrill of escaping the Kensington System’s surveillance, and in her monotonous life, if a young man who was neither timid nor fawning, even displaying a bit of arrogance, suddenly appeared, it could certainly satisfy her psychological needs.

”An assertive temperament indeed easily stirs hearts.” Arthur’s fingers drummed on the table, seemingly pondering something: ”However, if the spring wind blows too fiercely, it’s hard to guarantee the little boat won’t capsize...”

Just as Arthur finished speaking, the sound of a bell suddenly rang out at the door of the Simpson Cafe, and a gust of wind mixed with fine rain brought in a figure draped in a gray woolen cloak and wearing a top hat.

The conversations in the cafe paused momentarily but soon resumed as usual.

The person at the door had a calm gaze, and upon removing the hat, revealed a familiar face; it was none other than Baron Stockma, a close aide to King Leopold of Belgium.

He didn’t look at anyone else but scanned the cafe and finally rested his gaze on the corner where Arthur and Eld were seated.

”Sir Arthur.” The visitor walked to Arthur’s side: ”Looks like I found the right place.”

Arthur slightly raised an eyebrow, pushed the coffee cup aside, and stood up, gesturing for the other to sit: ”Your Excellency, I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Stockma smiled and looked at Eld, asking: ”And who might this be?”

Eld, hearing this, was startled and quickly stood up to extend his hand to Stockma: ”Eld Carter, Third-class Clerk of the Navy Department, a friend of Sir Arthur Hastings.”

Stockma realized and said: ”Nephew of Major General John Carter?”

”Do you know my uncle?”

Stockma nodded with a smile: ”I often went to the United Service Club in Belgravia when I was in London.”

Although Stockma didn’t say much, for the old Londoners, just the mention of the United Service Club’s name already explained a lot.

Because this club primarily caters to active and retired officers of the Royal Navy, occasionally including diplomats and senior bureaucrats from White Hall. Given its proximity to the Navy Department’s White Building, many officers visit there to relax while waiting for orders or cabinet consultations. Over time, it has become a place where senior Royal Navy commanders arrange personnel, inquire about appointments, and cultivate cabinet lobbying.

Like the Royal Navy’s emblem, General Horatio Nelson, and currently several fleet commanders of the Royal Navy maintain personal rooms at the United Service Club.

Although Eld wasn’t sure who Stockma was, just the fact that he could get into the club made him someone of significance.

After Stockma sat down, he accepted the coffee pot handed by a waiter and poured himself a cup of black coffee.

”Your Excellency visiting suddenly, I fear it’s not just for a reunion, is it?”

Arthur slightly smiled. He had anticipated Stockma would come to him, but he didn’t expect the other to act so quickly. Apparently, Belgium’s concern about Victoria’s smooth succession is no less than his own.

Stockma, of course, understood what Arthur meant. Regarding Victoria’s succession issue, they had mutual interests, so there was no need for roundabout speak: ”To be honest, I came this time under His Majesty’s orders.”

”His Majesty’s orders?” Eld shrank his head, very sensibly checked his pocket watch: ”It’s about time I return to the Navy Department, gentlemen, enjoy your conversation.”

As soon as Eld left, Stockma immediately said: ”His Majesty Leopold is deeply concerned about the incident at Kensington Palace last night.”

”Has His Majesty Leopold not returned to Brussels yet?”

”Of course he has.” Stockma calmly said: ”But His Majesty previously entrusted me with full responsibility for the issues at Kensington Palace. My concern is the King’s concern. In this matter, you can fully trust the weight of my words.”

Arthur did not question Stockma; he had no intention of offending Leopold’s most trusted advisor, especially since the England Electromagnetic Telegraph Company had business in Belgium: ”Is he worried about the Princess’s safety, or about the potential impact of this matter on her future political standing? The former, I can try my best, but the latter is beyond my control.”

Stockma did not answer directly and instead rephrased: ”The Princess is young and inexperienced with worldly matters, yet increasingly surrounded by scrutiny. Any slight movement can be exaggerated externally. Especially now, when the wind at Downing Street has not settled, Peel’s government recently collapsed, and Melbourne’s reign is still unstable. If something untimely were to happen at this critical juncture, it would benefit no one.”

”Your Excellency, I understand your position and understand the concern arising from your loyalty to His Majesty Leopold. However, these words mean nothing to me. You should tell those Whig Party people. Tell Viscount Melbourne, Count Grey, Viscount Palmerston, and those old foxes in Brooks Tavern indulging in gentlemanly politics between the corridors of the House of Commons. If they genuinely wish for this girl’s successful succession, they should open their eyes wider and be aware of the opposition seeking to stir trouble with court scandals.”

Upon hearing this, Stockma stared at Arthur and suddenly said: ”Can you guarantee that this sudden situation was not orchestrated by the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel? By coincidence, I have some information unfavorable to you.”

(There should be two more Chapters today.)

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