The Shadow of Great Britain

”But he knows I have.”

”Then why the hell are you flaunting it?!”

”I’m not running for Member of Parliament, what am I afraid of?” Arthur said calmly. ”Besides, Her Majesty the Queen has already privately decided to support this proposal.”

Disraeli, upon hearing this, felt as if someone had doused him with a bucket of cold water: ”Wait... wait!”

Pointing at Arthur, he spoke, ”Are you saying... Her Majesty the Queen supports your proposal?”

Arthur clenched his pipe in his mouth, seeming annoyed by the questioning: ”Yeah.”

”Yeah?! You’re still just ’yeah’?” Disraeli stood up, nearly bumping his head, ”The intensity of this proposal of yours is enough to shake London all the way to Edinburgh, causing ten newspapers to work overtime for three months to give you dozens of special reports. Yet you tell me that an eighteen-year-old girl just ascended to the throne will support it? What kind of charm did you cast on her?”

”Of course, she won’t publicly support it,” Arthur lazily replied. ”I’m not that naive.”

”Then what do you mean by support?”

”Privately,” Arthur tapped on the proposal. ”I made it clear to her that once this document is made public, it will undoubtedly stir a tremendous wave... and when public opinion is at its peak, she can step forward to refute a few of the most glaring and sharp points, making her appear as a restraining force. This way, not only can she suppress the tabloid headlines, but she can also appear principled, with a stance and independent judgment that respects Britain’s traditions of autonomy while embodying the spirit of liberalism.”

Rain splashed on the car roof, sounding like dense bullets falling.

Disraeli blinked, momentarily forgetting to speak.

”Are you saying you authored a proposal capable of frightening the liberals into a heart attack? And your purpose isn’t for yourself, but to help the Queen cover up scandals?”

”Yes.” Arthur spoke with his pipe in his mouth, ”Benjamin, you know me, I’m a loyal person.”

”Arthur!” He couldn’t help grabbing Arthur’s arm, ”You’re making the Queen oppose some of your suggestions publicly, which certainly helps build her prestige and image. But have you considered that this might make people think the Queen doesn’t trust you, and others might label you as authoritarian?”

Arthur knew this, but it was also part of his purpose.

After all, the rumors between Viscount Melbourne and Victoria had already spread throughout high society; although there were no rumors about Arthur and Victoria yet, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Because Viscount Melbourne wasn’t worried about rumors of his affair with the Queen, it doesn’t mean Arthur isn’t worried.

Arthur certainly doesn’t have the prowess of Viscount Melbourne, and the last chap who got sent off to India as the Governor of Madras hasn’t returned yet.

As for the authoritarian label?

Heh, that’s the least of Arthur’s worries.

Because it’s not the first time he’s been given that label.

This time, at most, it’s just old habits resurfacing.

Arthur, who has seen it all, thought this label isn’t such a big deal.

At most, it’s a matter that can be resolved by slapping a liberalism label back on him later, not worth bothering about.

After all, everyone knows British citizens have the memory span of fish, just five seconds.

Moreover, once this act is done, even if the radical version of the Police Bill gets seventy percent cut out, there’s still thirty percent left.

And those remaining thirty percent are still more than the conservative version received.

Not to mention, from now on, his image in Victoria’s eyes can ascend to new heights.

”My God...” Disraeli finally said, ”Arthur, I never knew you cared so little about your reputation.”

Arthur leisurely blew a smoke ring: ”Benjamin, you’re speaking as a novice.”

He tapped his pipe on the table, scattering ash: ”Reputation, in London, is never maintained, it’s managed.”

Disraeli widened his eyes: ”Managed? What you’re doing could tarnish your reputation entirely! Even if Brits lack memory, you still have to disappear from their view for a while.”

Arthur didn’t agree with Disraeli’s opinion: ”In Britain, indeed, authoritarianism is negatively viewed, but obtaining such a reputation is far harder than gaining a liberal one.”

Disraeli didn’t believe Arthur’s nonsense: ”Come on! Then tell me, how do you plan to gain a liberal reputation?”

”Isn’t it simple?” Arthur asked, ”Do you know about the Earl of Dalmo resigning as Governor of Lower Canada? I estimate he’s already on a ship back home, and in half a month, I’ll meet him in London.”

Disraeli frowned suspiciously: ”Are you planning to have Earl of Dalmo speak up for you? Don’t mess, Arthur, he hasn’t retaliated for Russia’s issue yet, which already shows great leniency. Not that I criticize, but you, as his student, indeed were unscrupulous in Russia.”

Arthur listened to Disraeli’s accusation, but instead of getting infuriated, he sighed, appearing genuinely remorseful.

”Benjamin, what you said was unpleasant, but... it’s the most honest, piercing, yet impartial thing I’ve ever heard.”

Disraeli froze: ”What’s wrong with you today? Has your conscience suddenly returned?”

Arthur’s face was resolute: ”I’m serious! About what happened in Russia, Earl of Dalmo indeed suffered repercussions. Previously, I didn’t make amends because I was insignificant, and even apologizing wouldn’t restore anything. But now, though I’m still just a nobody, at least I have some influence in London, in White Hall, on Fleet Street. Given that, I should do something for him.”

Disraeli evidently didn’t believe, as a fellow politician, he understood Arthur’s nature well: ”Then what do you plan to do? Publish a letter of appeal in The Times for him?”

Arthur shook his head: ”Merely relying on newspapers is too superficial, like going through the motions, lacking sincerity.”

”Then what do you intend to do?” Disraeli asked doubtfully, ”Publish a book for Earl of Dalmo? The Truth of Canada? Or have someone write a memoir for him? Dalmo and Freedom?”

”None of these is sufficient.” Arthur rejected all of Disraeli’s suggestions: ”Not only inadequate, but even offensive.”

Disraeli laughed: ”Appealing for him can be offensive?”

”Of course it can be.” Arthur said seriously, ”Think about it, Earl of Dalmo, one of Britain’s top ten wealthiest, noble lineage, steadfast faith, has long been a banner and driving force for liberalism. And me, the authoritarian lapdog, Arthur Hastings stepping in to defend him in newspapers? I simply am not qualified.”

Disraeli had to admit, it really sounded like Arthur’s logic.

”Fleet Street is truly unfair, they all say I’m the actor of Tower Hamlets, Arthur, but clearly you’re the real one.” Disraeli said, lighting a pipe, ”What indeed are you planning to do?”

Arthur cleared his throat, dropping his voice: ”I need to find the right opportunity to speak in front of the Queen. Earl of Dalmo resigned not due to inability to govern nor policy failure, but because the Prime Minister was incited by petty individuals, with opposition within the Whig Party deliberately plotting. His time as Governor of Lower Canada was without fault, and his policies were quite foresighted. Her Majesty is young and shouldn’t be misled by exaggerated accusations.”

Disraeli frowned: ”The reasoning is sound, but why would Her Majesty listen to you? I know she trusts you, but such state appointments must rely on the Cabinet’s advice, right? Unless she is willing to personally persuade the Prime Minister, otherwise...”

Pausing, Disraeli shook his head: ”Honestly, Arthur, I really don’t think the Queen can reach that extent.”

Arthur smiled and nodded, as if agreeing with Disraeli’s judgment: ”Exactly, Benjamin. Normally, Her Majesty wouldn’t intervene.”

”Then you...”

Arthur raised his finger, gently tapping his temple: ”The issue is that this isn’t a normal situation.”

Disraeli furrowed his brow: ”What do you mean?”

Arthur placed the pipe down, shifted into a more comfortable posture, as if explaining the simplest political common sense: ”She just criticized the new Police Bill.”

”Yes, so what?”

”She publicly criticized a bill seen as authoritarian, showcasing her tolerance, her kindness, her liberal stance nationwide.” He tapped the proposal on the table with his pipe tip, ”But if such a liberal Queen refuses to support an Earl who’s been ostracized within the Whig Party for implementing liberal reforms in Canada thereafter, Her Majesty’s political image doesn’t hold anymore.”

Disraeli took a sharp breath: ”So... she has to support Dalmo?”

Arthur chuckled, shrugged: ”Not necessarily, but I will certainly petition Her Majesty in person, reminding her of this possibility.”