The Shadow of Great Britain

Eld choked on his words, opened his mouth, but couldn’t retort for a moment.

No wonder, whoever the actress he faced, he’d always shout about wanting to marry her.

Dickens was the first to break the silence. He put away his prior joking tone and became more serious: ”What Benjamin said isn’t entirely without reason. In London, indeed, emotions come at a high price.”

Saying this, he crossed his legs and asked his friends: ”Since Benjamin is no longer available, and Charles has just recovered from a major illness, then... are you attending Mr. Answorth’s singles salon tonight?”

As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere in the room became lively again.

”Of course, I’ll go.” Disraeli didn’t hesitate, as if he forgot he has a 45-year-old fiancée: ”Answorth has always had excellent taste in wine, and he’s made a lot of money recently from the serial of ’Jack Shepherd’, so he’s quite flush now, and surely won’t be stingy in entertaining guests.”

”I’ll go too.” Eld promptly expressed his stance, seemingly afraid of being misunderstood as really intending to settle down: ”Moreover, what does going to a singles salon have to do with being single? I’m not going to get married.”

Dickens smiled and winked at him: ”That’s good, I thought you had a date with some actress tonight.”

Everyone’s eyes inadvertently fell on Darwin.

Darwin hesitated, as if weighing his physical endurance against his friends’ expectations, but eventually, he gently nodded: ”If it doesn’t go too late... I think I can make an appearance.”

”Great.” Eld excitedly slapped the table: ”Then it’s settled!”

”Wait a minute.” Arthur suddenly spoke, his voice wasn’t loud, but like stepping on an emergency brake, successfully making everyone present stop: ”Aren’t you going to ask for my opinion?”

Eld was stunned for a moment: ”What’s up? Arthur, you don’t plan on chickening out, do you?”

”Not chickening out.” Arthur calmly tapped the ash from his pipe: ”I just want to remind you all, it’s best not to get too wild tonight.”

If someone else had said this, the crowd might not have cared, but knowing the words came from Arthur, they couldn’t help but carefully ponder what implications lay within.

Eld slightly raised an eyebrow: ”The way you said that, it doesn’t sound like you’re concerned for our health.”

Disraeli too was suspicious: ”Is there something we don’t know? Can’t someone be planning to set explosives in a cellar on Harlow Road?”

Arthur didn’t speak. He simply reached into the inner pocket of his coat and, under everyone’s gaze, took out a neatly folded envelope.

The envelope was thick, with a dark red wax seal pressed on the flap, faintly showing the silhouette of a crown and crest.

As a notable bureaucrat in the Navy Department, Eld’s expression first froze, then he instinctively sat up straight: ”This thing... looks familiar...”

Arthur placed the envelope on the table and gently pushed it to the center with two fingers, speaking casually: ”An invitation from Buckingham Palace, addressed to gentlemen who have made outstanding contributions to Britain’s cultural ventures.”

”Buckingham Palace?” Darwin reflexively repeated.

Dickens’ gaze was firmly fixed on that wax seal: ”You mean... Her Majesty the Queen?”

Eld opened his mouth, took a while to regain his voice: ”Wait, don’t tell me this thing was sent to us.”

”It was indeed sent to you.” Arthur nodded: ”Her Majesty the Queen has recently taken an interest in some figures within the London cultural circle, especially considering, back when the Ramsgate incident occurred, you gentlemen were actively involved outside Albion Villa.”

As soon as Arthur finished, the room fell into a moment of astonished silence.

”Ramsgate?” Eld was the first to react: ”How long ago was that? Her Majesty actually remembers?”

Despite Eld’s words of indifference, the smile on his lips showed that he’s already quite pleased about it.

”Of course Her Majesty remembers.” Arthur shrugged: ”Even if she didn’t, there are people who remember for her.”

On hearing this, Dickens had a somewhat uneasy feeling about accepting reward without merit: ”On that day in Ramsgate, we actually didn’t do anything, merely called a few reporters to wait for you outside the villa. If Her Majesty the Queen invites us over this time, especially to extend her gratitude, then I...”

Before Dickens could finish, Arthur raised his hand to stop him: ”Charles, the reason Her Majesty invites others I’m not sure, but she definitely called you because of your book. Recently, she just finished reading your ’Oliver Twist’, I heard from someone inside the palace that Her Majesty stayed up past midnight discussing the novel’s content.”

Dickens was first stunned and then his eyes couldn’t help but light up.

”’Oliver Twist’?” His tone carried unmistakable excitement: ”She really... finished it?”

”Finished it.” Arthur nodded: ”Not only finished it, but asked a lot of questions. About the Poorhouse, about children, about why the system turns goodwill into punishment. Thanks to you, Her Majesty now has a clear understanding of the new English Poor Laws passed in 1834. Though I don’t know what topics she’ll discuss with you tomorrow, but the English Poor Laws will certainly be a highlight.”