The Shadow of Great Britain

”But such a school...” Lady Dalmo was evidently pondering, ”Do you have any recommendations?”

”I originally wanted to recommend the University of London’s subsidiary school to you, but that school is evidently not within the scope of a public school...” Eld said with a chuckle, ”So, if you must choose a public school, Westminster School would be your best option, as it allows for day students.”

”Westminster...” Lady Dalmo hesitated, ”But I’ve heard that the teaching quality there doesn’t compare to Eton or Harrow.”

Before Eld had a chance to respond, Arthur, sensing an opportunity, had already set down his wine glass: ”I beg to differ, Madam.”

Lady Dalmo looked at him with some surprise: ”You know that school?”

”I wouldn’t say extensively,” Arthur replied with a smile, ”However, at least in terms of teaching quality, Westminster isn’t inferior to Eton, especially in the areas of mathematics and logic training.”

Lady Dalmo’s interest was evidently piqued: ”How so?”

”You might have heard Her Majesty the Queen mention that I once taught her history and literature at Kensington Palace.”

”Her Majesty indeed mentioned that.”

”But you surely don’t know who was responsible for teaching her mathematics at the time?”

”This...” Lady Dalmo thought for a moment, ”This I truly don’t know.”

”At that time, the mathematics teacher at Kensington Palace was Mr. Thomas Stewart from Westminster School.” Arthur said with a smile, ”You must also be aware of the Duchess of Kent’s emphasis on education. Though I wouldn’t claim the teachers at Kensington Palace at the time were the best in Britain, even if they weren’t the best, they were not far from it.”

These words evidently hit the mark.

Lady Dalmo exhaled a sigh, as if finally allowing herself to loosen her previously unbreakable assumptions.

”I think I truly need to reconsider this matter.” She placed her wine glass back onto the tray in the hand of the waiter: ”Today’s conversation with the two of you... has been far more valuable than I anticipated.”

She nodded first to Eld, then turned to Arthur: ”Thank you, gentlemen, for your advice. Here in London, there aren’t many who are willing to speak so frankly.”

Eld immediately flashed a most proper gentlemanly smile: ”You’re too kind, Madam. Having suffered through certain hardships myself, naturally I wouldn’t want the new generation of children to endure the same.”

Lady Dalmo chuckled softly, not saying more, only slightly nodding to the two of them, before leaving the crowded corner accompanied by her maid.

Not until her silhouette fully merged into the crowd on the other side of the ballroom did Arthur leisurely pick up his wine glass once again, took a sip, and his expression reverted to the kind of infuriating composure he usually possessed.

”Honestly, Eld.”

”What’s the matter?”

Arthur spoke as casually as discussing the weather: ”Did you take a fancy to Lady Dalmo’s daughter?”

Eld was straightening his cuffs and upon hearing this, immediately flustered and exclaimed: ”What? Don’t talk nonsense. Why didn’t you say I fell for Lady Dalmo herself?”

Arthur calmly retorted: ”If you were Benjamin, then I indeed might think that way. A thirty to forty-year-old lady is a treasure to Benjamin, but definitely not to you.”

Eld blushed as he defended himself: ”I simply don’t wish for this country to produce more psychologically unstable House of Lords nominees. Do you really want the House of Lords, thirty years from now, to still be filled with a bunch of nobility tortured to psychological distortion by public school education?”

”That might not necessarily be the case.” Arthur took a sip of his wine: ”Your so-called psychologically twisted public school products are the largest source of Nightingale Mansion’s income. I’ve heard many of them enjoy such antics to reminisce about their childhood public school days.”

Eld was left speechless by this remark.

Arthur looked at him, unable to resist letting out a laugh.

”Don’t worry.” He patted Eld’s shoulder: ”Even if you did fancy her daughter, there’s nothing disgraceful about it. After all, her father is Earl of Dalmo. Count Dalmo’s temperament might be poor, but he is always generous. If you truly manage to succeed, you might even receive a few coal mines as a dowry.”

Eld almost reflexively took a step back: ”Arthur, stop this nonsense! I’m not like Benjamin, a materialistic person. My affections for Miss Emily are not based on material factors.”

”Oh... well well, it turns out it’s Emily...” Arthur’s plot had succeeded, his eyes widened with a grin, he pointed at Eld and said: ”You rascal, I thought you fancied Mary, but you actually fancy Emily. You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing, eyeing a fifteen-year-old girl? What do you think, if I write to Earl of Dalmo now, would he drop everything in Canada and come back with a handgun to challenge you to a duel?”

Eld frantically reached out to cover Arthur’s mouth, his movements lacking any gentlemanly demeanor: ”Are you mad? If a third party hears this, I might end up being packed off in a wooden box to Canada to accompany her father!”

Arthur gleefully retreated a step: ”Don’t be nervous, Eld, see, the music’s playing, everyone’s busy exchanging dance partners, no one cares what two White Hall officials are chatting about in the corner.”

But Eld couldn’t bring himself to smile in the slightest: ”I’m begging you, Arthur, don’t add more fuel to the fire on this matter. I swear to you, to God, I haven’t even spoken to her alone, nor shared an extra glance. I’ve done nothing, I just... think she’s very pretty, that’s all.”

Arthur nodded with a smile: ”I know you haven’t done anything yet, I just wanted to tell you, if you intend to do anything before she comes of age, I actually have a complete disposal procedure reserved for such situations.”

”Of course you have a complete disposal...” Eld hadn’t finished his sentence when he sensed something amiss: ”Why do you have such a disposal procedure?”

Arthur, holding his wine glass, shrugged: ”Who knows? Perhaps to ensure Her Majesty remains intact for the King’s Consort. Speaking of which, during the coronation ceremony in June, Albert will also be attending. Do you intend to meet your younger brother then?”