The Shadow of Great Britain

689: Chapter 334 Respect for Anglo-Russian Friendship_3 689: Chapter 334 Respect for Anglo-Russian Friendship_3 Speaking of which, Palmeston rose and took a seat beside Lady Liv: “However…

Dorothea, why do you ask?

Surely you aren’t interested in our great scholar William, are you?”

Lady Liv frowned displeasedly: “No offense intended, but I have no interest in His Lordship the Viscount.

Suitors have never been scarce for me, and most of my suitors are quite erudite, yet I have no desire to amass a line-up as formidable as the Royal Society.”

Viscount Palmeston, upon hearing this, only pretended to look pitiful: “Oh, Dorothea, to hear you say that suddenly makes me worry I might lose you at any moment.”

Lady Liv was amused by his words, and she lifted her lace-gloved hand to rub her lover’s cheek vigorously: “Compared to those who are learned from the start, I still prefer to cultivate those who may initially be mediocre but have talent.

Though he can be rather shallow at times, I believe with his talent and efforts, he will one day become the Foreign Secretary.”

“My dear, I owe it all to your support.

At least half of this position as Foreign Secretary belongs to you.”

Having said this, Palmeston swept Lady Liv into his embrace: “However, since you have already helped me this far, why not help me one more time?”

Lady Liv leaned lazily in Palmeston’s arms, her fingers twirling through her long hair: “Henry, you are far too greedy.

I am but a woman, after all.

What could I do?”

“No, my dear, never say that,” Palmeston smiled as he began: “Look, the year is nearly over, and I want to add a stroke of brilliance to the year-end report for the Foreign Office.

I hope to be able to stand before all my Cabinet colleagues and proudly announce that through my tireless efforts, Britain has now penetrated deep into the belly of Russia!”

Upon hearing this, Lady Liv’s face turned red, and she gave Palmeston a disdainful look: “Henry!

You shameless man, are such words decent to speak in a Cabinet meeting?”

Palmeston smirked, his hand resting on Lady Liv’s shoulder: “Dorothea, are you really so shy?

That’s not like you at all!”

Lady Liv, seeing his demeanor, couldn’t help aiming to knock his excessive self-confidence: “It’s not that I’m shy; I just feel that there’s nothing to boast about with feats already done by others.

Before you, the Duke of Wellington had already been there.”

But Palmeston didn’t care about that, and didn’t mind at all: “My dear, it’s different.

Although the result is the same, my methods and the Duke of Wellington’s are not the same.”

“How so?”

Palmeston raised an eyebrow and smiled: “As everyone knows, I excel at the storm-like offense, while His Grace excels at impregnable defense.

Yet, your defense was breached by him, and now your defense has been breached by me, so ultimately, I win.”

Lady Liv pursed her lips and eventually gave in to Palmeston: “Alright, for the sake of Poland, I’ll just…”

Who knew that upon hearing the word ‘Poland,’ Viscount Palmeston reflexively blurted out: “Poland?

What about Poland?”

Lady Liv also came to her senses: “Oh, sorry, my dear, I misspoke.

I almost forgot, you know nothing about Poland.

But then again, I should thank you for your ignorance, so surely you have prepared a lovely evening for me tonight?”

Viscount Palmeston smiled and nodded: “Of course, my lady.”

He stood up, walked over to the phonograph in the hall, and gently placed the need arm onto the record.

Shortly, the drawing room filled with the soothing, melodious music.

All regular music hall attendees would recognize that the music playing was from the hottest pianist in London at the moment, Chopin’s work—”To Hastings.”

Viscount Palmeston bowed slightly and smiled invitingly at Lady Liv: “Madam, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance a waltz?”

“Of course.”

Lady Liv extended her slender arm, her palm lightly resting on Palmeston’s: “This dance, to the Anglo-Russian friendship.”