The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1646: Chapter 41: Arthur Hastings in Victoria’s Eyes (3)

The more traditional the aristocratic family, the more they adhere to such behaviors. On the contrary, specially hiring experimental physicists to teach scientific common sense is perceived by high society as a trendy, fashionable, and even somewhat radical behavior.

Arthur’s scientific reputation did not reach Victoria’s ears, and his literary achievements were even more out of reach to be presented before the princess.

Under the direction of the Duchess of Kent and Conroy, Kensington Palace typically subjects incoming publications to stricter scrutiny than the Lower House’s publishing committee.

Pulp novels are strictly prohibited, and even poetry must be carefully selected, with works by satanic poets like Byron and Shelley deemed ”degenerate,” and none allowed before the Crown prince.

Unfortunately, most authors of the ”British” have accomplishments in both ”popular” and ”degenerate” aspects, making them naturally unapproved to enter Kensington.

Victoria struggled in thought, unable to comprehend who Arthur Hastings really was.

Yet, her girlfriends mentioned this person one by one as though he were some big shot, yet she knew nothing about him, leaving Victoria feeling frustrated.

She could only subtly inquire into the life of this European celebrity, hoping to reconstruct his image through the social elites she knew: ”Are you saying he’s someone like Mr. Faraday?”

Little Caroline quickly responded: ”Uncle said he’s a student of Mr. Faraday.”

Adelaide frowned and admonished her sister: ”No! He is Mr. Faraday’s assistant! And in literature, he is the new Sir Walter Scott.”

Gabrielle was clearly more knowledgeable than her two sisters, because she often sneaked peeks at the subscriptions to the ”British” that her mom ordered: ”Adelaide, I think you misunderstand him too. Because most people believe Eld Carter is the true successor to Sir Walter Scott, while Sir Arthur Hastings’ detective novels have formed a unique style, and he also has great achievements in music. His piano piece ’Clock’, adapted from Paganini, is actually my practice piece.”

Victoria, unclear about Arthur’s scientific and literary achievements, focused entirely on the last sentence: ”Paganini? Are you saying he arranged a piece by Paganini?”

”Yes, Your Royal Highness.” Gabrielle, knowing she was a loyal fan of Paganini: ”If possible, you might ask your music teacher Mr. John Sel to tell you about that piece. ’Clock’ is very difficult, nearly a display piece, but its appeal matches its difficulty.”

”The pianist’s Paganini?” Victoria’s heart raced.

Since Paganini’s visit to London a few years ago, she had always hoped that this Italian violin prodigy would return to London, allowing her to enjoy more of Paganini’s concerts. Unfortunately, since Paganini settled in Paris last year, he hasn’t left France.

She once considered going to Paris, but she was quite aware that neither her mother nor Sir John Conroy would indulge her whims and let her be unruly.

But if she can’t go to Paris, seeing the ”British Paganini” perform in London is also a good choice.

”Then... where does Sir Arthur Hastings usually perform? At Trulie Lane Theater or Covent Garden?”

Gabrielle’s eyebrows were filled with gloom as she replied unhappily: ”He no longer performs.”

”Why?” Victoria exclaimed in surprise: ”He couldn’t have... passed away, could he?”

”Oh, no...” Adelaide spoke up: ”Your Royal Highness, you mustn’t curse him like that. He’s alive and well. Although he once almost died, later he...”

Lady Leisen, who had been sitting reading on the sofa chair, suddenly stood up to interrupt: ”Ladies, your discussion has gone somewhat astray.”

A sensational story once circulated in London about a policeman’s miraculous revival, surely a good topic for idle chatter, but Lady Leisen intended to keep such potentially faith-shaking street rumors out of the princess’ hearing.

Victoria turned her head to ask Lady Leisen: ”Dear Leisen, do you know Sir Arthur Hastings?”

Lady Leisen nodded slightly: ”Once, while accompanying the Duchess to an Almack’s Club banquet, I had the fortune to listen to his performance. He truly was a talented young gentleman, well-liked by the audience. Of course, I mean that, excluding the Duke of Cumberland.”

”The Duke of Cumberland?” Victoria shivered as she recalled her ferocious royal uncle: ”Does he dislike Hastings?”

”Hastings is a Catholic, you understand, the Duke of Cumberland dislikes all Catholics. Moreover, Hastings is close to the Duke of Sussex, so he has even fewer reasons to like Hastings.”

Upon hearing this, Victoria couldn’t help but express sympathy: ”That’s too bad. He must be scolded hard in private by his uncle.”

”Perhaps.” Lady Leisen looked at her watch and said: ”Your Royal Highness, I think we should return. Dinner will soon be served, and the Duchess is hosting an important guest tonight. If you’re late, she will be furious.”

Upon hearing this, Victoria glanced at the stage longingly: ”Alright, but can’t we at least...”

”We cannot.” Lady Leisen cut Victoria off before she could finish asking: ”The guest is very important, and when you meet him later, you should be happy.”

”Is that so?” Victoria left her seat disappointed: ”You always say that.”

”But this time is different.” Lady Leisen stepped forward to straighten the princess’s attire: ”Didn’t you and the three von Bloh sisters just discuss Sir Arthur Hastings? He is today’s guest and might even become your new teacher.”

”What?!” The three von Bloh sisters exclaimed in unison.

Lady Leisen reminded: ”Ladies, though I shouldn’t scold you, speaking in such a manner is unbecoming of young ladies.”

The three sisters bowed their heads obediently and replied: ”We understand, thank you for your guidance, ma’am.”

However, after a while, the youngest Caroline regained her spirit, tugging at Leisen’s hem and asked: ”Ma’am, can we follow you to Kensington today?”

Lady Leisen hesitated: ”I... I’m not sure, but if your mother agrees, I think the Duchess wouldn’t refuse.”

Young Caroline laughed happily upon hearing this: ”Mom will agree; whenever we want to go elsewhere, she always refuses, but never objects to going to Kensington.”

Lady Leisen was amused by this earnest eight-year-old miss: ”Well, still, I think it’s best to send someone to the Prussian Embassy to consult Lady Bloh.”

Upon hearing this, little Caroline promptly lifted her skirt and pushed open the box room door: ”Hans! Go home and tell Mom we’re not eating at home tonight; we’re going to Kensington.”

Even the reserved eldest sister Gabrielle didn’t stop her sister, after all, she too wanted to meet Arthur Sigma, author of the ”Hastings Case Files,” her top-ranked ”British” work in her heart.

As for second sister Adelaide, since both her eldest and youngest sisters were going to Kensington, she was also reluctant to dine alone at home.

Lady Leisen helped these young ladies don their cloaks, leading Victoria down the stairs, taking care to remind occasionally: ”Your Highness, take care, the steps are steep.”

As the group stepped out of the theater with von Bloh family’s servants, they saw a carriage adorned with the royal crest slowly gliding down the street.

The carriage door opened slowly, and a stern-faced Conroy stepped down. He glanced at the Miss von Bloh sisters, his cold gaze making Victoria tremble a bit, but fortunately, he finally directed his words at Lady Leisen.

”Leisen, did you have permission from the Duchess and myself to bring them to watch the play?”