Chapter 2402 - 317: York’s Deep Affection (Part 1)

The impact of Arthur’s resignation stirred waves in the upper society far more than the discussions it prompted in the civil society.

This is not merely because he is currently the only member of the Victoria Court with a non-Whig stance, but also because shortly after Arthur’s resignation, the Marquis of Hastings and the Earl of Huntingdon immediately held a brief family meeting. The next day, they published a family statement in The Times, formally recognizing Arthur Hastings as a branch of the eighth generation Earl of Huntingdon, recording his name in the Earl of Huntingdon lineage.

Although the Marquis of Hastings and the Earl of Huntingdon had previously acknowledged Arthur as a kinsman verbally, it had only remained at the verbal level. But this time, they not only recorded Arthur’s name in the family tree but also submitted a family tree update application to the nobility committee of the House of Lords and the Royal Coat of Arms Office.

While these actions are largely symbolic, even so, as long as the Royal Coat of Arms Office records Arthur’s name in official records, he would automatically gain legal inheritance rights to the Earl of Huntingdon title, though his succession ranking is quite far behind.

Of course, compared to that almost negligible succession ranking, the potential political resources gained from becoming a member of the Hastings Family are more substantial.

It is well-known that since the death of the first Marquis of Hastings, the political influence of the Hastings Family has been declining year by year.

But in any case, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse.

The first Marquis of Hastings, a close friend of George IV, participated in the American War of Independence as a general of the British Army, served as the commander of the Scottish garrison, worked as the Master General of Ordnance, served nine years as the Governor of India, and during his tenure, won the Gurkha War, completed the final conquest of the Maratha Empire, and incorporated Singapore into British India.

Before the union of England and Ireland, he was a member of the Irish Upper House, and after the union, he became a member of the British Upper House.

Until the death of Old Marquis Hastings, he was always the holder of the honorary title of Governor of the Tower of London.

After Prime Minister Percival was assassinated in 1812, leading to the collapse of his Cabinet, George IV’s first thought was to command his friend, Old Marquis Hastings, to form a Cabinet.

Although the old Marquis failed to form a Cabinet, George IV, out of respect, still awarded him the Order of the Garter the same year.

In the era of George IV, the Hastings Family was considered a prestigious family in Britain, although fourteen years have passed since their most glorious period. Nevertheless, many old Marquis’s old subordinates and friends are still alive.

For instance, take Home Secretary John Russell as an example. His brother, the British Envoy to Prussia William Russell’s wife, Elizabeth, is the niece of Old Marquis Hastings.

This ambassador’s wife, in her youth, was praised by Byron in the poem "Beppo" as a "Beauty who dares to scorn the morning sun," becoming a notable figure in British social circles.

And after the Flora incident was reported, Elizabeth immediately wrote back to her family, cheering and encouraging her cousin Flora in her letters.

If it weren’t for her husband forcibly suppressing her desire to express herself, this outspoken and conservative lady even intended to take aim at the Melbourne Government.

October in Scotland is much colder than in London, and many of the larch trees in the manor have already lost their leaves, while the remaining withered needles shiver in the wind as if they could be blown away at any moment. The distant mountains are shrouded in gray-white mist, but unlike the fog in London, the mist here looks much cleaner.

Flora sat on a bench in the manor, a book spread on her lap.

Perhaps feeling the cold of the morning, she wrapped her gray wool shawl around her shoulders.

Her heart was a bit chaotic, although her mother and sisters deliberately avoided discussing the rumors from London in front of her. Even if they did discuss them, they always reported the good news and ignored the bad.

However, even if her family said nothing, Flora could see from the worried brows and frowned eyes in their private interactions that the reality wasn’t as beautiful as they said.

Rumors about her in the court were still fermenting and showing no signs of stopping.

Flora sat on the bench, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the fringe of the shawl.

She had once again asked the servant to fetch the newspaper today.

It was still that young servant, named Robbie, who had been at the manor for less than half a year, his face still showing the typical honest look of a country lad.

The young man agreed more enthusiastically than anyone, his eyes shining, even patting his chest as he promised, "Miss, rest assured, I’ll definitely bring it back for you."

But as soon as she turned around, Flora saw Robbie turned and was stopped in the corridor by the housekeeper, who said a few words to him.

Flora couldn’t hear the old housekeeper’s words, but she saw Robbie’s head bow down and saw the meaningful expression of the housekeeper as he patted his shoulder.

So this afternoon, she probably won’t see any newspaper again.

Flora smiled bitterly.

What did they take her for?

Made of porcelain?

So fragile it would shatter upon touch?

She wasn’t that weak, or at least, she hoped she wasn’t that weak.

She recalled her younger sister Adelaide’s excited face returning from last night’s tea party, bouncing into the room, saying, "Flora! Flora! Do you know what Maria said? She said the whole of London is speaking for you! She said Duchess of Montrose was so imposing at the racetrack that day, shouting at the Queen’s carriage..."