Flora did not answer immediately. She maintained a courteous smile on her face, but her slender eyes seemed to narrow slightly.

She looked down, twirling the tea cup in her hand, the dried rose inside gently swirling. "Pope’s Pastoral Poems are certainly good. Since you brought it up, it would be impolite of me to refuse. However, Arthur, you know ladies are always very greedy."

Even greedier than the ladies, Sir Arthur Hastings broke out in a sweat upon hearing this. He stroked his chin as if in deep thought and said, "Then... do you like carriages? Of course, I’m not saying your carriage is bad, but its color and style don’t quite match a young and beautiful lady like you. What do you think of the Fiacre carriages in Vienna, the ones that Mrs. Levin and Lady Cooper often ride? Four-wheeled, two-seated or four-wheeled, four-seated, with a retractable leather canopy, paired with two slender Austrian horses, it must look very beautiful."

Four-wheeled, Four-seated Fiacre Carriage

I must say, Arthur’s suggestion was indeed tempting to Flora, and she was almost swayed.

After all, she had long wanted to change carriages, but considering economic reasons and the fact that she didn’t travel far often, she ultimately hadn’t made up her mind.

If she could take advantage of this opportunity...

No, no way...

As soon as the thought arose in Flora’s mind, she vetoed it.

After all, she had come to Arthur’s house today with a plan, and she had to stick to it.

Flora did consider whether Arthur might use this opportunity to propose to her, but given her cousin’s typically cautious nature, she knew the possibility was slim.

Although Arthur’s lack of courage left Flora disappointed, fortunately, she still had another option that was almost a sure thing.

"A Fiacre carriage is certainly nice, and it just so happens that the Kensington Palace summer excursion is coming up. Riding a Fiacre would definitely be more comfortable than my old Barouche."

Barouche Carriage 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

As expected, Flora noticed that as soon as she spoke, Arthur’s eyes lit up considerably.

"The summer excursion at Kensington Palace? You mean the annual summer tour that Kensington Palace holds?"

Flora smiled, staring at Arthur. "That’s the one. Last year we went to Wales and York, so this year we’ll head south and then east."

At this point, Flora deliberately paused, then cunningly feigned concern: "By the way, dear, how is your heart? I heard about the ailment from years ago that hasn’t completely healed even now, so you occasionally need to go to sunny seaside places for recovery?"

"It’s not every time that I need to go to the seaside..." Arthur lowered his head and coughed lightly, as if trying to hide something. Nevertheless, in the end, he reluctantly took the bait: "However... you’re right, the southeast sea breeze does do me good, as the doctor suggested."

Hearing this, a gleam of victory flashed in Flora’s eyes, but her words remained extraordinarily gentle: "Then you really should join us. Ramsgate, Brighton, Eastbourne... surely, one of these places will be good for your heart and lung recovery."

Even as he was about to be reeled in, like the amphibious fish produced by the York Poorhouse that bites the hook and won’t let go, he pressed further: "Hmm... when are you planning to set off?"

"Tentatively mid-next month, once Her Highness’s condition improves a bit, we will depart. At that time, it won’t just be the Duchess of Kent and Her Highness, but also myself, Leisen, and Sir John Conroy. Of course, there might also be a few ladies close to the Duchess... I heard that the Duchess of Westminster might be invited, and oh, there might also be a young political talent."

Arthur listened more attentively: "Young political talent?"

Flora shrugged nonchalantly: "Her Highness seems quite interested in state affairs lately, so the Duchess of Kent wants to arrange for some moderate young gentlemen to interact with her, to help pass the time during the journey."

Arthur pondered Flora’s words, and suddenly he realized he might have overlooked something: "Wait, Flora, did you say Her Highness is ill?"

"She is indeed ill." Flora recalled, holding her tea cup: "It’s been about four or five months, suffering from poor appetite and losing hair in handfuls. In fact, the Duchess lifted Her Highness’s house arrest three months ago, but she herself doesn’t want to go out, perhaps fearing her current appearance being seen by outsiders."

Arthur’s fingers unconsciously rubbed the cup handle: "Why hasn’t there been any report in the newspapers? Did the Duchess issue a gag order?"

Flora nodded: "The Duchess did issue a gag order, and ever since Kensington Palace was closed off, its effect has been more pronounced than before. Besides, you know, if news were to come out about Her Highness suffering from a contagious disease or mental instability, it would damage her image. The turmoil caused by Lord Elphinstone before was troublesome enough; the Duchess now cannot afford any risks."

Arthur stroked his chin: "So... what exactly is Her Highness sick with?"

"Dr. Clark says it’s a stomach ailment, but Sir John Conroy believes Her Highness is feigning illness out of spite, as stomach issues shouldn’t persist for several months." Flora wasn’t sure if she should feel sorry for Victoria; she had been somewhat envious of this princess before, but now she felt they shared the same plight: "However, I think Her Highness is probably exhausted from the prolonged confinement, physically and mentally, and she is terribly missing El..."

At this point, Flora suddenly stopped, blushing as she interrupted herself: "Ahem, that’s about it."

Arthur deliberated: "Then... has her condition improved recently?"

Flora assured: "It’s gotten a bit better; if it hadn’t, the Duchess wouldn’t have decided to proceed with this year’s summer tour as planned."

"That’s good, that’s good..." Arthur contemplated how to arrange his company’s schedule in advance to make way for Kensington Palace’s summer outing: "So, has the route for the summer tour been decided? Will it be Ramsgate first or Brighton? I need to plan ahead, organize the schedule, and make preparations."

"Dear, you don’t need to go to such trouble to find out the details."

"Why can’t I find out? Is it due to security concerns?"

"Because..." Flora gently placed the tea cup down: "You’ll be arranged to depart with us."

Arthur wrinkled his brow upon hearing this: "Arranged to?"

"Meaning..." Flora looked at him with a smile: "You’ll be traveling with the Kensington Palace convoy, not like other outsiders who need separate applications, plans, sending of name cards, and presentation of invitations... you won’t need to do these things."

Arthur still didn’t understand the relationship: "Then in what capacity will I appear in the Kensington convoy?"

Flora’s happiness was evident: "Of course, as a special advisor. Did you forget? I just mentioned arranging for a moderate young talent to accompany Her Highness, to chat, entertain, and explain things to her... I recommended you to the Duchess for this role. Since you have shown care for Princess Victoria before, she won’t resist your company. Moreover, as my cousin, the Duchess of Kent won’t see you as a bad choice. Leisen and Conroy have expressed no opposition to you accompanying Her Highness, and that day both Princess Sophia and the Duke of Sussex were present and thought you were a very suitable choice."

At this point, Flora winked playfully: "So, Arthur, you wouldn’t refuse your cousin’s invitation, would you?"