The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 1714 - 66: Best Partners (Part 3)

"Misunderstanding, pure misunderstanding!" Disraeli hopped into the carriage with a grin. "Didn’t I come specifically to pick you up for the hunting trip?"

After speaking, Disraeli called out to the coachman, "Andrew, let’s go. If we leave early, we might catch up with Alexander and Charles."

Arthur turned his head to look at the smug Disraeli. "So cheerful? Did something good happen? Could it be that Sir Sikes passed away and you’ll finally be with Mrs. Sikes forever?"

"How could that be? I’m not such a villain." Disraeli replied earnestly. "As for Sir Sikes, I wish him a long life."

"Oh..." Arthur took out a matchbox and lit his pipe. "Moved your constituency from out of town to London, didn’t lose your parliamentary seat, so have you dumped Mrs. Sikes and taken a fancy to another lady?"

Disraeli covered his face with his hands, feigning disappointment. "Arthur, do you really see me as such a fickle and heartless person? Don’t forget, the reason I was able to join the Tory Party and get connected with the Earl of Lindhurst is all thanks to Mrs. Sikes’s introduction."

Arthur casually asked, "Oh, I almost forgot, Peel seems to intend to give the position of High Chancellor to the Earl of Lindhurst, right?"

Disraeli suddenly raised his head. "Damn! How do you know that?"

"There’s no wall that doesn’t leak," Arthur said. "Moreover, the ladies at Almack’s Club are very skilled in social manners. As long as I share Kensington gossip with them, they’ll exchange it for the upcoming appointments of the Peel Cabinet."

Disraeli widened his eyes in disbelief. "Which lady is so well-informed? I only found out about this myself this morning."

"Why do you care so much? It’s enough that you know I know."

"Of course I care," Disraeli said sternly. "Sir Pier just emphasized party discipline at the party congress. Leaking the Cabinet list is a serious political issue. I want to see which bastard is so audacious, running his mouth to his wife about such matters?"

"Mrs. Peel told me."

"Oh, then it’s alright."

Disraeli’s ability to switch his expression was astonishing. Just a moment ago, he was sternly emphasizing party discipline, but now he flexibly inquired about Arthur’s relationship with Mrs. Peel. "So... are you and Mrs. Peel very close?"

"Sort of. In my heart, I have nothing but respect and gratitude for the lady," Arthur said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "I’ve known Mrs. Peel since my days as a patrolman on the streets of Greenwich. If she hadn’t lent a hand in time, I might be driftwood at sea with Eld now."

Disraeli was visibly disappointed. "I thought the model couple image of Peel and Mrs. Peel was just an act."

Arthur couldn’t help but tease, "Benjamin, a crow sees everyone as black." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Disraeli retorted dismissively, "Come on, do you expect to find a swan in the political world?"

At this point, Disraeli couldn’t resist adjusting his tie. "But... since you already know about the Earl of Lindhurst becoming the High Chancellor, I’m sure you must also have heard..."

Disraeli deliberately elongated his words, as if waiting for Arthur to follow up, but when Arthur remained silent, Disraeli had to spill the truth himself. "Sir Robert Peel intends to appoint me as the Vice Minister of State for the Foreign Office."

Arthur took a puff on his pipe, seemingly trying to recall something, and after a while, he nodded seriously. "Ah, I think I did hear something like that."

Disraeli was taken aback by Arthur’s nonchalant reaction, his smug expression freezing on his face. "What do you mean you think you heard something like that? Weren’t you surprised or even shocked when you heard the news?"

"Dear Benjamin, of course I was shocked. I didn’t expect the Foreign Office’s budget to be so tight that it can only afford a Vice Minister of State."

Hearing this, Disraeli’s expression shifted dramatically, from pride to shock and then to dejection. He almost looked at Arthur with a pleading gaze. "For heaven’s sake, Arthur, this is the Vice Minister of State for the Foreign Office! Could you at least pretend to show a little jealousy?"

Arthur saw his miserable expression, as if his appointment letter had just been rejected by the Prime Minister, and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. "Benjamin, of course, I’m jealous."

Disraeli’s eyes lit up immediately. "Really?"

"Of course," Arthur nodded, speaking earnestly. "I’m envious that you finally have a decent title, so now you can finally move ’Mrs. Sikes’s dream lover’ to the back of your CV."

Disraeli choked, then couldn’t help but laugh as he playfully punched Arthur. "Arthur, go to hell, you bastard!"