The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 1610 - 26: Mr. Martin’s New Business (Part 3)

Martin changed his tune upon hearing the words: "Of course, I’m not saying that all famous actors are definitely unmanageable, for instance, Lady Elizabeth Fuscht, or..."

Martin stopped quickly.

He was afraid of saying something too bold that he couldn’t back up, hurriedly changing his tone: "But! But ah! For these kinds of actors, simply offering them money directly won’t work. You need to say that you want her to perform in a private play. Be tactful, don’t rush, you have to proceed slowly."

Arthur nodded and said, "I know this too. In Paris, Alexander, that fat man, has demonstrated it in front of me countless times."

Martin was sweating all over, looking as if he’d just been fished out of the Thames River: "Whether they’re famous is secondary; the main point is that Miss Mary Taglioni is currently Princess Victoria’s ballet teacher!"

Arthur lit up his cigar: "If she weren’t, then I wouldn’t be nearly as interested in her."

Seeing that his persuasion didn’t work, Martin immediately changed his approach: "Sir, when you’re watching the performance, perhaps you didn’t notice that Miss Taglioni, of course, I’m not saying she’s not pretty, but she’s not pretty enough. There are many in the ballet troupe..."

Arthur impatiently interrupted him: "Martin."

Martin instinctively stood at attention: "What is it, Sir?"

"Would introducing Miss Taglioni really be that difficult?"

Arthur explained: "I just simply want to get to know this lady." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Martin chuckled: "To be honest, every gentleman has said this to me. Besides... if you truly want to get to know Miss Taglioni, your connections should be far more extensive than mine, like salons or clubs..."

As soon as Arthur heard the words salon and club, he flared up.

If he could freely enter and exit social circles now, he wouldn’t need to come to Martin for help.

The problem is that he is under investigation by the Foreign Office, making it inconvenient for him to appear in public places. Who knows if he’ll bump into a few people the Foreign Office has deemed enemy spies in those places?

If saying that every foreign lady at high-society parties is a spy is an exaggeration,

Then saying nine out of ten who came today are female operatives might not be an overstatement.

And his friend, the Great Dumas, although acquainted with Mary Taglioni, and seemingly very willing to go to great lengths for Arthur in this regard, has not yet reached the familiarity to arrange a private meeting with Taglioni.

If having the Great Dumas host a cultural salon and sending someone to invite Miss Taglioni to attend, once the Foreign Office catches wind of it, it would just add fuel to the fire.

Arthur Hastings, who orchestrated the Caucasus incident, openly attends a cultural salon hosted by French Republicanism members during an investigation, suspected of accepting political donations to undermine the Anglo-Russian Alliance, secretly harboring intentions to overthrow the monarchy.

Should this scenario unfold, Foreign Secretary Palmerston would surely seize the opportunity, Arthur does not doubt it.

With private access to Miss Taglioni, the only option is Martin, so Arthur has to patiently explain: "Martin, I..."

Unexpectedly, Martin, fearing Arthur would keep pressing about Taglioni, interjected: "Sir, I’m truly not intentionally dodging you, but, I dare say, your insistence on Miss Taglioni is merely a passing interest. I have reasons for saying this, because think about it, Sir John Conroy can see Miss Taglioni at Kensington Palace almost every other day, yet when he comes to Alhambra, he’s never inquired about her?"