Arthur glanced up and down at Fiona's outfit and replied with a nonchalty.

"It seems that you are so distracted by your employer's work arrangements that you even missed the time for the funeral. As you can see, I have just been resurrected. ”

"Oh...... My dear. ”

Fiona lifted her skirt slightly and sat down on the sofa, "Can't you be more humble to the ladies?" You know, ladies spend a lot of time dressing up before they go out. Humility, honor, sacrifice, valor, mercy, honesty, justice, faith, what about your chivalry? ”

Arthur poured a cup of tea and placed it on the coffee table beside her: "I'm sorry, Fiona, I've never been a knight, but a despicable commoner. However, if you like knights, I can tell you where to look. ”

"Really?" Fiona held the teacup to warm her hands, her eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to find some change in Arthur's emotions: "Where is the knight?" ”

Arthur leaned against the wall with his hands folded: "The grave in Westminster Abbey, where all the knights are buried, and most importantly, you don't have to worry about them coming back to life." ”

"You're mean." Fiona took a sip of tea: "Why didn't you tell me to go to the upper house?" There were nobles who were higher than the knights, and much younger than those in the grave. ”

Arthur apologized sincerely, "I'm sorry, Fiona, all along, I thought you liked maturity. ”

"Yes, you know me well." Fiona nodded, "However, I don't think a bunch of old men who quarrel every day in the upper courtyard can be called mature. Do you know who the benchmark of our line is? ”

Arthur thought for a moment: "Kitty Fisher? I've read books about her, and many people say that she was the most successful woman in 18th-century London, and that parliamentarians, artists, and wealthy people fell at her feet, and she even once ate a cheque worth a thousand quines in buttered bread. ”

Fiona pouted, "Kitty Fisher? A vulgar woman. For the sake of money and material desires, she was willing to become a toy of the upper class, and when she really got these, she found that she couldn't use them that much. Swallowing a check, it may seem like an enviable life to those who don't know her. But I know that this stupid approach is nothing more than a method she uses to cover up her low self-esteem and anesthetize herself. Thomas Hobbes once said: Every time a person violates reason, he is punished by reason. Kitty Fisher is like that. ”

Arthur pushed open the window and lit his pipe: "Interesting opinion, Fiona, it seems that you have read quite a lot lately, and you speak like a philosopher." ”

Fiona's face flushed, and she raised her silk fan to cover her mouth, "Oh, Mr. Hastings, I can't hear that. You know, girls can't afford compliments. ”

The Red Devil put his arm on Arthur's shoulder and sneered, "Ha, Arthur, this little girl is lying again. It's not that women can't resist compliments, they are the most hard-hearted. But there is one exception, and that is that she likes him. ”

Arthur began, "If a compliment would make the ladies willing to drop the cheque and be willing to serve, then I wouldn't mind sending it more." Fiona, you're so beautiful today. ”

Fiona rolled her eyes when she heard this: "Mr. Hastings! I don't think our relationship is deep enough yet. Besides, I have a bunch of girls to feed. Do you know how much Scotland Yard has cost me during this time? If it weren't for the few hundred pounds we got for Chabony Harrison, we would have barely made ends meet. ”

Arthur nodded slightly, "It seems that you did listen to my kind reminders. But Fiona, don't be in a hurry to get angry, it's not a big deal to make less money than dying during cholera. Look at me, I almost killed someone. ”

"I don't care so much. At least until we buy a legal brothel and get a license to run it, you'll still have to pay the girls who run around for you at the original price. ”

"And when they have a place to stay without worrying about being chased by the police, I can rest assured that I can boldly move towards the goal of the industry benchmark without worrying about the prodigal people who only stare at fine perfume and jewelry," Fiona said. ”

Arthur nodded slightly, "Sounds like your goal is ambitious. ”

"Of course." "I'm going to be a respectable lady, like Emma Hamilton or Harriet Wilson did," said Fiona earnestly. ”

Arthur is no stranger to these two names.

In the various social venues he has attended over the past year, gentlemen have occasionally chatted about the two personalities who have stirred up London's social scene.

This can be done by relying on the innate beauty of the two ladies, on their talents and cultivation, and on the third by relying on the various gossip stories between them and their legendary lovers.

Two of the most admired figures in Britain in recent decades are neither three kings nor prime ministers, but the Duke of Wellington from the Army and Horatio Nelson from the Royal Navy.

Lady Emma Hamilton, known as Britain's first beauty, came from humble beginnings, but became popular after becoming Horatio Nelson's lover, and she was the center of attention at the court in Naples and the Olmark club in London.

As for Harriet Wilson, her story is a bit more legendary.

The daughter of a Swiss watchmaker, she entered the industry at the age of twelve, and at the age of fifteen she was chosen as a courtesan by the discerning Earl of Coleven, and had no trouble catching the most important figures in the country.

However, unlike Emma Hamilton, who was completely captured by Horatio Nelson and longed to be with him for the rest of her life, Miss Hallriet did not seek to be the wife of some big man.

She has a very clear mind and knows exactly what she is doing.

Because of this, she did not limit her lover to the Duke of Wellington, and she knew quite well that it was impossible for her to tie down this merry old man who dared to wrestle with Napoleon in all respects.

How broad is her social range?

Even if you take the people Arthur knew, the people who had fun with Miss Harriet included the Duke of Wellington, Viscount Palmerston, the former King George IV, and, of course, Lord Byron, who was very emotional in all aspects.

As for why Arthur knew about this, it is another very outrageous old news.

When Miss Harriet decided to retire in 1825, she sent threatening letters to her old lovers, exposing in her published memoirs what they had said and done, if they did not pay hush money.

According to the gentlemen, it seems that there were nearly 200 nobles who received the threat letter at that time, and you must know that all the seats in the upper house together are only more than 600, that is, one-third of the people in the upper house have received the threat letter.

It is said that when the House of Lords was in session, the members of the House of Representatives often joked with each other about it, and the greeting phrase from meeting to greeting each other was: "Did you receive the letter?" ”

But despite the collective blackmail of the councillors, most people don't mind paying her a sum of money for her old age because of Miss Harriet's measuredness. Miss Hallriet reciprocated this by singing a hymn to her generous lovers in the book.

Of course, Harriet's tricks didn't always work, and the Duke of Wellington didn't buy her seriously.

Still, for this national hero, the ice-smart Miss Harriet still maintains the utmost respect.

From the experiences of these two men, Arthur also got a rough idea of what Fiona's goal was.

A well-respected lady, a courtesan of the upper class, this is indeed much better than a wandering warbler or a dusty woman.

Arthur opened his mouth and said, "Fiona, I wish you success. If you can really do that good, it's really a lot better than Kitty Fisher. ”

Fiona blinked, curled the corners of her mouth and smiled, "No, Mr. Hastings, I want you to succeed." Do you think that a woman alone can make a difference in this society? Look at Carolyn Norton, that stupid woman who doesn't open her mind, she hasn't realized what she has in her hands, she has resources but she doesn't know how to use them, so she can't even see her own children now. ”

When Arthur heard this, he suddenly pinched his chin and pondered: "Fiona, I have to say, you seem to have provided me with a new idea. That's a not-so-smart woman, so are you planning to help this sister you've never met become smarter? Her relationship with the Viscount of Melbourne will help her, and it will help me. If I'm not mistaken, you just said that you want me to succeed? ”

When Fiona heard this, she just turned her face to the side, she wrapped her blonde hair, and said, "Aren't you afraid that I'm joking?" After all, you are asking me to seduce a pure lady into a wrong, which is an unforgivable sin. ”

Arthur leaned down into her eyes with one hand on the couch and asked, "But you are now mired in this mire of sin...... Isn't it? Fiona, don't wait until now to tell me that you're already planning to get out. ”

At this moment, the air in the room seemed to freeze.

Arthur's peripheral vision saw that Fiona's nails were almost sinking into the couch, and the tip of his nose could faintly feel a slight burning breath.

"I ......"

Fiona suddenly stood up and pushed Arthur away.

It seemed to her that she had not used much force, but Arthur took several steps back like an eighty-year-old man.

Fiona was stunned for a few seconds before being replaced by an angry roar: "What do you think I am?" I'm not such a casual woman! ”

Arthur just smiled: "What about Caroline Norton?" ”

"She will be!"

"You promised?"

"Are you not convinced?!"

Arthur smiled and sighed, "Fiona, you are really an angel. ”

When Fiona heard this, she angrily kicked on the coffee table in front of her: "Arthur Hastings! You're raised as a bitch! No, you're an orphan and you don't even have a fucking bitch! ”

"Oh roar!" The Red Devil lay on his desk and leaned back and laughed: "Arthur, you're really getting more and more assholes, how did you come up with this trick?" ”

Seeing her so angry, Arthur finally realized that the situation seemed to be getting a little serious.

Arthur asked, "Do you want to do it again?" ”

"Again?" Fiona blushed and scolded, "I warn you, if you take a step closer to me, I will accuse you of insulting me!" Hastings, you wait to be as discredited as Bernie Harrison! ”

Arthur just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I didn't trade money for a short-lived relationship, Fiona, what you said is too much, you broke my heart." ”

"You ......"

I don't know if it's angry or happy, Fiona just feels that her mood is angry and happy: "After all, he is the big leader of Scotland Yard, and his speech is really getting more and more level." But do you think I'll be able to spare you that way? Dream on! It's unlucky that the Poles didn't blow you up, and I tell you, if I had carried out this plan, you and I would have met in hell by this time. ”

When Agareth heard this, he just pouted and shook his head: "Look! And voila! Arthur, you've made this chick so angry. It's all this time, and she's still dreaming. Hell had become a good place in her heart. It seems that Aristotle was right when he said that women are more loving than righteous than men. ”

Arthur looked at the crooked coffee table and broken glass all over the floor, and was about to pour a cup of tea for Fiona to go to the fire, but before he could pick up the teapot, he heard a bang, and the door was slammed open.

Immediately afterward, an angry roar was heard: "Don't move! ”

Dumas, wielding a double revolver, twisted his muscular body and rushed into the room with a brisk stride, followed by the Scotland Yard officers.

Everyone looked at each other, and Arthur glanced at Alexandre Dumas and Inspector Jones, who was eager to show his loyalty, and bent down to pick up a piece of broken glass that was scattered: "What are you doing here?" ”

Alexandre Dumas glanced at the mess, and the fat French man groaned, and then turned his head to look at Fiona, who was slightly disheveled because she jumped onto the couch in fright.

He asked secretly, "Arthur, you didn't tell me." ”

Arthur took off his white gloves and asked, "What didn't I tell you?" ”

"Damn it!" Alexandre Dumas replied expectantly: "Do we still have special health care expenditures?" I used to think it was the exclusive domain of the Port of Liverpool Authority. ”

Arthur asked, "Of course, I have always paid attention to the welfare of employees in the department. ”

Jones also heard something wrong: "The Criminal Investigation Department still has this kind of thing?" ”

Alexandre Dumas laughed shyly: "I see, but I don't know, how should I enjoy this benefit?" ”

Arthur didn't say much, he pointed out the corner of his eye, then pulled open the drawer and took out the revolver: "Just like me." I'll count to three, and if you're still here after three rings, then I'll be able to apply for funeral subsidies at Scotland Yard on your behalf, in addition to health care. ”

"Fuck, Arthur, you kid eats alone?"

"Three ......"

Syllable!

Almost instantly, the room was empty, and even the door, Alexandre Dumas intimately closed it for Arthur.

The room fell silent again, and Arthur turned his gaze to Fiona and asked, "Maybe we should start talking about something." It would be too big to invite you from London just for health care. ”

Fiona glared at Arthur before she re-gathered the scarf on her shoulders and said, "If that's why you can't stand the push of a weak lady, then I'll accept it." ”

The Red Devil whistled when he heard this: "Girl, don't be too smart. When the mind is not clear, any thinking is superfluous. ”

Fiona regained her composure and pulled out an archival document from her handbag.

"With regard to Agnieszka, the wife of the Polish killer whom you asked me to investigate, I am honored to tell you, Arthur, that you may know her."

"Oh?" Arthur recalled, "Have I ever had an encounter with such a lady? ”

Fiona gave him a blank look and continued, "You want to be beautiful! You should be glad you didn't have such an encounter with Agnieszka, because the guy you met was the idiot MP you killed - Bernie Harrison. ”

(End of chapter)