"Huh?" Thinking about why Butler Sean would call at this hour, Arthur Cavendish answered the phone.
"Sean, this is Arthur..."
"Young Master, I finally got in touch with you. I couldn't reach you last night, so I've already sent Ramos to London to find you..."
Hearing Butler Sean's words, Arthur Cavendish frowned slightly. In his memory, Butler Sean always handled things calmly and orderly within Chatsworth House. Now, just from his tone, a hint of urgency was clear. Arthur couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"
"Young Master, you need to return quickly. The Duke and Master Henry have met with an accident..."
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London in May and June is usually a pleasant time of year. In this often overcast city, these rare periods offer longer daylight hours and more sunshine. However, at this moment, Arthur Cavendish had no time for leisure or to appreciate the London streetscape. He faced more pressing matters, a complicated situation he hadn't anticipated after just arriving in this timeline and becoming the son of a Duke, before even getting a chance to enjoy a noble life.
After learning from the old butler that his current body's father and elder brother had been in a car accident, with his elder brother dying on the spot and his father being hospitalized with a grim prognosis, he had just hung up. Then, Ramos, his personal valet dispatched to London, called. Learning Arthur's location, Ramos and the driver arrived to pick him up in the shortest possible time.
Logically, as Arthur's personal valet, Ramos should have always been by his side. However, the previous Arthur Cavendish disliked being constantly followed, as it interfered with his rich 'nightlife.' Therefore, he had found an excuse to send Ramos back to Chatsworth in Derbyshire. Moreover, with the new century, many nobles' lifestyles had changed, and young nobles often didn't adhere too rigidly to traditions, making his behavior not entirely out of line.
"Ramos, Sean's call was too rushed and didn't explain much. Do you have more information?" After getting into the well-maintained old Rolls-Royce sedan, Arthur Cavendish tried to look solemn as he asked Ramos, who was in the passenger seat. "I still don't know why Father and Brother came to London together. They didn't contact me beforehand..."
"Young Master, it is said that the Duke and Master Henry had an urgent matter to visit an important person, but they unexpectedly encountered a car accident on their way back... As for not contacting you beforehand, it should be because this trip was too rushed," Ramos explained, doing his best to relay all he knew. Wisely, he omitted certain inconvenient details – like the likelihood that they hadn't informed Young Master Arthur because he was uninterested in family matters, preferring only pleasure.
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The Cavendish Family, hereditary Dukes of Devonshire, customarily reside at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. This magnificent estate, with over a hundred rooms, was originally built in 1552. Over more than 400 years, from the 15th to the 19th century, through the meticulous design and construction by many famous gardeners, Chatsworth House became one of the most beautiful estates in England, an important part of England's cultural heritage. The entire estate spans over 1,000 acres, designed in the 18th century by the landscape genius Lancelot "Capability" Brown, and subsequently renovated by 16 generations of descendants, with its interior decor being grand and luxurious.
Furthermore, Chatsworth is incredibly famous throughout England's history. Mary, Queen of England, was once imprisoned here; and the prototype for Mr. Darcy's home in the world-renowned novel "Pride and Prejudice" is Chatsworth!
"Young Master, we are almost home." As his personal valet Ramos spoke, Arthur Cavendish looked through the car window. He saw the magnificent manor house, reflected in the river, standing amidst velvet-carpet-like green lawns, with trees arranged in pleasing disorder—a truly cinematic scene.
When the car stopped at the entrance of the manor villa, Ramos got out and opened the car door for Arthur Cavendish. At this moment, Arthur Cavendish was dressed in a very formal tailcoat, with a waistcoat and white shirt underneath, all custom-made by renowned designers. The meticulous tailoring perfectly outlined Arthur Cavendish's tall and well-proportioned figure, making everyone who saw him unable to help but secretly applaud. This was the tradition of old nobility—even in such an urgent moment, Ramos had not forgotten to bring this set of clothes for him, ensuring he changed into it before they set off.
"Young Master Arthur, it's truly wonderful that you could return." At the entrance of the villa, servants stood in two rows. At the very front was Sean, the current generation's butler of the Cavendish Family. He spoke to Arthur Cavendish in a solemn, low voice, and though he tried to control his expression, a deep sadness could still be felt in his eyes.
Arthur Cavendish glanced at the more than twenty servants standing behind Butler Sean, silently matching their faces one by one from his predecessor's memories—though, not everyone was familiar; two or three faces were new.
"Sean..." Nodding to the butler, Arthur Cavendish said, "I apologize, I haven't recovered from the shock yet. I want to go to the hospital first to see my father. I don't know how he is doing now..."
"The Duke, the Duke he..." Upon hearing Arthur's words, Sean's eyes immediately reddened. His lips trembled, and he took a deep breath, slowly saying, "Just as you were still on your way, sorrowful news came from the hospital..."
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The noble history of the Cavendish Family can be traced back 400 years, and for over 300 years, holding the title of Duke of Devonshire, this family has left a deep imprint on the history of England. Their family has produced multiple politicians, including a British Prime Minister, as well as scientists.
But on this day in 2002, the entire family faced its most sorrowful moment. Because of a car accident, not only did this generation, the 12th Duke of Devonshire, and his eldest son Henry perished one after another, but even the 82-year-old Duchess of Devonshire from the generation before last—Arthur's grandmother—also suffered a devastating blow from the unexpected deaths of her son and eldest grandson, and passed away three days after her son's death.
It can be said that at this time, among the direct members of the Duke of Devonshire Family, the eighth oldest ducal family existing in England, only Arthur Cavendish remains.