by Jenny Frame
George finally pulled away, needing some air, and Bea looked at her with a mixture of emotion and uncertainty. The barriers between them seemed to be gone; the kiss had exposed all of the secrets they kept but still left unsaid.
She took a breath and started to say the words that lay deep inside her heart. “I lo—”
Bea quickly placed a finger against the Queen’s lips and said, “No. Please don’t say it. Don’t say it out loud.”
George pulled back, dazed and confused. “Why?”
Bea cupped George’s cheek with her hand. “Because one day, Your Majesty, a well-bred and suitable woman is going to come along and take you away from me, and that will break my heart.”
“But I would never—”
Bea sat up quickly. “You might not want to, but you will.” She was angry and defensive. “Queens don’t settle down with working-class girls from East London, and I would never be your mistress. If we leave everything unsaid, we can perhaps salvage our friendship, because that’s all we can ever have.”
George tried to grab her arm and stop her from standing up, but Bea pulled away. “Please, Georgie, please just leave it. I have to protect myself. Don’t mention it again.”
She stormed off and stopped by the ancient tree, bracing herself against the trunk, trying to catch her breath. Rex looked at his master and whimpered.
Bloody hell, I’ve ruined everything, George thought. She got up and walked over to Bea. “Bea? Please forgive me for my behaviour. It wasn’t right to put you in that position, but I would never, ever have you as my mistress and hide you away. You are too important to me. I would be proud to have you at my side.”
Bea spun round. “Please, Georgie, don’t make this any harder. If we say nothing more, we can go back to being friends.”
George was aware there would be some obstacles in them being together, but she didn’t see them as insurmountable. Bea either couldn’t or didn’t want to fight for that, so she would take whatever Bea could offer her.
“I won’t bring it up again, Bea, but please don’t walk away from our friendship.”
“I never could.” She threw herself into George’s arms and hugged her like she was going to disappear. “Georgie, if you get me an invitation, I’ll come and sit at the back of Westminster Abbey. I’ll take a day’s leave from work.”
George let out a long breath. “Thank you. I appreciate it more than you know.” She stood holding Bea as long as she was allowed, as she didn’t know if she would ever get this close to her again.
You are the only one who will ever own my heart. You are my Queen Consort.
Chapter Sixteen
The following few days were quiet for Bea. With no scheduled Timmy’s visits till the end of the week, and the Queen’s schedule extremely busy, they didn’t speak as much as they normally would. Bea wanted some space to think, and to try and get her feelings under control.
The morning of the memorial service came, and Bea was even more nervous than she’d been for the banquet at Windsor. At least there she’d known she would speak to George at some point. Today was a highly formal occasion, and she would enter alone and leave alone.
“What do you think, Mum?” Sarah had been helping with hair and make-up, and she looked at her with pride.
“You look elegant and beautiful. I can’t wait to see you on TV. My little girl at Westminster Abbey.”
“Mum, I don’t think for one minute I’ll be shown. I’m sitting at the back, nearly out the door.” Bea ran her hands down her new dress, smoothing it out. “Being friends with royalty is certainly making a dent in my bank account.”
“Watch your time, sweetheart.” Sarah pointed to the clock on the dressing table. “Are you sure you don’t want Dad to drive you?”
“He wouldn’t get near the Abbey. It’s best if I take a taxi. It says on the invitation they have a special drop-off area near the Abbey.”
Her mum gave her a cuddle and said, “I’m so excited, and I’ve made sure your cousin Martha will be watching.”
“Hopefully I can slip in at the back unnoticed.”
*
Bea did not get her wish. She was met at the Abbey door by Captain Cameron and directed to the row near the front of the Abbey amongst the politicians and foreign dignitaries. In front of her were the empty pews waiting for the royal family. As she walked down the intimidating aisle of Westminster Abbey, feeling as if a million eyes were pinned on her, she thought, I’m going to kill you, Georgie.
As she sat contemplating her discomfort at being alone amongst all these people, she recalled her conversation the previous evening with the Queen.
She hadn’t heard from George for a few days, and thought perhaps she was angry with her, but then as she sat at the desk in her room, a call came through on her computer. “Good evening, Your Majesty,” Bea said rather formally, not knowing how George would act with her.
“Hello—I hope it’s okay to call.”
Bea gave a tentative smile. “Of course it is. I wasn’t sure if you still wanted to be friends…after the weekend.”
“Of course I do, Bea. I was just trying to give you some space. If I wasn’t friends with you, there would be no one to call me Georgie or Bully, and I’d just be the bloody Queen all the time,” George joked, as if to ease the tension.
“I’m so glad. I missed talking to you,” Bea admitted.
“Rexie has missed you.”
“I missed him. He’s a handsome boy.”
George hesitated before saying, “I missed you. I wanted to make sure you were coming tomorrow. If you’ve changed your mind…”
Bea saw the tension etched across the Queen’s face and knew that no matter how much it hurt, she would be there for George, until the inevitable day when the task would fall to a more suitable woman.
“Of course I’ll be there, Georgie. I’ll be there for as long as you need me.” She heard George let out a long breath.
“You don’t know how relieved I am. I’ve been doing these sort of engagements all my life, but I’m dreading this. I have to be strong for my family—Mama and Theo need to lean on me. I feel all the pressure building up inside me, and I’m so worried I’ll make a fool of myself.”
“Remember what I told you: When you feel the panic starting to overtake you, shut your eyes for a few seconds and breathe deeply. I’ll be right there breathing along with you, and if you need to, just look towards the back of the Abbey and know I’m there with you. I know you won’t be able to see me so far back but…”
George smiled and said, “Oh, don’t worry, Bea, I’ll see you.”
Bea realized that George wanted her close enough to be able to see her, and her annoyance at the seating arrangement left her.
The archbishop walked into position at the front, and they all stood. A loud fanfare suddenly filled the Abbey with noise, signalling the arrival of the royal family. The Queen led the family down the aisle, dressed in her Royal Navy uniform, the national anthem playing in the background. As the family passed each pew, the person on the end would bow or curtsy. When George passed the row where Bea sat, she saw the solid, stoic mask George put on for these occasions, but Bea knew inside she would be struggling.
The family took their seats and the service began. There were hymns, then readings by the prime minister and from the chairman of the King’s favourite charity. Bea found it very moving, even more so knowing how George would feel listening.
The Archbishop of Canterbury took to his pulpit to introduce the Queen. The silver-haired man had a kindly face and spoke of the King and his family with genuine warmth.
“I had the pleasure of knowing and ministering to the late King Edward for many years. Through our many conversations I learned that he thought his greatest achievements and blessings were his wife, Queen Sofia, and their two children, Queen Georgina and Prince Theodore. In the last months of his life, he confided to me, that his greatest dream had always been to hold his grandchildren in his arms, and know the H
ouse of Buckingham would go on for generations. Since he came to accept that he wouldn’t be able to accomplish that, he realized that he didn’t need to see them to know that the House of Buckingham would remain strong, because his two wonderful children had grown up in love, and they in turn would create loving, happy families for themselves. That to me is the King’s greatest legacy. He has departed this world but left us with a new Queen to take us forward into a new world. I ask you all to stand with me and listen to the words of our new sovereign, Queen Georgina.”
The entire Abbey stood as George walked to the lectern. She looked out over the sea of faces before her and felt her vision narrow, a cold sweat started to form as her chest began to tighten. George desperately searched the faces until she fixed her eyes on a small blond woman, five rows from the front. She remembered what Bea had said the night before. When you feel the panic starting to overtake you, shut your eyes for a few seconds and breathe deeply. I’ll be right there breathing along with you…
George closed her eyes, took a breath, and when she opened them saw no one but Bea, who gave a soft smile and mouthed the word breathe.
She felt herself relax immediately and began to speak. “In May next year, I will be here at Westminster Abbey to make my coronation vows before God and the people. I would never have been able to fulfil that task without the expert tutelage and example of one of the finest kings this country has ever had. If I could be only half the monarch he was, then I will do exceptionally well. My father, the King, had a saying. Duty and service to the country and its people comes first, second, and last. That is how I will remember him, and I hope the nation will do too, as a man that would do anything for his people and his country.”
Chapter Seventeen
As April turned to May, Bea and George returned to the close friendship they had before they had kissed.
This morning Bea and Prince Theo were attending the final planning meeting for the coronation concert committee before publicity material would be released to the press. The committee was enjoying drinks as they wandered round the exhibition of concert posters and promotional material. Bea and Prince Theo stood in front of a huge computer screen that projected from floor to ceiling. It depicted the image of the band that was headlining the concert.
“I can’t believe you talked them into it, Your Royal Highness. They haven’t spoken in fifteen years, the biggest band of their generation—one call from you, and they’re desperate to reform.”
Theo gave her a playful wink. “What can I say? It’s just my charm. No, seriously, I’ve been friendly with them as individuals for a while, and I can tell you it wasn’t exaggerated how much they dislike each other. They really do, but when they heard it was Her Majesty’s concert, they couldn’t reform quickly enough. Everyone wants to be part of the lead-up to her coronation. They know it will be remembered for generations.”
Bea had noticed this everywhere she went with the Queen. There was a tangible excitement and buzz about the country. Not only on her visits, but on TV and in the press, everyone was monarchy obsessed at the moment. “The royal family does have an enormous pull with people, doesn’t it? They’re fascinated by you all.”
Theo ran his hand through his curly hair, much as George did when she was nervous. “Yes, we do. My papa taught us to use that fascination to bring good causes to the public attention, and to sell Britain abroad. I’m not as good as Georgie and the others, but I am trying very hard to change and be more useful. Georgie needs me to be.”
George and Theo were so different in character and personality, but Bea could see how much Theo idolized his sister. “You’re very close to the Queen, aren’t you?”
“Of course. My sister is a wonderful person, and I love her. She’s always been there for me, helping me whenever I’ve needed her. She is a rock the whole family lean on, and we are so glad she’s the head of the family.”
Who does Georgie lean on though? Bea asked herself. She felt the answer come from her heart unconsciously. You.
She shook off her thoughts quickly, feeling uncomfortable with the answer. “So, the concert is set for the twenty-eighth of July?”
Prince Theo took a sip of his drink and nodded. “Yes, that was the only available date left in the summer months. From Easter onward, my sister’s duties really hot up, so that’s the last date before the family go up to Balmoral for the summer holidays.”
“I can’t thank you enough for your help, sir. Timmy’s is going to be set up for a few years to come because of the Queen’s involvement and this concert.”
“I’m delighted to hear it, but less of the sir, call me Theo, remember?”
Bea looked around at the small groups chatting around them and said, “Not when there are others around. I’m always as careful with your sister’s title too.”
Theo laughed softly. “That won’t do your republican image much good, Miss Elliot.”
“My anti-monarchist image seems to be going down the tubes very rapidly. My republican university group would be horrified. If only you and your sister weren’t so nice and charming.”
“The Buckinghams are naturally charming. We can’t help being likeable.” Bea chuckled, along with Theo, but then a serious look came across his face. “My sister really treasures your friendship, you know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her as happy or content as when she speaks of your time together.”
Bea felt the blush coming to her cheeks. “I enjoy spending time with her.” They wandered around some of the other exhibits. “I can’t wait until the big night. I’ve never been part of something this big. They say we could charge ten times the price for the tickets and still sell them all,” Bea said enthusiastically.
“It will be spectacular. I’ve called on all the younger members of the Firm to attend. Vicki and Max are particularly excited.”
Bea giggled. “Makes you sound like an accountancy business.”
“Yes, well, being royal is our business. I hope you’ll join us in the royal box, Bea?”
“Oh, I don’t know if that would be the right place—”
The exuberant Prince interrupted her. “Of course it would be. You are the organizer, and the Queen will most certainly invite you.”
Bea felt like she was getting deeper and deeper into a new world, a world where she could get lost in George’s love, only to be left broken-hearted. “We’ll see.”
“And you’re off on a short trip with my sister, I understand.”
“Yes. We’re going to visit the construction of a new respite facility being built for Timmy’s in the south of France. The cameras are going to follow us and get some footage for the concert programme.”
“Excellent. Tell Georgie to have some fun while you’re away. She works too much.”
“I’ll probably hardly see her.”
“Oh, I think you will,” Theo said.
*
Sarah and Reg beamed with pride as they watched their daughter on the news the next day.
“Look at our little girl,” Sarah said to her husband.
Reg lifted her hand and placed a tender kiss on her knuckles. “She’s a beautiful girl. We’ve done well, sweetheart.” They listened intently as the newscaster spoke.
After touching down in France last night, the Queen is touring the site of the first overseas respite centre for her hospice charity, Timmy’s.
Hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets of the quiet seaside town of Porto Pollo in Corsica, to welcome the new Queen to France. The charity hopes to send young children and their families here to enjoy the sunshine and the warm weather, in between bouts of treatment.
This charity came into the public’s eye after the Queen chose them from a whole host of organizations hoping for her patronage, in this her coronation year. She was shown around the partially built site by the architects of the project and by Timmy’s regional director Miss Beatrice Elliot, who has been escorting the Queen around the charity’s British sites. She is also on the planning committee for Q
ueen Georgina’s coronation concert along with Prince Theodore.
After touring the site, the Queen went on a walkabout among the crowds who had shown up to welcome her. The enthusiastic crowd welcomed her like a movie star, shouting and screaming her name. The Queen will fly back to Britain tomorrow evening after meeting with the British ambassador in the afternoon. In other news…
“Did you hear that? They spoke about Bea,” Sarah said excitedly.
Reg squeezed her wife’s hand tightly. “I have a feeling that our little girl will have to get used to this type of thing.”
Sarah had started to realize her daughter had feelings for the Queen by the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about her, but she worried she would be hurt, when in the long run the Queen would be compelled to settle with someone more suitable. The way the Queen involved Bea in every aspect of the event made it look as if she was escorting a consort rather than a charity worker.
Sarah could only pray that the Queen felt the same way, and that her daughter’s heart would not be broken.
*
George looked at the readout on her tablet for around the twentieth time in the last few minutes.
“George, would you calm down, man.” Cammy was putting the finishing touches to a table laid out for an informal dinner, while George paced up and down the hotel suite.
“She did say she was coming, didn’t she? You didn’t misunderstand?”
Cammy left her task and walked over to the Queen. “George, Miss Elliot is coming. When I went down to her room to invite her, she seemed delighted and said she would be here as soon as she’d called her parents. She’s only five minutes late—give the lassie a chance.”
George let out a lungful of air she’d been holding in. “I’m sorry. I know I’m impossible. Did you inform Major Fairfax and Inspector Lang she’d be coming?”
For security reasons, the royal party had taken the whole top floor in the hotel. This gave her protection officers control of the stairs and lifts and access to the floor.
