“I was asked to meet Your Royal Highness,” Anton replied, “because we had met before, but I did not know that Your Royal Highness would be expecting a Mounted Escort.”
Zoleka gave a little cry.
“But, of course, I always have one! Papa would not think of letting me drive about without one.”
As Anton looked somewhat crestfallen, she added,
“Never mind. My Escort, which is commanded by Count von Hoffmannstall, will, of course, take me to your Palace.”
As they were talking they were moving towards the door of the inn.
Zoleka could see in the courtyard that there was a carriage drawn by only two horses.
She stopped and exclaimed,
“I have an idea! As they will not be expecting me to arrive so quickly as I would with four horses, I think it would be wise if you went back now to inform the Prime Minister, the Lord Chamberlain, and of course Her Royal Highness Princess Udele, that I will be arriving sooner than they expect.”
She continued in a more considerate tone of voice,
“I am sure that they would be very upset if I arrived before they were ready to receive me.”
She recognised as she spoke from the expression on Anton’s face that the Prime Minister had not considered it necessary to receive her and the same probably applied to the Lord Chamberlain.
Before Anton could reply, she continued,
“And you must, of course, tell these gentlemen that I have also brought Count von Hoffmannstall with me as my second aide-de-camp besides Pieter Seitz whom I think you met when you were staying with us.”
She paused a moment.
“The Count is the youngest son of one of the most important grandees at the Palace in Vienna and I feel sure that His Royal Highness Prince Majmir will be delighted to meet him.”
By this time they had stepped into the inn where the proprietor was bowing almost to the ground.
“Luncheon be ready for Your Royal Highness,” he said. “And I hope very much it’ll be to your liking.”
“I am sure it will be. We will be three for luncheon and will you see to it that there is a meal for my Escort and for my lady’s maid who is in the carriage just behind us.”
“It’ll be seen to, Your Royal Highness,” agreed the proprietor bowing even lower than before.
They went in to luncheon.
Zoleka found that it was an adequate but dull meal.
Champagne had not been ordered for them.
Her father would always arrange for champagne to be served whenever he greeted anyone of significance on the borders of Opava.
Anton now held a whispered conversation with the proprietor.
Zoleka guessed it was to reassure him that he would be paid for the additional guests, but that he did not have enough money with him.
‘No one,’ she pondered with a glint of satisfaction, ‘at the Krnov Palace will have expected me to arrive with such a retinue.’
She was only hoping they would be as astonished as Anton was.
As she sat down to luncheon with her two aides-decamp, she knew they were as amused at the situation as she was herself.
“Poor young Bauer will be hungry,” smiled Pieter, “as you sent him off without his luncheon.”
“Can you imagine my Papa treating any guest when they arrived in Opava in the way we have been? It is not Anton’s fault of course, but it is the Prime Minister who should know better.”
“I heard they had all become lazy and neglectful of protocol in Krnov,” remarked Pieter. “But I think you can be sure now they will be on the doorstep when Your Royal Highness arrives!”
The Count too thought that this was a good joke.
He told Zoleka stories of how he and his father had been received in different countries.
“When I was travelling for several months after I left University,” he recounted, “things were very different. I did not use my title as I wanted to see how the ordinary people behaved and I believe it was a good experience.”
“Of course it was,” agreed Zoleka, “and I admire you very much for doing it. You will find it a great help in the future if you are going into the Diplomatic Service.”
“That is what I may do,” the Count replied, “but my father has such extensive possessions all over Austria that at present, as he is not in such good health, I find myself running from one to the other to make sure everything is in order as he would wish it to be.”
He spoke in a manner that told Zoleka he enjoyed being in control and having people obeying him.
She thought, as she had before, that he would be of great assistance to her and also that what they were going to experience shortly in Krnov would be of considerable help to him in the future.
They did not hurry over their luncheon.
When eventually they drove off again, the sun was shining.
The part of the country they were now entering was more attractive than the borderland, but here too, however, the people looked poor and badly dressed.
The houses were not well built and a great number of them were in need of repair and they passed through several small towns that did not seem at all prosperous.
Once again Zoleka was thinking how stupid it was of Prince Majmir not to develop coal and other minerals in his country as her father and Prince Vaslov were doing.
*
It took them under two hours to reach the Capital of Krnov where the Palace was situated.
The Capital certainly looked more prosperous and the houses were much better built, but the citizens looked apathetic.
They stared in amazement at the Princess’s carriage and her Escort and yet there was no question of cheering or waving as her own people always did to her and her father.
The Palace, as they approached it, seemed to look impressive. It was high above the City and being built of white stone was at least conspicuous.
Zolita’s Mounted Escort looked very smart as they turned in through the gates.
The sentries came immediately to attention.
There was a long driveway passing through gardens bright with blossom, but they did not compare in any way, Zoleka thought, with the gardens at home.
She had tidied herself at the inn before she left and now she took a quick glance at her face in the little mirror in her handbag.
With her eyes shining and the sun catching the glint in her fair hair, she looked very lovely in her mother’s hat.
The carriage came slowly to a standstill outside the large doors of the Palace.
Zoleka saw Anton Bauer waiting for her and behind him, just in the doorway, were three people.
“He has done it,” she whispered to Pieter. “I am sure that is the Prime Minister and the Lord Chamberlain.”
“Your Royal Highness was very clever to get them here,” replied Pieter.
The carriage door was now opened by a footman in Royal Livery.
Zoleka stepped out.
She walked towards the one female in the reception party who she guessed must be Princess Udele.
She realised as she did so that the Princess was very pretty, but looking rather frightened.
In fact she saw the Lord Chamberlain put his hand on her back as if to push her forward.
Zoleka kissed her on both cheeks.
“It is delightful to meet Your Royal Highness,” she said, “after so many years of being kept apart.”
“Welcome to Krnov,” greeted Princess Udele in a faltering voice. “We are – very honoured to have you here.”
It was obviously what she had been told to say.
Zoleka replied,
“And I am so pleased to be here in Krnov. It will be very exciting, I hope, for both of us.”
She then turned to the Prime Minister and held out her hand. He bowed over it and made a long speech of welcome, which he had quite obviously made many times before.
Then Zoleka turned to the Lord Chamberlain.
He welcomed her briefly before asking in what
she thought was rather a sharp voice,
“I can see Your Royal Highness has brought a large Escort with you. Will they be riding back tonight?”
Zoleka gave a cry of horror.
“Oh, no! It would be far too much for the horses. I hope you will be kind enough to permit them to stay for the night. And may I first present to Her Royal Highness and of course to you, Count Franz von Hoffmannstall who has graciously come with me as my aide-de-camp.”
She glanced at the Prime Minister before adding,
“I expect you have met some of his distinguished family in Vienna. Count Franz is a brilliant horseman and we are delighted he has come to stay with us in Opava.”
The Prime Minister and the Lord Chamberlain were all bows and politeness.
There were no Austrians who were not aware of the Hofmannstalls and the part they had played in the history of Austria.
They moved inside the Palace.
The hall, thought Zoleka, was fairly imposing but shabby.
“Would Your Royal Highness like to retire to your room before we have tea, which I have arranged for you in the Blue drawing room?” the Lord Chamberlain asked.
“I have been thinking about my room on the way here,” responded Zoleka. “When I saw a plan of the Palace I was very impressed. I do so hope that I shall be given the State room which I am told is the prettiest.”
A startled expression came into the eyes of the Lord Chamberlain.
She knew he had never for a moment contemplated her residing in one of the State rooms.
“I am sure you know the room I am referring to,” continued Zoleka. “It is the Rose room and, as the rose is my favourite flower, I shall be very disappointed if I have been allocated any other room.”
There was nothing the Lord Chamberlain could do.
He muttered that he would, of course, escort her to the Rose room if that was what she wanted.
Zoleka smiled at Princess Udele.
“I don’t know where Her Royal Highness might be sleeping, but of course it will be so much more convenient, as we have so much to do together, if we are close to one another. I saw on the plan of the Palace that the boudoir of the Rose room adjoins the Lily room. I am sure that would be a very appropriate room for Her Royal Highness.”
Before the Lord Chamberlain could protest Princess Udele piped up,
“I have been made to continue sleeping next to the schoolroom even though my governess has left. I would love to be in the Lily room it is very pretty.”
“Then it shall be arranged,” the Lord Chamberlain conceded rather reluctantly.
It was obvious from the way he spoke that he was not only surprised but very annoyed, but for the moment he could not think how he could refuse to do what was asked without being extremely rude.
“That will be wonderful,” enthused Zoleka. “We shall be able to chatter about things and have a comfortable place to relax when we are not busy entertaining people in the reception rooms.”
Again she noted a startled expression on the Lord Chamberlain’s face.
It was then that the Prime Minister asked,
“Is Your Royal Highness hoping to entertain many guests whilst you are here?”
“Of course I am. I understood I was to come here to help Princess Udele in taking up her Royal duties having finished with her education.”
“But of course,” the Prime Minister agreed. “Your Royal Highness is quite right.”
“I would very much like to talk to you about the arrangements for tomorrow, so please arrange a meeting.”
Before the Prime Minister could respond to Zoleka, she had turned to the Lord Chamberlain.
“I now wish to wash and take off my hat after such a long journey. Will you be kind enough please to show me the way to the Rose room?”
She walked to the staircase as she spoke and started to climb up it.
The Lord Chamberlain followed her.
At the top of the stairs, Zoleka found, as indeed she had expected, the housekeeper was waiting for her. There was no mistaking her in a rustling black dress and a huge silver chatelaine at her waist.
“This is Frau Leuger, the Palace housekeeper, who will be looking after Your Royal Highness,” said the Lord Chamberlain.
She bobbed a curtsy and Zoleka held out her hand.
“It is so very nice for me to be here in Krnov, and I am looking forward to seeing the Rose room, which I have heard is so beautiful.”
She saw the housekeeper look with astonishment at the Lord Chamberlain, who instructed her quickly,
“Her Royal Highness will be sleeping in the Rose room and Princess Udele will be in the Lily room.”
“This is something I was not expecting, my Lord,” the housekeeper replied, “but of course both the rooms are unoccupied.”
The Lord Chamberlain did not deign to answer and the housekeeper led the way along the corridor.
The State rooms were certainly magnificent, but it was very obvious that they had not been in use for a long time.
There was the smell of a room where the windows had not regularly been opened and although they were not dusty, there were no flowers on the tables.
The curtains were drawn tight until the housekeeper pulled them back.
“This is quite delightful!” exclaimed Zoleka. “And I would like my maid to be brought up to me as quickly as possible so that she can help me with my hair after I have removed my hat.”
The Lord Chamberlain walked out into the passage and the housekeeper followed him.
To her amusement Zoleka could hear them arguing with each other about the rooms.
Princess Udele had also come upstairs, but no one had paid much attention to her.
Now she said to Zoleka,
“It is very kind of you to suggest that I should come downstairs. When I asked before, they said I was to stay in the same room that I have always used, which is next to the schoolroom and not very comfortable.”
Zoleka smiled at her.
“That room must now be closed up and forgotten. You are grown-up and important, otherwise they would not have asked me to come and be with you. We are going to have a lot of fun, even if some of the old fuddy-duddies in the Palace will be surprised at what we will do!”
Udele clasped her hands together.
“Do you think we can have a party?”
“Of course we can have a party! We can have lots of parties. But first of all we must find out who the young people in your country are and where we can find them.”
“I have never been allowed to meet any of them,” she answered. “Papa is not interested in me and I have just been left with my governess.”
Zoleka smiled at her.
“That is all in the past and now you and I are going to have fun. But you will have to support me in everything we want to do.”
“Of course I will. Thank you so much for coming, Princess Zoleka, it is very kind of you.”
Zoleka removed her hat and was wondering what had happened to Marla when she arrived.
“You would not believe it, Your Royal Highness,” she spluttered, as she came into the room. “We was taken up the stairs and you’ve never seen such an uncomfortable little room they was giving to you. And not a place to hang your gowns!”
“I thought that might happen,” laughed Zoleka.
She turned to Udele.
“This is Marla, my precious maid. She has looked after me for six years and I am sure she will give your maid lots of tips as to how to make you even prettier than you are already.”
“I do not have a maid all to myself.”
“But you must have your own maid! I shall explain that you will need one to look after your new clothes.”
“New clothes, Princess Zoleka?”
“I expect you to tell me which are the best and most exclusive shops in this City, because you will have to buy new clothes for all the activities we are going to do. I am absolutely certain that no one has ever thought about you acquiring the cl
othes that every debutante is entitled to.”
Udele gave a skip of joy.
“I would so love some new clothes,” she enthused. “Those I have were made by the Palace seamstress and she always makes everything in just the same patterns she has used for years. I just hate all my dresses, but when I have complained no one listens to me.”
“I will listen to you, Udele, but now we must hurry and go down to tea. Marla will see to everything here.”
“You can leave it all to me, Your Royal Highness,” Marla now chipped in. “I knew you wouldn’t put up with that nonsense of being pushed away in what had once been the nurseries!”
She spoke with such contempt that Zoleka giggled.
Then slipping her arm through Udele’s, she urged,
“Now come along. We have such a lot to do and so much to plan. You must help me jump the hedges which stand in our way as quickly as possible.”
The two girls were laughing as they ran down the stairs.
The large reception room where they were having tea was fairly comfortable, but Zoleka considered that it lacked a woman’s touch.
There were no flowers, which she knew would have displeased her mother.
The Lord Chamberlain and the Prime Minister were waiting for them.
“I thought that Your Royal Highness would wish to pour out the tea,” suggested the Lord Chamberlain rather severely.
“But, of course, and I am quite sure that your Chef has prepared some delicious cakes and scones for us to eat after rather a dull luncheon.”
There was a pause and somewhat uncomfortably the Lord Chamberlain responded,
“I am afraid that I did not think of sending any food from the Palace with Anton Bauer, when he went to meet you.”
“It is just what my father would always do,” replied Zoleka. “And of course some champagne too, which most people find refreshing after a long journey.”
“I can only promise that you will have it tonight,” the Lord Chamberlain muttered.
Zoleka smiled at him and then asked,
“May I have an audience with His Royal Highness now or shall I wait until dinner?”
There was a silence after she had spoken.
She realised, as indeed she had expected, that it had never crossed the Lord Chamberlain’s mind that she would have dinner with Prince Majmir.
Ruled by Love Page 4
