Indiscretions of the Queen

by Виктория Холт

  She threw herself against him and put her arms about his neck. ‘You know full well.’

  He laughed.

  ‘Myself— and the Princess of Wales! Come, Lottie, you’re letting your imagination run away with you.’

  ‘Mind you don’t let yours run away with you where that woman’s concerned.’

  He laughed again and embraced her.

  ‘Your spare time is for me,’ she told him. ‘Remember it.’

  ‘As if you’d let me forget!’

  ‘I shan’t. But if you did by any chance there’d be trouble. You know that.’

  ‘I know my Lottie,’ he said.

  The friendship with the Douglases flourished. Lady Douglas, Caroline believed, was a very exciting personality. She was full of fun, ready for the wildest games Caroline arranged for her parties; and there was the delightful little daughter of hers who had been christened Charlotte Sydney.

  It made a bond between them that they both had a daughter named Charlotte; and Caroline was constantly bestowing gifts on the adorable little creature.

  How pleased she was that she had called on the Douglases that day!

  There was a great deal of entertaining and Sir Sydney was in good form at Parties; he had a talent for devising all sorts of games and they were usually games with forfeits. And the price he always demanded from the ladies was a kiss. This caused great merriment. And when Caroline had to pay her forfeit, Sir Sydney did not alter his terms and Caroline was very prepared to kiss him heartily. He was her dear friend who had helped to make her life so much more exciting.

  Captain Manley came to Montague House a great deal too. He was very interested in her boys and told her that the sea would be a fine career for any of them who were suited to it.

  ‘Why, you are like a father to my darlings,’ she cried in her impulsive way, and once when he took his leave she kissed him heartily to show him how grateful she was.

  She did not realize that her behaviour was noticed and commented on not only among her friends but among her servants. Nor did she know that some of the latter had be placed in her household on the orders of the Prince of Wales that her conduct might be observed and reported.

  ‘Dear, dear Captain Manley,’ she would say. ‘What wonderful man he is! And so kind.’

  As for dear Sir Sydney, she had a great affection for him too. He was the life and soul of any party and she enjoyed his high spirits and those occasions when he would hold the all entranced with some tale of the sea in which Sir Sydney always played the part of dashing hero.

  Since she had come to Montague House she certainly was building up a little coterie around herself which was making life very agreeable.

  The King called with presents for herself and little Charlotte. She was sad because she saw that his health was deteriorating. He spoke in that rapid manner which was so alarming and he was a trifle incoherent.

  ‘Well, well, well, so you are settled here, eh? It’s wrong you know, wrong, wrong, wrong. Ought to be at Carlton House. And little Charlotte? How is the child? Are you seeing her? Glad of that, glad of that. Should be there, though.

  Don’t like trouble in the family. My father quarrelled with his father— his father quarrelled with his father— and now my son— Who would have sons, eh? Lucky to have a daughter. Worried about Amelia, though. Do you never see the Princesses?’

  ‘I never see them, Uncle dear. I think they may have had orders to stay away.’

  ‘Don’t like it. All wrong— wrong— should all be friends. Like to see you back with the Prince.’

  ‘He’d never have me, Your Majesty, and I don’t think I’d want to go. I’m happy here. If I could have little Charlotte here I’d want nothing else—’

  ‘Happy, eh? Like it here? Not suitable really for Princess of Wales. Should be at Carlton House. Don’t like it.’ He looked at her in an oddly appreciative way.

  He said: ‘Pretty woman— fine bosom— should be painted. Should have your portrait painted. Has it been done since you came? Should have it done, I’ll send a man to do it. You’d like that, eh, what?’

  ‘Why yes, Your Majesty. I’d be delighted.’

  ‘Leave it to me. Only right. I’ll send a man, eh, what?’

  Poor, poor Uncle George, thought Caroline when he had left. One of these days he will go completely mad. She believed that he would forget the promise to have her portrait painted and expected to hear no more, so she was surprised when Sir Thomas Lawrence, R.A., arrived at Montague House.

  Caroline was delighted with the painter from the beginning. He was handsome, in his early thirties and had an extremely gallant manner. She was discovering that she liked to be surrounded by admiring men; their attentions and compliments helped her to forget the insults of the Prince of Wales, for although she pretended that she did not care and that she was no more attracted to him than he to her, her pride had been deeply wounded; and men such as Captain Manley and Sir Sydney Smith, with their perpetual gallantries and air of ‘Ah, if I but dared’ were a comfort to her. And now to their number was added the handsome young painter.

  How should she be painted? Let them decide together. She had seen some of his portraits. Would he make her as handsome as some of his other sitters?’

  ‘If I tell the truth Your Highness will be more beautiful than them all.’

  She laughed aloud; she slipped her arm through his. He was a little astonished at the familiarity but like everyone else, he had heard of the eccentric behaviour of the Princess of Wales.

  So there was the additional pleasure of sitting to Sir Thomas who had taken up residence at Montague House.

  ‘I shall be sitting with Sir Thomas for the next two hours,’ she would tell her servants. ‘See that we are not disturbed.’

  There were sly nods and winks below-stairs.

  ‘We see life,’ they said to each other, ‘serving such a mistress.’

  She was ‘a one’ for the men. As if Sir Sydney and Captain Manley were not enough— now they had Sir Thomas Lawrence as well.

  One morning Mrs. Fitzgerald came to tell Caroline that there had been an accident. Mrs. Lisle, one of her ladies, had fallen and hurt her foot.

  Caroline was immediately sympathetic. She ran into Mrs. Lisle’s room and found her lying on her bed, her ankle very painful and swollen.

  ‘Oh my dear, my love, does it hurt? We must call the doctor at once, Fitz dear, will you see that they send for him. Oh, my poor, poor Lisle! Now be perfectly still and don’t move.’

  She asked questions about the ankle, how it had happened, how painful was it.

  And she would be very, very angry with her dear Lisle if she got up from that bed before the doctor had given his verdict.

  Mrs. Lisle thought how endearing the Princess was. It was true she behaved in a manner most unsuited to a Princess, but who else would be so concerned about a sprained ankle— or whatever ailed her. At times like this one loved the Princess.

  The doctor came and diagnosed a bad twist to the ankle. Her foot was also damaged. He said she must certainly not stand on her feet more than was absolutely necessary for at least a fortnight.

  ‘I have my duties,’ began Mrs. Lisle.

  Caroline, who had insisted on being present, cried: ‘What nonsense! Of course she shall stay in bed. I myself will see to it, Doctor.’

  ‘The Princess has the kindest heart in the world,’ said Mrs. Lisle.

  Caroline said ‘Nonsense!’ again, but she was pleased, it was true she did love those who served her, and wanted to do the best possible for them.

  Lady Douglas came that day. She was coming more frequently than ever and she and Caroline were considered to be fast friends. An added bond between them was Lady Douglas’s pregnancy.

  ‘Lucky lucky you!’ cried Caroline when she had heard; and it was this fact which made her more eager than ever to talk to Lady Douglas.

  Caroline greeted her warmly. ‘And how are you today, my dear? Taking good care of yourself, I trust? Oh, how I
envy you. And no one attempts to keep you from your darling Charlotte. I saw mine the other day. What a tomboy! She is going to be a wild one. You cannot think how I miss her. And you, lucky creature, have your daughter all the time and a new child coming. What do you hope for? A girl or a boy?’

  ‘What does it matter?’ said Lady Douglas. ‘Once one has a child that child is all one ever wanted.’

  Caroline clasped her hands. ‘How right you are, my dear. And pray tell me how are dear Sir John and dear, dear Sir Sydney?’

  Lady Douglas suppressed the wave of jealous anger which rose in her. Sydney said there was nothing serious in his relationship with the Princess; it was merely a flirtation. Could she trust him? Not at all. He was a born adventurer and he took adventure where he found it. Had he found it here? She could never be sure.

  Was Caroline having love affairs with Manley and Lawrence? There was gossip enough and she saw that her servants were on friendly terms with those of Montague House. Servants were such good detectives; not only did they have opportunities but an extra sense where the scandals of, the families they served were concerned. Some said yes and some said no.

  And I’d make her sorry if I found out there was anything between Sydney and her— Princess of Wales or not! thought Lady Douglas. And perhaps since she was Princess of Wales it would be easier than if she were not in such an exalted position.

  Let her babble on about her babies, those cottage children she treated like her own! The woman was more than eccentric, she was mad— and she had said as much to Sydney.

  The eternal question was: ‘Is Sydney faithful to me?’ What a fool she was to become so besotted about a man. It was not like her; she was usually so calm and practical. But ever since she had met Sydney— Oh, well, she was obsessed by the man and as long as he remembered that he was hers and that she expected fidelity all was Well. But if he was the Princess’s lover— There sat the woman brilliantly rouged, her hair in some disorder, her bodice cut low to show too much of her voluptuous bosom. Looking at her one would say that suspicions were not unfounded.

  By God, if I found out, thought Lady Douglas, while she said sweetly that one must of course take care of oneself during the waiting months for the sake of the child.

  The Princess listened rapturously. One would almost think she was pregnant herself.

  ‘Poor Lisle hurt her foot today,’ she said suddenly. ‘I am insisting that she lie up for a fortnight. Doctor’s orders. Of course the dear soul is worrying about how I shall manage without her. It will be difficult. I do miss my ladies when they are absent.’

  ‘They’re very fortunate to serve Your Highness.’

  ‘And I’m fortunate to have such angels to serve me. Oh— something has just occurred to me. I wonder whether you would like to come here for a fortnight as a maid of honour it would be so amusing. We could talk and talk— and should see personally that you did nothing to harm the precious child.’

  To live in Montague House for a fortnight! That would be interesting. Then she might discover a great deal. Sydney could visit her there. It amused her to think of them being together under the same roof as the woman who might well be another of his mistresses.

  ‘Your Highness is so good to me.’

  ‘Would Sir John object do you think?’

  ‘Sir John!’ She must not show her contempt for her husband for that might cloud a little the image the Princess had of her. ‘Oh, Sir John, I am sure, he would be delighted. He would be extremely conscious of the honour done to me.’

  ‘Then it is settled.’

  So Lady Douglas came to stay for a fortnight in Montague House.

  What gossip there was and it was all of babies. Lady Douglas was present when the children came to see the Princess. She watched them all at breakfast with her, saw Caroline’s devotion to them and thought her quite mad.

  ‘Lucky, lucky creature,’ she said to Lady Douglas. ‘You already have one and another little darling on the way. I trust you will have a large family. Ten, no less.’

  God forbid, thought Lady Douglas.

  Sir Sydney came but he was reluctant to spend too much time alone with Lady Douglas in Montague House.

  ‘What of the Princess?’ he demanded. ‘What if she should discover?’

  ‘Would she be so shocked?’

  ‘The general opinion would be that she should.’

  ‘You probably know more of her than most people.’ That made Sir Sydney laugh. ‘Do I detect a certain jealousy, my dear?’

  ‘Do I detect a certain complacency?’

  ‘Complacent? Why shouldn’t I be complacent? I’m a naval hero, my love.’

  ‘And the lover of the Princess of Wales?’

  Sir Sydney’s eyes sparkled. ‘Hush. Who knows we may be overheard. That’s treason.’

  She took him by the arm and shook him. ‘Is it true? Is it true?’

  That made him laugh. She thought how maddeningly attractive he was. She longed to subdue him as she had Sir John but of course she could not and that was the man’s attraction for her.

  ‘Answer me, answer me.’

  His eyes were alight with mischief.

  ‘Ask the Princess. I should like to hear what she has to say.’

  How was she to know whether it was true or not? But from that moment she began to believe it was; and her hatred for Caroline was like a physical pain. She felt a longing to destroy the Princess.

  But the fortnight passed in outward harmony and Caroline had no idea of the stormy feelings she aroused in Lady Douglas.

  And when Mrs. Lisle was again on her feet Lady Douglas went home.

  ‘It has been such a privilege to serve Your Highness,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, don’t call it serving,’ cried the Princess. ‘It’s been the visit of a friend.’

  Shortly afterwards she was out walking in the neighbourhood when she came across a case of extreme poverty which she found most distressing.

  She was first attracted by Mrs Austin who was heavily pregnant and paused at the door of their cottage to talk to her.

  ‘I see you are soon to have a child.’

  ‘Worse luck,’ said the woman, recognizing the Princess, for most people in the neighbourhood knew her by now and were aware of her eccentric habits and as she did not ask for ceremony they gave her none.

  ‘My dear good woman, how can you say such a thing! You are about to have that most precious gift— a child— and you see it as ill luck!’

  ‘I’ve had too many precious gifts, Madam— more than I can afford to feed.’

  Caroline’s deepest sympathies were aroused.

  ‘You should have come to me and I would have helped you. Now you are not to worry any more. I shall have food sent to you. And I shall see that the baby is looked after when it is born.’

  ‘We all know of your goodness, Madam. And I can only say we know too you’ll keep your word. This was a lucky day for me.’

  Caroline went on her way but she could not stop thinking of the coming child.

  Poor mite, to come into the world unwanted. If only she was the mother— if she could only have a child which would be all her own and not taken away from her, how happy she would be!

  She could not get the Austins out of her mind; and next day she was at the cottage with blankets and food; and it soon became clear that although she was interested in all the children and pregnant mothers of the neighbourhood, she had a very special feeling for the Austin family.

  ‘Mrs. Austin’s child will be born in two months’ time,’ she told Lady Douglas when she called. ‘I wonder whether it will be a boy or a girl.’

  ‘I doubt she minds much.’

  ‘She said she had had too many. Poor dear soul! As if one could have too many. It’s strange that some feel this to be so and others would give years of their lives to have one.’

  ‘Your Highness loves children so much. Perhaps other women are less motherly.’

  Caroline held her arms as though she cradled a baby. She
began to laugh suddenly. ‘Do you know I feel as though I am pregnant.’

  Lady Douglas looked at the strange creature sharply. Could it be? Was she?

  Sydney would think it all a great joke.

  I believe it is so, thought Lady Douglas. There is a look about her. She’s excited. I could almost be sure of it. When Lady Douglas had gone, Caroline called for her pelisse and cap. She had not told Lady Douglas yet. No, it was a secret so far. It might not happen and she had first to consult Mrs. Austin, who at the moment did not want the child but women did change when their children were born. It was natural enough and God forbid that she should take a child from its mother.

  Ms. Austin was at the cottage door when Caroline arrived, she invited her in.

  Small and dark and insanitary, she noted. The idea of this new and precious life starting in such place!

  Mrs Austin dusted a chair for the Princess.

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Austin I have come to speak to you of a very— delicate matter.’

  ‘Oh— Madam—’

  ‘Don’t be frightened. If you say no, I shall understand. It’s that when the baby is born will you— could you bear give it to me?’

  ‘To give it to you, Madam! You mean you want to take it?’

  ‘That’s what I mean, Mrs Austin. I have a daughter, my— little Charlotte, but I am not allowed to have her with me all the time. I want a baby of my very own — to care for— to have with me. You said you had too many. I am asking you to give me this one.’

  ‘Do you mean, Madam, that you’d take the baby— Like one of those you have in your school and look after it like, and feed and learn it things.’

  ‘I didn’t mean quite that. I want to have this baby as soon as its born. I want to care for it myself. I want to adopt it.’

  ‘Then you will.’

  Caroline came out of the cottage, her eyes glowing. In two months’ time she would have her own little baby, to care for, to bring up, one who would not be snatched from her.

  She came running into Montague House. Some of the servants were within earshot.

  ‘My, dear Fitz— Lisle, my love, something wonderful has happened. I’m going to have a baby.’

  Spencer Perceval, who had now become the Attorney General, often called at Montague House. Caroline knew he was a friend whom she could trust and was delighted with his growing success. She knew too that he was brilliantly clever; his conversation was a delight, spattered with epigrams as it was; and she had heard it said that he was an unusual man, for not only had he won the approval of Pitt, who had once said that Perceval could be a future Prime Minister, but Fox and Sheridan had also expressed their admiration for him.