“I don’t believe my sister would be at all suitable, Your Gracious Majesty.”
“You question our decision, Lady Emily?” The queen was not amused.
“Absolutely not, Your Majesty. I shall send for her immediately.”
• • •
“Your father is going to Gopsall Hall for the lambing, and taking Montagu with him. It will likely be the last time your brother can go for some time, if he gets called up to his regiment.”
“Oh, I’d love to go to Leicestershire. They won’t go until after the royal wedding, will they? Do you think they will take me with them?”
“They will go on Wednesday, the day after the wedding. Of course you can accompany them, darling. You don’t often get the chance to go into the country.”
“I won’t attend church today—instead I’ll go and pack a bag for Leicestershire.”
Anne chose two riding habits, and since the weather was springlike, she packed a few light day dresses. Before she was finished, her mother called her downstairs. When she arrived in the drawing room, she was surprised to see her dreaded sister Emily.
“Anne, I want you to know that I have recommended you to act as lady-in-waiting to Princess Alexandra. Queen Victoria thinks the young princess would benefit from a few ladies her own age, and I persuaded Her Majesty that you would be an ideal candidate.”
Anne’s eyes lit up. “I would be honored to be chosen as a lady-in-waiting.”
“You are needed at Windsor Castle today. Alexandra must be fitted for her wedding gown and trousseau, and there are a hundred other tasks that need to be taken care of before Tuesday’s wedding. You must hurry and pack; I have a carriage waiting.”
Anne’s mother spoke up. “I’ll come and help you, darling. You’ll need to take your outfit for the wedding. Perhaps you’ll even get to go on the honeymoon—far more exciting than Leicestershire!”
• • •
Emily waited until the carriage entered the Upper Ward of Windsor Castle before she warned her sister. “I didn’t tell you until now, Anne, but you are going to have your hands full, I’m afraid. The princess is not very biddable. She’s childish, temperamental, and . . . well, foreign! And her accent isn’t the most unattractive thing about her. That would be her wardrobe. Her clothes are shabby and old-fashioned, yet she turns up her nose at the lovely garments that have been especially designed for her. She’s thin as a lat, yet refuses to eat the delicious food that’s brought to her. I’m at my wit’s end with the stupid girl!”
Anne felt dismay, but it lasted only a moment. Then she smiled to herself. I can only imagine how Princess Alexandra feels about you, Emily. “Thank you for warning me. I will try my best to cope with the difficult situation.”
“I’ll put you in a room in the same wing as Alexandra and her family, and I’ll have a servant unpack your clothes. There isn’t a moment to be lost, Anne. You must persuade her to go back to the fitting room and try on the wedding gown and the rest of her trousseau. Have a handkerchief ready; she bursts into tears without provocation.”
Anne placed her luggage on the bed, and followed Emily down the castle corridor. When they stopped before a door and knocked, there was a long silence before the door was opened by Alexandra’s sister. Emily almost pushed Anne into the bedchamber, and was immediately accosted by Dagmar.
“Are you the one who has been bullying my sister?”
“Please, Dagmar, don’t make trouble,” Alexandra pleaded.
Emily looked down her long nose at Dagmar, then spoke to Alexandra. “This is Lady Anne, especially chosen by Her Gracious Majesty to be one of your ladies-in-waiting. Kindly excuse me, I have important duties for the queen I must perform.”
When Emily departed, Dagmar glared at Anne. “I will attend my sister.”
“I’m so glad you have acted as your sister’s champion, Princess Dagmar.” She looked at Alexandra’s pale face and red-rimmed eyes, and her heart went out to her. “Sisters don’t always do that. Emily excels at bullying. She is my half sister, and it is a great wonder that I haven’t murdered her in her sleep.”
Alexandra laughed softly. Dagmar remained vigilant.
“What has made you so unhappy, Your Highness?”
Alexandra hesitated, then reluctantly admitted, “The wedding gown.”
Anne smiled. “’Tis rumored that it has been styled after Queen Victoria’s, so it’s no wonder you find it repugnant.”
“It has yards and yards of silk and lace, it has ruffle upon ruffle, and it is wreathed with swags of artificial flowers, and it is . . . it is . . .”
“Hideous,” Anne supplied.
Alexandra laughed again, and even the dour Dagmar smiled.
“Try to keep in mind that you will only have to wear it for a couple of hours; then you never have to see it again. Once you are married, you may choose your own clothes for the rest of your life. After the wedding ceremony, you must make up your mind to never allow Queen Victoria to dictate to you again. However, until the nuptials are performed, it might be best for the sake of peace and harmony to give way a little.”
Alexandra nodded hesitantly.
Anne smiled. “Let us gird our loins and go forth to the fitting room. From now on we will privately refer to the wedding dress as the monstrosity. Perhaps when I see it, I can make a few suggestions that will render it less hideous.”
Alexandra was now giggling behind her hand and agreed to proceed to the fitting room to once again try on the monstrosity.
Ten minutes later when Alexandra stood before Anne in the wedding gown, her eyes were filled with a look that clearly begged, Please help me!
Wisely using discretion, Lady Anne spoke to the queen’s sewing women. “Worth’s design, incorporating roses, shamrocks, and thistles into the lace, is delightful. Unfortunately, Princess Alexandra’s slight figure cannot do justice to so many ruffles. You ladies would improve his design immensely if you removed some of them and left only three at the most.”
Mrs. Bale, the head sewing woman, agreed and set her helpers to undoing the stitches.
“The train will have four young ladies of the queen’s choosing on each side. They will find it difficult to manage more than five feet each. If you cut the gown’s train from thirty feet to twenty, it will be far less cumbersome. Charles Frederick Worth is a renowned designer, but when it comes right down to it, he is a man, and where wedding gowns are concerned, I believe a woman’s ideas such as yours are superior.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Lady Anne.” Mrs. Bale nodded decisively.
“I’d rather cut off my tongue than be critical, but don’t you think that artificial flower garlands are in rather poor taste, Mrs. Bale? When fresh orange blossom and myrtle are available at this time of year, don’t you agree that the real thing will put artificial to shame? They could be added an hour before the ceremony.”
“Oh, I quite agree. And the fragrance of fresh orange blossom will fill the chapel.”
“Your ideas are amazing, Mrs. Bale,” Anne said with sincerity. As she helped the princess remove the wedding gown, she whispered, “Off with the monstrosity and on with the trousseau.”
When Alexandra put her hand to her ear and shook her head, Anne realized the princess could not hear whispers, so she pointed to the garments waiting to be tried on.
Princess Alexandra looked at the clothes that had been especially designed for her wedding trip and sighed.
“Tell me, which do you hate the least?” Anne asked.
“I like the pale violet shade of this morning dress, I think you call it, but I need a much higher neckline.” The princess blushed. “I . . . I have an ugly scar I must cover up.”
“It’s hardly noticeable,” Anne lied. “A necklace of pearls is all that’s necessary.”
“I . . . I have no jewels,” the princess shyly confessed.
>
“I’ll see what I can do about changing that. The queen has more royal jewels than she will ever be able to wear in this lifetime. And if Her Majesty won’t share, I will lend you my pearls. Now, what about this blue traveling suit? I think it will complement your delicate fair coloring. It needs taking in at the waist so it will fit you better.”
Alexandra was persuaded to consider a dozen outfits, and with Anne’s suggestions of removing frills, braided frogs, and fancy furbelows, the princess began to see the garments with new eyes, and realized they wouldn’t be too hideous with a few alterations.
Lady Anne spoke with the sewing women. “I have no idea why there are so many gray dresses. It is the queen who is in mourning, not Princess Alexandra. If you ladies would kindly put a pink sash on this one and trim the sleeves on this other one with some primrose ribbons, I’m sure the bride will be forever grateful.”
“Her Highness hasn’t tried on the veil,” Mrs. Bale pointed out.
“The floor-length veil depicting English roses is exquisite, but it is quite spoiled by this crown of wax orange blossoms. I’ll speak with the florist who is providing the wedding bouquet and have them design a coronet that you can attach to the veil.” Anne smiled. “You’ve all been so helpful. We’ll be back tomorrow for the final fittings.”
• • •
“My mother has decreed that I must have no contact with Alexandra until the wedding. She’s like a fire-breathing dragon. I have no say in anything,” Prince Teddy complained.
James Hamilton smiled. “In my experience, no male ever has any say when it comes to his wedding. Females take over and immerse themselves in all the details as if they were planning a military campaign. I feel sorry for Alexandra; she’s also been excluded from the plans.”
“We haven’t exchanged more than a few words since she arrived.”
“Why don’t you write her a letter, and I’ll deliver it for you? Females put great store in such things.”
“Never wrote a letter in my life. I’m no good at such things,” the prince declared.
“I’ll write one if you like, and you can sign it,” James offered.
“An excellent suggestion. What the devil would I do without you?”
James sat down immediately and put pen to paper.
My Dearest Alix,
Though tradition prevents us from being together before we meet in the chapel for our wedding ceremony, it cannot keep my thoughts from you. I even dreamed of you last night. Only a short time remains to keep us apart and I am counting the hours.
I often feel constrained by the royal court and look forward to escaping with you to the Isle of Wight. I am honored that you have consented to become my wife and the future Princess of Wales.
Fondest love,
Prince Teddy
James took the love letter to the other side of Windsor Castle, where Princess Alexandra and her family were staying. A servant directed him to her chamber, and he knocked on the door lightly.
Anne opened it, expecting to see the florist who had been commissioned to do all the flowers for the royal wedding. When she saw James standing before her, she was taken off guard. “Lord Hamilton! I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Nor I you, Lady Anne.” His warm eyes kindled. “This is such a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?”
“I’m acting as lady-in-waiting to Her Highness Princess Alexandra. There is so much to be done, and so little time. . . . I’ve been asked to help.”
James held up the envelope. “The Prince of Wales regrets that he must keep apart from his lovely bride until Tuesday, so he has done the next best thing and written her a letter. Would you see that she gets it?”
“What a lovely thing to do. The prince is extremely thoughtful. I know it will please the princess.” Anne hesitated for a moment, then plunged in. “We have a problem that perhaps you can help to solve, Lord Hamilton.”
His eyes drank in her beauty. “I will try my utmost.”
“Princess Alexandra has no jewelry. She needs a pearl necklace. A wide one like a collar, if possible. Do you suppose the Prince of Wales can supply one in time for the wedding ceremony?”
His mouth curved into a smile. “You may count upon it, Lady Anne.”
She returned his smile. “Thank you, James.”
• • •
Anne handed Alexandra the envelope. “Lord Hamilton, an attendant of the Prince of Wales, brought this letter for you.”
“I am acquainted with Lord Hamilton, and like him very much. He insists that I call him James.” The princess tore open the envelope, read the brief letter, and blushed. “The prince writes about escaping to the Isle of Wight.”
“I’ve never been there, but I hear that Osborne House is lovely, and the gardens will be ablaze with spring flowers. The estate is comprised of three hundred and fifty acres. You will be able to ride and the prince will be able to hunt.”
“Lady Anne, I’d like you to come with me. You won’t abandon me, will you?”
“I would be honored to attend you on your wedding journey to the Isle of Wight.”
Anne suddenly felt a wave of excitement sweep over her. James will be attending Prince Teddy! Too bad the trip is only for three weeks.
“You will need riding habits. I’ll go to the fitting room and bring a couple back for you to try on. If you don’t like them, I can lend you my new habit. We are the same size.”
“Thank you so much, Lady Anne.”
“Please call me Anne.”
“I will if you’ll call me Alix.”
“I can only do that in private. If I addressed you as Alix in public, I would soon be dismissed from being your lady-in-waiting.”
Alexandra’s eyes kindled. “Once I am the Princess of Wales, I will decide these things for myself, Anne.”
Ah-ha! I believe there is a free spirit waiting to be released, and I am more than ready to aid and abet it.
• • •
Monday proved to be an extremely busy day. The bride took Anne to her parents’ suite and introduced her. She warned her that her mother, Louise, was stone deaf, and Anne felt sad because she realized Alexandra had inherited her deafness, which would likely get worse in years to come.
Anne had breakfast with the Danish royal family; then it was back to the fitting room to make sure the bridal finery fit to perfection, and to choose which outfits must be packed for the honeymoon on the Isle of Wight.
At lunch the princess was introduced to the eight young girls from prominent noble families who had been chosen by Queen Victoria to be her bridesmaids and carry her train. Anne knew most of them personally, but when Lady Frances Hamilton curtsied before the princess, Anne told Alexandra that Frances was her best friend. “If you need another lady-in-waiting, Your Highness, I can highly recommend her.”
“Hamilton? Is James your brother?” Alix asked.
“He is, Your Highness.”
“Lord Hamilton is such a fine gentleman. I would be honored if you would consent to be one of my ladies-in-waiting.”
“The honor is mine, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Lady Frances. When the prince and I return from our wedding trip, we will be moving into Marlborough House.” The princess looked from Frances to Anne. “Will that be convenient, ladies?”
As Frances replied to the princess, Anne’s heart began to beat wildly. It never occurred to me until this moment. . . . James and I will both be living at Marlborough House!
• • •
After lunch with the bridesmaids, Princess Alexandra returned to her chamber and within five minutes Princess Vicky opened the door and stepped inside.
“Vicky, I’m so pleased to see you. Did you only just arrive?” Alix asked.
“I arrived two days ago, but I’ve been throwing up since crossing the Channel. It had better be seasick
ness. If I’m off again, my temper will be in shreds. Baby Henry is only six months old!”
“I hope it was just mal de mer,” Alix said. “Has your sickness abated?”
“Slightly. I didn’t eat breakfast—I didn’t want to take the chance.”
“I’d like you to meet Lady Anne Howe. My very first lady-in-waiting.”
Anne curtsied to the Crown Princess of Prussia. “Your Royal Highness.”
“Howe? You cannot possibly be the sister of Emily, my mother’s lady-in-waiting. Emily’s coloring is as dark as mine.”
Anne tried not to stare. Princess Vicky was short, and thick as a glass jam jar. She made Alix look like a piece of delicate crystal. “Emily is my half sister, Your Highness.”
“Ah, yes. Different mothers. Men invariably wear out their first wives with childbearing. Take heed, Alix, and don’t let that happen to you.”
Princess Alexandra blushed, and Anne could not help but think that the queen’s daughter was rather coarse.
“If you don’t need me for anything at the moment, I will go to my room and give you some privacy to visit with Princess Victoria.”
Just then a knock came on the door. “See who it is, please, Lady Anne.”
When she opened the door, Anne was once again pleasantly surprised to see James Hamilton. He was holding a blue velvet jewel case tied with silver ribbon.
“I have been entrusted to present Princess Alexandra with the Prince of Wales’s wedding gift.”
“I’d know that voice anywhere,” Princess Vicky declared huskily as she advanced to the door. “James! It’s been a year and a half since Strelitz. Do come in.”
“Your Royal Highness.” James bowed his head and proceeded into the room.
“Such formality, James. I won’t have it.”
Good God, Princess Vicky has gone all kittenish at the sight of him. Anne spoke to Alix. “Lord Hamilton has brought the groom’s wedding present to his bride.”
“Oh, it’s a jewel case,” Alix gasped. She took the blue velvet box and with trembling fingers undid the silver ribbon. She opened the hinged case to reveal a pearl collar necklace, with matching earrings and brooch. “Ah, how exquisite. These are my very first jewels. James, please tell the Prince of Wales that I thank him with all my heart.”
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