Lord Rakehell

by Virginia Henley

  Just as they were finishing their soup, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by James Hamilton, arrived. The moment he saw his bride, Teddy stopped in his tracks. Then in a great show of conviviality, he moved forward, kissed his bride’s hand, and sat down beside her.

  Anne, expecting a blush on Alix’s cheeks, saw her turn white.

  “We have a renowned chef at Marlborough House,” Teddy declared. “What have you ordered, my dear? Perhaps I’ll have the same!”

  “Lady Anne and I have finished our lunch. We were just leaving.”

  Anne glanced at James, set her linen napkin on the table, and arose. She sketched a curtsy to the prince. “Good morning, Your Highness.”

  “I insist we dispense with this wretched formality. All this bowing and scraping makes me damned uncomfortable. Off you go, ladies. Lord Hamilton and I must fortify ourselves for the long train ride. Do sit down, James.”

  James bowed his head to the Princess of Wales and, after they left, sat down. He kept a wise silence, knowing that Teddy would soon voice his dissatisfaction over what had happened, or likely what had not happened, on his wedding night.

  The prince ate in silence, while James was amazed at the amount of food Teddy consumed. He started on the third course before he was ready to talk. “My wedding night was rather uneventful. Alix is a decidedly cool female, I’m afraid.”

  “The sea voyage, and all the wedding preparations, to say nothing of being scrutinized by the queen and the royal family, must have been overwhelming. She will need a little time to overcome her exhaustion, sire.”

  “You are distancing yourself from me when you call me sire. Don’t do it.”

  “Sorry, Teddy.” James helped himself to some grapes and a bit of Stilton.

  The prince finished his partridge and wiped his fingers. “Well, what’s done is done, and can’t be undone. But in my way of thinking, a bride should be eager.”

  “And in my way of thinking, a bride should be innocent.”

  The prince stared at his friend. “So, your advice would be?”

  “Patience.”

  Teddy picked up a spoon and dug into his whiskey bread pudding.

  • • •

  On the train ride to Portsmouth, Anne had hours to think about what she had discovered at her home in Grosvenor Square earlier in the day. How could Mother risk such disgrace? And having an affair with your husband’s son is disgraceful in the extreme!

  Anne knew that discovery would be ruinous, not only to her mother, but to her marriage, and to the son and daughter of that marriage. The risk of being found out was gargantuan. The danger of arousing suspicion was even greater. Why on earth would Mother put herself in such jeopardy?

  Anne had always had a close bond with her mother, and as her shock began to lessen, her thoughts softened. She must be deeply in love. Over the years, her longing must have been unbearable. They don’t see each other often because he’s posted abroad, and when he returns to England, her yearning to be with him must overcome the risk.

  Anne’s thoughts diverged. That doesn’t make it right. She’s having an affair with her stepson. It’s almost incestuous! Another thought came. It’s Leicester’s fault. How could he put her in such an untenable, dangerous position?

  Excuses came readily. He was in love with her, and begged her to elope. She was having his child. His feelings have never wavered. He must love his son, Montagu, as deeply as he loves her.

  The focus of her thoughts shifted to her father. How could he have conspired with Queen Adelaide to send Leicester abroad so that he could marry my mother? If she was having a baby, no wonder she gave in. A more damning thought occurred to her.

  What if Father knew they were lovers? What if he knew she was having his son’s child?

  What if he knows of their twenty-year affair? That is a far worse sin.

  Anne recoiled at the thought that her father might knowingly share his wife with his son. Perhaps Richard Curzon-Howe isn’t my father!

  Chapter Fifteen

  “T he queen has sent some of her ladies to serve you,” Anne explained to the group waiting to board the yacht. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Emily was not among them.

  “I wish she had not,” Alix murmured.

  “Well, you need a couple of lady’s maids and someone to do your hair. The queen must have dispatched them on an earlier train. When you return to London, you will be able to choose your own servingwomen.”

  On the voyage across the Solent, Anne did not have time to ruminate on her own problems. The Princess of Wales was not a good sailor and suffered from a bout of mal de mer. Anne stayed with her in her cabin and tended to her needs. When they arrived on the Isle of Wight, carriages awaited the royal party. As a new bride, the princess shared the prince’s carriage for the short ride to Osborne House.

  Teddy made small talk. “This is East Cowes. I hope you enjoy it here. The seaside palace is lovely. The estate encompasses over three hundred acres, and the hunting is exceptional.”

  “I’m sure I shall enjoy it, Edward. It looks as if spring has arrived before us.”

  At Osborne House the carriages drew up before the pavilion of private apartments.

  Anne left the carriage she’d shared with the other ladies, and since the prince did not step forward to carry his bride across the threshold of Osborne House, Anne accompanied the Princess of Wales inside.

  The chamberlain met them. He bowed to the Princess of Wales. “Your Highness, my name is Mathews. If you will kindly follow me, I will take you to the royal apartments, up on the first floor.”

  “Thank you.” Alix and Anne glanced about the ground floor, where the dining room, drawing room, and billiard room were located, before they ascended the stairs.

  “This is the master bedchamber, Your Highness. I’ll have your luggage brought up.”

  Anne saw the pinched look on Alix’s face. “My name is Anne, the princess’s lady-in-waiting. In addition to this chamber, Her Highness would appreciate a separate bedchamber, with a dressing room.” She was rewarded by a grateful look from the bride.

  The chamberlain took them to an adjoining wing and opened double doors to reveal a lady’s boudoir complete with dressing room.

  “This is lovely. Kindly have Princess Alexandra’s luggage brought here.”

  “There is a small chamber two doors down the hall that will accommodate you nicely, Lady Anne. Dinner is served at eight here at Osborne House.”

  “Thank you, Mathews, you have been very helpful.” When he left, Anne said, “This will give you a little breathing space. When the queen’s ladies arrive, I’ll tell them that I will unpack for you.”

  “Thank you, Anne. I don’t feel ill, I just feel . . .”

  Anne suggested the word she was reaching for. “You feel a little apprehensive.”

  Alix nodded. “I hope Edward isn’t expecting me in the master bedchamber.”

  “It will be a hive of activity in there for hours. His Highness has a mountain of luggage. He has brought two valets with him, as well as his gentlemen attendants. If I know anything of men, the first order of business will be changing into riding clothes and inspecting the horses in the stables.”

  Alix let out a long breath of relief.

  When the luggage arrived, Anne unpacked for the princess, and hung everything in the large wardrobe. After a quick consultation, she laid out a blue dinner gown with matching shoes, and a mother-of-pearl fan. Then she retired down the hall to her own bedchamber to unpack her clothes.

  At precisely seven Anne returned to help Alix dress for dinner; she herself was wearing the seafoam green silk she had worn to the wedding. When the princess saw her reflection wearing the blue dinner gown, she changed her mind. Anne helped her don an ecru lace that boasted a bustle. Alix seemed happy until she turned sideways; then she decided it would be awkward to sit
in at dinner. “Perhaps the blue will be better after all.”

  First she decided she wanted to wear elbow-length, cream gloves. Then she exchanged them for gray, and finally discarded the idea of gloves completely. She sat down at the dressing table and asked Anne to help her put up her hair. When her lovely fair hair was brushed upward and pinned into place, she declared that it made her look too plain.

  Anne suddenly realized that Alexandra was doing whatever she could to delay going down to dine. She glanced at the mantel clock and saw that it was eight o’clock. “You have some lovely mother-of-pearl hair ornaments in your jewel case that will match your fan perfectly. Let me get them.”

  Anne pinned the ornaments into her coiffure and handed her the fan. When she saw the look of indecision on the face of the princess, she knew the reason that the bride had been late for her wedding. She also knew that being late gave Alix a tiny bit of control in a situation where she had very little. Anne said gently, “You cannot hold back time, Alix.”

  “It’s all so daunting,” she whispered.

  “It will get easier. You will dazzle everyone with your beauty. Your gown is lovely and you can rest easy knowing you never have to wear the monstrosity ever again.”

  Alix laughed behind her fan. “Lead the way.”

  • • •

  When the two ladies entered the dining room, all the gentlemen stood and bowed their heads in welcome. The prince took longer to get to his feet, but made up for it by indicating an empty chair. “Come and sit beside me, Alix. The first course is about to be served. The sea air gives me quite an appetite.”

  The princess sat down between Teddy and James Hamilton. Anne took a seat across the table so that Alix could make eye contact with her if she felt the need. She smiled at Charles Carrington, who would be sitting beside her, and nodded to Lady Emma Lascelles and Lady Theresa Digby, two of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting who had been assigned to attend the bride on her honeymoon.

  The prince included everyone in his conversation, rather than exchanging private words with his new wife, and Anne saw Alix relax a little when they all joined in.

  During the second course, Prince Teddy announced with great enthusiasm, “Tomorrow morning we are hunting! I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to it. We’ll get you mounted first thing, Alix.”

  The princess patted her lips with her linen napkin. “I love to ride, but I’m afraid I don’t enjoy hunting, Edward.”

  The prince looked astounded. “It’s only fox and hares, my dear, no big game.”

  The princess opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out, and a momentary silence filled the room.

  James Hamilton smoothly filled the pause in conversation. “It would give me great pleasure to accompany you on a riding tour of the estate, Your Highness. There are many acres of woodlands, a home farm, a pair of Italianate towers, and some lovely views of passing ships in the Solent.”

  “It’s most generous of you to forgo the hunting, James.” Teddy picked up his claret. “I salute you.”

  James, whose attention was focused on Anne, saw the relieved look she and Princess Alexandra exchanged. Teddy hasn’t the faintest idea that his priority should be pleasing his bride rather than pleasing himself.

  James was free to watch Anne, as she conversed with Carrington. She seems reserved tonight, not bubbling with her usual mischief. I doubt it’s because she’s dining with the Prince of Wales—she’s supped with him before.

  He noticed that neither she nor Alix touched her claret, and when the next course was served, he addressed Teddy. “Perhaps the ladies would prefer a lighter wine, Chablis?”

  “Let’s have some champagne. I believe I could develop a taste for the stuff myself.”

  James received a grateful smile from Alix, but Anne did not spare him a glance. She’s pensive. I wonder what she’s thinking about. She seems oblivious that I’m even here.

  Anne was very much aware of Lord Hamilton. He covered the prince’s lapses in manners and hospitality, and did it so smoothly that Teddy’s gaucheness went unnoticed by the other ladies and gentlemen at the table.

  It was just after ten o’clock when the fruit and cheese were placed on the table and the footmen brought in the whiskey. Teddy pulled his cigar case from his pocket. “No need for the ladies to withdraw tonight. The men are off to the billiard room.”

  James masked his thoughts. Most bridegrooms cannot wait to be alone with their new brides. Let’s hope the ladies think he’s being considerate. I know better.

  When the gentlemen departed, Princess Alexandra thanked the queen’s ladies for their attendance. “You may have the rest of the night off, whatever is left of it.”

  Anne accompanied Alix to her private bedroom. The princess paced about restlessly. “This bed looks very inviting,” she said wistfully, “but I must sleep in the master bedchamber.”

  “Perhaps if you took a bath, it would help you relax, and also pass the time.” Teddy may not tire of billiards until after midnight.

  “That sounds very tempting, but I hate to put the servants to work this late.”

  “Ten thirty isn’t late. I know they are eager to serve you.”

  Anne helped Alix remove her blue gown and she put the garments away in the wardrobe. Then she waited patiently until the princess chose a nightgown, slippers, and robe from the huge selection that had been handmade for the royal honeymoon.

  It was midnight before Anne accompanied the princess to the master chamber and bade her good night. Then she retraced her steps back to the wing where her own chamber was located.

  Anne didn’t light her lamp. Instead she walked to the window and stood gazing out into the darkened garden. At last she was alone with her thoughts, and she knew they would keep her from sleep. She stood there for a long time, trying to keep the darklings at bay. She glanced ruefully at the bed and knew there was no point undressing.

  On impulse, she took her fur coat from the wardrobe, tucked it under her arm, and made her way to the ground floor. She stepped outside into the shadowed garden, where her green gown made her almost invisible.

  • • •

  James opened his bedchamber window, letting in the cool breeze, hoping it would banish the smell of Teddy’s cigars. He stood looking out at the shadowed garden as he took deep breaths of fresh air. Across the vast dark lawn, a figure suddenly became visible. He narrowed his eyes and saw it was a female who had just donned a pale gray fur. He’d seen that coat before and knew immediately that it was Anne. I didn’t see her until she put on the fur because her gown blended into the greenery. Why is she wandering in the dark?

  James watched the figure as it moved beyond the pond with its ornamental fountain until it disappeared inside the latticed summerhouse. His first instinct was to go out to the garden and join her there. She couldn’t sleep. But perhaps if something is troubling her, she needs solitude. He forced himself to leave her be and stood watch at the window waiting for her to return to the house. He couldn’t dispel a feeling of longing that stole over him as he looked at the summerhouse. The emotions she evoked were new to him. Anne awakens the unknown inside me.

  At least half an hour elapsed before he saw her emerge and return across the lawn.

  James undressed slowly and climbed into bed. His last thoughts before he slept were of Anne, and when his dream began, he was free to be with her, without the impediment of John Claud’s presence.

  • • •

  When the Prince of Wales opened his eyes, he was vastly relieved that his wife had already left the bed and departed the master bedchamber. His valet entered and laid out his hunting attire and boots. Teddy declined a bath, but accepted the hot water a footman delivered.

  James arrived to accompany him to breakfast. “I trust you had a good night, sire.”

  Teddy grimaced. “Sire did not have a good night.”r />
  Though James did not wish to hear the details, he resigned himself to the prince’s complaints.

  “I said she was cool, but cold is a more accurate description. She simply lay there and initiated absolutely nothing!”

  James kept a wise silence, knowing a reply would encourage Teddy to elaborate, but elaborate he did. “Your advice to be patient didn’t work. If I’d waited all night, she wouldn’t have taken the first step.”

  James swallowed his exasperation. “An innocent, uninitiated young bride must be awakened.”

  “Oh, she wasn’t asleep. She was staring at the ceiling.”

  James glanced at Teddy’s face to see if he was making a jest. He’s serious, begod.

  “What do you suggest?”

  “You should go slowly and be gentle. Once you take off her nightgown, don’t jump on her. Instead, caress her and woo her with words; tell her how lovely she is.”

  “I tried to remove her nightgown, but when she resisted, I simply pulled it up and got on with the business. She showed little reaction—no laughter, no tears. I enjoy fun and games. I don’t know what the devil is wrong with the girl.”

  Princess Alexandra is likely in shock. Your previous sexual partners have always been vastly experienced and trained to take the lead, while you lie back and let them. Likely I’m to blame—I’ve helped create a monster. “The weather is splendid. You should have a good hunt.”

  At last Teddy smiled. “I can’t wait! Let’s go and eat.”

  • • •

  At the stables, once the prince was in the saddle, he was impatient to loose the hunting dogs so the hunt could get under way. “Alix, my dear, you may rely completely on Lord Hamilton to mount you suitably and escort you wherever you wish to go. I shall see you at dinner.”

  “Thank you, Edward.” The princess schooled her expression so the others wouldn’t guess she was glad to be rid of him. At breakfast she had graciously invited Lady Emma and Lady Theresa to join her on her ride to explore the estate, and they hovered at the entrance to the stable, awaiting the horses that would be saddled for them by the grooms.