Queen in Waiting - Plaidy Jean (электронную книгу бесплатно без регистрации TXT) 📗

The animosity between the two sisters was visible, and that it should be over a matter of height was disturbing on account of the Prince's preoccupation with his own lack of inches.

"My tear," said the Prince, "it is time I should take you for your valk. I vill vant to speak vis you of the celebrations for the anniversary of our coming. It is just two years and it is expected."

"That shall be very interesting."

The Prince sat down on a stool and looked tenderly at his wife. A fine woman—and these their children. Fine children; and Caroline soon to have another. He had done well.

Henrietta came to the bed and lifted off young Caroline. She took the little girl by the hand and with the others went to the door.

The Prince followed them with his eyes. His wife, his chil-

!j82 Queen in Waiting

dren, his mistress ... here together ... happy together. His father far away; men and women everywhere seeking his favour.

He had never been so contented in his life.

Those were enchanting days at Hampton—not only for the Prince and Princess and those who flocked to their court but for simple country folk. George I had wanted to close St. James's Park and had been told that his three crowns would be in jeopardy if he did; in direct contrast George Augustus appeared to delight in the presence of his father's subjects, however lowly, in the grounds of Hampton Court. He and Caroline, taking their walk there often stopped to say a word or two to some countryman and his wife and left them gaping after them, loyal supporters for ever after.

Hampton Court was the gayest, merriest Court that had existed since the days of Charles H. Old men and women, such as the Duchess of Monmouth, recalled the court of that monarch and the excitement of long ago. They told tales of the witty King and his merry Court. Like the Prince and Princess of Wales he had spent a great deal of time in what he called sauntering. It was an excellent custom for it enabled his subjects to see him often and even talk with him now and then. But whereas Charles had strolled with a bevy of mistresses and his spaniels, the Prince of Wales strolled with his wife—and wonderfully tender he was to her on account of her condition; it was true his mistress was in attendance too; but a man might be allowed one mistress, and since his wife appeared to have no objection, why should anyone else?

The Prince and Princess of Wales were very quickly forming their own special entourage and at the same time winning the approval of the King's subjects.

No wonder they were satisfied!

There was one who was not.

Count Hans Caspar von Bothmer, never far from the Prince of Wales, watched in consternation. The King was enjoying his visit to Hanover. He had heard rumours that there was re-

joicing there at the return of the Elector, that his German subjects were delighted that he was back with them and appreciated him more than ever now that he brought English money and English support for Hanover.

He was at Herrenhausen reunited with the Countess von Platen though Schulemburg and Kielmansegge were in attendance. "The King gives every sign that he has forgotten the misfortune which happened to him and his family in August 1714," said one report.

"The King so clearly loves Hanover that he will never willingly leave it," said another.

And meanwhile in England his son was playing King.

In his apartments Bothmer wrote down everything he noticed at Hampton Court and sent it to the King. It was a warning, but the King had never wanted the crown of England; his heart was in Hanover and he could not bring himself to leave his old home.

Fanning herself, for the sun was warm, Caroline sat in one of the pavilions with her little girls, her ladies and some of the gentlemen of the court, while the Prince presented prizes to the winners of the races which he had organized.

Caroline loved the pavilions which had been built at each corner of the Green and had been luxuriously furnished. Like the Prince, she was fond of being out of doors and spent a great deal of time here, so that although her condition prevented her walking as much as she would like she could enjoy the fresh air. In the late afternoons she and her friends would drink a dish of tea and the country folk would see them chatting or playing cards. This was what the people wanted from their royalty. The less privacy the better.

Caroline, sensing this, readily accepted it; George Augustus was so anxious to be the centre of attraction that the sacrifice of his privacy was no hardship. They had grown accustomed to being watched at dinner and if at times they were a little weary of it, they reminded themselves that one of the main causes of the King's unpopularity was his refusal to show himself and be gracious to his subjects.

Mary Bellenden was talking quietly to Colonel John Campbell and Caroline reflected that Mary had become more serious lately; Sophie Howe was flirting w^ith several young men, throwing them provocative glances, whispering, and now and then suppressing her giggles; Sophie would never be serious; and Molly Lepel was talking to one of the young men from the Prince's household, Lord Hervey, a very amusing young man, she suspected, if she could judge from Molly's smiles.

Henrietta was close to her, solicitous as ever of her needs, and Lady Cowper and Mrs. Clayton were at hand ready to criticize everything Henrietta did because they did not approve of her relationship with the Prince.

One could not explain to them that it was better that he should have a mistress on whom she could keep an eye, and certainly one like Henrietta who never flaunted her position and performed her duties in the Princess's bedchamber as efficiently as she did those in the Prince's.

There was a burst of applause as one of the winners curtsied to the Prince. Caroline clapped her hands and bade the little girls do the same. George Augustus presented a quilted petticoat to the girl.

"It vill you most become," he told her to the delight of the crowd.

And for another a smock and another a sarcenet hood.

"You vill not forget this day ... not never, eh?"

Even the Prince's German accent sounded charming on that day.

"And I am sorry for all those who haf not von. Everyone cannot vin. Is it not? For all there shall be vine and cakes. Then ve are all happy."

The Prince came to the pavilion.

"And you are not in a vind, my tearest? Ve must of you take care."

Mrs. Howard sprang forward to place a scarf about the Princess's shoulders.

"No, it is not necessary. It hide the Princess's neck ... and that is von shame. The Princess haf the most beautiful neck in the vorld. The people should see."

"I am not cold," said Caroline.

The Prince sat beside her, beaming, contented.

"It is goot," he said, "to see our peoples so happy."

His eyes were misty as they rested on lovely Mary Bellenden. What a charming creature! Should not a Prince have more than one mistress? Would the people, who so often talked of Charles II with affection, particularly now that he George Augustus had shown them what a gay court he would let them share in, say "Ah, but he will never be as Charles. Charles had many mistresses; he would stroll in the Mall with three or four at a time."

He called to Henrietta to stand beside him.

"You haf enjoyed this day, my tear?" he asked.

She assured him that it had been amusing to watch the races and it gave her great pleasure to see everyone having such a pleasant day.

He pressed her hand.

"I shall visit you this evening," he said.

"Your Highness is gracious," replied Henrietta.