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

Henrietta was giving a little party. She was popular and these occasions were always well attended, for she was so good hearted that she could never take sides between Whigs or Tories but longed for a peaceful existence and this she seemed to achieve.

To her party came the Prince of Vales. Tlie Princess had retired early on account of her condition; and there was cards and music. The Prince treated Henrietta with almost luxurious tenderness; she had become such a habit with him. Although when Mary Bellenden was present he would turn a definitely lascivious gaze on her. As for Mary she was quite content to be in the Prince's company as long as there were others present. Perhaps, she thought, I could get him to do something for John, for John was so poor that difficulties would be made if they tried to marry just yet. But I'll have no other, Mary thought fiercely, and reminded herself she was foolish to think the Prince would grant honours to his successful rival. He was not that sort of man.

She noticed that Lord Townsend was present tonight which was a compliment to Henrietta Howard; and he was beside her showing her great attention, and it seemed as though he respected her.

Mary wanted to laugh. Did Townsend think that he could find favour with the Prince through Henrietta Howard! He was not very discerning if he did—and he a Prime Minister —for Henrietta had no influence at all with the Prince; in fact the only reason why she held her position was because she made no attempt to meddle. The Prince of Wales resembled the King in as much as he liked his women docile. Mary knew that any woman's favour with the Prince would depend upon her ability in getting her way without letting him know it.

Henrietta would be no good at that; so she was wise enough not to try.

Now the Princess . . . that was another matter. It was obvious to Mary that the Princess had her way far more often than the Prince realized.

Sophie Howe had come up to her.

"Look who's here," said Mary.

"My lord Townsend, the Prime Minister?"

"It's the first time he's been here."

"I don't find him attractive," said Sophie. "He doesn't interest me."

Mary laughed. "You seem to be obsessed by one idea."

"It's a very nice idea," retorted Sophie.

Mary was not the only one who had noticed the presence of the Prime Minister. Lady Cowper was watching him, and knew very well why he had come.

She did not approve of Henrietta Howard; in fact she liked to imply that had she been a woman of a less rigid moral character she might have borne the same relationship towards the King as Henrietta Howard did to the Prince of Wales.

She was fond of saying that she had quickly made the King aware that if he wanted an English mistress he should look

elsewhere, and had gladly taken up her post in the Princess's household.

She and Mrs. Clayton, both having serious natures, deplored the frivolous behaviour of some of the maids of honour, and in particular Sophie Howe. If Lady Cowper could have had her way that girl would have been dismissed long ago.

So now, she noticed Townsend and was very certain that there was a purpose behind his visit to Henrietta Howard's rooms. She was faintly disturbed too for she believed that if important politicians began paying attention to Henrietta Howard, very soon the woman could become important. That was something Lady Cowper would prevent if it were possible.

She made her way to Townsend's side.

**A pleasant party, my lord," she said.

*'Very pleasant." He looked at her without interest. The man is not subtle enough, thought Lady Cowper. Knowing my position with the Princess he should be careful. But of course he did not realize the importance of the Princess.

She decided to speak to Iiim frankly.

"If you seek the Prince's favour vou have come to the wrong place."

Townsend looked startled.

"Mrs. Howard has no influence with him whatsoever."

Townsend hesitated. Then he said: "I should like to hear the Prince's views."

"Knowing you are his father's Prime Minister he is scarcely likely to trust you."

"This is unfortunate ... this feud between the King and Prince."

"Oh, doubtless it will enable some men to make their fortunes."

"It is not good for the country."

"And you ... as the King's man would like to hear the Prince's case."

"Naturally."

"And therefore you seek the friendship of his nearest confidante?"

Townsend was silent.

"You are in the wrong apartment, my lord. I did not think

your manner particularly gracious to the Princess in the pavilion today. The Princess may have noticed it. She is not a figurehead, you know."

"It was the Prince's views in which I was interested."

"My lord, you are not aware of the truth. The woman who guides the Prince in all he does is the Princess. If you wish for the Prince's favour first seek that of the Princess."

Townsend was looking at Henrietta who, being a little deaf, was straining to hear what the Prince was saying to her.

"She is his mistress, yes," said Lady Cowper. "She is a habit with him, or it might be that he would have discarded her. She dare not attempt to advise him."

"And the Princess dares?"

"The Princess is the cleverest woman at this court, my lord. Until you have discovered that you will not get far with the Prince. She will be at cards in the pavilion tomorrow. If you wish it I will present you to her. She will be gracious and forgive you for past neglect. She will know of course how you blundered."

Townsend looked alarmed.

"I'm right you will find," laughed Lady Cowper. "In time you will realize that."

To his surprise Townsend discovered that Lady Cowper was right. The Princess of Wales while bearing the heirs to the realm had time to spare for dabbling in politics. In fact, once Townsend had gained her confidence she was ready to show that the subject was to her the most fascinating in the world and that when the time came for her to be Queen of England she would do everything in her power to play a big part in its government.

She was clever because she was controlled. Her gift of deceiving the Prince into thinking that she followed him in his ideas when the facts were the complete reverse, was masterly.

Here, thought Townsend, is a true statesman. And he wondered at his folly in not realizing this before.

Walpole was aware of it also, but he was more cautious; he was not going to be on with the new before the old was out. He

had warned Townsend that that old spy Bothmer was watching them and reporting everything to Hanover.

Those were days of excitement to Townsend and even more so to Caroline. Sitting in the pavilion sipping tea or coffee, listening to music, watching the card players, sometimes joining in herself, but preferring to sit apart with the Prince or such men as Townsend talking cautiously; it was almost as though she were already the Queen.

It was what she longed for—to be ^he Queen. Her first command would be that Fritzchen be brought to England. She would also send for Leibniz. What pleasure to have him here! How he would enjoy talking to the brilliant men with whom she was filling her court!

That was what she needed for complete happiness. In the meantime it was pleasant here at Hampton, sitting in the pleasant warmth of late summer. Late summer alas! She would always remember this summer as the happiest she had known since the death of Sophia Charlotte—and it was passing for the warm days were already growing sadly short; soon they would leave Hampton for St. James's ... and the King could not stay away for ever.