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

Townsend was saying: "I greatly fear that England will be drawn into war. The people of this country do not want war. They hate war. It means to them death and taxation ... and no gain. What gain would there be for us in war? Of course there might be some gain to Hanover. But the people of this country can hardly be expected to make sacrifices for Hanover."

"They should not be asked to," replied Caroline quickly.

Townsend drew a deep breath. Were those the Prince's views? he wondered.

Caroline seemed to sense his thoughts for she added: "The Prince and I vould be strongly against this country making the sacrifice for Hanover. Hanover cannot expect it."

"Hanover does expect. The King and his German ministers are of the opinion that England and Hanover should stand as one."

"That," said Caroline with a laugh, "is a Hanoverian view and not, I believe an English one."

"Your Highness is right. But.. /'

"A strong opposition in England vould mean that this could not be/'

"It is the wish of the King and many of his Hanoverian ministers. But... what of the Prince?"

"I believe the Prince, nay I am sure the Prince vould not agree to his father. My lord, you vill know that there is hardly von matter on vich they agree. And certainly it vould not be this von."

Townsend was alert. If he could get the Prince of Wales to support him, if here with the Prince and Princess he could build up a strong opposition to those who could put Hanover before England, he might get his way and remain in office.

"If I could speak to the Prince..."

"He vill be delighted to giv you von audience."

"And Your Highness will be present?"

Caroline smiled. This was what she had always wanted. She would prepare the Prince who would be only too eager to intrigue against his father. Nothing would delight him more; and it would not be difficult for her to guide him along the way she wanted him to go.

She noticed that the Count von Bothmer was talking to Lord Hervey. The German made a point of attending any gathering at which she or the Prince were present. The King should have chosen a less obvious spy. But they must be careful. If the King knew that the Prime Minister was conferring with her and the Prince, surely he would realize the need for returning to England at once.

She said: "I vould like to hear some singing. Mrs. Bellenden has the voice tres charmante, Mrs. Howard, I pray you tell Mrs. Bellenden I vould hear her sing. And perhaps aftervards Lord Hervey would recite to us some of his verses."

Townsend bowed and said he would acquaint Lord Hervey with Her Highness's wishes.

He understood perfectly why she had interrupted their conversation. Bothmer would undoubtedly report what he had seen to his master.

The Prime Minister was uneasy. The Prince of Wales could have little power while his father lived. But of course the King

was not a young man—and in the political field it was often necessary to take risks.

The Prince watching Mary Bellenden sing, thought: This is the most beautiful girl at court 1

She had spirit ... too much spirit. He would have preferred her docile, eager, very honoured to be noticed by the Prince of Wales.

Alas, she was not so. Sometimes her eyes flashed scornfully and he wondered why he pursued her. She was tall and slender —not plump and rounded. She was very English.

It is the English I love best in the world, thought George Augustus, as though repeating a lesson.

In the streets people sang verses about her. The beautiful Mary Bellenden and the fair Molly Lepel were rivals for beauty. But give him Mary; and it would be right and proper that either one of the reigning beauties should be his mistress. Could she not see that?

He hummed under his breath a song he had heard one of his gentlemen singing:

"What pranks are played behind the scenes, And who at Court the belle? Some swear it is the Bellenden. And others say Lepel."

I say the Bellenden! he thought.

He had betrayed his feelings for her and she was not the only one who was aware of them. It was undignified that the Prince of Wales's desires should go unsatisfied.

He had always believed though that in time she would be his mistress. She was no prude, so why delay? He could only think that like most of the people at Court she wanted something. And what could she want but money?

He knew she had her financial difficulties like most extravagant young ladies, for he had heard her complain of bills. He must therefore take an opportunity of letting her see that if she would become his mistress she would have so much money that

she need never be bothered by bills ... while she continued to please him.

Mary had finished signing and had gone to sit in an alcove in the pavilion with Margaret Meadows and Mrs. Clayton.

The Prince made his way by degrees to her corner, stopping to chat on the way, believing that by so doing he disguised his intention of singling out Mary.

When he reached the table at which she sat he beamed at the three of them.

"It vos von beautiful song," he said.

He sat down and took a purse from his pocket which he put on the table. The three stared at it in surprise. He emptied it of its guineas and began to count them.

"It seems I much money haf," he said with a smile, and gathering up the money put it back in the purse, jingling it while he smiled at Mary.

Mary however was looking beyond him as though she was quite unaware of what he was doing.

Molly Lepel had begun to sing at the Princess's request; there was silence at the table while the Prince continued to look expectantly at Mary; and Mary stared stonily ahead.

The Prince came to the Princess's apartments where she was resting on her bed. He waved away her women and going to the bed kissed her.

"It is goot that you rest," he said. "And how are you, my tear?"

"Veil, but shall be glad when the child comes. It is long waiting."

"You always have the difficult time. You are certain you have the right time? You were wrong before, remember."

"I'm sure of it. Cowper and Clayton have been bothering me. And Mrs. Howard too."

The Prince looked shocked at the mention of Henrietta.

"Oh, they serve me veil. They think I should have the doctor instead of the midvife."

"Instead of the midvife! A man! You could not, Caroline."

"No, I could not. They say that in France royal ladies have

accoucheurs instead of midvives. They say they have the skill ... and it is safer. But I shall have the midvife. I vould not vish for Sir David Hamilton to attend me."

"I should not vish either."

"I must scold these ladies."

"They do it for your good, but scold."

"I feel veil .. .very veil. And I vish to speak to you about the Prime Minister."

"Tell me."

"He vishes an audience. I believe he vould rather serve you than the King."

The Prince's eyes gleamed with pleasure.

"Of course you vill say ve must be careful," she said warn-ingly.

"Oh, ve must be careful."

"If the King hears that the Prime Minister talks business vith you he vill angry be. He vill come back from Hanover ... toutc dc suite.''

The Prince nodded; but there was triumph in his eyes.

"The weeks at Hampton have been so ivunderhar.'*

The Prince nodded.

"It has done me so much goot to see you. You have shown them what a King you vill be."