Mamma was watching her now; she had seen the exchange between her daughter and Aunt Adelaide, and was displeased.

Family quarrels are so tiresome, thought Victoria. And surely the Queen-to-be should be able to decide on whom she will bestow her friendship.

The King was smiling at her, but Mamma was watching and she met his smile stonily. William reddened a little and turned away.

Oh dear, thought Victoria, is the King angry? He is a nice kind old man really and my uncle. Why should I have to be unpleasant to him? I won’t do it. I’ll smile at him next time.

But the King did not look her way again.

When the Drawing-Room was over the royal party remained to talk together, and Victoria found herself sitting between her two cousins George Cumberland and George Cambridge.

They were both eyeing her with approval. She knew she looked quite pretty with her cheeks flushed and her eyes exceptionally blue which they always were when she was excited. The two boys were definitely interested in her and it was pleasant to bask in masculine admiration.

‘I wonder you never come to the Queen’s parties,’ said Cumberland.

‘You miss a great deal of fun,’ added Cambridge.

‘I know,’ sighed Victoria. ‘But my Mamma does not think I should.’

‘Why ever not?’ demanded Cambridge.

‘There is some reason.’

‘There must be a reason,’ put in Cumberland. ‘Nothing happens without reason, does it?’

‘But what can it be?’ asked Cambridge.

‘That is something I should like to know,’ said Victoria.

‘The house is always full of FitzClarence children,’ George Cambridge told her.

He could not take his eyes from Victoria because he had heard the King say to the Queen that he thought it might not be a bad idea to arrange a match between them. Imagine this little girl, his wife. And she would be Queen of England if the King and Queen did not have a child. George Cambridge imagined that would be rather pleasant, because the Queen’s husband would really be the King and living with Uncle William made him feel that life as King could be very enjoyable.

He must not mention this to Victoria now. It was obviously something of which one did not speak, but it was very pleasant to contemplate the prospect.

He wanted to discover more about Victoria; so did George Cumberland. His parents were constantly speaking of her.

‘You must be very lonely at Kensington,’ said Cumberland.

Victoria considered this. ‘Well, they never allow me to be alone. So I suppose I am not lonely.’

‘Do you never meet any young people?’

‘Only Victoire and Jane Conroy.’ Her mouth tightened at the mention of that man’s name.

‘You ought to meet your cousins.’

‘I am meeting them now.’

‘And this cousin is enjoying the encounter very much,’ said Cumberland.

Victoria glowed with pleasure. How exciting was the company of the other sex. Now she considered it she rarely met anyone but women. There were her tutors of course and that man – but she didn’t count those. It would be different now that she was growing up.

‘And so is this one,’ added Cambridge determined to be as gallant as his cousin. ‘But you would have enjoyed Aunt Adelaide’s parties. Aunt Adelaide is a darling.’

Victoria could heartily agree with that.

‘I have lived with her and the King now for a long time, and as I can’t be with my own parents there is no one I would rather be with. She says I am like a son to her.’

‘Oh, you are the favourite,’ said Cumberland.

‘I don’t think Aunt Adelaide has any favourites. She is fond of all the children. Those swarms of grandchildren … the King’s I mean, are always at Bushy or wherever they are. They call her Queeny. Some of the young ones are rather silly.’

‘Do you miss your parents?’ asked Victoria. ‘They are in Hanover, I believe.’

‘Yes. My mother writes to me every day.’

‘She must love you dearly.’

‘She said that a day when she has not written to me is a lost day.’

‘How sad that you must be parted.’

‘I had to come over here to be educated. It was necessary for me to be educated here.’

Victoria wondered why, but Cumberland had been kept out of the conversation too long and he wanted his young cousin’s attention. How truly delightful, she thought, to have them both vying for her notice. This was proving a very happy occasion.

‘Aunt Adelaide’s party last Christmas at the Pavilion was wonderful,’ he told her. ‘She put a great fir tree in the Dragon Room. She says they do it at Christmas time in Germany, and on the tree are hung presents. It’s such fun. Names are on the presents and there is something for everyone. Then we had music and dancing and games. The King played with us. Of course there were too many little FitzClarences and Aunt Adelaide always sees that they are not left out.’

‘Oh, how I should have loved to be there.’

‘I can’t think why you weren’t. All the rest of the family seemed to be – and you are one of the family.’

‘Oh yes,’ said Victoria happily, ‘I am one of the family.’

So they chatted and it was so pleasant that Victoria did not notice how time was passing and she was sad when it was time to go back to Kensington.

Mamma was grim as they drove back.

‘I do not think you behaved with absolute decorum. And what were you whispering about to the Queen? And then laughing and giggling with those two boys. What were they saying? And do they have hopes … because if they have they can forget about them … and so can their ambitious parents, because neither of those two boys will have a chance.’

What was Mamma talking about? Victoria, listening to the clop-clop of the horses’ hoofs, was gently rocked by the movement of the carriage. She was thinking of a wonderful party in the Dragon Room at the Pavilion; a green fir tree reaching almost to the ceiling – loaded with presents.

And I was not there, she thought.

She pictured herself seated there, with a George on either side, admiring, attentive. And why was she not there? It was very odd that she should not be. Why should she be shut away in Kensington Palace with only the daughters of That Man as companions, when she could enjoy the admiring society of boy cousins like the two Georges?

The reason she decided was Mamma. Mamma was ruling her life and shutting her off from such pleasures.

She was beginning to feel very resentful towards Mamma.


* * *

The Duchess of Cumberland wanted to hear what her son had thought of Victoria.

‘She’s a pleasant girl,’ he told her.

‘Rather homely to look at I believe.’

‘No, I think she is pretty.’

‘I have heard that she is fat and inclined to be plain and vulgar-looking.’

‘It’s not true,’ said George Cumberland with some heat.

The Duchess’s face softened as she looked at him. He was her adored son who aroused in her a tenderness she had not known she possessed. He was good-looking – tall for his age and he had a sweet nature.

Odd, she often thought, that Ernest and I should be blessed with such a son, so different from a pair of old sinners such as we are.

‘Well, I’m glad you like her, darling.’

‘I like her very much. She is fresh and excited about things and very … innocent.’

‘Ha! Poor child, she does not have a very good time guarded by the old dragons of Kensington.’

‘It’s a shame that she can’t enjoy Aunt Adelaide’s parties.’

‘It’s all due to that wicked old mother of hers.’

‘Is she wicked?’

‘No, she’s just an arrogant old fool. If she’s not careful she will lose Victoria when the child grows up. Ah, that will be the time. George dear, how would you like to marry her?’

‘Marry Victoria! When?’

That made her laugh. ‘You are too impetuous, my darling. It wouldn’t be for years. And don’t mention it for her dear Mamma will do her utmost to prevent it. But it is what your father and I would like. And if you liked it too, well that would be pleasant, wouldn’t it?’

‘You mean it is one of your plans.’

‘Something for the future. Don’t speak of it. Just get to know Victoria whenever possible.’

‘How is it possible? She is always shut away.’

‘That won’t last. The King has given orders that she is to be seen with him in public’

‘Will her mother allow it?’

‘I grant you that woman has effrontery enough to disobey the King, but I think even she will see that Victoria has to emerge a little. So … you will have a chance to know your charming cousin.’

‘I think she is charming.’

‘So the thought of a match is not displeasing to you.’

‘No, but I think it is rather early to be thinking of it. We are only twelve years old.’

‘Which shows how I take you into my confidence my wise little son. Don’t mention this to anyone. But do try to like Victoria. It would be so pleasant if you did.’

‘I should not have to try. It is something I should do without effort.’

‘I have a feeling you will always be a credit to us, George, my darling.’

‘I hope so, Mamma.’

‘Are you going now?’

‘To my tutor,’ he said. ‘It’s time.’

‘Au revoir, my love.’ She kissed him, and when he had gone she smiled. We don’t deserve him, either of us, she thought.

When the Duke came in she was still thinking of young George and she began to speak of him at once.

‘He’s met Victoria and is quite taken with the child.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’