She saw the point of this but Lord Melbourne had approved the Declaration and had not mentioned it.

Uncle Leopold went on to remind her that she could never say too much in praise of her own country and its people.‘Two nations in Europe are really almost ridiculous in their own exaggerated praises of themselves; the English and the French …’

Was he a little critical of her country and her people?

How strange that she should begin to criticise to herself – she would never do it openly – that dear good Uncle who had been the god of her childhood.

But then of course she was growing up; she had become the Queen; and she had Lord Melbourne to advise her. An Englishman like her Prime Minister would naturally understand the English and their affairs better than a foreigner.

She wrote in return:‘My beloved Uncle,Though I have an immense deal of business to do I shall write a few lines to thank you for your kind and useful letter of the 23rd which I have just received …’

She paused to think of those happy days at Claremont in which she had so delighted and of dear Louie who had always been so pleased to see her and had given her the place in her affections which had once been occupied by Princess Charlotte – or almost given it. No one could quite replace Charlotte with Louie, of course. Dear Louie! I must find time to go and see her. I must not let her think that now I am Queen it will make any difference to our relationship.

Again her thoughts were straying from Uncle Leopold.‘Before I go further let me pause to tell you how fortunate I am to have at the head of the Government a man like Lord Melbourne. I have seen him now every day, with the exception of Friday, and the more I see him, the more confidence I have in him. He is not only a clever statesman and an honest man, but a good and kind-hearted man, whose aim is to do his duty for his country and not for a party. He is the greatest use to me both politically and privately.’

She sat back in her chair. She did hope Uncle Leopold would realise the merits of Lord Melbourne and that it was the advice of her Prime Minister she must take rather than that of the head of a foreign power even if he was an uncle.

In growing closer to Lord Melbourne it was inevitable that she should move farther away from Uncle Leopold.


* * *

The Duchess was in despair, and she naturally sought comfort from Sir John Conroy.

‘I would not have believed it possible,’ she moaned. ‘What have I done to deserve this?’

Sir John looked at her ruefully. The ruin of his hopes was more to be deplored than hers. She was at least the widow of the Duke of Kent and the mother of the Queen. What had he?

Victoria had shown clearly enough that she had no love for him; and now the Regency which he and the Duchess had hoped for would never be, for Victoria had been proclaimed Queen and was determined to have no interference.

‘She changed overnight,’ wailed the Duchess.

But that was not true. She had always been aware of her dignity; nor had she ever prevaricated; she had accepted their rule unwillingly and as soon as it was over she had escaped.

‘I shall never forget going into my bedroom and finding her bed gone,’ cried the Duchess. ‘“Where is my daughter’s bed?” I demanded. “Removed Your Grace”, I was informed, “on the Queen’s orders.” How could she!’

‘Simply, dear Duchess, by giving the order. She only has to give orders now.’

He regarded the Duchess sadly. Their plans had come to nothing and he was not a man to stand still. He had to make new ones.

‘I will send Flora to you,’ he said.

She did not answer and he left. When Lady Flora Hastings appeared the Duchess reiterated her resentment and found some comfort in enumerating the benefits she had bestowed on her daughter and the indications of that daughter’s ingratitude.

‘Lehzen is to blame,’ declared Lady Flora. ‘She has far too much influence with the Queen. But what can one expect from a low born pastor’s daughter?’

There was some comfort in reviling the Baroness and the Duchess felt a little better.


* * *

Meanwhile Sir John was reviewing his own position. There was not much left to him. He and the Duchess had had a joint plan which had been formulated in Victoria’s childhood. There was to be a Regency of which the Duchess was to be the titular head; and he, through her, would rule the country, although she and the rest of the world would believe that he was merely advising her.

It was not a sudden shock – this repudiation by Victoria. He had seen it coming for a very long time and so had his dear Duchess, so she need not pretend – at least to him – to be so surprised by it.

Victoria had made it clear that she was not going to be guided – by them at least. She was obstinate and so incapable of deceit that she made no secret of her dislike for him. She had told him firmly some time ago that she could not accept him as her secretary and that meant he would have no place in her household. Well, if he were to have no place in her household he had better make other plans and quickly.

I have given years of my life in the Duchess’s service, he told himself with a smirk. I have therefore looked after the Queen’s affairs. I deserve a reward which will make my retirement worth while.

There was no point in under-estimating himself and as soon as possible he should make his wishes known.

He would have liked to make them to the Queen but she would most certainly refuse to see him, or at best delay doing so. Melbourne? Melbourne was wily; he did not think he wanted to approach the Prime Minister direct. Baron Stockmar was the man. The Baron was the born intermediary and he would know how to couch Sir John’s request in diplomatic terms.

He went at once to see Stockmar. Sir John sniggered inwardly. We are allies in misfortune in a way, he thought. The Baron had also aspired to the secretaryship and been declined – more politely in his case but nevertheless he was refused the post, so it came to the same thing in the end.

‘Baron,’ he said, ‘I have reached the conclusion that the time for my retirement has come.’ He smiled deprecatingly. ‘I have reason to believe that there are some in the royal household who will not greatly regret my departure – in other words they may well be glad to see me go, and inclined to reward me for doing so. Therefore I will not beat about the bush. I am ready to go in exchange for the following considerations: a peerage, naturally; a pension of three thousand pounds a year; a seat on the Privy Council and the Grand Cross of the Bath.’

‘You must be joking,’ said Stockmar.

‘I never joke on a serious subject.’

‘My dear Sir John, do you really think these requests will be granted?’

‘I have every confidence, Baron.’

‘There is no harm in being confident,’ replied the Baron.

‘Certainly no harm … only good. So you will place my terms before Lord Melbourne?’

His terms! thought the Baron. It was as though this were some disreputable bargain. Was it? There had been a certain amount of scandal concerning Sir John and the Duchess. Could it possibly be that this man was suggesting it would be necessary for the Queen to meet these demands because of her mother’s relationship with him?

It was certainly a matter to lay before the Prime Minister.

‘You may be assured,’ said the Baron, ‘that I shall lose no time in giving your suggestions to Lord Melbourne.’


* * *

‘Good God!’ cried the Prime Minister. ‘Have you ever heard of such demands? The insolence! Why a Cabinet Minister would not expect so much.’

The Baron lifted his shoulders. ‘Conroy was in a very special position in the Duchess’s household.’

‘Good God,’ said the Prime Minister again. ‘It’s a form of blackmail.’

‘One might call it that.’

‘The fellow’s a rogue.’

‘I fear you may be right.’

‘The Queen will not have him near her.’ He smiled tenderly. ‘She is very shrewd, which is quite miraculous in one so young.’

‘She has always disliked him.’

‘And rightly so. The blackguard. A seat on the Privy Council! I never heard anything like it.’

‘You will know how to deal with the matter, Prime Minister.’

Melbourne hesitated. ‘In view of the rather delicate situation it will need some devilish clever handling.’

‘I thought you would see it that way.’

‘I’ll consider it. Leave the matter with me.’


* * *

In spite of her youth she was the Queen and Melbourne could not conceal from Victoria the fact that Conroy had made his demands.

Victoria flushed with indignation when she heard. ‘I always hated him. He told me once that I resembled Queen Charlotte and the Duke of Gloucester.’

Lord Melbourne burst out laughing. Victoria looked astonished but when Lord Melbourne laughed she always wanted to, so she laughed with him.

‘Odious creature!’ said Lord Melbourne. ‘And an obvious liar. How could you possibly look like Queen Charlotte and the Duke of Gloucester?’

‘You knew them both. What were they like?’

‘As unlike Your Majesty as it is possible to be.’

More laughter. How happy he made her feel even at this time.

‘What should be done about this man?’ she asked.

‘Nothing in a hurry,’ replied her Prime Minister.

‘I was hoping you would say dismiss him from Court.’

‘That is what I should like to say, but the desire does not always coincide with the necessity.’