Jean Plaidy - The Regent’s Daughter

Mercer thought she should certainly insist on that and to Charlotte’s surprise the Regent conceded this request.

Old Bags would have to be disappointed, for this matter of Charlotte’s household was arousing public interest and the people egged on by the press were taking sides – and naturally they were on Charlotte’s.

She should have the Duchess of Leeds and her daughter, but he was well aware that what she needed was a sensible woman whom he could trust. He had spoken to his sisters about this and they, who had always adored him, now that he had given them some measure of independence, if it came to a tussle between him and their mother, could be relied upon to give him their support. And he might need it for his choice had fallen on Miss Cornelia Knight.

Miss Knight was in her mid-fifties, a strong-minded and intelligent woman – even a much-travelled one. She and her mother, for reasons of economy, had lived abroad for some years after the death of her father Admiral Sir Joseph Knight; she was of a literary turn of mind and had even published her writings, some of which were of an erudite nature. During her prime she had been a friend of some of the leading literary and artistic figures, among them Dr Johnson and Joshua Reynolds; and there had even been a friendship with Lord Nelson and the Hamiltons while Cornelia was in Naples. Altogether a woman with whom Charlotte could improve her mind. Moreover, Charlotte was not prejudiced against her and even had an affection for her. Mercer Elphinstone admired Miss Knight, not only because there was a similarity in their characters but because Cornelia had been a friend of Admiral Keith, Mercer’s father.

There was, however, an obstacle to the appointment. For more than six years Cornelia had been a member of the Queen’s household – somewhat in the role played some years earlier by Fanny Burney, and the Queen decided that if she lost Miss Knight she would miss her very much. It was not that she had any specified duties. Like other ladies she received her £300 a year, lodging and the services of a maid; but to have such a discreet, sensible, much-travelled woman about her greatly pleased the Queen who was certainly not going to relinquish her lightly.

The Regent told his sister Mary of his decision to appoint Miss Knight to Charlotte’s household.

‘It’s an excellent idea!’ declared Mary. ‘How like you to select the person she most needs.’

‘And the Queen?’

‘Mamma has heard of this.’

‘It’s astonishing how nothing can be kept secret in this place.’

‘It’s true,’ sighed Mary. ‘I was saying so to William only yesterday.’

William, her cousin, thought the Regent, whom she hoped to marry. Poor thing! He would see what could be arranged one day, but that would be an even greater battle with the Queen than this for Cornelia Knight – and after all, Mary and her cousin should fight their own battles. If they were really bent on marriage, they should agitate and he would most certainly come down on their side; but at the moment he was too concerned with more pressing affairs and if Meek Mary and Silly Billy would make no move for themselves they must wait. Meanwhile there was this matter of his own wayward daughter.

‘And what does the Queen say?’

‘She declares that she has no intention of relinquishing Miss Knight.’

‘And Miss Knight herself?’

‘Well, secretly she would be delighted to go to Charlotte. You know how exacting Mamma can be and really she has only begun to show her appreciation of Cornelia now there is a prospect of losing her.’

‘I think we need Miss Knight. Charlotte must have a steadying influence and the Duchess will require her help. I will speak to her.’

Miss Knight received the Regent’s command with an inner satisfaction and an outward equanimity. She was a wise woman and she had found waiting on the Queen stultifying. The Princess Charlotte – a lively young girl and heiress to the throne in her own right – was so obviously a more exciting project and the task before her appealed to Cornelia’s adventurous spirit. Immediately it was offered she knew she was going to take it. The Queen might be annoyed but Miss Knight felt strengthened in her decision. It was a matter of displeasing either the Queen or the Regent.

There was, however, an unpleasant scene with Her Majesty to be endured.

‘I am surprised, Miss Knight,’ said the Queen, taking a pinch of snuff as though to fortify herself against the sorrows inspired by ingratitude, ‘that you have decided to give up a post which you have filled to my satisfaction for so many years. It is an astonishing thing to me that you should have come to this decision, knowing my wishes.’

There was a pause – an indication that Miss Knight might speak.

‘Your Majesty, when I received a command from His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, I believed I had no alternative but to obey it. It did not occur to me that Your Majesty was not in complete agreement with His Highness, and although I have always striven to perform my duties to the best of my ability, I was not aware that my poor performance had been worthy of Your Majesty’s special notice.’

Clever creature! thought the Queen. She reminds me of Miss Burney and although she was not well versed in Court ways when she first came to us and often behaved quite oddly, I have missed her and regret her departure. She was sensitive and feeling, and Miss Knight has a similar quality; and now my son has taken her from me I have no power to keep her. Unless she wishes to remain, I have lost her.

There was a last hope. Suppose Miss Knight wished to remain with her.

‘His Highness is eager for you to join the Princess Charlotte’s household, I know,’ she said, ‘but I am sure, Miss Knight, that if you wished to stay in mine and made this clear to His Highness, and I added my wishes to yours, this decision could be reversed.’

‘Your Majesty is most gracious,’ replied Miss Knight, ‘but His Highness made his wishes so clear to me, and having given my word, I am sure Your Majesty will understand that I could not break that now.’

The Queen nodded. One did not plead with one’s subjects. It was not the first time that she and her eldest son had been at variance. She must be grateful now that they were in closer harmony and a small matter like this must not be allowed to ruffle the smoothness of their relationship.

She contented herself with a warning. ‘You will not find your new post a comfortable one. The Princess Charlotte can be a great concern to her household. I am sure poor Lady de Clifford had a most trying time attempting to control her. The poor creature was almost driven out of her wits. The Duchess of Leeds does not seem to me to be a very determined woman and a great deal of responsibility might fall on your shoulders.’

The intrepid Miss Knight perceptibly squared that part of her frame and a confident smile touched her lips. She who had travelled widely, had been the friend of Lord Nelson and his Emma, who had enjoyed many an animated discussion with Dr Johnson, was not going to be beaten by young Princess Charlotte. She could look to the future with confidence.

The Queen knew that she had lost Miss Knight to the Regent.

In any case, she consoled herself, the tiresome matter of Charlotte’s household could now be settled with the Duchess of Leeds and the able Miss Knight in control and many of the old household replaced – so the Queen hoped – by wiser women. Poor Mrs Gagarin was very ill and would soon no longer be with them. As for Louisa Lewis she was too insignificant to cause anxiety.

The matter was over. Charlotte who had declared she would not have another governess had been made to realize she must submit to her father’s wishes. The Queen trusted her granddaughter had learned a lesson. If that were so, she told herself virtuously, she would be fully compensated for the loss of Miss Knight.

THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE stood before her mirror to admire her feathers.

‘This,’ she told the admiring Louisa, ‘is an outward sign of age. The first time I have ever worn them – and how do they become me?’

‘Admirably,’ declared Louisa wholeheartedly.

‘My dear Louisa, I do believe you mean that. You do think I look beautiful, don’t you? But it’s only because you love me. You look at me through the eyes of love, dear Louisa, and that is a very pleasant way to be looked at. How I wish my father could be made to look at me in the same doting way. He looks with the eyes of criticism. Sometimes I think he wants to find something wrong. Yet perhaps he is changing. Is he not giving this ball for me? In my honour! Think of that! And at Carlton House. All that splendour and me … in feathers!’

She laughed loudly and Louisa joined with her. Charlotte was sober suddenly. ‘I must go to show myself to dear Gagy. She’ll be hurt if I don’t.’

Louisa turned away sharply. She did not want the Princess to be depressed on such an occasion, as she would certainly be when she saw the change in Mrs Gagarin even in the last few days.

Miss Knight went with Charlotte to the carriage. She was more often accompanied by Miss Knight than the Duchess whom she showed she resented. Anyone who bore the hated title of governess would be resented but the Duchess lacked the personality to win Charlotte’s respect. She thought her nouveau riche, for her marriage to the Duke of Leeds had, Charlotte had commented to Louisa, been a high step up for a lawyer’s daughter. ‘And what airs the woman gives herself – in her meek way of course. She’s anxious that everyone should know she’s a duchess.’