Виктория Холт - The Third George

There was something of which she had yet to learn, thought Charlotte; but she could guess. What had happened did not need words to explain it. Lady Sarah Lennox! Abraham and Sarah. They would have met on many occasions. As the sister and daughter of a duke and one of the leading dukes, that girl would have had many opportunities of meeting the King. And she was beautiful.

She was all that Charlotte was not. Charlotte kept reminding herself that she had one asset though which made her more desirable: she was a princess.

The ceremony was over and the procession from the chapel had begun. Charlotte was aware of the heaviness of her cloak and the hands which held her train were those of Sarah Lennox. The name kept repeating itself in her head. So it was Sarah Lennox he had wanted, that girl who was even lovelier than the Marchioness and the Duchess who had come to Stade to meet her, because she was young and fresh a girl, whereas they were women.

It seemed that those small hands tugged viciously at the cloak but that was not so. It was too heavy for her to support. She could feel it being pulled halfway down her back and saw several amused glances. She learned afterwards that Horace Walpole, that inveterate gossip and recorder of events, had noted that 'the spectators knew as much of the Queen's upper half as the King himself." And in fact she thought they would drag the clothes completely from her back before they reached the banqueting hall.

At last they arrived there to find that there had been a delay in preparing the banquet; and as it had been reported that Charlotte had played the harpsichord to her seasick ladies, it was now suggested that she should play for the company until dinner was served. Having played and sung all her life Charlotte had no shyness on this score and played and sang so enchantingly that everyone applauded enthusiastically and declared that music had charms to soothe empty stomachs as well as savage beasts.

In time supper was served. The King sitting beside his bride was very attentive to her, as though, it was observed, he would make up for that lapse in the chapel when he had been so overcome at the mention of the name Sarah and had been unable to prevent himself gazing at the chief bridesmaid. Charlotte, fresh from her triumph on the harpsichord, felt excited and the King's attention was flattering. The more she knew him the more she liked him, and that she told herself, was a very promising start.

Supper over, the King took her hand and told her that they must mingle with the guests who would wish to be presented to her; this they did and the King seemed in no hurry to break up the party. Nor was Charlotte for as soon as it was over they would retire to their bedchamber and there be entirely alone. It was as though everyone was aware of this and understood the feelings of the young married pair.

At last the Duke of Cumberland approached the King and said: "When is Your Majesty going to break up the company? I am exhausted and must need leave without your permission if you won't give it.”

George immediately gave the required permission. It was almost three o'clock in the morning and hopeful eyes were turned towards the royal couple. Now was the time for the nuptial celebration, the putting to bed of the bride and groom, the witnessing of the young couple in bed together, the sly comments, the whispered suggestions. George had been dreading this and buoying himself up with the reminder that he was the King and could do as he wished, he announced his intention of abolishing the old custom which he found in extremely bad taste. There would be no ceremony whatsoever. The King himself would conduct his bride to their bedchamber.

There was disappointment, for this ceremony was always enjoyed by all except the principal actors; however, the King's show of resolution was admired and no one could gainsay his orders.

So, taking Charlotte by the hand he led her away to the nuptial bedchamber.

The King was apologetic. "We met only for the first time today," he said, 'and you will be feeling that I am almost a stranger.”

"Indeed not," she answered. "I have heard little mentioned that did not concern you since the day the news arrived that you had spoken for me.”

"Then ... I am glad.”

"I trust I am not as a stranger to you.”

"No ... as you heard of me, so I heard of you.”

They faced each other nervously. The King said: "I daresay you will agree with me that finding ourselves in this position we must do our duty.”

"It is what I shall always wish to do... my duty.”

And so while the Court speculated on what was happening in the royal bedchamber, George and Charlotte were solemnly doing their duty.

It was the day after the wedding. Charlotte sat at her mirror while her attendants prepared her for the levee. They were watching her curiously and she knew why. They would very much like to know what she thought of married life. Charlotte was by no means discontented with it. The King could scarcely be called a passionate lover but he was kind. That was what pleased her so much.

She had been dreading their first encounter and it had passed without undue discomfort; and she was now initiated into married life and knew what was expected of her and that if she could bear children she would be a successful Queen.

On waking she had immediately thought of the chief bridesmaid, for she was sure that the King had been thinking of her too, and no doubt wishing her in Charlotte's place. But she knew enough of the ways of Court to be aware of the fact that many a Queen had arrived in her new land to find her husband's mistress in possession of his affections. She did not believe Sarah Lennox was George's mistress; and she felt extraordinarily optimistic since her new intimacy with the King; she believed that now he was a husband he would soon stop hankering after that girl.

Her women were whispering together. There was one whom she had not noticed before; flamboyant and beautiful, though no longer young. The woman was saying: "And my Lord Hardwicke met His Majesty coming from the bedchamber and His Majesty seemed in good spirits. He said it was a very fine day; to which my lord replied with accompanying leer: "Yes, Sire, and it was a very fine night." At which His Majesty was not amused.”

The titter of laughter which followed this gave Charlotte an indication of the sort of joke these women were making although they spoke in English. She had however caught the words His Majesty for those were two with which she had already become familiar. I must learn English quickly, she thought. They must not be allowed to chatter so in my presence and I not know what they say. She asked the Marchioness who the lady was.

"It is Elizabeth Chudleigh, Madam, whom the Princess Dowager has appointed to serve you.”

"Pray present her to me.”

Elizabeth Chudleigh swept a deep curtsey. Her eyes seemed to be filled with mischief but how could Charlotte complain of that.

Elizabeth Chudleigh was thinking: My God, what have they given the poor boy now! I'll warrant he's thinking of pretty Sarah or perhaps his beautiful Hannah. What a tale I could tell little Crocodile-Mouth if I wished. Elizabeth was sure of herself. She had played her part in the Hannah Light foot affair, for the King Prince of Wales then, of course had confided in her and asked her help. Was it not Elizabeth who had found the rooms in the Haymarket where George had had those clandestine meetings with his Quakeress? What a part she had played in the elopement. And what great good it had brought her for that sly old matron, the Princess Dowager, would have dismissed her from Court long ago had Elizabeth not been in a position to work a little courteous blackmail. And Lord Bute was afraid of her too!

Well, Elizabeth was now deep in her own affairs; wondering how she was going to get the Duke of Kingston to marry her. He was her doting lover and she the mistress without whom he could not live but she had married Hervey and she would have to extricate herself from that entanglement somehow. In the meantime she was biding her time and waiting on the newly arrived Queen.

Poor child, thought Elizabeth. Should one warn her of the King's infatuation for the Lennox girl?

Should one tell her that if she were clever she could beat her mother-in-law at her own game? No.

Keep out, thought Elizabeth. The great project was how to become the Duchess of Kingston. Let the Queen look after herself.

"You have been serving the Princess Dowager, I presume," said Charlotte in French.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I think she chose me because the King himself has always honoured me by his interest in my welfare.”

"I am pleased to hear it.”

"You are gracious, Madam. I shall hope to serve you faithfully, for that is what His Majesty would wish.”

She is clever and wise, thought Charlotte. She is a woman of great experience. Did they say Miss Chudleigh. Odd that she had not married and become a Countess or Duchess. She would have to find out more about this intriguing woman. She was ready for the levee and left for the drawing room. There she found her bridesmaids assembled and was quickly aware of Sarah Lennox, looking fresh and lovely and as beautiful in her gown of velvet as she had in her white and silver bridesmaid's clothes with the circlet of diamonds on her head.

As her position warranted she took her place near the throne, by which Charlotte was standing, as one by one the peers and peeresses came to do homage to her. She felt suddenly alone because she could not speak English and once again she was determined to learn as quickly as she could. The Marchioness was announcing the names of the people as they approached the Queen; they then knelt and kissed her hand and swore allegiance.