Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill - Plaidy Jean. Страница 43

'He is in love with this Sarah ...' began the Queen.

'Sarah!' cried the King; and his thoughts immediately went to another Sarah. Lady Sarah Lennox, with whom he had been in love, whom he had given up to marry Princes Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelitz, this plain old woman who was sitting there now and was the mother of the troublesome William and that other even more troublesome one, George, who had given him so many sleepless nights. He wondered what his life would have been like if he had married beautiful Sarah Lennox— and he could have married her, for there was no Marriage Act in those days to prevent him and in any case, as the King, he could have given his own consent to whatever marriage he had wanted to make. Yet he had done his duty—a fact of which he had been proud all those years but which nevertheless continued to rankle.

'Sarah?' he repeated.

'Her name is Sarah Martin ... this Commissioner's daughter.'

'He must be mad.'

The Queen flinched.

'He is only twenty.'

'Old enough to know better. Where is he now?'

'He has gone back to Portsmouth. He will stay there until lie hears Your Majesty's decision.'

The King grunted.

'What is Your Majesty going to do?'

The King hesitated and looked at her cautiously. Usually he kept her in the dark. He had always said that he would not have women interfering in State matters. But this was scarcely a State matter. It was a family matter—and he was going to see that that was what it remained. In this case he could take Charlotte into his confidence.

'I will order the Commissioner of Portsmouth to transfer Prince William to Plymouth without delay.'

The Queen sighed.

'And there this ... this ... young woman will not accompany him. I doubt not that in Plymouth he will find someone else to take her place ... but this, this little adventure will have taught the young rip that he should not take these ladies too seriously.'

The Queen nodded and the King said angrily, 'Sarah ... Sarah ... what was it?'

'Martin,' answered the Queen a trifle sadly, for she knew what memories the name recalled. There had been plenty to let her know when she had arrived in England that the King had been deeply enamoured of Sarah Lennox and reluctantly was taking Charlotte to be his Queen. That, thought the Queen, was the fate of princesses—and of princes too. This William would discover.

In a few days he was transferred from Portsmouth to Plymouth.

Family Conflict

The Prince was happy. He was seen everywhere with Mrs. Fitz-herbert. Whispers circulated throughout the Court and the Town—Are they married? Or is she his mistress? It was obvious from the Prince's manner that either one or the other of these conditions were true. If anyone wished to entertain the Prince of Wales they must entertain Mrs. Fitzherbert also. If there was no invitation for the lady, then the Prince of Wales regretfully declined. He would dance with no other but Mrs. Fitzherbert; he must be placed next to her at table; and after each ball, banquet or evening engagement he could be heard saying to her with the utmost gallantry: 'Madam, may I have the honour of seeing you home in my carriage?'

She did not take up her residence in Carlton House, but continued to live at Richmond and in Park Street-. She was, however, constantly in the company of the Prince of Wales, and the change in him was remarkable. He was extremely affable to everyone; he was constantly bursting into song; he moderated his language and rarely used a coarse expression; he drank less; he liked to retire early on some evenings. He was undoubtedly a newly married husband deeply in love with his wife and domesticity.

He took a box at the Opera for her and was frequently seen with her in it; they rode together in the Park. His habits had

changed considerably; he no longer sought the company of others. Mrs. Fitzherbert was all he asked.

The friendship with Charles James Fox had clearly weakened. There had been a time when he had been constantly in that man's company, had accepted his news, laughed heartily at his wit and called him his greatest friend. But Mrs. Fitzherbert was inclined to view the politician with disfavour.

'He is both coarse and unclean/ she commented; and there was a distinct coolness between them.

4 He is a brilliant fellow/ the Prince told her. 'My love, I think you would enjoy his conversation.'

'He is undoubtedly very witty and a brilliant conversationalist, and I am sure a very clever politician,' agreed Maria, 'but he certainly does not change his linen often enough and his wit is inclined to be cruel.'

'Everyone cannot be like my angel,' commented the Prince.

'Who likes only those who are worthy to be the friends of hers/

The Prince was enchanted by that reply and began to feel less friendly towards Fox from that moment, and when he remembered that Fox had tried to prevent the marriage he felt some resentment. How dare Fox preach to him! Fox who had led just about the most immoral life any man could lead! But Fox had not preached. He had only pointed out the facts—and they were true enough. All the same, much as he respected Fox, he did not want to see him. To tell the truth he wanted no one but Maria.

He walked into Maria's drawing room where she received him with open arms and a demeanour which was almost regal. What a queen she would make! If he could make her so. Why not? When the old man died he would alter that Marriage Act with a stroke of the pen. He would have powerful ministers behind him. Fox! There he was back at Fox. No matter! His Maria was beautiful, worthy in every way to be a queen. He told her so.

'But this place is not good enough for my dearest/

'My darling, it is ideal for me/

'No, no, Maria. I want to see you in a setting worthy of you.'

'Settings arc unimportant.'

'Of course. What setting docs the brightest jewel in the kingdom need? You don't need it, my precious love; but you should have it. I see you in a white and gilded drawing room with Chinese silk lining the walls.'

'It sounds like Carlton House,' she said with a laugh.

'But this shall be yours. And there we shall entertain. You must admit, my dearest Maria, that this place is a trifle small.'

'It is big enough for the two of us. I care only to entertain you.'

He embraced her and wept on that wonderful bosom, so soft, so voluptuous yet so maternal. Oh, Maria, perfect woman, with all the attributes, everything that he needed to make him happy!

'Why ... real tears,' she said, stroking his frizzed hair.

'Tears of joy,' he cried. 'Tears of wonder and gratitude. What have I done to deserve you, Maria? Tell me that.'

'You have been good and kind to me, faithful to me, you have sacrificed much for me ...'

He lay against her listening. It was true.

7'd crowns resign To call thee mine .. /

But it had not been necessary to resign the Crown. This sort of marriage did not interfere with the succession in the least. It was a secret marriage, a morganatic marriage, if one cared to call it that. And it was secret; therefore what harm could come of it? As soon as he was the King he would get the Act repealed and marry Maria; and any children they might have before that happy event would be legitimized. It was really very simple. He could not imagine why there had had to be the fuss.

So now listening to Maria enumerating his virtues he was very happy indeed.

But she must entertain now and then, and since whenever she entertained he would be present, she must have a worthy establishment in which to do it.

'Lord Uxbi idge's place in St. James's Square is to let,' he told her.

'My dear, dear George, you cannot mean that / should take such a place?'