The Prince and the Quakeress - Plaidy Jean. Страница 62

A very interesting piece of news. Lady Sarah was inclined to be haughty and was by no means certain that she intended to accept the King’s proposal. She had another string to her bow—that bold and flirtatious young man, son of the Earl of Ancram and grandson of the Marquis of Lothian—John William Newbattle. It seemed that Madam Sarah was inclined to favour that young man in spite of his reputation for fickleness rather than steady King George.

Interesting, and what was more than interesting was the fact that the young lady had agreed to meet John Newbattle in the grounds of Holland House after dark—surely something no young lady should do, particularly one who had a chance of being Queen.

The letter from John Newbattle had actually been delivered into his hands. He carried it in his pocket now as he rode to Kensington to see the King.

George was delighted to receive his dear friend.

‘It seems you have been long away. I know it is only a few days, but your absences always seem long.’

‘Your Majesty is so gracious to me. I am unable to express the pleasure your kindness gives me. I can only say that you, Sire, cannot be so pleased to see me if I am to see you.’

These expressions of affection over, Bute immediately mentioned the matter which was uppermost in His mind.

‘Sire, I have given great thought to your problem.’

‘Ah, I knew you would. I have been thinking of her since I spoke to Lady Susan...in fact, thinking of nothing else.’

Since he spoke to Lady Susan! Bute knew to what he was referring. Everyone knew what he had said to Lady Susan. The news was fast spreading through the Court and London.

‘Has Your Majesty considered what a marriage of this nature would mean?’

‘I have considered everything.’

‘Of course, the Lady Sarah is a charming girl.’

‘I knew you would think so.’

‘Young...very young. She is not yet seventeen, I believe.’

‘There is no harm in being young, surely.’

‘No harm at all. Of course, it has been the custom for the Kings to marry royal persons.’

‘Sarah is royal. Her great-grandfather was Charles II!’

‘Yes, but through a not very creditable union, shall we say. I mean the people look to their Kings to marry Princesses, usually from abroad.’

‘Germans!’ said George. ‘I do not think the people are really very fond of the Germans.’

‘Still...a Princess.’

‘I see, my dearest friend, you have no real objections to offer. Then I do not see why I should not be formally betrothed to Lady Sarah. If I wish it and she wishes it...’

‘Indeed not,’ said Bute quickly, noting the King’s firmness. He put his hand into his pocket and touched Newbattle’s note. He had been wondering whether to show it to the King and would have preferred not to. It would have been so much better to have been able to persuade him of the folly of this obsession. But he could see that the King was set on marrying the girl, and the King could be a very stubborn young man.

There was no help for it, then.

‘Sire, I have to pass on to you something which may cause you some displeasure. I have been debating within myself whether to withhold it, but I realize that I could not be your true friend if I did so.’

‘What is this?’ asked George, and as always on such occasions his thoughts turned to Hannah. Something had come to light. This thought was always at the back of his mind ready to spring forward at the least alarm.

‘I feel, Sire, that you should be absolutely sure that this lady is worthy of you.’

George was relieved. ‘I am absolutely sure. In fact it is really a question of whether I am worthy of her.’

‘The King of England worthy of a little...’ Bute stopped himself in time. ‘If you can prove she is worthy, then I do not see why we should not fight all the opposition—and it will be considerable—to your union with her.’

‘I knew you would be on my side.’

‘Have I not always been?’

‘Always,’ declared George fervently. ‘But what was making you anxious.’

‘Lady Sarah is in love with someone else.’

George grew pale. ‘I...I can’t believe it.’

This note has been brought to me by someone who wishes to serve you.’

‘Note...note? What note?’

‘Here. Read it. It is a love letter and you will see it is from Lord Newbattle to Lady Sarah.’

George’s face was scarlet, his blue eyes more prominent than usual, his jaw slacker as he read.

‘So...he asks her to meet him in Holland Park...tonight! What a scoundrel! What of her reputation?’

‘He would have had encouragement to write such a note.’

‘She...she will not go.’

‘Is your Majesty sure of that?’

‘Yes. I know she would not go.’

‘I am going to make a suggestion, Your Majesty. Perhaps it will be distasteful to you and if so, you must forgive me. You know full well that in the past every action of mine has been taken with your good in mind. That will always be so. That is why I come to you now with this letter and risk your displeasure.’

‘I could never never be displeased with such a true friend. But you are wrong about Lady Sarah.’

‘I am sure I am wrong.’

‘I am happy again, then.’

‘But I am concerned for Your Majesty’s welfare. There was that unfortunate affair of...’

‘Yes,’ said George sobered, and even forgetting the perfections of Sarah temporarily.

‘I would not wish to see Your Majesty similarly involved.’

‘Similarly. It is quite different.’

‘Quite different, Your Majesty, that is true. But if this young girl were not all you think her to be a marriage could be disastrous.’

‘But I know her to be...’

‘Then you will bear with my suspicions and know that they are only the fears of one who loves you better than his own life. Your Majesty, if I were convinced that this girl truly loved you and was worthy to be your Queen I should be beside you. And you do not doubt, do you, that together we could not overcome all opposition.’

‘Of course we could.’

‘But I must be convinced myself. I am going to ask Your Majesty’s permission to do something of which you might not approve.’

‘What is that?’

‘I am going to witness this meeting. I am going to see what happens for myself. And if I am convinced...’

‘Yes?’

‘That she is just an impulsive girl. If she goes to this rendezvous with a friend and tells this young man that she wants no more to do with him—then I shall be with Your Majesty. I would say that although the Lady Sarah was a little indiscreet to make such an assignation she is after all an innocent girl and since Your Majesty has such regard for her I would be ready to say that Your Majesty should go ahead with your plans.’

‘I am sure it will happen just as you say.’

‘But I shall be there to witness it I must myself. I had thought that perhaps Your Majesty…

George was silent, staring at Bute.

‘…perhaps Your Majesty would wish to accompany me?’

• • •

Lord Bute was delighted. He called at once on the Dowager Princess to give her the good news.

‘I think all will be well,’ he informed her, and proceeded to tell her of his great good fortune in securing the note which Newbattle had written to Lady Sarah, giving details of the rendezvous in Holland Park.

‘But you are a...genius!’

‘I would not say that, my dear. But my entire life is given to you and the King, as you know. It is only natural that such devotion should bring results. And this was better than I hoped. I did not ask the King outright to accompany me but I guessed he would be unable to resist coming. And I was right.’

‘And you saw this meeting?’

‘Yes. The lady was, however, accompanied by Lord George Lennox who, you may remember, is married to Newbattle’s sister. I was a little dashed when I saw this, for I believe that flighty young woman capable of real indiscretion. But...there was no doubt that she is on very affectionate terms with Newbattle and was certainly not repulsing his advances. I do believe that as far as I can see they were making some arrangements and what could those possibly be with Lord George present? Only this: Newbattle is going to ask his father’s consent to his marriage with Sarah Lennox. Well, the sooner we see that mischievous young woman safely settled into matrimony with master Newbattle, the happier I shall be.’