Queen in Waiting - Plaidy Jean - Страница 47

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George Augustus nodded. "We will show them how much more agreeable we are."

"Speaking English is a great advantage and yours has improved greatly in the last months."

A reference to Henrietta Howard but it was given genially and sensibly and accepted in the same manner.

"And yours is good. Just imagine! My father cannot speak a word. What a fool that man is."

"Yes, but let us be glad of his folly. When do you think we shall go to England? It will be wonderful. I picture us riding through the streets with little Fritzchen beside us and all the girls. The people will see that we can give them heirs. How much more we can give them than your father. They'll know about your mother "

George Augustus's face darkened as it always did at the mention of his mother. "It's his own fault," he said. "He treated her badly and the people of England won't like him for it."

"They won't. And we shall be there with the children ... speaking in English, showing them how much we, at least, appreciate being in the country. There are glorious days ahead of us. And George Augustus, we shall always work together. We shall always be loyal to each other. Your father will regret the day he left himself without a wife."

George Augustus was content. He had been the wise one. His father had been the fool.

He would go off now to see his mistress, which he did regularly to the actual hour; he would tell her that he had the best wife in the world, and she would agree with him.

He was indeed a lucky man.

George Augustus would have been dismayed if he could have heard the conversation between his father and chief minister Bernstorff.

"It'll be necessary to watch the Prince," Bernstorff was saying "His knowledge of English will be a great advantage to him, and you may be sure he will seize it."

"Perhaps it would be better to leave him in Hanover."

Bernstorff was thoughtful for a moment, then he said: "Who knows what harm he would do at home! Better perhaps to keep our eyes on him. In that case he should come with us. The English will want to see the Prince of Wales."

The King grunted. "Would I could send him to England and stay here."

"Fatal, Your Majesty. Fatal. The Jacobites would have James on the throne in no time. In any case we don't know what opposition we have to face when we get there."

"I know it. We've had them here swearing allegiance, but I wouldn't trust any one of them. They're all like Marlborough ready to turn their coats with a change of the wind."

"We must remember it. Sir, here in Hanover and more especially wlien we set foot in England. That is why I think that while wc must take the Prince of Wales with us, we might leave the Princess to follow later."

George looked surprised and Bernstorff hurried on: "The Prince relies on her more than he realizes. She will have to follow. It will be expected. But let her come later. Don't have the Prince and his family there when you make your entry into the capital. All attention will be for them; they are young; they have children. It will detract from Your Majesty to have your son and his family there."

George never minded plain speaking if it seemed good sense to him. He did not want to go to England. He would delay as much as possible; but since he had to go he must do his best to make a success.

"She shall follow later," he said, dismissing the matter.

Bernstorff hesitated. "Was Your Majesty thinking of taking Madam Schulemburg with you?"

"I doubt she would agree to stay in Hanover if I went to England," said George unemotionally. Of all his mistresses he

was most fond of Ermengarda Schulemburg; she had been with him so long; she was truly fond of him as, he was shrewd enough to know, none of the others were. She was like a wife and he could not imagine life without her.

"And Madam Kielmansegge?"

George shrugged his shoulders. It was hardly likely that if Schulemburg went with him Kielmansegge would agree to stay behind. He said so; and knowing the habit forming ways of his master, Bernstorff agreed that it might be necessary to take these two women to England.

Bernstorff's mouth hardened imperceptibly. The Countess von Platen was not going. He was going to have his revenge on her. She would be taught a lesson. She was a dabbler, therefore could menace his power. It was enough for Schulemburg to be as a wife to the King; Kielmansegge was content as long as she could have her lovers; but von Platen was an ambitious woman; she had secured the place of cofferer for her lover Craggs and when Bernstorff had heard about it second-hand, his fury was great. In the past those who sought favours had come to him. He would not tolerate a woman who sought to deprive him of his privileges.

"I think the Countess von Platen should remain in Hanover, Your Majesty," he said. "Two ladies ... and both of an age to have earned respectability ... that is well enough. But the Countess von Platen should remain in Hanover for I think if she accompanied you, the English might feel three was too much."

George considered this, fleetingly thinking of the beautiful countess hiding in his apartment, a robe over her naked body, coming to beg him to show her a little honour and not bestow all on those two ageing ladies. It had been a moment of rare amusement and he admired her shrewdness. She was a beautiful woman; but there would be many beautiful women in England—slightly different, as foreigners always were, but he liked a little variety now and then. Schulemburg and Kielmansegge to satisfy habit and a few new ladies to make a change.

All women were very much alike; and the Platen was inclined to meddle. He had never really liked meddlers.

So he nodded. It should be as Bernstorff suggested.

When he went to Ermengarda's apartment he found her in tears. He was surprised for she rarely showed any emotion except a pleasant complacency in his company.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She tried to smile but it was no use. "I'm afraid of what will happen to you," she told him.

"What should?"

"You are going to England as the King. Not very long ago they beheaded one of their Kings; they drove another away. If he had stayed he might have lost his head."

He looked at her with affection. She had even tried to learn a little history for his sake.

"They wouldn't dare kill me."

"They might try. Let us stay here in Hanover. What does it matter if you are a King or an Elector?"

She had always been concerned for him; it suddenly occurred to him that she was one of the few persons in his life who had a genuine affection for him.

"The king-killers are on my side,' he said with a guffaw. "So you see there's nothing to fear."

"I shall come with you," she said.

"You're coming," he told her. He made a sign for her to disrobe; he never wasted time in words. She knew why he had come at this hour as he had been doing for years. He did not like habits to be broken.

Meekly she rose; her attraction had always been her meak-ness; she had been such a contrast to the haughty Sophia Dorothea. If Schulemburg had been his wife, he reflected briefly, they would have lived in harmony and would doubtless have a brood of children to show for their long relationship. She would ride with him in the state coach through the streets of London and the people would cheer him.

Now they would think of the wife who would have beer with him if she were not a prisoner—his prisoner—in the castle of Ahlden.

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