The Prince and the Quakeress: (Georgian Series) (37 page)

The Princess Dowager was frantic.

She sent for her eldest daughter Augusta and told her that she must try to prevent the King’s reaching Sarah Lennox at any function. Augusta, who was a rather short young woman, by no means handsome but possessing the family’s clear complexion, fair hair and blue eyes, was envious of the undoubted beauty of Sarah Lennox. She had no love for her mother, who had shown little interest in her – or indeed any of the family, all her attentions being concentrated on George – but Augusta liked to meddle in Court affairs and this gave her an excellent opportunity, so she decided to do what she could to foil the match George was trying to make with Sarah Lennox. Lady Bute, who had been coming to Court recently, for both her husband and the Princess agreed that she could not be shut out indefinitely, appeared to accept her husband’s relationship with the Princess with no pangs of jealousy. She was wise enough to realize what great advantages came to her and her children through his close relationship with the royal family, for it was not only the Princess who adored him but the King as well. Bute had in March become Secretary of State at the King’s express wish, and Lady Bute understood even more fully that she would be foolish to protest about anything that touched on her husband’s advancement at Court. Therefore she was a staunch ally of the Princess and her husband, and would certainly play her part in spoiling the Lennox girl’s hopes.

Lady Susan Stewart, the Princess’s bedchamber woman was told she must help too, and the three of them could make a circle about Lady Sarah and fend off the King that way, for George was too polite to ignore them if they stood in the way of his reaching the young lady.

This was small comfort, the Princess agreed; but at least it was something and the situation was so desperate that they could not afford to ignore any help.

New would soon arrive from Germany and then she trusted the King could be persuaded to do his duty.

*

On the 4th of June there was a ball to celebrate the King’s birthday and Sarah attended this. Her leg, however, not being completely well, prevented her from dancing, so she was obliged to sit out while the others danced. This gave the King some opportunity to speak to her and made it very difficult for the bodyguard to prevent his doing so.

Sarah was clearly enjoying the situation – sitting there looking more beautiful than anyone at the ball, conscious all the time of the King’s adoring glances which she returned, partly because she had made up her mind that she would be Queen of England, partly to foil the bodyguard whose purpose she knew too well.

When she thought of the casual treatment of Lord Newbattle she felt furious; and that alone, she told herself, would make her love George, who was so different. She sat dreaming of being the Queen and governing him as she was sure she could. He would be a good and faithful husband, always ready to please his wife. Very different from Lord Newbattle!

The King’s sister, Princess Augusta, had come to speak to her accompanied by Lady Bute and Lady Susan Stewart.

How maddening I They surrounded her and shut out the sight of the King.

How was she? How sad that she could not dance! And had she enjoyed her stay in the country… apart from the time when she had been incapacitated? That must have been most annoying, and painful too. Oh, she was very brave to come to the ball. Should she not have stayed in the country until she was quite… quite better. But perhaps she felt she
must
come. Life in the country was perhaps a little
dull
.

Oh, be silent, thought Lady Sarah, while she smiled at them and answered their silly questions. Do you think I don’t know what you are doing? You are trying to keep the King away from me and you won’t succeed.

Nor did they, for here was George unable to endure the separation any longer.

‘Augusta,’ he said to his sister, ‘I should like to see you dance the Betty Blue.’

Augusta looked startled, but the King did not seem to notice; he was smiling at Sarah.

‘It is a dance that you are acquainted with. I am very fond of it because it was taught to me by a lady.’

‘Was it, Your Majesty?’ She was smiling up at him bewitchingly, more for the benefit of the watching ladies – whom she was sure were grinding their teeth with rage – than for him.

‘Do you not know what lady?’ he asked.

‘No, Sire.’

‘Well, I will tell you. It was taught me by a very pretty lady who came from Ireland, a year last November.’

Sarah put her head on one side pretending to consider, which delighted the King.

‘I am talking to her now,’ prompted George. ‘She taught it to me at the ball on Twelfth Night.’

Sarah laughed, watching the sick looks on the faces of the three women. ‘In truth. Your Majesty, I did not remember until you reminded me.’

‘Perhaps you did not. But
I
have a very good memory for what relates to that lady. I had a pretty new country dance of my own, which should have been danced on the late King’s birthday… if he had lived. What do you think I named it?’

‘I have no idea, Sire.’

‘The 25th of February. That is a very important date to me. Do you know why?’

She pretended to be confused and stammered: ‘I… I cannot think, Sire. I know it is my birthday.’

He laughed triumphantly. ‘That is why.’

The Princess Augusta groaned inwardly at this conversation which the King seemed to find sparkling with wit, and which showed, thought the Princess, how deeply in love he was if he could mistake such puerile utterings for conversation even.

She would report what had been said to her mother – and it seemed that others would be reporting it all over the place because there was no doubt that many had their ears cocked.

So the King stayed at the side of Lady Sarah during most of the evening, now and then being forced, reluctantly it was obvious, to do his duty and dance. But he lost no time in returning to her chair. In fact, so absorbed was he that he remained talking to her until one o’clock, quite forgetting that
the dancers were waiting for him to end the ball.

No one was in any doubt after that birthday ball of the King’s feelings for Sarah Lennox.

There was jubilation at Holland House.

‘The King,’ said Lady Caroline, ‘is surely on the brink of a declaration.’

*

The Princess Augusta was sighing with relief. She sent at once for Lord Bute. Colonel Graeme had reported that a marriage of the King of England and his sister Charlotte Sophia would be very acceptable to the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and also to Charlotte Sophia’s mother the Dowager Grand Duchess. The Colonel described the Princess’s appearance as pleasant (which implied that she was no beauty) and added that in his opinion she appeared to be a bride in every way suitable for His Majesty.

‘There must now be no delay,’ said the Princess. ‘We must talk to George.’

Bute agreed and Augusta asked her son if he would call on her as she had something of great importance to say to him.

George arrived, having no notion of what was to be discussed, but Augusta did not leave him long in doubt.

‘My son,’ she said, ‘it is time you were married.’

George smiled happily. ‘I myself have been thinking that.’

‘There has as yet been no coronation,’ went on the Princess.

‘No. I wished my Queen to share in it.’

‘That will be excellent and we have found a very suitable bride for you.’

George was silent, and the Princess glanced at Bute who said quietly: ‘Colonel Graeme reports from Mecklenburg-Strelitz that the Princess Charlotte Sophia will be an ideal bride for you and she and her family are eager for the marriage.’

‘This… is impossible.’

‘It is highly suitable,’ said his mother sharply.

‘You do not understand,’ said the King. ‘I have already decided.’

‘Then I trust you will think again, for this is of the utmost importance.’

‘I have pondered a great deal on this matter. I love the Lady Sarah Lennox and she loves me.’

‘Are you sure of that, Sire?’ asked Bute gently.

‘Sure of it! I am never more sure of anything.’

The Princess was about to speak but Bute looked at her and she nodded, implying that he must direct the way this painful interview should go.

‘Sire,’ said Bute in his kindest and most tender voice, ‘a little while ago that young lady was making it very clear that she preferred another gentleman to you.’

‘That was not so. She was merely… amusing herself.’

‘Amusing herself? When the King had shown preference for her?’

‘I did not wish her to regard me as a King but as a man.’

‘She clearly did neither,’ retorted the Princess tartly. ‘She treated you like a foolish boy and I must say that you have behaved like one – to allow her to flout you, use you to attract this young… young rake… and then beckon you when she finds he has done with her!’

‘This… this is not so.’

‘The King is clearly deeply affected by Lady Sarah,’ said Bute gently.

George turned to him. Best of friends! Always reliable! He would understand and help him to explain.

‘And in that case,’ said George, ‘since we love each other would it not be desirable for us to marry?’

‘I fear,’ Bute reminded him, still in the same kind voice, ‘it would not be desirable from the nation’s point of view. You see, Sire, you are a King. You are young and have not until now been brought face to face with your obligations. Your marriage is not your own affair. It is the nation’s. Every King or Queen has to face this problem. It rarely happens that what they desire is what the nation needs. It is the sad side of a ruler’s life. Self-sacrifice. Again and again he must pass by what he desires to give his country what it needs.’

George was beginning to lose his confidence. ‘But why should the nation not want Sarah?’

‘A King’s sons and daughters must be royal,’ said the Princess. ‘They should have royal blood on both sides.’

‘Sarah is royal,’ cried George eagerly.

The Princess laughed. ‘Yes, descended from a whore!’

George flushed as though he had been struck. ‘I beg of you, Madam, do not say such a thing.’

‘I am concerned with the truth,’ retorted his mother. ‘We all know where the Richmonds got their title. Through Louise de Keroualle, sent from France by the King of that country to be his spy and the King of England’s mistress. That at least is common knowledge.’

‘You… can scarcely blame Sarah.’

‘I do not blame her. I merely say she is unfit to be Queen of England. George, be reasonable. The people of this country are waiting for an announcement of your marriage. They expect you to marry. They are growing impatient. And they expect you to make the right marriage.’

‘I am sure I am the best judge…’

The Princess said hotly: ‘As you were the best judge in that disastrous matter of the Quaker girl.’

George caught his breath in horror. He could not bear to think of Hannah. When he did so he was overcome by feelings of remorse and inadequacy.

Lord Bute was at his side, laying a gentle hand on his arm.

‘Your Majesty,’ he said softly, ‘that affair is done with. May I speak frankly?’

George nodded.

‘Your Majesty should not feel remorse over that affair. It was true there were difficulties… but there need not have been. Had you consulted me in the beginning, I could have arranged matters satisfactorily for you and there would have been no trouble. Your Majesty is good and honest and my heart rejoices to see it – but the world is full of scheming men and women…’

‘Sarah is not scheming.’

‘Indeed no. She is an enchanting young girl, unsure of her mind, it is true, flitting from one to the other, unable to come to a decision… a delightful creature. But she is surrounded by ambitious men and women who will seek to guide you through her and separate you from your true friends.’

‘You mean yourself…’

‘Myself and Her Highness, your mother.’

‘No one would ever do that.’

‘I am sure Your Majesty would not allow it, but they would
attempt it. In the interests of the country, Your Majesty should accept the Princess Charlotte Sophia… and…’

‘And Sarah?’ whispered George.

‘If she truly loved you she would consent to become your mistress. Other women have had to take a similar decision. It would be a test of her love.’

‘I should not ask her to. I should not care for such an association. When I marry I intend to be a faithful husband. I intend to set an example to my people.’

‘Noble sentiments, and they do Your Majesty credit. You can set the pattern of your Court and I know you will do it. Profligacy, so rife in the last reign, will disappear and it will be due to our King. That is magnificent. But you must have a woman who will help you in this. There must be no uncertainty after marriage. No wandering out by night to confer with other men… nothing of that sort.’

‘It was only mischief.’

‘There must be no mischief. Your Majesty, I beg of you listen to Her Highness, your mother. You never had, and never will have, a better friend in the world.’

‘Yes, listen to me and listen to my Lord Bute. When have we ever failed you?’

‘Never, but…’

‘Then heed our words now,’ pleaded Bute. ‘The country needs this marriage with the Princess Charlotte, and you must give the country what it needs.’

‘No,’ said the King. ‘I have heard enough. I am going to marry Sarah.’

He bowed abruptly and left them.

The Princess was in despair, but Bute was not so despondent.

‘Our words have had some effect,’ he said.

‘What if he goes to Holland House and actually asks for her hand?’

‘I do not think he will act so rashly. I shall stay close with him during the next days. I shall bring him to see where his duty lies.’

Augusta felt faintly relieved. Her confidence in Lord Bute never wavered.

*

When the King rode out from Kensington Palace he passed Holland
House in the grounds of which Sarah, looking delightful as a country girl in a sunbonnet, was helping to make the hay.

He stopped and spoke to her. How enchanting she was! How wonderful it would have been if he had been a country squire and she the daughter of a neighbour! He could fancy that, on a morning like this.