Queen in Waiting: (Georgian Series) (36 page)

The King is a fool, thought Caroline, to go away and leave the field to us.

And what had brought the King to their apartments that night? Was it a woman?

Caroline looked about the apartment with interest. Who? There were the black and red wigs of Kielmansegge and Schulemburg – nothing extraordinary about that. They accompanied the King everywhere and whatever woman he wanted, he would always keep those two.

Now I wonder, thought Caroline, and shrugged the matter aside.

The King had come to talk to her. A matter of policy, she thought; he wants to show the company that we are not enemies and there are no quarrels within the family.

‘I envy your seeing Frederick,’ she said. ‘I want you to tell him that I think of him often. Will you tell him that his sisters are growing big now? They are always talking of him and even baby Caroline who never knew him speaks of him as though he is familiar to her.’

‘I shall have much work to do in Hanover.’

She flushed angrily. ‘And no time to give a few messages to your grandson?’

How ugly he was, with his heavy jaw and his protuberant eyes! She was thankful she had a husband like George Augustus. How tragic to be married to a man like this! He was coarse, crude and without feeling.

She had raised her voice a little and he was anxious to show that there was no real discord in the family.

‘I will tell him what you say.’

‘And you will tell Gottfried Leibniz that I hope he will soon visit me in England.’

The King was silent. He was not going to be pressed too far.

Sullen old boor! thought Caroline; still he did look happy tonight and he was more genial than he had ever been before; he was even smiling at her.

And soon he would be gone and she would have her opportunity.

Momentary irritations could not spoil her pleasure in this night – nor the King’s.

The next morning the King was in good spirits while Mahomet and Mustapha dressed him. He had awakened at dawn, which came early for it was July, and, eager to waste no time, arose.

By ten o’clock he was at the Tower where he would take boat for Gravesend. The Prince of Wales accompanied him and George even addressed a few pleasant remarks to his son during the trip from the Tower to Gravesend where his yacht was awaiting him.

‘We want everyone to know that we are good friends,’ he told his son.

George Augustus put on his most affable manner, never forgetting to return a greeting from the few on the bank who stood watching the King pass along the river. Very few of them, the Prince noted with pleasure. They were not interested in seeing their Sovereign start on his journey. Let him go back to his sausages and sauerkraut, would be the comment of most of them.

This was indeed a great opportunity.

To Gravesend and aboard the yacht.

Father and son embraced – something they never remembered doing before. But each made the other aware that there was no affection in the gesture; it was merely to show the spectators that there was no family quarrel.

The Prince came ashore.

Back to St James’s to start his reign as Guardian of the Realm while the King sailed away to his beloved Hanover.

The days of glory

OH, THE JOY
of being rid of the King!

On her bed in the Wren wing of Hampton Court Caroline lay dreamily looking up at the ceiling. It was a magnificent apartment with the windows looking out on the Great Fountain garden and the park beyond.

She was pregnant, and pregnancies were uncomfortable, but it was a good state for a Princess to be in and she was hoping this time for a boy – a boy whom she would keep with her. She loved the children; and they were always happy to be with her. One of the pleasantest hours of the day was when they were brought to her – Anne in charge. She was seven and thought herself the head of the family, keeping five-year-old Amelia and three-year-old Caroline in order. Oh, it was cruel of the King to keep Fritzchen from his parents and his sisters! But what could one expect from a man who allowed his own wife to remain a prisoner for twenty years.

But she must not think of Fritzchen. Nothing must spoil the perfection of these days. She had never really been so happy; in fact if she could have her son in England and her
father-in-law in Hanover she would ask nothing more of life.

She loved England; and the most beautiful place in England in her eyes was Hampton. The lovely peaceful river, the palace, the grounds. Never would she want to be in any other place. She continued to gaze at the high ceiling. The apartment was a lofty thirty feet in height and on the ceiling only a year ago Sir James Thornhill had painted Aurora in her golden chariot rising from the sea; her attendant fat little cupids reminded her of baby Caroline. She would not look at the portraits on the wall; to contemplate either of the subjects made her unhappy, for one was the King, morose and forbidding, to remind her that this was only a temporary release; the other was Fritzchen to remind her of their separation.

No, she would luxuriate in her bed, for it was the custom which they had brought from Hanover to eat a heavy meal and then retire to rest in the afternoon – one of the few pleasant customs they had brought; but the English said it made them fat.

There were many sly comments made behind their backs, she was certain. The English did not like the Germans. Well, we must try to be as English as possible, she thought; for we are English now.

She was wishing that she had learned to speak the language without this atrocious German accent of hers which must remind people whence she came as soon as she spoke. She remembered the old Electress Sophia who had been so anxious for her to learn English and how she had been pleased when George Augustus had become Henrietta Howard’s lover because he would improve his English.

How did George Augustus feel nowadays towards Henrietta? She had become a habit; he was like his father in many ways. Still, Caroline would not complain for she had nothing to fear from Henrietta, who had no wish to come into conflict with her, nor to show her power. A wise woman, Henrietta.

Such luxury to lie here in the quietness of the Palace. May the King stay long in Hanover, prayed Caroline. We can do so much while he is away. Make our position strong. Lay the foundation for the future.

Down in the gardens her maids of honour would be walking
with their admirers, frolicking and flirting, taking advantage of the after-dinner drowsiness of the Prince and Princess. It was as though since the departure of the King a pall had been lifted and everywhere there was gaiety. Even the weather was exceptionally good.

In his apartments George Augustus would be sleeping deeply, perhaps snoring gently, a smile on his face, for he had become a very happy man since the departure of his father.

Yes, this was indeed a foretaste of glories to come.

Even in a few weeks they had begun to create a new way of life – gracious and luxurious, splendid and
royal.
That was something the King could never do.

Caroline thought of those few trips she and the Prince had taken down the river in their barge which was decorated with crimson velvet, a royal barge; the Prince in his wig, his blue velvet coat ornamented with silver, his tall wig, his beaming smile; herself magnificently dressed, glittering with jewels – looking as a Prince and Princess should look. How different from dour George – and the people showed by their interest, their comments and their cheers that they preferred their royalty this way.

That was important. Never must they lose sight of the need to placate the people. But that was not all. To Hampton Court came men and women who were dissatisfied with their present positions. They had seen that it might be possible to build another court in which they would be appreciated.

These were not the people Caroline wished to gather about her. She did not want the malcontents; but they would do for a start. She had her eyes on men like Walpole and Townsend. But it was necessary to show that she and the Prince were interested in state matters; and all the time every man and woman at court must be aware that the King was an ageing man.

First, she had thought, let us make a court. Let it be gay, a miniature Versailles; for under the cover of gaiety, intrigue could begin – an intrigue to make the court of the Prince and Princess not only more amusing and entertaining but more rewarding.

In surrounding herself with beautiful girls like Mary
Bellenden and Molly Lepel she had drawn men of all ages to Hampton; and once there they realized that there was something more to be had than flirtation. The King would be surprised if he came back now and saw the traffic on the river; barges, gaily decorated, containing exquisitely dressed men and women, came sailing from London to Hampton; the sounds of music constantly broke the quiet of the afternoon.

George had only been a few weeks away and life was changing, becoming gay, colourful and amusing.

If she had a son and if she could have Fritzchen with her, she would be completely happy. At least she had insisted that he have an English tutor; she wanted him to speak the language fluently when he did come. Fritzchen must not have an accent like herself or George Augustus. The girls were speaking English beautifully, and she loved to listen to them.

Of course she thought, if our court becomes powerful, which it may well do, we can demand the return of Fritzchen.

There was a discreet scratching at the door and Henrietta Howard came in.

She moved gracefully to the Princess’s bed. She was a charming-looking woman – although not exactly beautiful. Her hair was lovely, abundant and fine and she wore it simply dressed with a curl over her shoulder – a fashion which Caroline favoured a good deal herself. What was it about Henrietta? A serenity, Caroline decided. Like herself, Henrietta made her way by gentleness, never making demands on the Prince, always ready to bow to his wishes. Clever Henrietta!

‘Is it time to rise then, Henrietta?’

‘Yes, Highness. The children are waiting outside.’

‘Then bring them in.’

They came in and Caroline held out her hand bidding them come to her bedside.

Anne, as the eldest, came ahead of the others, almost pushing them aside in her eagerness to be there first. Not, thought Caroline, because she wishes to be with me; but because she must be first. She is too proud, too conscious of her dignity, this one, too much aware of being a Princess.

‘Vell and vat have you been doing this day?’ asked Caroline.

‘What have we been doing today, Mamma?’ A gentle
correction, this. Caroline was glad she could make it but wondered whether the slight arrogance should be reproved or ignored. ‘We have been walking in the park and playing in the pond garden. Caroline fell into the pond. It was rather stupid of her. But she is stupid.’

Little Caroline’s lips began to tremble and her mother held out her hand. The child took it and Henrietta lifted her on to the bed.

‘There,’ said the Princess, ‘is that better? I remember when I was von little girl I fell into a pond.’

The child was happy nestling close. She is too thin, thought her mother. I must tell them to take special care of her. Does Anne bully her?

Amelia would not, of course. Contemplating her second daughter, Caroline was proud of her charming looks. Amelia already showed signs of being the beauty of the family and, although two years younger, was as tall as Anne. Although, like Anne, she was fully aware of the dignity due to a Princess she was not spiteful and would stand by her little sister.

I wish I could see more of them, thought the Princess.

‘Now you must me tell how you fall into the pond.’

‘She slipped,’ said Anne. ‘And Lord Hervey pulled her out.

‘Mrs Lepel was there and she said she must change her clothes; and Lord Hervey carried her into the palace.’

Caroline was trying to remember Lord Hervey… a young man new to the court, she supposed. She must ask Molly Lepel sometime.

‘And Mrs Bellenden helped, and they made such a fuss. They made her change her clothes.’

Little Caroline was smiling, so evidently she had enjoyed the adventure.

‘Let Caroline tell me herself,’ said her mother.

She loved to listen to the prattle of their voices – English voices. A pity that however much she tried she could not rid herself of her German accent. Oh dear, what was happening to Fritzchen? Would he arrive speaking English like his father and mother?

There were voices outside; Caroline recognized the booming tones of her husband. So he had had his sleep and was already
dressed. She had not noticed how the time was flying.

‘Ha, my tear! So this is how I find you. In bed, eh? It is goot… for your condition.’

He was beaming. The part of first gentleman suited him. His great desire, like hers, would be that his father remained in Hanover and never returned.

‘So… our little ones are here too.’

Anne and Amelia looked at him with awe; young Caroline drew a little closer to her mother.

He was smiling jovially enough, but somehow he had not the knack of winning their confidences. Perhaps it was because, with the intuition of children, they sensed beneath his
bonhomie
a boredom with them.

Caroline was disappointed because he had disturbed her interview with her children – and she always looked forward to these meetings with the utmost pleasure – but this was something he must never know.

‘So you grow up,’ he said. ‘Ha, you are von big girl now.’

‘Yes, Papa, I am a big girl.’

‘I am as tall, Papa, although I’m two years younger,’ Amelia pointed out.

‘She is too tall,’ said Anne.

The animosity between the two sisters was visible, and that it should be over a matter of height was disturbing on account of the Prince’s preoccupation with his own lack of inches.

‘My tear,’ said the Prince, ‘it is time I should take you for your valk. I vill vant to speak vis you of the celebrations for the anniversary of our coming. It is just two years and it is expected.’

‘That shall be very interesting.’

The Prince sat down on a stool and looked tenderly at his wife. A fine woman – and these their children. Fine children; and Caroline soon to have another. He had done well.