Текст книги "The Prince and the Quakeress "
Автор книги: Jean Plaidy
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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
George made a point of seeing that these fell into her hands and added £2,000 of his own.
The King’s honesty was noted and doubly admired when his grandfather’s lack of it was remembered, for it was recalled how George II had destroyed his father’s will. Everyone applauded it, and none more than Mr. Pitt.
If the King would put himself into his minister’s hands there would be nothing to fear. Mr. Pitt would like to see the King presiding over social occasions; he would like to hear the people cheering their young Monarch. Rut he wanted to make sure that the young Sovereign did not interfere with the conduct of the country’s affairs.
How far was Bute influencing him? And what of that other menacing shadow; the King’s mother? The Princess Augusta would consider herself of very great importance now that her son had ascended the throne.
The sooner the position is clarified the better, thought Pitt.
Some light was thrown on it when the Parliament assembled to hear the Speech from the throne. These occasions in the past had gone according to pattern. A speech was prepared and the King delivered it.
It soon became clear that the speech the King was making in that very musical and well-modulated voice of his was not the one which had been written for him.
‘Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Britain...’
Britain! Why not England? It could only be that the King was associating himself with the country across the Border, the breeding-ground of Jacobites, the land which had rebelled, which had harboured Bonnie Prince Charlie...and was the birthplace of Lord Bute!
That was it. They knew who had substituted that word for England. Lord Bute! He was tampering with the speeches which the King’s ministers had written for him. He was telling the King that Scotland was as important as England. And why? Because Bute was a Scottish peer. That was the reason. And had not Pitt pointed out to him before the death of the last King that one of the reasons why he could not be given high office was because he was a Scottish peer?
So this was Bute’s answer.
Pitt wondered whether to challenge in debate the origin of those words. Perhaps it was unwise. He did not want to antagonize the King...nor the people. The King was new and new Kings were often popular, more so if they were young and tolerably good-looking. No, he would leave it, but he would have to be very watchful of my Lord Bute.
Perhaps it was time the King was married. If he married the right woman she could help to wean the King from this most unfortunate friendship.
• • •
The Princess Augusta was of the same idea.
‘The King should marry,’ she told Bute.
Bute agreed but hesitantly. Like Pitt he saw the possible effect of a wife.
‘He must begin producing heirs and cannot start too soon.’
Bute agreed with that.
‘You hesitate, my love.’
‘It is because I feel that if he married a woman who became possessive, she might be jealous of your influence with him and seek to lessen it.’
‘We must choose the right woman.’
‘Ah yes, and be very careful.’
‘She must be German,’ said the Princess. ‘German women are properly brought up. They are taught to respect their husbands, to obey them and to know their place. Take, for instance, my mother-in-law.’
‘Yet one has always heard she ruled the King.’
‘She was an exceptionally clever woman. We must not find a clever woman for our George. But even Caroline who was so much cleverer than her husband, never let him know it. And there are not many Carolines.’
‘There is also an Augusta,’ said Lord Bute playfully.
‘When Fred was alive I never meddled. I would have thought it most...improper. It was only after he was dead that I saw the need to care for my children and I deliberately set out to protect them.’
‘You are right as usual. It must be a German Princess for George and one of your choosing.’
She smiled at him tenderly. As usual they were of one mind.
• • •
The King was also thinking of marriage. Now the funeral was over and he was indeed King he would have to have a coronation. When he was crowned he wanted her to be crowned too.
He dreamed of her beside him. She would look so beautiful in a crown. She would have to be serious for once, he would tell her indulgently, and she would laugh at him and say: ‘Yes, of course. I am really always serious where you are concerned.’ And it would be true. She liked to tease and banter, but underneath that she was serious.
He was the King, so therefore he could choose his own wife. Why not? It was not as though he were asking to marry a linen-draper’s...He flushed hotly and tried not to think of St. James’s Market and Hannah’s sitting there in the window. That had been impossible. He saw it all so clearly. Yet then it had seemed so right.
But it was over. Thank God it had worked out as it did.
He would always remember her. He had loved her dearly. I still do, he told himself defiantly. I shall always love Hannah. But a man cannot go on mourning for ever, especially if he is a King. She would understand that. She had always understood.
Of course she would. That was why she was always so anxious, why she was always aware of the enormity of their action. She had been far more aware than he had. That was why he had always had to comfort her.
But it was over...and he must forget it...outwardly, of course. Never in truth, Hannah, he whispered. I shall always remember. But it is over and a King must marry.
He had made his peace with Hannah, now he could think of Sarah. Sarah laughing, teasing, dancing that absurd dance, the Betty Blue.
He would no longer delay. The first one he must tell would be his dear friend Lord Bute who would advise him how best to deal with this matter of marriage.
He took up his pen and wrote to that very dear friend :
‘What I now lay before you I never intended to communicate to anyone. The truth is this: The Duke of Richmond’s sister arrived from Ireland towards the middle of last November. I was struck with her appearance at St. James’s and my passion has been increasing every time I have since beheld her. Her voice is sweet. She seems sensible...In short she is everything I can form to myself as lovely.’
He sat dreaming of her as he wrote; then he sealed the letter and had it sent to Lord Bute.
The King’s Courtship
Lady Sarah Lennox was amused. She was a very high-spirited girl, not yet seventeen, and it was highly diverting to know that the King was in love with her. Sarah was living at the time at Holland House, the home of her brother-in-law, Henry Fox; and her closest friend Lady Susan Fox-Strangways, a niece of Henry Fox, was staying there. In Sarah’s bedroom the two girls could giggle and chatter together and be as frivolous as they pleased.
Susan was more serious than Sarah. She was the daughter of the Earl of Ilchester and her family were perhaps not quite so prominent as Sarah’s, whose brother was now the third Duke of Richmond and whose great-grandfather had been Charles II and great-grandmother Louise de Keroualle. There was, Susan often thought, something of the Stuart charm in Sarah. She was certainly attractive and yet when one studied her face one wondered why. Her eyes were small, her mouth too large; but that was of little importance, for when Sarah laughed or chattered or merely entered a room, to the majority she was the most excited female in that room.
Charm! thought Susan wistfully. And it doubtless bring her a throne.
Sarah was saying: ‘But he’s so shy. Do you know, Susan, he stammers. He is really afraid of offending me. Fancy that. The King goes in awe of Sarah Lennox!’
‘Oh, that is what is called courting. When and if you married him it would be very different.’
‘And why should it be, pray?’
‘Because that is the way of the world.’
‘Don’t look so wise, Susan. You know nothing about it. It is entirely in one’s own hands and it would be in mine. If I married him I would keep him as he is today.’
‘Sarah...think of it! Queen! A coronation! And Mr. Pitt bowing to you and waiting on your judgments. And Mr. Fox doing the same.’
‘Mr. Fox would always remember that I am his sister-in-law. He loves me, I know, but he would never bow to my superior wisdom, I do assure you. He thinks I am a bundle of inconsequent frivolity. I heard him tell my sister Caroline so the other day.’
‘Sisters-in-laws may be that, but Queens would not be.’
‘Oh, you don’t know Henry. He has as high an opinion of himself as Mr. Pitt has of himself...or my Lord Bute, of whom, I don’t mind telling you, my dear Susan, they are constantly talking. It’s my belief that they are more afraid of Lord Bute than anyone in this kingdom. I have seen a certain look in brother Henry’s eyes when they rest on me. I think he is weighing me up against Lord Bute. He feels that if I married the King I could then help to break his infatuation for that man—for infatuation it is. He is devoted to him.’ Sarah pouted. ‘I think he is almost as fond of him as he is of me.’
‘Sarah, be serious a moment. Are you in love with George?’
Sarah put her head on one side and appeared to consider. ‘Well, I fancy a crown would look rather well on my head.’
‘Don’t be silly. What about Newbattle? I thought you were in love with him.’
Sarah’s expression softened a little. ‘I was, Susan,’ she admitted.
‘It seems to me, Sarah, that you do fall in and out of love rather easily.’
‘That is wiser than falling in too deeply, don’t you think?’
‘It seemed hardly worth while taking him from Caroline Russell if you are just going to abandon him for the King.’
Sarah laughed. ‘Can you imagine Newbattle...deserted? He will soon find someone ready to give consolation.’
‘Caroline would not have him back.’
‘Caroline would not have been allowed to marry him in any case, I feel sure. Her people want the Duke of Marlborough for her.’
‘But she wanted Newbattle, Sarah...and you deliberately set out to attract him.’
‘Oh, stop preaching, Susan. I wanted him, too, and he is not a parcel of goods to be handed about. He makes his own decisions, you know.’
‘And what does he say now that he knows of the King’s intentions?’
‘If he knows of the King’s intentions he knows more than most of us, Susan. Because the rest of us are not sure.’
‘But he knows that the King is attracted by you.’
Sarah giggled. ‘Poor George does make that a little obvious does be not?’
‘He is rather charming,’ said Susan wistfully. ‘He is innocent and inexperienced.’
‘I like that in him,’ agreed Sarah. ‘When he talks to me he says the most idiotic things...and he keeps saying the same things over and over again.’
‘It is because he is bemused. It shows how deep his feelings go for you. I heard it said that at the Council meeting and in Parliament he spoke with great firmness.’
‘Ah!’ laughed Sarah delightedly. ‘So it is just in my presence. He’s very different from my lord Newbattle.’
‘I believe you have a strong fancy for that man.’
‘I won’t deny it.’
‘You are in love with him?’
‘Well, perhaps a little.’
‘Because of himself or because he left Lady Caroline Russell so easily when you beckoned? Which is it, Sarah?’
‘A little of both, perhaps.’
‘That is not good enough.’
‘Oh indeed, Madam Schoolmarm?’
‘You are old enough to be married, Sarah, and your family will do everything in their power to make you Queen of England.’
‘Queen of England. I like the sound of that.’
‘Better than you like George?’
‘Well, it is impossible to separate the two.’
‘So it is a matter of choosing between two titles: Queen of England or Marchioness of Lothian, for Newbattle will one day be the Marquis.’
‘The Queen sounds better, Susan. You must admit it.’
Sarah jumped up and rummaging in her jewel box brought out a golden bangle which she placed on her head. She sat in her chair, her arms folded, inclining her head regally until the bangle fell off and rolled across the floor.
‘You are absurd, Sarah,’ cried Susan. ‘I don’t think you realize how serious a matter this is.’
‘I do. It’s marriage, my dear Susan, a state into which our families insist we must all enter...if they can find suitable matches for us.’
‘Your family would never want you to accept Newbattle when there was a chance of George.’
‘My sister Caroline ran away and married Henry Fox. The family knew nothing about it until it was fait accompli.’
‘You would run away and marry John Newbattle?’
‘If I wished to. But I don’t think it would be necessary. His family would be delighted to have me. Don’t forget I have royal blood in my veins.’
‘Wrong side of the blanket,’ Susan reminded her.
‘Don’t be coarse, Susan.’
‘Certainly not. Only factual. The royal blood is there, but must be recognized for what it is.’
‘Well, suppose I decided on George?’
‘Then there might be some who do not consider you worthy.’
‘What nonsense!’
‘His Mamma, for instance. I heard that she wants a German Queen.’
‘George would decide surely, and Henry says the people would be on his side.’
‘And what about all those ambitious gentlemen around the King. They wouldn’t want to see the power of the Richmonds and Foxes increased through having a Queen in the family. They would much rather have a German woman whom the King didn’t love and who would take years to learn the language.’
‘Ah, but my dear Susan, it will not rest with them, but with George...and with me.’
‘You are very sure of yourself.’
Sarah retrieved the bangle from the floor and put it on her head.
‘Be careful, my lady, how you address the Queen.’
‘Yes, I see you fancy the title, but I can’t help feeling you have a hankering for Newbattle.’
‘Shall I say,’ said Sarah haughtily, ‘that I have not yet made up my mind.’
• • •
Meanwhile Lord Bute was laying the letter the King had written him before the Princess Augusta who grew scarlet with rage as she read it.
‘Lady Sarah Lennox! That silly little girl he has been eyeing. I thought he wanted to make her his mistress.’
‘That would have been well enough,’ agreed Bute. ‘It would have been good for him to have a mistress. Her family would not have been pleased, though.’
‘And why not? It’s a tradition in that family, is it not? Their great boast is that they are descended from royalty through a King’s mistress. Why should not Lady Sarah keep up the tradition?’
‘Brother-in-law Fox is as cunning as his name.’
‘I don’t doubt it. But this affair shall be stopped.’
‘I agree with you, my love. But we must go carefully.’
‘Do you think we should send for George and explain? Really, I do believe that his innocence is worse than depravity. First he gets himself involved with a nobody...a linen-draper’s daughter—or niece—and marries her. And now he falls in love...almost as unsuitably.’
‘Oh come, my love, this is a different affair from that other which praise be to God we have most happily settled. This is the sister of the Duke of Richmond and say what we may the royal blood is there. Of course, I am in complete agreement with you that we must stop this, but I do not feel that at this stage we should attempt to command George. We must not forget that these last weeks have taught him that he is the King. The attitude of men has changed towards him. He has become aware of his position. If he feels strongly about this girl he will not be commanded.’
‘But he must be made to see...’
‘It will be easier to persuade than command. I would be afraid of that last. One never knows when he is going to break away.’
‘Break away from us, John? You...his dearest friend and from me...his Mother?’
‘Don’t forget the affair of the Quakeress—conducted in the dark without our knowledge.’
‘I shall never forget that...the fear...the despair...’
‘All settled now, my love.’
She seized his arm suddenly and cried: ‘Oh, John, it is? It is?’
‘Yes, my love, it is,’ he replied firmly. ‘Now we have to think of George’s future. I should like to see him married suitably...and soon.’
‘Although a marriage could come between us and him.’
‘Not if we choose with care.’
‘A German Princess...docile, without friends...coming into a strange country. That is what we need. Not an English bride surrounded by scheming relations.’
‘Exactly, exactly. But I think we should find the bride without fail. George needs to be married and this I know of him, once he is, he will be a loyal faithful husband If we marry him quickly I believe we shall have little to fear from the influence of scheming women. He is by nature innocent and idealistic. When he takes his marriage vows he will mean them. Our George is at heart a very respectable man. So let us marry him as soon as possible to the right woman. Then there will be an end of this affair of the Lennox girl.’
‘You think it is as simple as that, John dear?’
‘My dearest, it is simple because we are dealing with a very simple man.’
‘Shall we send for him and tell him we propose to look for a wife for him?’
‘I think not. That would drive him to declaring his affection for Sarah Lennox and his intention of marrying her. No I have to answer this letter. I must do it with the utmost caution. I will write my answer now...we will do it together...and when we feel it is the right one we will despatch it to him. But I think we should act without delay, for promptness could be of vital importance in an affair like this.’
So Lord Bute sat down at the Princess’s writing-table and with her at his side answered the King’s letter:
‘My dear Prince’s kind confidential letter is of too great consequence to return an immediate answer; not but God knows, my dear Sir, I with the utmost grief tell it you, the case admits not of the smallest doubt. However, I will carry your letter with me to the country, weigh every circumstance, and then like an honest man, a most devoted servant, and a faithful friend, lay the whole before you. Think, Sir, in the meantime, who you are, what is your birthright, what you wish to be, and prepare your mind with a resolution to hear the voice of truth, for such alone shall come from me, however painful the office, duty and friendship and a thousand other ties command me, and I will obey though death looked me in the face...’
Bute looked up from the letter into the anxious face of the Princess.
‘It is beautifully expressed, my dearest,’ she said. ‘And so...cautious.. .’
‘It will prepare him for my answer which will distress him greatly.’
‘And you feel you should go to the country?’
‘For a few days only. I fear if I stay here he will talk to me of this matter, having broken the ice, and that I should show myself unsympathetic which would be the surest way to lose his confidence. No, I will send this letter, and go away for a few days. When I return I shall have decided on the best way of dealing with this matter. And while I am away, my love, you should set enquiries in motion. We must find -that suitable Princess for him. The matter is urgent.’
‘What if he marries this girl...secretly as he did .. .’
Bute shook his head. ‘Her family would not wish that. They will want a royal wedding and a shared coronation. You can depend upon it. Secret marriages are always suspect.’
‘I often think about that…’
‘No, no, my love. Do not even mention her name. It is best forgotten.’
She nodded slowly. ‘Do not be away long, John. I am lost without you.’
He kissed her tenderly.
What a pleasant state of affairs when the King and the Princess Dowager could not do without him.
He would certainly do everything in his very considerable power to keep things as they were in that respect.
• • •
George read Lord Bute’s letter and smiling put it into a drawer. Of course his dear friend did not understand the depth of his affection. When he did he would see that marriage with Sarah was the only solution.
He would persuade Lord Bute...and his mother. And if they did not agree?
Well, he told himself, you are the King, you know.
Today he would go to his levee and she would be there. She was often there. He believed her family knew how delighted he was to see her and that was why they always brought her with them. Sometimes he spoke to her; sometimes he contented himself with looking at her. He was a little embarrassed when face to face with her and never quite sure what to say. There was a look of mischief in her eyes which while it delighted him disconcerted him. She was serious beneath, he was sure of that; she was everything a Queen ought to be, but she liked to laugh and tease. That could be very amusing and exciting between two people when they were alone, he believed; but it was a little alarming in public.
She was very different from Hannah. No one could be more different. Perhaps that was why he found her so entrancing. Perhaps he wanted to forget Hannah had ever existed. Memories were so painful and whenever he thought of her now he thought of what would have happened if Hannah had lived and he had had to make known his secret marriage to his ministers. He shivered at the thought. He could imagine Mr. Pitt’s reactions; and Newcastle, fool that he was, was at least a politician. He could imagine the talk in the streets...the gossip, the scandal. It would have been insupportable. Lord Bute had told him once when he had brought up the subject that it would have shaken the throne. A king must always think very carefully before he took an important step. He owed it to his throne and his people.
Well, he must not think of Hannah. It was all over. Hannah lay beneath that tombstone under the name of Rebecca Powell. And her children? He felt a pang of uneasiness when he remembered them. But they were well cared for. He had made sure of that. He received reports on their well-being. And he had seen them once or twice. But Lord Bute had pointed out the folly of visiting them because as they grew older they would recognize him. His features were so well known, particularly now that he was King.
‘Content yourself with knowing they are well cared : advised that dear friend and mentor. ‘And when they are of age you can see that they are well placed in the world. Their mother would ask no more of you than that, because it is the best thing possible for all concerned. And now there is only one thing to do. Forget it ever happened. Forget...forget…’
That was exactly what he wanted to do, and on those occasions when he remembered he must quickly push those thoughts out of his head.
And the best one to make him forget was Sarah...who was as different from Hannah as any woman could be.
Sarah, enchanting, frivolous, gay, teasing, tempting, and with royal blood in her veins.
She was at his levee. All the time he was receiving he could see her on the other side of the room with her sister Lady Caroline Fox, and kept taking surreptitious looks at her. Oh, she was lovely. She seemed more beautiful every time he saw her. Perhaps he would speak to her. What should he say? He wished he could think of brilliant witty things. But he was going to marry her. He had decided in that moment. Nothing would satisfy him but marriage with Lady Sarah.
Lady Susan Fox-Strangways was being presented to him by her sister, Anne, who was married to the Earl of Albemarle. A pleasant-looking girl. He liked her; he would have thought her very pretty if he had not been aware all the time of the dazzling perfections of Lady Sarah.
He signed to Lady Susan to sit down and sat beside her. She had a special attraction for him because he knew that she was a very close friend of Sarah’s and he found it easy to talk to her of Sarah than to Sarah herself. Moreover, Sarah was on the other side of the room with her sister and he could keep glancing her way.
He said rather haltingly that it pleased him to see Lady Susan at his levee. He wished she was present more often but he believed her home was in Somerset.
‘That is so, Sire.’
‘Somerset. It is I believe a very pleasant county.’
‘Very pleasant, Your Majesty.’
‘And my lord Ilchester’s seat very...very...pleasant.’
‘Oh yes, Sire, my father’s house is very pleasant.’
‘You will be going there, I suppose.’
‘Yes, Sire, for the summer.’
‘And nothing will bring you back...before the winter?’
‘I don’t know of anything.’
The King was silent and Susan was growing more and more embarrassed. One could not broach a subject to the King and must content oneself with answering, but how boring it was. Moreover, she was aware of Sarah’s eyes on her from across the room. Sarah was looking sly; she was going to accuse her of trying to snatch the King from her as she herself had snatched Newbattle from Caroline Russell.
‘Would you...would you come back to see a coronation?’ asked the King.
‘Oh yes, Sire, I should hope to come back to see that.’
‘I have put off my coronation for a while. I have a reason.’
‘I am sure Your Majesty has.’
‘I thought that a coronation with a Queen would be a much finer sight than one without.’
‘That is surely so, Sire.’
The King looked at her so intently that Lady Susan was alarmed. Good heavens, she thought, is he proposing to me? Has it all been a mistake? Am I the one...not Sarah...
She dared not look at the King and lifting her eyes she saw Sarah glaring at her. Sarah would want a detailed account of this conversation.
‘I have had a great many applications from abroad,’ said the King. ‘Foreign Princesses. I don’t like the idea much.’
‘No, Your Majesty.’
He looked wistful. ‘I have had none from at home.’ He leaned towards her. ‘I should like it better if I had.’
Lady Susan began to tremble. It must be. A proposal of marriage from the King. Oh no! It could not happen in this way. It would have to be a formal approach through her parents. She was dreaming surely...Or the King was mad.
He too was looking across the room at Sarah, which was a relief since he could not see her, Susan’s, discomfiture.
‘What do you think of your friend? You know who I mean.’
He was smiling at Sarah.
‘Oh...oh yes, Sire.’
‘Don’t you think she is the fittest?’
‘Think, Sire?’
He did not seem to hear her. He said firmly: ‘I think none so fit.’ Then he turned to Susan. ‘Come with me,’ he said. ‘I wish to speak to your friend.’
Susan rose and together they crossed the room. Sarah swept an enchanting curtsy.
‘I have been talking to your friend,’ he told her.
‘I have observed Your Majesty,’ she answered pertly.
‘So you were...aware of me?’
‘Sire, everyone is aware of the King.’
He chuckled. ‘Will you ask your friend Lady Susan what I have been saying to her?’
‘If it is your wish, Sire.’
‘It is my wish. Yes, it is my wish. Ask her to tell you and make her tell you all I said to her. Will you promise me to that?’
‘I promise, Sire.’
George seemed overcome by mirth and emotion. He left the girls and went and joined Lady Pembroke, an old friend of his.
Sarah looked at Susan interrogatively. ‘I’ll tell you when we’re alone. It’s too fantastic.’
• • •
Susan had repeated every word the King had said not only to Sarah but to the whole of Sarah’s family.
She must go through it all when she returned to Holland House. Lady Caroline questioned her, so did Mr. Fox.
‘Now, Susan, are you sure? He said he thought none so fit. Are you sure of that?’
‘Absolutely sure. I remember every word.’
‘And then he took you over to Sarah and said you were to tell her what he had said.’
‘Yes...it all happened exactly as I have explained.’
‘You could have misconstrued.’
‘No, I’m sure I didn’t. It was all so simple...so straight forward...and so fantastic. Of course I haven’t made up anything.’
The Duke of Richmond called at Holland House, and she had to repeat the story to him.
There was a long family conference.
‘It is tantamount to a proposal,’ was the verdict.
‘But,’ said the astute Mr. Fox, ‘we must have it made in the correct manner—as soon as possible.’
• • •
Lady Sarah was in tears. Lady Susan going to her room found her on her bed, face buried in the pillows.
‘What on earth is wrong?’ cried Susan. ‘I thought you were the heroine of the hour.’
Sarah sat up, dabbing at her eyes. ‘That’s just the point. All this fuss has shown me my true feelings. I love John Newbattle. He’s the one I really want and now that the King has proposed through you I’ll never be allowed to accept him.’
‘You could run away from home and marry him...like your sister did Mr. Fox.’
‘It’s a possibility I’ve been thinking of.’
‘Sarah, after the King has expressed his desire to marry you!’
‘What a way to do it. To tell you because he hadn’t the courage to tell me himself.’
‘I think it rather charming,’ said Susan.
‘Because he talked to you? I’ll swear you thought he mu proposing to you when he started that rigmarole. Oh, you’re blushing. So you did.’
‘Of course not. It’s not the way Kings propose in any case.’
‘This one did.’
‘You can hardly call it a proposal. He was only saying what he would like, that’s all. Perhaps he has no intention of liking you properly.’
‘Nonsense! He said all that about the coronation. My family are sure he wants to marry me. What they’ve got to do is bring him to the point.’ She sighed. ‘But there is my dear John...’
‘I don’t think he loves you as devotedly as the King does, Sarah.’
‘What nonsense! He adores me. He told me so.’
‘His affection has grown now he knows the King wants to marry you.’
‘Well, why shouldn’t it?’
‘It doesn’t seem the right reason.’
‘It’s not the only reason, idiot. I’ll tell you something. He has written to me.’
‘Who...the King?’
‘No, John. He wants me to meet him in the Park tonight. He has something important to say to me.’
‘You shouldn’t go, Sarah.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Susan! Of course I must go. I have to choose between them, don’t I, and how am I going to do that if I refuse to see them?’
‘The King is considering marrying you and you are going out by night to see another man! You are mad.’
‘And you are very prim, Susan. In any case, I am going.’
‘You have very quickly dried your eyes.’
‘Yes, because I thought they were going to force me to marry George. I have made up my mind that I shall decide. So I am going to meet John tonight in the Park and see what he has to say to me. He has written such a letter. I must show it to you. One moment. It’s in this drawer. No it’s not. Oh, where did I put it? It must be somewhere.’
‘You should be careful where you leave letters like that...particularly as...’
