Виктория Холт - Queen in waiting

"No..." she began.

He had turned away but she saw the triumph in his eyes and the grim determination of his lips.

"Frederick is to remain in Hanover," she began indignantly. "The girls..."

"Frederick to remain in Hanover," he said, "and the girls will continue as before."

"I understood ..."

"You misunderstood," said the King.

She was crying; she could not stop the tears, crying with frustration, rage and an infinite sorrow.

She had been cheated. The Prince and Walpole had gone behind her back. They had settled without her; and the one condition she had insisted on had been thrust aside.

There was no victory. The King, the Prince ... and Walpole had outwitted her.

The King was away on yet another visit to Hanover when panic struck London.

All through the year people of all kinds—the nobility and the poorest in the land—had been excited by the South Sea Trading Company, through which it was believed fortunes could be made in a few days. So busy was the Stock Exchange that desks had to be set up for clerks in the street to cope with all the business, for anyone who had any money was eager to invest it. People dreamed of riches, talked of riches, and many became rich.

It was there for everyone to see; those who had never dreamed of owning a carriage now had three or four. Humble merchants became millionaires. It was not only humble merchants; it was cabinet ministers, members of the nobility, the King's German mistresses—the Prince himself. Everyone was determined to grow rich through the exploitation of the South Seas. It was as though a fever was raging through the country— a fever of excitement, and to become rich quickly was the aim of every man and woman.

Stock worth one hundred today could be worth a thousand tomorrow so great was the demand for it.

So popular was the South Seas company that many other companies were floated. No project was too absurd to float a company; and still people rushed into them, eager to invest the guinea that they were convinced would miraculously turn to ten within the space of a few weeks.

Such a state of affairs must come to an end. The South Sea Company, knowing that its methods were being imitated by companies which had nothing at all to offer, decided to expose them; this it did and no sooner had the enquiries begun than fraud was exposed and the panic began to set in. The dream was evaporating; but in uncovering the fraudulent dealings of others the South Sea Company had exposed its own vulnerability.

It was a genuine trading company, but so far on no sound financial basis, and as soon as the panic stricken investors began to back out the company itself collapsed. Shares consequently tumbled in price and investors saw not only their dreams disappearing but their original investments.

The scenes on the stock exchange were such as were never seen before. Ruined men gathered on the streets; they were too bewildered at first to understand what had happened to them. Then they began to cry out that they had been the victims of a hoax. There were no big fortunes to be made. Instead of being millionaires they were paupers.

And who was to blame? The Government, the King, the Prince, the King's mistresses, the Cabinet ministers who had known all along that the South Sea Company was not the rich enterprise it had been made out to be, but merely an empty name to provide a gamble at which they could grow rich at the expense of the ignorant?

Caroline, still mourning the manner in which she had been outwitted, came out of her listlessness to listen aghast to the news.

People were massing in the streets. Riots could break out at any moment. And these people who had been ruined through what they were calling the South Sea Bubble, were looking for a scapegoat.

Why not the Germans whom they hated? The Prince was involved in this. He had been advised by Walpole how to gamble through the South Sea Company on the stock exchange and had made large sums of money. What some had gained others had lost. It was a frightening situation.

Henrietta came to her in panic and told her that it was being said that the royal family should leave England. They had never been so unpopular. They should get away while they had a chance.

"It will pass," said Caroline.

Walpole came to see her. She had been cool to him since the reconciliation and had told him that she understood how she had been duped.

He had been deeply concerned, assuring her that he had done everything in his power to restore her children to her. All the same she had made it clear to him that he was out of favour with her.

He had done something to regain her esteem by showing how her dissatisfaction disturbed him and using every effort to win back her approval.

She saw him differently now; to her he was a man of unattractive appearance; he was too bulky in figure, too coarse in his habits; and she had heard he drank heavily and lived an immoral life. Even so, she made excuses for him. His married life was not happy; his wife went her own way as he did, and took lovers while he took mistresses. He had a daughter who was a chronic invalid and her sufferings distressed him deeply. And in spite of all this he was the most brilliant statesman of his day.

She was aware of this and wanted him to be on her side. He knew that she was a clever woman married to a foolish husband who would one day be King. They both respected each other and would continue to do so whatever the differences between them.

Now it was as though his fearful disaster had brought them a little closer. She confided in him what she had heard and he replied that there was some feeling against the royal family but it would be folly to run away. The trouble would pass although he believed it would mean the fall of Stanhope.

"But that, Madam," he said his eyes twinkling, "need be no great concern of yours. Stanhope was scarcely your friend."

"They are blaming him?"

"He's one of the culprits. Sunderland too. They'll have to resign."

"And then?"

Walpole smiled. "I was warning people, you know, before the crash. I advised them not to buy."

"And you yourself?"

"I sold out at the highest price."

"This will not be held against you?"

"Why should it? I warned others to sell. I was ignored."

"And now you are able to go ahead with your building plans."

"Yes, Madam. I hope one day to have the honour of entertaining you and the Prince at Houghton. I will show you the pictures I am collecting. I am sure they will enchant you."

"You will not retire to Houghton again?"

"I doubt it. Madam. I doubt it now."

He was right, of course. Stanhope, rising in Parliament to defend himself, dropped to the floor unconscious, and the next day died. The strain was too much for him. Sunderland, as Walpole had predicted, was forced to resign.

This was the opportunity for which Walpole had been waiting. He was ready.

Sir Robert Walpole became Prime Minister.

Caroline had adjusted herself to her new role. Now she was the first lady of the Court. The King showed no objection to this for he had always had quite an affection for her. If she had had the character of his Duchess of Kendal, if she had not been his son's wife ... he admitted to himself he might have looked for a warmer relationship. But he was not one to seek a complicated life. All the same he was not displeased to have her back in her place. He liked to listen to her conversation when she spoke French and German. He could even understand her English better than that of his English ministers, interspersed as it was with French and German words and all pronounced with a decided German accent. Yes, his daughter-in-law was a fine woman, yet, as he had always known, one who would have to be watched.

He was content enough with the Duchess of Kendal and Darlington and other mistresses whom he picked up and dropped from time to time.

Dangers came and went. The affair of the South Sea Bubble had subsided and it had brought him Walpole, who, he knew very well, was the shrewdest minister in both England and Germany.

James across the water was a menace and always would be. Particularly now that he had married and produced a son, Charles Edward—so that now the line would continue and this boy could well grow up to harry them, though doubtless that would be in the days of George Augustus, his foolish son.

Well, at least he would have a clever wife to help him.

She hated her father-in-law of course. She'd never forgive him for keeping Frederick at Hanover and the girls under his control.

Well, she was pregnant again; and he would put no restrictions on this child. If it lived she should keep this one. That might make her a little more affectionate towards her father-in-law.

Mary Bellenden had given little attention to what was happening, being absorbed by her own affairs. She was wondering what would happen when she betrayed her secret; and she would have to sooner or later. The Prince still eyed her lasciviously although he had taken several mistresses recently.

He had changed—everybody was changing.

We're growing older, thought Mary. It was true; she was no longer the frivolous young girl she had been; nor was Molly Lepel; not even Sophie.

That reminded her. She had meant to speak to Molly about Sophie who had changed more than any of them. A short while ago she had been so frivolous that they had all scolded her. She seemed not to have a serious thought in her head. Lately she had been very quiet. What was on her mind?

She found Molly Lepel putting the Princess's clothes away.

"I should be helping you," said Mary. "I quite forgot."

Molly murmured something; and that was not like her usual talkative self.

"Is anything wrong?"

"Well... hardly that. Mary ... I'm married."

"You... too!''

"You mean ..."

Mary nodded; and they both began to laugh.

"I might have known/' said Molly at length. "How long "

"Too long to keep it secret. I thought we'd better when the Prince was getting more of a nuisance than ever. And you?"

"Lord Hervey."

"Lord Hervey! Molly! Who would have thought..."

"That he would have a wife?"

Mary was silent. Molly and Hervey! It was incredible. What a handsome pair they would be and yet ... She could not imagine Hervey as a husband. Still, Molly looked happy.

"I want to retire to the country. I'm tired of Court life," said Molly. "And you?"

"John has to stay at Court so I shall, too. One in the Prince's household, one in that of the Princess. You must admit it's convenient. I wonder if Sophie's married too and that's why she's been so quiet lately."

"We must find out," said Molly.

"I know she has been meeting Anthony Lowther lately."

"We'll ask at the first opportunity. After all if we tell her our secret, she should tell us hers."

The opportunity came a few days later.

The three girls were alone together in the Princess's robing chamber when Mary said: "We want to tell you something, Sophie. Molly and I are married."

Sophie did not answer and as she lowered her head and her lip trembled Mary and Molly began to understand.

"Is it Tony Lowther?" asked Mary.

Sophie nodded.

"How long?"

"Three months."

"You will have to be married ... secretly as we were."

"But..."

"You mean he won't."

Sophie nodded. "What am I going to do?" she asked.

"Tony Lowther will have to marry you. That's the only answer."

But Sophie only shook her head.

The two girls did what they could to comfort her; but there was no comforting Sophie.

Caroline was sorry for the girl. Poor silly little Sophie! She was an example of the folly of acting without thought. It was no use speaking to Lowther; he had left court knowing that pressure might be brought to bear on him; and would it be wise to force marriage on him? Even Sophie did not wish that.

Margaret Meadows went about with lips pursed and an air of 'I told you so'.

Poor heartbroken little Sophie!

Caroline sent for the girl.

"My poor child," she said, "I think you should leave the Court and go home."

"Yes, Your Highness."