Jean Plaidy - The Regent’s Daughter

‘What is that?’

‘Resign before you get your marching orders.’

Lady de Clifford clasped her hands together and raised her eyes to the ceiling; her turban had slipped slightly to one side of her head; she said in a trembling voice: ‘Oh, the peace of being free! And yet … and yet. I have been with her so long. She is like my own child … and in spite of everything she is so lovable.’

‘Mamma,’ went on Lady Albemarle sternly, ‘offer your resignation … now. Don’t wait.’

Lady de Clifford watched Charlotte tenderly. How would she feel when the Princess was no longer in her charge? What an emptiness there would be! Dear, dear Charlotte, so wayward and yet so lovable!

‘My dear Princess Charlotte,’ she began timidly, ‘I hope and trust that you have not been seeing too much of Captain Hesse.’

‘It is always good to hope, they say,’ retorted Charlotte, ‘and greatly comforting to trust.’

Oh dear, she was in one of her perverse moods, thought Lady de Clifford, but went on: ‘Because it is not seemly that a princess in your position should be talked about.’

‘Who is talking about me?’

‘There are always those to talk about a princess.’

‘But who, who, who? You implied that someone was talking about me. I want to know who it is.’

‘I meant that people will talk.’

‘You hinted that they were talking. So it is merely guesswork on your part. Pray remember that I do not wish to be told what I must and must not do.’

‘As your governess …’

‘Governess,’ cried the Princess, ‘I am too old for governesses. Whoever heard of a g … girl … a woman of seventeen … or nearly … with a governess!’

‘It is not unusual. People in your position …’

‘I am thinking of myself, my lady, and I say that I am too old to be told do this and do that by some g … governess.’

‘You mean that you no longer desire me to remain in your service?’

‘I mean that I am too old to have a governess.’

‘So you want me to go?’

‘I did not say that. I said I am too old for governesses, and moreover, I will not have one.’

‘But Your Highness can only be referring to me. I am afraid you no longer have any confidence in me. I am afraid that you …’

There was a high colour in the Princess’s cheeks.

‘Lady de Clifford,’ she said haughtily, ‘you are too much afraid.’

And with that she walked out of the room.

It is the end, thought Lady de Clifford. I have no alternative now but to resign.

When Charlotte paid her weekly visit to her mother at the latter’s newly acquired residence Connaught House, which was not far from Kensington Palace, Caroline was eager to know what was going on at Warwick House. She had heard rumours, she said, and they concerned Madam de Clifford.

‘Oh, yes,’ declared Charlotte, ‘she is acting very strangely. She is more absentminded than ever and almost put snuff into the teapot.’

This made Caroline shriek with laughter and as usual Charlotte joined in. Her mother made her feel witty and clever which was exactly the opposite effect her father had on her. It was certainly rather pleasant.

‘She goes about muttering to herself and shaking her head. Do you know, Mamma, I think she is going to resign. She has hinted it. Perhaps she has already spoken to my father … or to the Queen or the Old Girls.’

‘And de old Begum I don’t doubt is looking round for someone to take her place.’

‘I think I am old enough to have done with governesses,’ said Charlotte. ‘In fact I told Lady de Clifford so. She seemed to take it as a slight on her but it wasn’t. It isn’t just one governess I don’t want – it’s any governess.’

‘And quite right too, my angel. You’re no longer a baby. Though they would like to keep you one for ever, I don’t doubt. They’ll keep you in the nursery for as long as they can. And why? Because the people like you too much, that’s why. It was the same with me. When I first came here the people used to cheer me. They were silent when he rode by, but you should have heard the cheers for me, and they hate him more every day. You should see the latest crop of papers. I’ve saved them for you …’

‘I don’t think I’ll look at them … now, Mamma.’ Mercer’s stern face rose before her. Just a quick look perhaps, she pleaded with that reproachful image. After all as the future Queen of England I should know what’s going on. But most important was to stand firm and refuse to have another governess. There was no point in de Clifford’s going if she was to be replaced. She might have someone worse. At least she could keep her ladyship in order. She said quickly: ‘I’m afraid they are already choosing Lady de Clifford’s successor.’

‘My darling, you must stand firm. You must say No, no, no! No more governesses. You must say: I’m seventeen years old. Why, most girls are married at that age. Governesses! Poof! You should be enjoying life not listening to governesses.’

‘I know, Mamma, but when they get on to me … it’s not always easy.’

Caroline’s eyes narrowed and she burst into sudden wild laughter.

‘Well, my pet, so I thought, so I have asked two very clever gentlemen to call on me today. They will come … by accident of course … at the precise time that you are visiting me. And no one is responsible for that if it is an accident. And poor old de Clifford dozing away in her armchair is not going to know that you have seen them until the interview is over.’

‘What gentlemen are these, Mamma?’ asked Charlotte thinking of that occasion when her mother had shut her into the bedroom with Captain Hesse and all the occasions when he had called ‘by accident’ during her visits.

Caroline lifted her finger archly. ‘Oh, very serious gentlemen. You will see.’ She ran to the window and looked out. ‘We shall hear their carriages at any moment. They are my friends, my love; and I tell them that no one is my friend unless they are my daughter’s friends as well.’

‘Mamma, please tell me who these gentlemen are so that I shall know something of them before they arrive.’

Caroline drew her daughter’s arm through hers arid they sat down on a couch together.

‘First there is old Brougham,’ she said. ‘A politician and a lawyer. He is going to fight for me. He is going to see that I get my rights and he is a very clever man. He’s reckoned to be the best barrister of the day. He’s defending Leigh Hunt and I hope he gets him off. I hope it indeed. Have you seen what he said about your dear Papa?’

‘N … no,’ said Charlotte.

‘Ah, you must read it. I have it here. I’d like to frame it. The Morning Post printed a poem about your respected Papa calling him an Adonis and glory of his people and goodness knows what. Then Leigh Hunt writes this … Here. I’ll read it for you. “This Adonis in loveliness is a corpulent man of fifty.” I’ll swear he liked that. If ever you want to annoy your father call him fat. He hates the word. He thinks if no one uses it it just is not. So he’ll love this. Corpulent man of fifty. And him behaving like a young man of twenty-one! “This delightful, blissful, wise, honourable, virtuous, true and immortal Prince is a violator of his word, a libertine over head and ears in disgrace, despiser of domestic ties, the companion of gamblers and demireps, a man who has just closed half a century without one single claim on the gratitude of his country or the respect of posterity.” There’s your Papa for you.’

‘They actually wrote that about the P … Prince Regent!’

‘They did, my pet, and are being prosecuted for libel and my Brougham is going to get them off.’

‘Papa will never permit it.’

‘There is one thing that is of more importance than he is, my pet, and that is the law. Mr Brougham knows a great deal about the law – far more than Adonis does. And then there is my dear Sam Whitbread. He’s a Member of Parliament and a very clever gentleman and he is my friend. He has sworn to stand by me and to help me to my rights. So you see, my sweet child, we are not alone, you and I. Nobody is going to trample on us. We have protectors. Listen! Do I hear carriage wheels?’

Charlotte said that she did. And in a very short time Mr Brougham was ushered into the room to be followed a little later by Samuel Whitbread; and after treating her with the utmost respect as though she were not only a princess but an adult, they began to talk of her rights and the need for her to have an establishment of her own.

There was nothing she wanted so much. She wanted freedom from restraint; but she felt very uneasy when she wondered what her father would say if he could see her here with these people who had openly declared themselves to be his enemies.

MRS GAGARIN LAY in bed gazing sadly at Charlotte who was seated beside her, an expression of great sadness in her eyes. Dear Gagy, thought Charlotte, it was clear that she was growing more and more wan every day. Louisa had told her sadly that she did not think she would be with them this time next year.

‘You must take more care,’ said Charlotte severely.

Mrs Gagarin smiled and held out her hand. ‘It’s my dearest Highness I’m concerned about.’

‘You were always foolish about me. I’m old enough now to take care of myself. You know there is talk of Cliffy’s resigning.’

‘Yes. Louisa told me. And then …?’

‘And then I shall be free. I’ll never have another governess. I’m quite determined.’ Charlotte hesitated. Better not to mention those important men she had met at her mother’s house. Poor Gagy would start to worry if she did; and that would be no good for her in her present state.

Louisa Lewis who was hovering near the bed said: ‘Don’t tire yourself. You should be sleeping.’

‘So you should,’ added Charlotte, ‘and I am keeping you awake. Oh, darling Gagy, do get well.’ She knelt by the bed and taking Mrs Gagarin’s hand kissed it fervently. Louisa laid a hand on her shoulder and Charlotte rose and leaning over gently kissed Mrs Gagarin’s forehead. Then she tiptoed away with Louisa into the adjoining room.

‘Is she dying, Louisa?’ she asked.

‘Fading away,’ replied Louisa. ‘But she’ll be with us a little longer.’

‘I used to think she would always be there. When I became Queen I was going to give her a house of her own – and you were to share it, Louisa.’

‘I know, my dearest, but things don’t always work out as we plan. There are changes.’

‘Changes,’ agreed Charlotte. ‘Changes everywhere. Where is Mrs Udney? I have not seen her for days.’

Louisa pressed her lips tightly together. ‘So,’ said Charlotte, ‘she has gone. I suppose this is my grandmother’s doing. Louisa, I am afraid that she will try to force another governess on me. I won’t have it. I shall stand firm.’

Louisa was silent, wondering how Charlotte would successfully oppose such forces as the Queen and the Prince Regent. There was certainly a new determination about the Princess. She was growing up and she had always known that it was very likely that one day she would be Queen.

‘I suppose changes come about all the time,’ she mused. ‘It makes one a little sad. Mrs Udney … gone. I’m sure she has. But they didn’t tell me. They should have told me. She was of my household. Actually I’m not sure whether I’m glad or sorry. I didn’t really like her but she made life exciting in a way with all the gossip and the cartoons and things like that. And now she has gone without saying goodbye. And my mother says I’m too old to have a governess, and there are people like Brougham and Whitbread who will help me to get my independence and what is due to me. Louisa, I’ll tell you something: Mercer is coming to see me.’

‘But your father forbade her to.’

‘I know, but I am growing up and I really don’t see why my friends should be chosen for me.’

‘Oh, my dearest, take care.’

‘That is exactly what I intend to do … take care that I am no longer treated as a child.’

‘Mercer!’ The friends embraced. ‘How wonderful to see you! Your letters have been such a comfort – and how brave of you to come here.’

Mercer shrugged aside the compliment. ‘I don’t think the Regent would be very harsh on us if he knew. He is kind at heart and I expect he is sometimes sorry that he stopped our meetings.’

Charlotte glowed with pleasure as she always did when his virtues were referred to. ‘He is,’ she agreed warmly. ‘He really is kind at heart.’

‘Now,’ said Mercer practically, ‘it is certain that Lady de Clifford is going. She has had her congé and although I daresay she is hoping you’ll make a scene and beg her to stay, in certain quarters it has been decided that the matter is settled.’