by Jean Plaidy
He felt quite angry when on one occasion he went into his room to find the Baroness leaning against the table while the Queen sat at her desk. The Baroness held some papers in her hands and she had obviously been discussing them with the Queen.
So … the Baroness knew what was in those state papers which were to be kept secret from him!
He turned away and walked out of the room.
‘Was that Albert?’ said Victoria.
Lehzen nodded.
‘But why did he go away?’ demanded Victoria.
‘I daresay he wished to see you alone.’
‘But I was really alone. You don’t count, dear Daisy. By which I mean that you count so much … if you understand what I mean.’
Lehzen said she understood exactly what her precious love meant and was happy because of it.
‘I heard you last evening at dinner,’ said Victoria with a laugh, ‘telling your neighbour how perfect I am.’
‘I told nothing but the truth,’ declared Lehzen stoutly.
‘Albert thinks me a little frivolous,’ said the Queen.
Lehzen flushed angrily. ‘Indeed.’
‘Darling Daisy, you must not be angry with my dear Albert. He only criticises for my good.’
‘There is nothing … absolutely nothing to criticise.’
‘Oh, come, Lehzen, you do sometimes yourself a bit you know.’
‘I will not allow anyone else to.’
Victoria laughed and threw her arms about the Baroness’s neck.
‘Dear, dear Daisy, how lucky I am to have both you and Albert to love me so much.’
‘Nobody on earth loves you as I do,’ said Lehzen.
Victoria felt it was a faint criticism of Albert which she must not allow – but of course it was only said out of dearest Lehzen’s excessive loyalty.
A few days later Albert said that he wondered about the manner in which her household was managed. There seemed to be a certain amount of overlapping.
‘Overlapping, dear Albert what do you mean?’
‘Several people doing the same job.’
‘Oh, that is Lehzen’s affair. She sees to everything.’
‘Well, it doesn’t appear that she sees with any great efficiency.’
‘She prides herself on the way she looks after me and won’t let anyone worry me.’
‘Well, I will make doubly sure that no one does.’
‘My dearest Albert, how very good you are. I was only saying today to dear Lehzen how fortunate I am. But you must not interfere with Lehzen’s affairs. She would be most put out.’
‘But, my dear Victoria, I should enjoy looking into some of the domestic arrangements at the palace. It would give me something to do.’
‘My dear energetic Albert, please do anything you wish, but you must not interfere with Lehzen’s domain. She would be so hurt. I forbid that.’
She spoke jokingly, but the edge was there.
He must mind his own business. He was rapidly learning that his duty was to be available whenever the Queen wished, to play at being the ideal husband, to provide an heir to the throne.
He left her and shut himself in his room to write letters to those friends, like Uncle Leopold, who might understand his feelings.
‘I am the husband,’ he wrote sadly, ‘but not the master of the house.’
In less than a fortnight after the wedding Albert’s father prepared to leave for Coburg.
‘You are settled here now, my son,’ he said, ‘and I have my dominions to govern. Cheer up, everything will work out for the best if you are careful. Your brother need not leave yet. He can stay for another month or perhaps two. After that, this will seem like home to you.’
‘I fear it never will,’ said Albert sadly.
‘Oh, come, the countryside is beautiful, the climate very much like our own. And think of your position here.’
‘I think of it a great deal,’ said Albert with melancholy.
‘You will have Stockmar to help you. You know you can trust him.’
Oh, yes, he trusted Stockmar; but he was a foreigner too, and what chance had they against the Queen and Lord Melbourne who seemed determined to keep him out.
He did not feel he could open his heart completely to his father. He admired him and respected him. He knew, of course, that there had been many romantic entanglements in his life but Albert believed this was due to the unhappy marriage. The most easy temptation to fall into was sexual. He was sure of it; and he could not blame his father for past excesses. Women had tempted him. One thing Albert was certain of; he was going to avoid all such temptation. He would avoid all women but his wife. These alien English considered him gauche. Let them. He was certainly not going to get entangled with any woman.
And now another link with Rosenau was about to be broken. His father was going.
The carriage was at the door. He had said his final farewell. He stood watching it ride away with the tears in his eyes.
Then he turned and went slowly into the palace.
Victoria was waiting for him at the top of the staircase.
‘My poor dear Albert …’
She barred his way, her own blue eyes filled with tears.
‘I understand how you are feeling …’
He cried: ‘You don’t … you don’t …’ and dashed past her into his sitting-room. He could not bear to talk to her then. He feared that if he did he would tell her that he wanted to go home, burst into tears and cry like any baby. He could hear her calling his name as she had run after him; swiftly he turned the key in the lock.
‘Albert,’ she cried. ‘Albert, I am here.’
‘I … I wish to be alone.’
‘You can’t … not from me.’
‘Victoria, please go away. I am too upset.’
‘No, no,’ she said. ‘I am going to comfort you. Open the door. Open it at once.’
He obeyed and she was ready to throw herself into his arms, but he stood silent, unresponsive.
‘Albert,’ she cried, aghast, ‘I want to comfort you. I know how you feel. Your father has gone away.’
‘How can you know?’ he cried. ‘You have never known a father.’
‘No, but I understand.’
‘And you don’t love your mother, so you can’t understand.’
He turned away from her coldly, but she put her arms round him and held him tightly against her; she began to cry.
‘Albert, my dearest, but I can’t bear to see you unhappy. I love you, Albert.’
He turned to her then and they wept together.
He had been unkind, he said.
No, no, not unkind. It was all so natural. He must share his troubles. She must make him understand that.
They kissed and she was immediately wildly happy.
‘God knows how great my wish is to make you happy and contented. I would do anything … anything …’
How could he help but be touched and moved by such devotion?
But later he thought: Yes, she would do anything for me … except let me share her throne.
Albert was deeply shocked. He would not have believed it of Ernest, although his brother had always laughed at him and called him a prude. But that Ernest should have had adventures which could produce such a result was a terrible blow and indeed a great lesson. Ernest had been looking unwell for some weeks.
‘It is this strange country,’ said Albert. ‘You’ll feel better when you leave.’
Ernest had let that rest for a while; but later – so he told Albert – he had become alarmed and seen a doctor.
‘It was a woman in Berlin,’ he said.
‘A woman!’ cried Albert. ‘Good God, Ernest! You can’t be serious.’
‘Albert, for Heaven’s sake do be a little more worldly. These things happen now and then, you know.’
‘And those to whom they happen have to abide by the consequences,’ said Albert severely.
‘You’re right there, my dear brother. I hope you never get into
this sort of mess.’ Albert was even more horrified which at least made Ernest laugh. ‘As if you would.’
‘Should one joke about such a serious matter? Ernest, I am glad our father doesn’t know about this.’
‘He knows, Albert. He understood. He is not immune from the temptations of the flesh as you are.’
‘Should we say that I have taught myself to overcome them.’
‘Well, I make a guess that dear little Vic keeps you busy.’
Albert was horrified. ‘Ernest, what has happened to you?’
‘A fate, alas, that catches up with many of us – except the virtuous like you, Albert. That is if there are any more like you … which I very much doubt.’
Albert’s affection for this brother overcame his shock. ‘You must get the best possible treatment.’
‘That’s what I am doing.’
‘And then, Ernest, marry. But not until you are completely well. You must not risk getting a sick heir.’
‘You may trust me.’
‘I shall tell Victoria. We have said we shall not have secrets from each other.’
‘I understand,’ said Ernest.
‘I shall hate telling her but I think it is an unpleasant duty.’
‘Don’t worry. It’ll only make her realise all the more that in taking you she got the better bargain.’
In hushed and solemn tones he explained the situation to Victoria, who flushed scarlet with embarrassment and horror when she heard.
‘My dear Albert, but this is so terrible.’
‘It’s the reward of sin,’ said Albert.
‘Of course Ernest is very gay.’
‘Too gay.’
‘But he is your brother and therefore very dear to us both. Everything must be done to cure him. Can he be cured, Albert?’
‘Oh, yes. I gather he is only lightly infected. I have been talking to him of the benefits of married life.’
Victoria smiled radiantly. ‘Oh, but we are so fortunate. Everyone cannot be as happy as we are.’
Albert pressed her hand in agreement and added: ‘Ernest is a man who needs marriage if he is to lead a decent and honourable life.’
Victoria nodded gravely and then with one of her impulsive gestures she threw her arms about his neck and said: ‘Oh, Albert, how very fortunate we are. I knew as soon as I saw you that you would be pure and faithful.’ She looked at him in horror. ‘Suppose I had chosen Ernest.’
‘Then one person would have been most unhappy,’ said Albert. ‘Myself.’
‘And I too, Albert. Oh, how wise I was! But then as soon as I set eyes on you, I knew.’
They were very content in each other for the rest of that day and night.
Victoria herself began to be worried. She had been married for about six weeks. It really could not be, she assured herself. It was far too early.
The only person she could talk to about it was the Baroness.
‘Dear Daisy, can it be … so soon?’
‘Well, it certainly could,’ said the Baroness.
Victoria began to shiver. ‘I must confess, Daisy, that it makes me a little uneasy.’
‘My darling, I’d be there all the time to look after you.’
‘I know. Old Louie was there to look after my Cousin Charlotte but she died.’
‘You mustn’t compare yourself with the Princess Charlotte.’
‘Why not? According to Uncle Leopold she was a healthy girl. That she should die having her baby was most unexpected.’
‘Look, this is not the way to talk or think. My opinion is it’s a little soon and you may be mistaken.’
‘I hope so.’
‘But you want a baby.’
‘Not yet. I want to wait a while. Besides …’ She shivered. ‘Ever since Lady John Russell died having hers …’
‘Oh, that was different. She was old compared with you.’
‘I am perhaps too small to bear children.’
‘It makes no difference. Think of all the fun we’ll have getting ready. All the lovely things. You must let me make some myself. Will you?’
‘Darling Daisy, you shall do exactly as you want.’
‘It’ll be like dressing the dolls.’
‘Oh, my darling dolls! What fun we had with them! I believe you’re already planning the baby’s layette.’
‘Well, of course,’ said Lehzen. ‘We shall have to furnish the nursery afresh.’
‘You make me feel almost excited.’
‘You’ll be excited, my love. You see.’
‘I shall have my moments of fear. Do you know how many women die in childbed, Lehzen?’
‘They are poor. It’s different for a queen. You’ll have all the best doctors. This will be the heir to the throne, remember. And I’ll be there.’
‘I’ve already started to think about names.’
‘If it’s a girl it must be Victoria.’
‘How will you know which of us is which?’
‘I will know,’ said Lehzen. ‘Never fear, I shall be in no danger of confusing the Queen and the Princess Royal.’
‘But it should be a boy.’
‘Then it will have a king’s name.’
‘Whatever you say, Lehzen, it is a terrible ordeal. It frightens me. I just cannot get Lady John out of my mind. She was so well just before and then …’
Tears began to fall down the Queen’s cheeks; she had been very fond of Lady John and her dear children. She always invited them to come when their stepmother visited her; and she and they used to race up and down the corridors of Buckingham Palace with Dash, Islay or one of the other dogs at their heels.
Albert came in. He had been riding with Ernest and looked very handsome in his habit. Lehzen gave him a rather perfunctory curtsey which angered him because there was, he fancied, a trace of insolence in it. She did not retire as of course she should; and what was more irritating was that Victoria did not command her to.
‘You have enjoyed the ride, Albert?’ asked the Queen.
‘Very much.’
‘And Ernest is looking better, I think.’
‘He is much better.’
‘I am so glad of that.’
Lehzen was putting the Queen’s wrap away with elaborate care, a task for one of her ladies of the bedchamber. What position in the household did Lehzen hold? he wondered in irritation. She behaved as though she were a member of the family.
Albert implied that he wished to speak to Victoria alone and she with perfect ease said: ‘I will see you at six, Daisy.’
Lehzen, who had been so insolent with him, showed her respect for the Queen by her immediate acknowledgement of the order.
When they were alone Albert said: ‘I see you have been crying. What has happened to upset you?’
She hesitated. Then: ‘Well, Albert, I am not quite sure … but I have fears … I mean hopes … that …’
Albert’s face was illuminated by his joy.
‘My dear little wife! But this is wonderful news.’
A momentary irritation crossed her face. It was all very well for him. He did not have to face the terrifying ordeal; he did not have to risk his life.
‘Of course,’ she said, ‘it is too soon to be absolutely sure yet.’
‘If it is … oh, Victoria, if it is …’
‘I confess I shall be a little frightened.’
‘The first time is a little frightening I believe.’
‘I am glad to hear that as a man you are aware of that.’
‘But it will be a great blessing … so soon. It is a good sign that we may have many children.’
She shivered.
‘There will be great rejoicing … everywhere,’ he went on.
‘I wish I were not so small. That might make difficulties.’
‘I have never heard this is so.’
‘Nor has Lehzen. But I believe it may have some effect and it is I who have to endure it, you know.’
‘Lehzen! So you have already discussed this with her.’
‘We were talking of it as you came in.’
He was silent. Now was the time to tell her that he resented the Baroness. The fact that this important matter – their secret – could be discussed with Lehzen was hurtful enough, but that she should have spoken of it to the woman before she did to him appalled him.
‘I am sure,’ he said, with sarcasm, ‘that the Baroness, being an unmarried woman, knows a great deal about such matters.’
‘Lehzen always makes it her affair to know all she can about anything that might happen to me.’ Even her voice softened when she spoke of the woman.
He determined in that moment that he was going to be rid of her because he could never really hope to be master in his house while she was there.
Albert decided to confide in Baron Stockmar. To him he could speak in German and he knew that as a confidant of Uncle Leopold it was in his interest to help the marriage to succeed and that it was Uncle Leopold’s wish – and therefore Stockmar’s – that Albert should have a hand in the government of the country.
‘I find my position becoming more and more intolerable,’ he told the Baron. ‘I am never allowed to know the smallest thing about the politics of this country. The Queen treats me as a pet to be fondled and to receive extravagant compliments; Lord Melbourne behaves towards me as though I am a child. They are both determined to exclude me.’
Stockmar nodded gravely. He, the expert observer, was fully aware of the situation.
‘It is quite intolerable,’ went on Albert, ‘particularly as the Queen confides fully in the Baroness Lehzen. I have seen her reading state papers in the presence of the Queen. She has complete charge of the household. I am allowed no say in anything. I am occasionally permitted to blot her signature when she signs the papers. That is the limit of my usefulness. I sometimes wish that I had never come here. I might have had a small house of my own but at least I should have been master of it.’
The Baron said: ‘You are too impatient. This matter needs very thoughtful action. In time you will succeed. I have no doubt whatsoever of the Queen’s devotion to you personally. You have succeeded in your most important duty and that is to charm the Queen. She is as deeply in love with you as any young woman could be. That is your strength. Indeed if this state of affairs can be retained, you will be invincible. But what you have most need of at this time is patience.’