by Jenny Frame
Taking a long swig of his drink, Sir Michael said to himself, “I seem to be the only one to see her for what she is. A scheming, common little piece.”
His relationship with the Queen had started to deteriorate since the meeting they had before the late King’s memorial service.
Sir Michael handed Queen Georgina his tablet for one final piece of business. “If I could just have your signature on this last letter, Ma’am?”
“What’s this one for?” George tried to quickly scan the contents.
“It’s a letter of condolence to the French ambassador, who lost his wife this week.”
George nodded and quickly signed. “Ah yes. Poor man. I remember meeting his wife and they appeared to be a very loving couple.”
“Yes, so I understand, Ma’am. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave, Ma’am?”
George handed back the signed pad. “Yes, I want you to organize an extra invitation for the late King’s memorial service. Oh, and make sure you add in all the necessary security passes.”
Sir Michael made the note on his computer. “Yes, Ma’am. Where in the Abbey would you like this guest to be situated? The seats are quite full already.”
The Queen lifted her next folder of paperwork from the red box and said, “In line with the pulpit and preferably in the first ten rows.”
Sir Michael looked up from his pad sharply. “To whom am I to send this invitation, Ma’am?”
“Miss Beatrice Elliot.”
Sir Michael hoped the Queen was too focused on her papers to catch the look of annoyance he knew passed over his face. “Do you really think that’s appropriate, Ma’am? The first rows are set aside for some very important people. The late King would not have approved and I don’t think—”
George stopped dead and looked up with a look of fury. “Sir, you forget yourself. I will not be told what is appropriate by my private secretary. It’s your job to follow my commands.”
As soon as he’d said it, he knew he’d gone beyond the limits of his post, but he couldn’t help but try and advise the Queen against this. “I’m so sorry, Ma’am. I just wanted to counsel you against—”
“I don’t care what you intended, Sir Michael. Just follow my instructions,” George said sternly.
“Yes, Ma’am.” Sir Michael bowed and began to retreat hastily from the room.
“Oh, and Sir Michael?”
He stopped and looked back at the Queen’s penetrating gaze.
“Don’t ever presume to tell me what my father the King would have done or approved of.”
He bowed again and hastily exited her office.
Since then he’d noticed the Queen giving her more personal tasks to Sebastian. It was clear he was being pushed aside. “She has a blind spot where that woman is concerned. Beatrice Elliot will make a bloody fool of her.”
His computer came alive and began to ring. “Answer.”
The image of Viscount Anglesey filled the screen, and Sir Michael sat up in his seat and pushed his whisky glass out of view. “Your Highness. How can I help you, sir?”
Julian gave the private secretary a warm smile. “Sir Michael, I wondered if I could have a word with you. In the strictest confidence, of course.”
“Please do, Your Highness. You can be assured anything you say will go no further.”
Sir Michael could see the Viscount was speaking from his private office and wondered what he wanted to talk about.
Viscount Anglesey clasped his hands in front of him and looked extremely serious. “I represent a good few members of the royal family who have…concerns, about the Queen’s recent behaviour.”
Sir Michael was surprised. He’d thought the Queen was universally loved and supported within the family. “May I ask what concerns your family has, sir?”
“We are concerned about a new influence who has entered the Queen’s life and seems to have unrestricted access to her.”
Sir Michael knew straight away what Julian was referring to. “I understand what you’re talking about completely, sir. I have had similar concerns, but I didn’t think anyone else shared them.”
Julian leaned forward towards the screen. “Believe me, we have. The Queen Mother and the Dowager Queen Adrianna have raised the issue with the Queen but to no avail, so they turned to me.”
“I see, and how can I help you, sir?”
*
George started to awaken and immediately felt something was different. She slowly opened her eyes to find Bea wrapped tightly in her arms, snuggled into the crook of her neck, and the TV playing on in the background. She remembered Bea resting her head on her shoulder as the evening wore on, and they must have fallen asleep. It felt wonderful to have Bea in her arms, and she couldn’t help but give in to temptation. She pressed her lips to Bea’s beautiful hair and inhaled the sweet scent of her.
“Bea, Bea, wake up,” George whispered, while soothingly stroking her back.
“Hmm…too early…sleep,” Bea mumbled, and then surprisingly reached up with her lips and kissed George on the chin.
George couldn’t keep the smile from her face, as Bea’s eyes flickered open sleepily. “Good morning, darling.”
From the daze of sleep, Bea’s eyes popped open when she found her lips locked to George’s face. She leaped off George like she was on fire and started apologizing rapidly. “I’m so, so sorry, Your Majesty. I had no idea I had fallen asleep like that and—”
George stood quickly and tried to soothe her. “Bea, please, it’s fine. There’s nothing to be sorry about. We obviously fell asleep watching the film and made ourselves comfortable.”
Bea hugged herself and said, “Still, you must have been really uncomfortable with me sprawled on top of you like that. I’m sorry.”
George stepped forward and took Bea’s hand. “Not in the least. In fact it was the best sleep I’ve had since before my father died.” She looked her love directly in the eye and said, “I’m so at peace with you, Bea. You must feel it?”
Bea opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by a knock from the bedroom door of the suite. “Your Majesty, Inspector Lang has called to ask if it’s a convenient moment for his people to do the morning security sweep.”
“Hang on a minute, Cammy.” She pulled Bea closer to her and said with a hint of desperation, “What were you going to say?”
Bea gulped and shook her head. “We have a lot on today, Your Majesty. I’d better get back to my room and get ready for our day. Thank you for the lovely evening last night.”
She pulled her hands gently from George’s and slipped out of the room quietly. George looked up at the image of herself on the TV screen. When the film had ended, it had switched to the rolling news channel, and her visit to France was the main topic for the day. She could feel the bars of her cage closing in around her, inch by inch, until she felt like screaming. George grabbed the bowl they had used for popcorn and threw it at her picture on the screen, but of course the bowl sailed right through the projected screen and smashed on the wall behind.
*
Bea was furious with herself. After running from the Queen’s suite, she jumped into the shower and tried to wash away her overwhelming feelings, but it didn’t work. She vigorously brushed her hair back into a ponytail. “What am I even doing here? I’m in love with Queen Georgina of Great Britain, and I can’t have her. This is insanity.”
There was a knock at the door to interrupt Bea’s thoughts. She made her way over and opened the door to find Captain Cameron waiting there.
“Good morning, Miss Elliot. Could I have a wee word?”
“Yes, of course. Come in.”
Bea was surprised to see the captain out of uniform, wearing a highly pressed shirt and jeans. “No uniform today, Captain? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you out of that smart red tunic.”
Cammy chuckled. “Her Majesty ordered me to wear civvies today. She said I would terrify the weans.”
Bea looked confused. “Weans? You’
ve lost me, Cammy.”
“Oh, sorry. I forget not everyone understands the Scots language. The Queen is used to it. Weans means kiddies—you know, children?”
“Oh, I see.” After looking around the new facility yesterday, today the royal party was going to take part in some of the activities that the children using the facility would use when getting respite here.
“You’re looking very nice yourself, lassie.”
“So, how can I help you, Cammy?” Bea asked.
“Oh yes, the Queen wondered if you would travel in her royal transport, rather than go separately.”
Bea sighed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s not my place, Cammy.”
“Listen, I know you feel awkward after this morning but—”
“She told you?” Bea said furiously.
Cammy held up her hands in a defensive posture. “Hold on there, lassie. The Queen would never tell tales. I popped in early this morning to attend Her Majesty and saw you both on the couch. I left you both in private.”
“I’m sorry, I just feel a little exposed at the moment.”
“Listen, I may be speaking out of turn here, but the Queen is back there in her suite feeling the same as you, I believe. She feels terrible that you felt so uncomfortable this morning, and that you keep running away from her. She cares deeply about you, Bea. You make her happy. If you don’t want the same, then at least give her the chance to make things better between you.”
Bea nodded gloomily. “There are always things we want in life, Captain, but we can’t always get what we want. Tell the Queen I will be happy to travel with her. Just let me know when to be ready.”
“Thank you. We have a bit of time yet. The Queen is going through her most urgent boxes at the moment.” Cammy made her way to the door and hesitated before leaving. “When I saw you both this morning, you couldn’t have looked more perfect for each other. You held each other with an ease born of many years together. Maybe we can’t always get what we want, Miss Elliot, but sometimes you have to be brave enough to take what is offered freely to you.”
Chapter Nineteen
When they returned home from France, it was back to the daily grind of appointments and royal visits. There would be no more excuses to spend time with Bea, as they had no Timmy’s business scheduled for the next few weeks, due to the Queen’s diary.
Today she was having her weekly meeting with the prime minister.
“So, Your Majesty, because of the deepening crisis in the Middle East, we will be deploying ten per cent more military personnel over the next few months. The Americans will also be sending fifteen percent more fighting personnel.”
The Queen listened intently. She had, of course, studied the papers in her boxes explaining the situation, but it was always better to get more detailed information from the prime minister herself.
“I understand my former vessel, the Poseidon, will be patrolling the nearby waters?” George felt a deep sadness that she wouldn’t be on board her ship. This situation was what she had trained for, and now she had to sit back and watch her men deployed without her.
“Indeed, Ma’am. The Poseidon was the ideal candidate for the task, according to the defence department. As you well know, Ma’am, it’s one of the best equipped vessels in the fleet.”
George fiddled the gold cuff on her naval uniform. “Yes. It’s an excellent ship, with a lot of fine sailors on board. Prime Minister, with the deepening crisis and increase in troops deployed to the area, shouldn’t we organize a royal visit? For morale and to show my support?”
“Your dedication to your duty is commendable, Ma’am. We did discuss the possibility at this week’s cabinet meeting. The secretary of defence feels it would be too dangerous to send Your Majesty, given the current threats to your person.”
George scowled and said, “Prime Minister, there has been absolutely nothing new since the threats started. I have been going about my normal routine. I don’t think we should take this seriously. I feel I should be with my troops.”
Bo Dixon sat forward in her seat and said very seriously, “Ma’am, I understand you feel the need to show your support on the ground, but if Your Majesty was injured, or God forbid kidnapped, I don’t need to tell you what a position that would put not only this country in, but also our allies. I must advise that you stay but send another member of your family.”
The Queen did indeed understand the danger. To capture or injure the monarch would put Britain in an unimaginable position. “I understand, Prime Minister. Who would you advise I send?”
“We would advise two visits spread over the next three months, Ma’am. The first by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards, who are stationed over there at the moment. The second by the His Royal Highness, Prince Theodore, in his new role of Commander-in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards.”
“I agree, Prime Minister. You may move forward with those plans.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I must also inform you that Lord Buckingham is very insistent about being deployed with his regiment, the Irish Guards, to the Middle East. My advice is that with the utmost secrecy and a bodyguard, we could allow him active service at this time.”
George was very proud of Max. Since she’d ascended the throne, he was the last royal in active service. She knew how it felt as a royal officer to watch your men go off to serve without you, and if at all possible, she wanted to give him the chance to go with his regiment.
“Prime Minister, as long as it can be done without endangering those men and women around him, I fully support Lord Buckingham’s decision to be deployed.”
“Very good, Ma’am. That was everything I needed to inform you of, Ma’am. Was there anything you wanted to raise personally?”
George felt very nervous all of a sudden. “I did have something I wanted to seek your advice on. A constitutional matter, you understand.”
“Of course. Anything I can do to help you, I will. I am ever at your service.”
George couldn’t sit any longer. She stood, and when Bo Dixon also stood, George said, “Oh, do please sit. I am more comfortable on my feet.” George walked a few paces with her hands clasped behind her back, then turned again to face Bo. “I want to ask for both your advice on the constitutional position regarding a possible relationship and future marriage, and what your and my government’s position would be on it.”
“I’m sure both the country and your government would be delighted with any marriage you might make, Your Majesty. I know that the people and the government are always happier when a new monarch is married and the succession is secured.”
“Perhaps not as much in my case.”
When George hesitated, Bo said, “Your Majesty, as you know all our weekly meetings are in the strictest of confidence, but let me reassure you that you can confide in me, and I will do what I can to help you.”
George nodded. She did like the new prime minister but knew that she was a very shrewd operator and always played on the side that suited her best. “Prime Minister, let me be frank. I have met and fallen deeply in love with someone I would like to make my Queen Consort.”
Bo smiled warmly. “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
George sighed and then sat back down across from Bo. “If only it was that simple, Prime Minister. The lady in question is someone you’ve met. Miss Beatrice Elliot.”
“I see, and you believe there may be problems because of her views?”
“Yes, I fear so. Her views, I’m happy to say, have changed somewhat, but I wondered what you would think the reaction to Beatrice as Queen Consort would be?”
The prime minister lifted her briefcase and brought it to her lap. “May I show you something, Ma’am?”
George was certainly confused about what Bo Dixon was up to now. “Of course.”
“I have been expecting that this issue might come up, and I took the liberty of making some enquiries for you.”
“Prime Minister, how could you possibly know that this might be an issue? My own mother doesn’t even know,” George said rather sternly.
Bo clicked open her briefcase and pulled out an old-fashioned paper folder. “If you will permit me for being so bold, Your Majesty, I think you would be surprised. Those who see the way you look at Miss Elliot can see the affection you hold for her. More importantly than that, Your Majesty, I am your prime minister, and it’s my job to support you as my monarch.”
The Queen raised an eyebrow. “So what are you telling me here, Miss Dixon?”
“Ma’am, I am a politician and it’s in my DNA to know which way the wind is blowing. I know that a royal wedding between Your Majesty and someone from Miss Elliot’s working-class background, and with her somewhat sceptical attitude towards authority, would be extremely popular with young and modern thinking people. It would be the ultimate fairy tale, and I want to help you with that, Ma’am.”
“Prime Minister, this is my life and happiness, and it sounds like you are directing a public relations exercise.”
“I am a politician, Ma’am.”
She opened the folder and began to look through documents silently. There were copies of online articles and some police documents reporting on incidents involving the anti-monarchist group Free Republic.
“As you can see, Ma’am, Free Republic is an organization involved in demonstrations against not only the monarchy but also government institutions. There have been arrests at these demonstrations, and Miss Elliot was herself arrested once. If you look at the picture at the back of the folder you’ll see a picture of the incident at which Miss Elliot was arrested.”
George’s heart sank as she looked at the image of a young Bea being held by two policewomen, while her compatriots fought with another officer and a Union Flag lay burning on the ground.