o b464705202491194

by Cheyenne

  ‘The Princess has the kindest heart in the world,’ said Mrs. Lisle.

  Caroline said ‘Nonsense!’ again, but she was pleased, it was true she did love

  those who served her, and wanted to do the best possible for them.

  Lady Douglas came that day. She was coming more frequently than ever and

  she and Caroline were considered to be fast friends. An added bond between them

  was Lady Douglas’s pregnancy.

  ‘Lucky lucky you!’ cried Caroline when she had heard; and it was this fact

  which made her more eager than ever to talk to Lady Douglas.

  Caroline greeted her warmly. ‘And how are you today, my dear? Taking good

  care of yourself, I trust? Oh, how I envy you. And no one attempts to keep you

  from your darling Charlotte. I saw mine the other day. What a tomboy! She is

  going to be a wild one. You cannot think how I miss her. And you, lucky creature, have your daughter all the time and a new child coming. What do you hope for? A

  girl or a boy?’

  ‘What does it matter?’ said Lady Douglas. ‘Once one has a child that child is

  all one ever wanted.’

  Caroline clasped her hands. ‘How right you are, my dear. And pray tell me

  how are dear Sir John and dear, dear Sir Sydney?’

  Lady Douglas suppressed the wave of jealous anger which rose in her. Sydney

  said there was nothing serious in his relationship with the Princess; it was merely a flirtation. Could she trust him? Not at all. He was a born adventurer and he took adventure where he found it. Had he found it here? She could never be sure.

  Was Caroline having love affairs with Manley and Lawrence? There was

  gossip enough and she saw that her servants were on friendly terms with those of

  Montague House. Servants were such good detectives; not only did they have

  opportunities but an extra sense where the scandals of, the families they served

  were concerned. Some said yes and some said no.

  And I’d make her sorry if I found out there was anything between Sydney and

  her— Princess of Wales or not! thought Lady Douglas. And perhaps since she was Princess of Wales it would be easier than if she were not in such an exalted

  position.

  Let her babble on about her babies, those cottage children she treated like her

  own! The woman was more than eccentric, she was mad— and she had said as

  much to Sydney.

  The eternal question was: ‘Is Sydney faithful to me?’ What a fool she was to

  become so besotted about a man. It was not like her; she was usually so calm and

  practical. But ever since she had met Sydney— Oh, well, she was obsessed by the

  man and as long as he remembered that he was hers and that she expected fidelity

  all was Well. But if he was the Princess’s lover—

  There sat the woman brilliantly rouged, her hair in some disorder, her bodice

  cut low to show too much of her voluptuous bosom. Looking at her one would

  say that suspicions were not unfounded.

  By God, if I found out, thought Lady Douglas, while she said sweetly that one must of course take care of oneself during the waiting months for the sake of the child.

  The Princess listened rapturously. One would almost think she was pregnant

  herself.

  ‘Poor Lisle hurt her foot today,’ she said suddenly. ‘I am insisting that she lie up for a fortnight. Doctor’s orders. Of course the dear soul is worrying about how I shall manage without her. It will be difficult. I do miss my ladies when they are absent.’

  ‘They’re very fortunate to serve Your Highness.’

  ‘And I’m fortunate to have such angels to serve me. Oh— something has just

  occurred to me. I wonder whether you would like to come here for a fortnight as a maid of honour it would be so amusing. We could talk and talk— and should see

  personally that you did nothing to harm the precious child.’

  To live in Montague House for a fortnight! That would be interesting. Then

  she might discover a great deal. Sydney could visit her there. It amused her to

  think of them being together under the same roof as the woman who might well

  be another of his mistresses.

  ‘Your Highness is so good to me.’

  ‘Would Sir John object do you think?’

  ‘Sir John!’ She must not show her contempt for her husband for that might

  cloud a little the image the Princess had of her. ‘Oh, Sir John, I am sure, he would be delighted. He would be extremely conscious of the honour done to me.’

  ‘Then it is settled.’

  So Lady Douglas came to stay for a fortnight in Montague House.

  ————————

  What gossip there was and it was all of babies. Lady Douglas was present

  when the children came to see the Princess. She watched them all at breakfast

  with her, saw Caroline’s devotion to them and thought her quite mad.

  ‘Lucky, lucky creature,’ she said to Lady Douglas. ‘You already have one and

  another little darling on the way. I trust you will have a large family. Ten, no

  less.’

  God forbid, thought Lady Douglas.

  Sir Sydney came but he was reluctant to spend too much time alone with Lady

  Douglas in Montague House.

  ‘What of the Princess?’ he demanded. ‘What if she should discover?’

  ‘Would she be so shocked?’

  ‘The general opinion would be that she should.’

  ‘You probably know more of her than most people.’ That made Sir Sydney

  laugh. ‘Do I detect a certain jealousy, my dear?’

  ‘Do I detect a certain complacency?’

  ‘Complacent? Why shouldn’t I be complacent? I’m a naval hero, my love.’

  ‘And the lover of the Princess of Wales?’

  Sir Sydney’s eyes sparkled. ‘Hush. Who knows we may be overheard. That’s

  treason.’

  She took him by the arm and shook him. ‘Is it true? Is it true?’

  That made him laugh. She thought how maddeningly attractive he was. She

  longed to subdue him as she had Sir John but of course she could not and that was the man’s attraction for her.

  ‘Answer me, answer me.’

  His eyes were alight with mischief.

  ‘Ask the Princess. I should like to hear what she has to say.’

  How was she to know whether it was true or not? But from that moment she

  began to believe it was; and her hatred for Caroline was like a physical pain. She felt a longing to destroy the Princess.

  But the fortnight passed in outward harmony and Caroline had no idea of the

  stormy feelings she aroused in Lady Douglas.

  And when Mrs. Lisle was again on her feet Lady Douglas went home.

  ‘It has been such a privilege to serve Your Highness,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, don’t call it serving,’ cried the Princess. ‘It’s been the visit of a friend.’

  ————————

  Shortly afterwards she was out walking in the neighbourhood when she came

  across a case of extreme poverty which she found most distressing.

  She was first attracted by Mrs Austin who was heavily pregnant and paused

  at the door of their cottage to talk to her.

  ‘I see you are soon to have a child.’

  ‘Worse luck,’ said the woman, recognizing the Princess, for most people in

  the neighbourhood knew her by now and were aware of her eccentric habits and

  as she did not ask for ceremony they gave her none.

  ‘My dear good woman, how can you say such a thing! You are about to have

  that most precious gift— a child— and
you see it as ill luck!’

  ‘I’ve had too many precious gifts, Madam— more than I can afford to feed.’

  Caroline’s deepest sympathies were aroused.

  ‘You should have come to me and I would have helped you. Now you are not

  to worry any more. I shall have food sent to you. And I shall see that the baby is looked after when it is born.’

  ‘We all know of your goodness, Madam. And I can only say we know too

  you’ll keep your word. This was a lucky day for me.’

  Caroline went on her way but she could not stop thinking of the coming child.

  Poor mite, to come into the world unwanted. If only she was the mother— if she

  could only have a child which would be all her own and not taken away from her,

  how happy she would be!

  She could not get the Austins out of her mind; and next day she was at the

  cottage with blankets and food; and it soon became clear that although she was

  interested in all the children and pregnant mothers of the neighbourhood, she had a very special feeling for the Austin family.

  ————————

  ‘Mrs. Austin’s child will be born in two months’ time,’ she told Lady Douglas

  when she called. ‘I wonder whether it will be a boy or a girl.’

  ‘I doubt she minds much.’

  ‘She said she had had too many. Poor dear soul! As if one could have too

  many. It’s strange that some feel this to be so and others would give years of their lives to have one.’

  ‘Your Highness loves children so much. Perhaps other women are less

  motherly.’

  Caroline held her arms as though she cradled a baby. She began to laugh

  suddenly. ‘Do you know I feel as though I am pregnant.’

  Lady Douglas looked at the strange creature sharply. Could it be? Was she?

  Sydney would think it all a great joke.

  I believe it is so, thought Lady Douglas. There is a look about her. She’s excited. I could almost be sure of it.

  ————————

  When Lady Douglas had gone, Caroline called for her pelisse and cap. She

  had not told Lady Douglas yet. No, it was a secret so far. It might not happen and she had first to consult Mrs. Austin, who at the moment did not want the child but women did change when their children were born. It was natural enough and God

  forbid that she should take a child from its mother.

  Ms. Austin was at the cottage door when Caroline arrived, she invited her in.

  Small and dark and insanitary, she noted. The idea of this new and precious life

  starting in such place!

  Mrs Austin dusted a chair for the Princess.

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Austin I have come to speak to you of a very— delicate

  matter.’

  ‘Oh— Madam—’

  ‘Don’t be frightened. If you say no, I shall understand. It’s that when the baby

  is born will you— could you bear give it to me?’

  ‘To give it to you, Madam! You mean you want to take it?’

  ‘That’s what I mean, Mrs Austin. I have a daughter, my— little Charlotte, but

  I am not allowed to have her with me all the time. I want a baby of my very own

  — to care for— to have with me. You said you had too many. I am asking you to

  give me this one.’

  ‘Do you mean, Madam, that you’d take the baby— Like one of those you

  have in your school and look after it like, and feed and learn it things.’

  ‘I didn’t mean quite that. I want to have this baby as soon as its born. I want to care for it myself. I want to adopt it.’

  ‘Then you will.’

  Caroline came out of the cottage, her eyes glowing. In two months’ time she

  would have her own little baby, to care for, to bring up, one who would not be

  snatched from her.

  She came running into Montague House. Some of the servants were within

  earshot.

  ‘My, dear Fitz— Lisle, my love, something wonderful has happened. I’m

  going to have a baby.’

  ————————

  Spencer Perceval, who had now become the Attorney General, often called at

  Montague House. Caroline knew he was a friend whom she could trust and was

  delighted with his growing success. She knew too that he was brilliantly clever;

  his conversation was a delight, spattered with epigrams as it was; and she had

  heard it said that he was an unusual man, for not only had he won the approval of Pitt, who had once said that Perceval could be a future Prime Minister, but Fox

  and Sheridan had also expressed their admiration for him.

  It was gratifying therefore that he should call on her, and she knew that when

  such men showed their friendship for her. It caused a great deal of chagrin to the Prince of Wales.

  This in itself would have made it worthwhile her receiving such men‚ but she

  liked Perceval for himself and was delighted to have him as her friend.

  She confided in him a great deal— what comfort to confide in a clever man

  He knew about her school and the children she cared for and he applauded her for

  doing this social work. So now she felt she could talk to him of the Austins, but as yet she had decided to be unusually discreet and say nothing of her plan for

  adopting the child. This she supposed was due not so much to discretion but the

  fear that if she talked too much of the project something might go wrong with it.

  She could never understand a mother’s parting with her child and was therefore

  haunted by the thought that when the time came Mrs. Austin would not let it go;

  moreover there was the dangerous affair of birth itself. If this one were lost in the process she would be heartbroken. So therefore she had a superstitious feeling

  that she would not speak of it until the child was actually in her hands. But she was anxious about the poverty of the Austins.

  ‘I have discovered a very poor family living near here,’ she told Perceval. ‘I

  know you understand my concern for these people.’

  He did indeed. He wished that others of her rank shared her conscience.

  ‘Then I know you’ll help me. The father of this family is a good respectable

  man who had work in the dockyards until he lost it. There are several children and I have done what I could, but I think that if the father could earn money himself they would all be happier for this. They do not want to live off charity. I can

  recommend Samuel Austin as a good respectable man. Can you do something for

  him?’

  Perceval said that he would do his utmost and he had little doubt that he could

  find some form of employment for a good and honest man who was a protégé of

  the Princess, in a week or, so later Caroline was able to carry the good news to the Austins that there was a job waiting for Samuel in the dockyards.

  ‘You’re our good angel, Madam,’ said Mrs. Austin.

  ‘And you haven’t changed your mind about the baby?’

  ‘Why, Madam, do you take me for a fool.? This baby’s going to be the

  luckiest in Blackheath!’

  ‘I’ll try to make it so,’ said Caroline.

  ————————

  Lady Douglas had had another daughter. Caroline went over to their house as

  soon as she heard the news, taking with her lavish presents for mother and baby.

  ‘My dear,’ she cried as she sat down heavily on the bed, 'you must be the

  happiest woman alive.’

  Lady Douglas asked the nurse to bring the child and it was laid in the

  Princess’s arms. Caroline was rapturous. ‘What a little darling! I ador
e her. I

  would envy you except for the fact— but it’s a secret. You will know in due

  course.’

  Lady Douglas clenched her hands beneath the bedclothes and thought: Can

  she mean she is pregnant! Is it possible! Oh, the traitor. It is so. I’m sure of it.

  She said sweetly: ‘I am going to ask a great favour of you. May I?’

  ‘Please do. I am sure it will be granted.’

  ‘Would you act as sponsor to my new daughter?’

  ‘Nothing would please me more.’

  ‘And have I your Highness’s permission to name her after you? Sir John and I

  would like to call her Caroline Sydney.’

  ‘I cannot think of a happier combination,’ smiled the Princess.

  ————————

  As the birth of Mrs. Austin’s child became imminent, Caroline arranged for

  her to go into the Brownlow Street Hospital and in due course a boy was born.

  When Mrs. Austin came home, Caroline went to the cottage and saw the child in

  his shabby cradle. She took him up in her arms but Mrs. Austin said that she

  would have to keep him with her for a week or two.

  ‘You are not going against your word?’ cried Caroline.

  ‘Lord love you, Madam, it’s us that’s frightened you’ll go against yours.’

  ‘Never,’ said Caroline, hanging over the cradle, ‘Have you named him?’

  ‘We thought of William, Madam.’

  ‘It’s a good name,’ replied Caroline. ‘Little William— my little Will. Yes, he

  shall be William. When am I going to have him?’

  ‘In three weeks from now?’

  ‘I wait with great impatience.’

  ————————

  As was promised, the baby boy was delivered to Montague House where

  Caroline had already prepared a luxurious nursery for him. She covered his face

  with kisses; she was going to look after him herself. He was hers as darling

  Charlotte could never be. Her little Willie.

  ‘My Willie,’ she cooed. ‘My little Willikin.’

  And that made him seem like hers. From henceforth he was Willikin.

  Lady Douglas was away for a few weeks and Caroline was longing for her to

  come back so that she could show her the baby. When she eventually did she

  immediately came to call and was shown into the Princess’s drawing room by

  Mrs. Fitzgerald, Caroline had thrown a light piece of cloth over the child so that it was not immediately visible.