'True. Then I must do my utmost to stay alive. I won't ask again, my dear, until Napoleon is finished, but if you change your mind you have only to tell me. Come, shall we go round the Park again?'
*
A few days later another marriage ceremony took place at St George's. This time it was a festive occasion, although only the nearest relatives and friends of Sir Arthur and Isobel attended. The bride looked radiant, the groom proud. Louise had never seen her mother-in-law so happy since her own marriage, and perhaps for the first time she realised fully what Richard's death had meant for his mother. She had been, she chided herself, so absorbed in her own unhappiness she had given few thoughts to what effect losing an only child would have.
They all drove back to Mount Street where Emily had organised a small reception. Louise had been apprehensive about this first meeting with Rupert since she had refused his offer, but he behaved calmly, greeting her with a smile, and passing on to talk with Sir Martin.
'You must come and visit us in Hertfordshire,' Sir Arthur said to Louise. 'How long are you remaining in town now your charge has been disposed of?'
Louise laughed at the description of Matilda's marriage. 'I haven't decided. Mama has hired a house in Brighton for July, but I want to return to Devon. I am missing my home.'
'Try to come to us before you leave. We are not likely to be going to Brighton this year, Isobel prefers to stay and get to know my children.'
He passed on to speak to others, and Louise watched them all. She wanted to go back to Devon, but she could not bear to leave London while Rupert was still there and there was a chance of seeing him, talking and dancing with him. It might, she thought with an inward shiver, be her last opportunity.
Sir Arthur and Isobel were leaving early to drive to Hertfordshire. The other guests departed soon afterwards. Rupert came to bid Louise farewell, saying he had neglected his Foreign Office duties too much during the past couple of weeks, and must go to his office, but hoped to see her the following day at a ball, and dance with her. Since the assassination of Prime Minister Perceval in May the government had been a shambles, but now there was hope that Liverpool, whose policy supported the war, would be back in power. He would do what was necessary to enable Wellington to continue the fight, without counting the cost. There was, however, stalemate in America, and until the war in Europe was won little more that could be done to help the British troops there.
Feeling cowardly, Louise invented a headache and retreated to bed as soon as the last guest had departed. It was feeble of her, she knew, but the thought of discussing the wedding with her mother was unbearable. Emily would enquire of her what she meant to do, and whether she did not wish to find a second husband for herself. How could she deny it? Emily would begin a campaign such as she had prosecuted when Louise made her come-out. That had been so successful she would doubtless expect a second one to emulate it. And Louise would be forced into situations she would find painful, without being able to explain.
*
News of the victory at Vitoria was welcomed enthusiastically. At last the British seemed to be on the advance. Rupert, however, was gloomy when he drove out with Louise at the end of June.
'I am going to Spain,' he said abruptly. 'The cavalry are in a shambles. Wellington needs all the cavalry officers he can get, now we have an opportunity of invading France at last.'
Louise blinked hard. This might be the last time she would see him. 'Does Sir Arthur approve?'
'I will not inform him. He'll try to protect me. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I needed to say goodbye to you.'
They had reached the spot where they had talked on a previous occasion. Rupert halted the phaeton and turned to Louise. He took both shoulders in his hands and pulled her towards him.
'Just in case I do not return, my darling, I need a farewell kiss to sustain me in the weeks or months to come.'
Louise lifted up her face and closed her eyes to try and prevent the tears from falling. It was bitter sweet, that kiss, and she would have been happy for it to last ten times longer. Then he drew away and wiped her eyes. His voice when he spoke was hoarse.
'Don't weep for me. I'll soon come back to claim you.'
A week later Louise, despite Emily's protests, set off for Devon. She avoided Bath, she had no wish to see her grandfather. She promised Isobel she would visit later in the year. Back at Rushton Manor she worked hard, trying to exhaust herself in order to sleep at night. Every day she read the Times, aware that it was a couple of days late getting to Devon and would not have the latest details. She rejoiced at the news of British victories, the crossing of the Pyrenees, and the final defeat of Napoleon and his armies, though isolated battles were still taking place. No news had come of Rupert and she began, tremblingly, to hope. When Emily wrote to suggest she might care to spend a few weeks with them in London, she happily agreed. There she would hear any news much earlier than in Devon, and really, on her own at the Manor, she admitted she was lonely. A week before Christmas she arrived in Mount Street, eagerly seeking news.
*
'How is Joseph?' Emily asked the first evening. She knew Louise had come via Bath and seen her grandfather.
'Much the same,' Louise said, laughing. 'He complains of his gout but refuses to obey his doctor and drink less. He has been receiving letters from Sir Henry, praising Matilda and saying how happy they both are. I don't think Matilda has written. She has not written to me. They spent a month at her home in Yorkshire, but most of the time have been in Norfolk. Have they been to London?'
'No. I thought they might have come for the Little Season, as Sir Henry used to spend most of his time in town, but they did not. His house is shut up, but perhaps they will come after Christmas.'
'What has happened to Cedric? Was he discovered?'
Emily smiled. 'Yes, but not until Rupert had gone back to Spain. He came out of hiding then, when he clearly felt it was safe. As far as anyone is aware he now lives by gambling, but where he obtains the stake money no one knows. He is also clearly in debt again, from odd comments Martin has heard in the clubs.'
'So Rupert wasn't able to send him off in a ship?'
'No, and he comes of age soon after Christmas. I think that means he will have control of his own inheritance. There were no conditions to leave Rupert in control for longer.'
'No doubt Rupert will be relieved. Have you heard from him?'
'Not directly, but Amelia has had a few hasty notes. He was involved in the Leipzig affair, but he did not say why he should be in Germany. Perhaps it was because Bavaria and Austria were being more active. And he does speak German. He may have been on some diplomatic mission. Amelia says that after his months in the Foreign Office Lord Castlereagh seems to value him more as a diplomat than a cavalry officer.'
Louise hoped so. If he were not involved in the immediate fighting there was more chance he would survive. She suppressed her hopes that he would soon be home. She was superstitious. If she looked forward to this fate would take a hand and send him elsewhere.
They celebrated Christmas, seeing the few friends who had ventured to London for the festive season. Not many had. It was exceptionally cold, there had been several falls of snow, and most people, Emily said with a laugh, preferred to huddle round their log fires rather than travel. Louise had hoped to see Sir Arthur and Isobel, but they were remaining with the children, not wishing to bring them to London.
Two days after Christmas Day the cold got even worse, and they began to hear details of many accidents when coaches had either been overturned by missing the road because of the snow, or because of the slippery conditions which the horses found difficult. To add to the misery a dense fog covered the country, and by New Year's Eve Sir Martin, who was the only one to leave the house, reported that the gas lamps were barely visible, as weak as tallow dips. Only the most intrepid ventured out, and a heavy fall of snow lasting for two whole days without respite made just stepping across the road almost impossible. Canals and ponds wer
e frozen, hardy people skated on the Serpentine, and there seemed to be no end to both the fog and the snow. Looking from her bedroom window Louise saw icicles over a yard long hanging from the roofs of nearby buildings, and marvelled at them. It was, older people said, the coldest January they had ever known, the temperature rarely rising above freezing.
Sometimes Louise longed to be back at Rushton Manor, where her log fires were more comforting, and certainly smelled better, than the London coal fires. But Emily insisted on keeping every fire in the house lit, even in rooms unoccupied, and the servants' bedrooms, for they all helped to keep the landings and stairs warm. The servants might grumble in private at the extra work carrying the coals upstairs, but they appreciated the warm house. To Sir Martin's queries about the supply of coal Emily laughed, and said she had been organising winter fires for many years. The coal cellars were still full, he need not be concerned.
January passed. Because of the snow it was difficult to drive or even walk to visit other people. They managed to dine with neighbours, but morning calls and drives or rides in the Park were abandoned by almost everyone. They could walk to Dubarry House, where Amelia and David lived in just a few rooms, but they had no news from Rupert. Louise told herself firmly she would just have to be patient. At least the allies were now confident of ultimate victory. Napoleon's Grande Armée was broken, he no longer seemed invincible. Soon the war would be ended, and the soldiers would be coming home. She would see Rupert again.
*
Chapter 15
Louise spent her time reading, painting and doing embroidery. She would sit at one of the windows painting the snowy scenes outside, the gardens and streets and roofs covered in fresh falls of snow. She rarely went out except to occasional dinner parties. Even had she wished to go back to Devon the state of the roads would have made it impossible. Then at the beginning of February Amelia came with a demand they all accompany her to the river.
'It has frozen so hard below London Bridge people can walk across it. David's mother says they even held a fair on the ice the last time it froze so hard, in 1789. We have the big travelling coach, we can all ride in it.'
Louise, Emily and Sir Martin joined Amelia and David, and were driven slowly towards the City and down to London Bridge. The scene on the ice was amazing. Stalls had already been set up, there were even fires where sheep, and in one case an ox, were being roasted.
They got out of the coach and paid their threepence to the watermen to be allowed down a ladder and onto the ice.
'These poor fellows cannot earn while the river is frozen,' Sir Martin said. 'No one is riding in their boats, and the movement of goods by the lightermen has stopped too.'
'Others are taking advantage, though,' Emily said. 'There are pedlars, and stalls selling food and drink.'
'I'm told there are printing presses too,' Amelia said. 'I want to buy one of their poems, to remember this by.'
They bought hot spiced rum, and watched the musicians and dancers. Slices of mutton were on sale, but these they declined. Instead they nibbled at gingerbread.
'It will take days for the ox to roast,' Emily commented. 'Will the ice last so long?'
They had wandered upriver towards Blackfriars Bridge when Amelia suddenly clutched Louise's arm and pointed.
'Look! Surely the ice will not bear it,' she said, and began to pull Louise towards the bank.
Ahead Louise saw what she was talking about.
'An elephant?' she exclaimed. She had only ever seen pictures of these strange animals in books for children, and had not really appreciated how large they were.
'The ice will surely crack!' Emily said. 'Let us get on land.'
Many others were trying to do the same. The watermen were charging people a penny to climb back up the ladders, and some were arguing, pushing in fright and delaying everyone. The ice did not crack. Sir Martin had been watching the elephant's progress, and saw it reach the far bank safely.
'I think we can wait safely,' he said, and they continued strolling amongst the stalls. Amelia purchased her poem, a rather poor, hurried commemoration of the frost fair.
As they neared Blackfriars bridge people were warning that the ice was giving way there and some men had fallen in.
'We must go back,' Emily said, and this time they agreed with her. They climbed the nearest ladder and walked towards Fleet Street where they were fortunate to find two hackneys to take them back home.
'The poor horses,' Louise commented. 'They have to come out of their warm stables and run the risk of falling on the ice. I'm glad I did not bring Fire to London this time. She'll be warm and cosy at home.'
Did she wish she was herself back at Rushton Manor, she wondered. No, for here in London she had company and could hear the war news as early as possible. Rupert would come back soon. Napoleon was all but defeated and apart from small pockets of resistance, battles he would not be involved in, the long war was over. He would be safe and she could marry him.
*
Rupert was summoned to Châtillon where Castlereagh was attempting to negotiate a settlement for Europe. He wanted, he told Rupert, to have a general settlement all agreed to and not a series of separate treaties which would lay the grounds for future conflicts. He succeeded in preventing the Tsar from bringing in the Americans as he wished. After all, Britain was still at war with America. The Spanish wanted full representation, but this was denied them. Castlereagh brought together the four powers who had been most active during the war, England, Austria, Russia and Prussia. France, it was decided, might be consulted but would be unlikely to consent to a peace treaty so long as it was ruled by Bonaparte. For them, the remnants of the war continued, especially in the south.
The allies finally entered Paris at the end of March, watched by disgruntled citizens. Bordeaux declared for the Bourbons, and Wellington finally subdued Toulouse. The war was effectively over. Napoleon went to Fontainbleau where, they were told, he gained no support for his desire to keep fighting. His people had had enough of war and, now, defeat.
'He wants to abdicate in favour of his son,' Rupert was told. 'It's impossible, of course.'
'Louis is the best chance we have of the French accepting defeat,' Castlereagh said. 'We've considered other possibilities, of course, but that seems the best.'
'What do we do with Napoleon?' Rupert asked. 'Is he to be shot?'
'He is to be granted a pension and banished to Elba.'
'Elba?' Rupert shook his head. 'The island just off the coast of France? Isn't that rather too close?'
Finally, with nothing left, Napoleon abdicated, and Louis XIII was restored to the throne. In disguise, Napoleon left France and sailed to his future small kingdom.
'He is finished, but for now we have to gain a sensible settlement for Europe,' Lord Castlereagh said.
'He tried to commit suicide, but the poison, which he had taken to Russia, was not potent enough,' Rupert was told.
Rupert knew he would be involved in whatever future negotiations took place, but he wanted, first, to go home and see Louise. He could with honour sell his commission. He would be willing to continue in his diplomatic role, but first he wanted to marry Louise.
*
The negotiations went on, though. The treaty to restore France's boundaries to what they were before 1792 was not signed until the end of May, but the celebrations in London and elsewhere brought many more people than normal to partake of the Season's activities. Most of the rulers, the Tsar Alexander, King William of Prussia, King Louis, and minor royals, came to London. Prince Metternich represented the Austrian Emperor, and Marshall Blücher the military, since Wellington, now created a duke, was still dealing with events on the continent.
After an exceptionally cold winter April was unusually mild. The English made the most of the fine weather. Louise remained in London and managed to enjoy the festivities even though Rupert was detained in Paris. There were picnics and balls, routs and breakfasts, receptions and fêtes, ridottos and banquets,
masquerades and river parties. People walked, rode and drove in the Park. Both Hyde Park and St James's were filled with booths and a variety of exhibitions. They were always crowded. There were fireworks and a balloon ascent. Parties visited Vauxhall, attended the theatre, and several people collapsed from exhaustion. Royalty fever had seized London.
Emily was entertaining, it seemed to Louise, every day.
'So many of my friends who do not always come for the Season are here this year,' she explained to Louise when the latter suggested her mother was perhaps doing too much. 'I have to take the opportunity of seeing them. And of course, we cannot miss things we'll never see again, like the review of the troops, and the re-enactment of the Trafalgar battle on the Serpentine.'
'One cannot get near a hotel where any of the foreign royals are staying,' Sir Martin complained when it had taken him twice as long as usual to walk to White's. 'The crowds wait outside all day in the hopes of seeing them. Even the tradesmen won't continue with their deliveries, they stay there all day.'
Louise enjoyed these events, though she longed for Rupert's return. He, as he explained in a letter, was busy in Paris and elsewhere. So many countries had been involved in the war, and now it was ended they all clamoured for recognition of their part in destroying the Corsican Monster.
The highlight of the summer, though, was to be the Grand Procession for all the visiting Royals on their way to a celebration dinner given by the Corporation of London. Places from where this could be watched, especially windows along the route, were in huge demand. People were paying large sums for a seat.
Emily smiled. 'I have many useful friends,' she said. 'It's because we stay in London for most of the year. So we are invited to watch from their house. It is fortunately near the Guildhall. But we will have to go there early, or the crowds will prevent us.'
They did succeed in reaching the house, where there was a large party already assembled, including many merchants and bankers. The procession seemed never-ending to Louise and she was grateful when one of the bankers took it upon himself to explain who they all were. There were troops of Light Dragoons, and later Horse Guards and Yeomen of the Guard, plus Gentlemen Pensioners. In between all these were a number of carriages containing officers of the Prince Regent's household, the Royal Dukes, the Speaker of the House of Commons and members of the cabinet. The foreign households were in carriages and not immediately recognisable. Finally came the Prince Regent himself with his royal guests.
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