Queen in Waiting: (Georgian Series) by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online Page B

Frederick. But what about Lützenburg? She says we must visit her.’
    ‘It is merely a form of politeness. An invitation is not an invitation unless some date is given. Besides, I am too weak for the journey.’
    ‘Then, Mamma, write and tell her so, and perhaps she will come to see us.’
    Eleanor smiled wanly at her daughter, and because Caroline was so eager at last she agreed to do as she suggested. As a result the Elector and the Electress of Brandenburg paid a visit to the Dower House.
    Caroline was rapturous. During the years of terror she had thought a great deal about Sophia Charlotte and had taken great comfort from the fact that she existed. Often when she had felt particularly lost and lonely she had promised herself: I will write to Sophia Charlotte. Or even more wildly: I will run away and go to Sophia Charlotte.
    And when Sophia Charlotte arrived, she was not disappointed. Her goddess was more beautiful, more dignified and more kind than she had remembered. Her adoration shone in her eyes and the Electress was aware of it.
    She was all the more beautiful because the Elector, her husband, was a little man, whose head seemed to rest on his body without a neck to support it; he was pale and small. But how different from the wicked John George, and how he doted on Sophia Charlotte – which was natural, for all the world must love her.
    When Sophia Charlotte embraced Caroline she told her she had often thought of her during the past and that she hoped they would always be friends.
    Always be friends! Caroline would be her slave!
    She said with emotion: ‘I should always wish to serve you, Madam.’
    A reply which enchanted Sophia Charlotte.
    Sophia Charlotte’s conscience did worry her. In the private apartments assigned to them in the Dower House, she discussed this with her husband.
    ‘Eleanor has become an invalid,’ she said.
    ‘At least she’s still alive,’ replied the Elector.
    ‘She might so easily have been murdered and we are in a way to blame.’
    ‘My dear, you must not think like that.’
    ‘But I do. We arranged the marriage. We persuaded her to it. And that poor child, what she must have suffered!’
    ‘And you like the child?’
    ‘I like both children, but the girl is enchanting. She attracts me because although she is only a child she has an air of wisdom. I tremble to think that before long she may be an orphan. Frederick, what will become of those children if their mother dies?’
    ‘The boy will go to Ansbach, I daresay. He’s the heir presumptive.’
    ‘And Caroline?’
    ‘Doubtless she will make her home there too.’
    ‘And if the boy does not become Margrave? Oh, it is an uneasy future. In a way we are responsible. My conscience would never let me rest unless…’
    He was smiling at her indulgently, understanding what she was about to say. She knew this and smiled at him ruefully. It was one of those occasions when she wished she could have given him a deeper affection.
    ‘Go on, my dear.’
    ‘Something would have to be done for Caroline.’
    ‘I know what is in your mind.’
    ‘And you would raise no objection?’
    ‘If it were your wish I daresay it would be mine.’
    ‘You are so good to me.’ There were tears of emotion in her eyes. He took her hand and kissed it. ‘Thank you,’ she added.
    She was warm in her gratitude and he in his turn was grateful to have kindled that warmth.
    To no one else had Caroline ever talked as she did to Sophia Charlotte. They would walk in the gardens of Pretsch and whilethey talked look down on the valley of the Elbe and beyond to the towers of Wittenburg, once the home of Martin Luther.
    Sophia Charlotte talked to Caroline of that great man; she spoke animatedly of how he had defied the Pope and publicly burned the Papal Bull. At the same time she talked judiciously for, as she pointed out to Caroline, one must never be fanatical because as soon as one did the vision became blurred and the judgement impaired. At the same