The Captive of Kensington Palace by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online

Duchess Victoria kept him informed of all that went on. Still, nothing was ever so accurate as that gleaned first-hand.
    Should he warn her of Conroy? It was hardly the time. He himself was engaged in an adventure of the heart with Caroline Bauer, a charming actress, who was a niece of his favourite physician and friend, Dr Stockmar. He was not given to such conduct and this was a rare lapse; but he consoled himself that Charlotte would have understood; and being so certain of this he could even entertain Caroline at Claremont where he had lived with Charlotte during those months before she had died.
    His sister had learned of this attachment and expressed her stern displeasure. That Leopold should have behaved like the immoral people of the Court was distressing. This was perhaps because he had hinted at her relationship with Conroy.
    It was clearly better for them to turn a blind eye on each other in that respect. There were ample excuses for both of them, and neither was promiscuous.
    So not a word about Conroy. That could come later.
    ‘Does Victoria understand the position?’
    ‘Not exactly. She is aware that some great destiny awaits her but she is not quite sure what.’
    ‘I daresay she has a shrewd notion,’ Leopold smiled affectionately. ‘She is a clever little minx.’
    ‘I would not have her talk of the possibility. She is so … frank.’
    Leopold nodded. But not so indiscreet as her mother.
    ‘Everyone should take the utmost care,’ he said pointedly. ‘This is a very delicate matter. And I believe Cumberland has his spies everywhere.’
    She shivered. ‘I believe he would stop at nothing.’
    ‘She is guarded night and day?’
    ‘She sleeps in the same room as myself. Lehzen sits with her until I come to bed. She is never allowed to be alone. I have even ordered that she is not to walk downstairs unaccompanied.’
    ‘I suppose it’s necessary.’
    ‘Necessary. Indeed it’s necessary. You know those stairs. The most dangerous in England, with their corkscrew twists and at the sides they taper away to almost nothing. It would be the most likely place that some harm would come to her.’
    ‘I have Cumberland watched. He wants the throne for himself first and for that boy of his.’
    ‘But he can do nothing. He comes after Victoria.’
    ‘And there is no Salic law in this country as in Hanover. But Cumberland would like to introduce it.’
    ‘He could not do such a thing.’
    ‘I do not think the people would wish it, but often laws go against the people’s wishes. You know he is Grand Master of the Orange Lodges. I heard that one of their plans is to bring in a law by which females are excluded from the throne.’
    The Duchess put her hand to her be-ribboned bosom.
    ‘It could never be!’
    ‘I trust not. But I tell you that we should be watchful. William is an old fool; he’s almost as old as George. His health is no good. He suffers from asthma, and that can be dangerous. Moreover, it is just possible that he’ll follow his father into a strait-jacket. They are taking bets at the Clubs that William will be in a strait-jacket before George dies.’
    The Duchess clasped her hands. ‘If that should happen …’
    ‘A Regency,’ said Leopold, his eyes glittering.
    ‘A mother should guide her daughter.’
    ‘Her mother … and her uncle.’
    The prospect was breathtakingly exciting.
    Leopold said: ‘I have been offered the Greek throne. But I have decided to refuse it.’
    His sister smiled at him. Of course he had refused it. What was the governing of Greece compared with that of England? When oh when … ? Just those two old men standing in the way. One on his deathbed – although it must be admitted that he was always rising from it, rouging his cheeks and giving musical parties at the Pavilion – and the other a bumptious old fool tottering on the edge of sanity and who was not free from physical ailments either.
    It was small wonder that the marriage of Feodora and the pending