The Princess of Celle: (Georgian Series) by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online

wanted marriage quickly and children to make her position sure.
    She must insist on her brother’s making absolutely certain that the documents were in order; and then she must receive her bridegroom as though she was just as happy to have him as his brother.
    She would do it, she had no fear.
    It was only in the solitude of her own bedchamber that she allowed herself to give way to thoughts of bitterness and disappointment.
    Ernest Augustus came with all speed to Heidelberg and before there could be any more delays the Elector arranged that the marriage should take place.
    There were balls and banquets to celebrate the event – which the Elector informed his sister in private, he could ill afford.
    ‘At least,’ she retorted, ‘you will be rid of me now. So this is the last expense you will have to bear for me.’
    The Elector did not answer, but in his heart he knew she was right.
    So the wedding took place and Sophia was not entirely displeased with her bridegroom. They were the same age; and Ernest Augustus seemed to have grown both mentally and physically since he took over his brother’s commitments. He was shrewd and ambitious; and that was what Sophia would expect her husband to be.
    He assured her that he considered his brother’s defection as the greatest luck to himself. He proved to be a passionate lover and Sophia, being an ambitious woman, reciprocated, being pleased that the foundations of her life were now settled. It was not what she would have wished; she still thought a great deal about England – but of course that country was closed to her ambitions now. She had a princely husband, who was young and lusty; and she believed that when she had her children – sons to start with, to make sure of the succession – she would be a contented woman.
    They left Heidelberg – first for Hanover and then settled atOsnabrück; and it was here that Sophia was able to give her husband the joyful news that she was pregnant.
    Sophia lay on her bed, and those who served her believed that she would never leave it. She had calmly awaited this event all through the difficult months of pregnancy; and now she was battling not only to give birth but for her own life.
    As she lay between spasms of agony she thought of the past, of her hopes, of her dread that she would never marry and make a destiny for herself and her children. It could not end like this.
    ‘I’ll not allow it,’ she told herself as she lost consciousness.
    She heard the cry of a child and joy enveloped her, taking away her pain, leaving her limp and exhausted but triumphant.
    ‘The child?’ her lips moved, but no sound came.
    And then – infinite joy – someone spoke. ‘A boy … a healthy boy.’
    She lay lightly dreaming; then she was was aware of someone at her bedside. It was Ernest Augustus.
    ‘Sophia,’ he said, and his voice seemed far off. ‘We have him. We have our son.’
    ‘So!’ she whispered. ‘Then you are well content?’
    ‘You must lie quiet. It has been a trying time.’
    ‘But he is well … he is strong …’
    ‘Listen. He has a good pair of lungs, they tell me. He’s trying to tell you now.’
    ‘Show me,’ she whispered.
    And he was brought to her and put into her arms.
    The pain had been worthwhile, she thought. Gloriously worthwhile. This was the meaning of life. She would scheme for this child, plan for him; her first born.
    They called him George Lewis.

Romance in Breda
    GEORGE WILLIAM WAS restless. He had no desire to return to Venice. He was free to go where he would, for Ernest Augustus and Sophia were doing their duty for the Guelphs. They now had two sons, George Lewis was healthy, although excessively ugly, and little Frederick Augustus had joined him in the nursery.
    It was amusing to watch Ernest Augustus as a father and head of the house. How he had changed! He no longer looked up to George William as he once had. He was the ambitious man on the alert to establish the position he had won by