The Queen and Lord M by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online Page B

Duchess’s admiration for Sir John Conroy.
    ‘If Her Majesty were not so much under the influence of the Baroness …’
    ‘Ah!’ snapped the Duchess. ‘There you have it. The Baroness gives herself airs , and these have become more intolerable during the last weeks.’
    ‘The Baroness, Your Grace, is a woman of low birth and this is often apparent. It seems incongruous that the Queen’s confidante – who advises her against her real friends – should be the daughter of a pastor!’
    ‘We bestowed the title of Baroness on her when she had proved herself a good nurse as it was unseemly that an untitled person should wait on a Princess – as Victoria was then.’
    ‘She has the title but not the dignity of a Baroness,’ commented Lady Flora.
    ‘Sir John always wanted to be rid of her, but Victoria went into a storm at the merest mention of her departure and although she was malleable in some ways she was adamant in this.’
    ‘The pastor’s daughter always had a great influence with Her Majesty.’
    ‘ Has , Flora, has!’
    ‘But Your Grace will not allow her influence with the Queen to supersede your own?’
    ‘I had thought that impossible, Flora, but to move her bed … without consulting me!’
    ‘If Her Majesty wishes to be alone she will not want the company of the Baroness.’
    ‘That’s true. But I feel there is a special animus towards me .’
    ‘Forgive me, Your Grace, but surely not towards her own mother!’
    ‘Victoria can be so stubborn and she is in the hands of these people. I had to protect her from that old buffoon William and insipid Adelaide. Heaven knows what ideas they would have put into her head … and now this!’
    The Duchess was so distressed that Lady Flora suggested calling in Sir John, to which the Duchess readily agreed.

    Without question Victoria’s bed had been removed.
    I am truly the Queen! she thought triumphantly.
    Lord Melbourne was asking if she would do him the honour of granting another audience.
    ‘With the utmost pleasure,’ she cried.
    And there he was, her good Prime Minister, tears in his eyes, as he congratulated her on her performance at the Council meeting.
    ‘One would have thought Your Majesty had been attending Council Meetings every day of your life.’
    ‘If I did well it was entirely due to my Prime Minister’s thoughtful instructions.’
    ‘Everyone is commenting on your magnificent performance. You were every inch a queen.’
    ‘I fear there are very few inches. How I wish I were taller!’
    ‘Your small stature is very appealing, Ma’am. It but adds to your dignity. Now have I your permission to mention a little business?’
    ‘Pray do, Lord Melbourne.’
    ‘I must be brief as others of Your Majesty’s servants are waiting to present themselves. I hope you will give me permission to call on you later. This evening at half past eight o’clock would be agreeable to me if that suited Your Majesty.’
    ‘It would suit me very well, Lord Melbourne.’
    ‘Then we can talk comfortably, if Your Majesty wishes.’
    She glowed with pleasure. What could be more enjoyable than a comfortable talk with her dear Prime Minister?
    ‘Your Majesty will wish to name your physician. Perhaps Sir James Clark? If you find him to your taste.’
    ‘I do indeed.’
    ‘And your Master of Horse – Albemarle perhaps?’
    She was ready to think that anything Lord Melbourne suggested must be for the best.
    ‘Lord John Russell is waiting for an audience. So is the Archbishop of Canterbury. I fear Your Majesty is being overwhelmed by these duties.’
    ‘By no means, Lord Melbourne. Indeed, if I were not so sorrowful on account of Uncle’s death, I could feel stimulated … elated almost.’
    Lord Melbourne’s eyes glazed with the inevitable tears and she thought: Oh, you dear good man!
    ‘Your Majesty was born to be a queen,’ he said with emotion.
    ‘Did you know, Lord Melbourne, that before I was born a gypsy told my father that his child would be a