The Third George: (Georgian Series) by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online

not love him and only liked him, nor did the title weigh anything with me; so little at least, that my disappointment did not affect my spirits above one hour or two I believe. I did not cry, I assure you, which I believe you will, as I know you were more set upon it than I was. The thing I am most angry at is looking so like a fool … but I don’t much care. If he were to change his mind again (which can’t be though) and not give me a very good reason for his conduct I would not have him, for if he is so weak as to be governed by everybody I should have a bad time of it …
    She paused, smiling. How easy it was to understand one’s true feelings when one set them on paper to friends with whomone could be entirely candid as with dear Sukey. She was piqued. She did care a little. But not much … not so much as she had cared about the death of her squirrel or her darling Beau.
    She took up her pen and wrote:
I charge you not to mention this to anyone but your parents and desire them not to speak of it, for it will be said we invent stories and he will hate us anyway, for one generally hates people that one is in the wrong with and that knows one has acted wrongly …
    It was true, she thought. But George was perhaps too weak to hate anyone. He was at heart kind, she was sure, so perhaps it would not have been so bad to marry him.
    She sighed and hastily finished off her letter.
    His bride’s mother had died. The wedding would be postponed. Was it possible …?
    When all was said and done there was some satisfaction in being a queen.
    *
    There was consternation at Holland House.
    Lady Caroline was furious; she paced up and down the drawing room unable to control her anger.
    ‘I never heard the like. How dare he! It’s an added insult.’
    Mr Fox tried to calm her. ‘It had to be, Sarah’s position demands that she should be invited. In fact it would have been a bigger slight not to invite her than to do so.’
    ‘She must refuse,’ insisted Lady Caroline.
    Lady Kildare, recently delivered of a child, said that she was unsure what should be done about the matter, but her husband said: ‘Sarah should go. What is going to be said if she refuses.’
    ‘It is the most humiliating business I ever heard,’ declared Lady Caroline.
    ‘Let’s see what Sarah herself thinks,’ suggested Mr Fox.
    ‘Sarah!’ spat out Caroline. ‘Sarah has no opinions about anything but horses and hedgehogs … and perhaps squirrels. Sarah is a fool – as we have learned in the bitterest manner possible.’
    ‘Poor Sarah!’ murmured Mr Fox. ‘At least she should be allowed to give an opinion.’
    Mr Fox summoned a servant and asked that the Lady Sarah come to the drawing room.
    As soon as Sarah entered it was clear to the gathered family that she knew what matter was under discussion.
    ‘I’ve decided to go,’ she announced.
    ‘What!’ cried Caroline.
    Sarah shrugged her shoulders. ‘If I refuse he will think I am sulking.’
    ‘Which you have every reason to do.’
    ‘He might even think that I care. I am going to show him that I do not. I shall look at him … insolently … while he is marrying that woman and I shall make him feel so uncomfortable that he’ll wish he had never seen me … or her. But I shall go. I have decided.’
    ‘I don’t think you have given the matter serious thought,’ said Caroline.
    ‘I have made up my mind,’ retorted Sarah. ‘And after all, the invitation is sent to me. I am invited to be the bridesmaid, remember, and it is for me to decide. All I’m telling you is that I have decided.’
    ‘It’s madness,’ cried Caroline.
    ‘I’m not so sure,’ put in Lord Kildare.
    They were all waiting for Mr Fox to express an opinion; after all he was the most important member of the family.
    He lifted his shoulders. ‘To go or to stay away … either is not very comfortable. Which ever is done will raise comment.’
    ‘At least Sarah should show she has some pride, ’ insisted