Victoria Victorious: The Story of Queen Victoria by Jean Plaidy Read Free Book Online

wrinkled, pouchy eyes—and I loved him because he was so kind to me and made me feel that I could be myself and not have to be the little girl Mama wished me to be.
    I said, “‘God save the King.' That is a very good song.”
    He gave me that strange look again and said, “Yes, I do indeed think you are a very nice little girl. Thank you. I will tell the band that you wish to make a request.”
    Then he said loudly, “The Princess Victoria is going to ask the band to play something of her choice. Now, my dear.”
    I stood up and said very loudly and clearly, “Please play ‘God Save the King.' ”
    People clapped. Everyone was smiling. I heard someone whisper, “She is a little diplomat already.” And I wondered what they meant.
    And then the band was playing and everyone except the King stood up; and I felt very pleased and wondered whether Mama would say I had made the right choice.
    The King evidently thought so for he suddenly took my hand and pressed it in a way to imply that we were very good friends indeed.
    The next day there was a visit to the zoo which the King had established at Sandpit Gate.
    It was a very exciting day and one of the reasons why it was so enjoyable was that Mama did not come. She had not been invited to join the party and I fancied that the King knew I should be glad to escape from her critical eyes. I was very perceptive in some ways and I had quickly gathered that although he liked me—and Feodore perhaps even more— he disliked Mama and he was of such a nature—as were all his brothers— to let her know it if the opportunity arose.
    So it was a most exciting day looking at the strange animals—zebras, gazelles, and such as I had never seen before.
    When I was united with Mama I had to answer endless questions. Who had been there? What had been said? It went on and on but I was still living in that delightful memory of having had such a wonderful day without being watched all the time.
    The day after that Mama and I, with Lehzen, were walking toward Virginia Water when we heard the sound of wheels on the road. Mama took my hand and drew me to the side of the road and we waited while a very splendid phaeton came toward us. I had never seen a carriage driven so fast, but as it approached it drew up.
    Seated there, with my Aunt Mary, was the King.
    He stopped and said it was a fine day. Then he looked at me and gave me that amused smile.
    “Pop her in,” he said, and a postilion in silver and blue livery leaped down and put me into the phaeton between the King and Aunt Mary.
    “Drive on,” cried the King; and we drove off leaving Mama and Lehzen standing on the side of the road, looking not only angry but rather frightened. I do believe Mama thought the King was kidnapping me. The King was laughing. I think he was rather pleased to see Mama's dismay.
    I was a little disturbed but I quickly forgot it because it was so exhilarating driving along in the phaeton at a greater speed than I had ever known before.
    “How do you like this?” cried the King, taking my hand in his.
    “It is lovely,” I shouted. I suddenly realized that I could shout as much as I liked and I could do and say just what came into my head. In addition to this wonderful ride I was free of Mama's supervision.
    The King talked to me all the time and Aunt Mary now and then said something, and she was smiling as though she liked me very much.
    The King asked me questions and I told him I loved riding on my dear pony Rosy. She could really go very fast when she wanted to, but sometimes she had to be coaxed a little. I told him about the lessons I had to do and how I hated arithmetic and liked history because my governess, Baroness Lehzen, made that very interesting.
    He listened with the utmost sympathy and I confided that what I liked best was dancing and singing.
    He was not a bit like a king. When he talked of certain people he changed his face and way of talking. He was very good at imitating people and some