Free The Third George: (Georgian Series) by Jean Plaidy Page B

domineering self, Haggerdorn her faithful second; and the two English ladies put on their poised elegance as though it were a gown and were soon as beautiful as ever.
    As these two dressed themselves and the horror of the last days faded and as the Duchess of Ancaster said she felt like a human being again, they discussed together the advisability of warning the Queen of the King’s attachment to Sarah Lennox.
    The Duchess of Ancaster thought it unwise; the Marchioness of Lorne was not so sure.
    ‘She is so plain … That mouth of hers makes her look like a crocodile.’
    ‘Poor creature. George is going to be so disappointed. I’ll swear they’ve told him she’s a beauty.’
    ‘Queens are always credited with more beauty than they actually possess. George should know that and discount half of what he has heard.’
    ‘George is so unworldly. It would never occur to him to doubt.’
    ‘And what of the little Lennox?’
    ‘What of her?’
    ‘You know the King bitterly regrets not marrying her.’
    ‘Oh, that is over and George is such a good young man. They say he won’t give Sarah a thought once he is married to Charlotte.’
    ‘Do you believe that?’ asked the Duchess scornfully.
    ‘No,’ answered the Marchioness. ‘But I believe that it is better for Charlotte to discover this for herself. Though we could at least try to make her a little more attractive.’
    ‘A difficult task,’ retorted the Duchess.
    ‘Still … a little improvement might be possible. I shall try.’
    ‘Grim Schwellenburg will be most displeased.’
    ‘Let her. She doesn’t know the competition Charlotte will have to face in Sarah Lennox.’
    ‘Sarah’s a pretty little thing, but she’s not exactly a beauty.’
    ‘She has something more than beauty. Charm. And she’s young.’
    ‘So is Charlotte.’
    ‘More’s the pity. She would have a better chance of winning George from Sarah if she were a little older, a little more experienced. I think her appearance could be improved a little … though that mouth would spoil anything. But I think we ought to try.’
    *
    Albert was dressing Charlotte’s hair.
    The two English women looked on rather sadly and the Duchess of Ancaster suggested that Her Majesty might like to try an English style.
    Charlotte answered promptly, ‘No, I should not.’
    ‘A little toupee … beautifully curled … would make a greatdeal of difference to Your Majesty’s appearance,’ added the Marchioness.
    Charlotte studied the hair of the two ladies and remarked coolly that she believed the style in which Albert dressed her hair was as becoming as theirs.
    The ladies were silent. Perhaps she was right in thinking no hairstyle could add beauty to such a plain face.
    ‘If the King wishes me to wear a periwig I will do so,’ added Charlotte. ‘But until he asks it I shall remain as I am.’
    ‘The King likes to see ladies dressed in a feminine English style.’
    ‘As you are dressed?’ asked Charlotte.
    ‘That is so, Your Majesty.’
    Charlotte studied them, her head on one side. ‘I do not think it is the style of dress that is becoming. I understand you are two of the most beautiful women of the King’s Court, but it is not your dress which makes you so. No, I shall dress as I have always dressed, and shall not try to ape you, my ladies.’
    The two women exchanged glances. They had done what they could. The King was going to find his bride vastly different from lovely Sarah Lennox.
    ‘The King,’ Charlotte was saying, ‘may dress as he likes and I shall dress as I please.’
    ‘Your Majesty will doubtless make your decisions when you have seen Court fashions.’
    ‘Doubtless, but I have no intention of changing my ways unless the King expressly wishes it.’
    She was gaining confidence. It was wonderful what the sea trip had done for her. To have seen these elegant women in the throes of seasickness while she herself sat playing the harpsichord for their comfort had done a great deal for