Free The Queen's Husband by Jean Plaidy

seemed incapable of physical effort; he was not sufficiently interested in politics to please the Baron and this would have to be rectified; his manners too must be improved for he was a little ungracious in the company of women. He would always have more success with men than with women, and in the society of the latter he seemed indifferent, awkwardly shy, and he failed to exert himself to such an extent that he appeared ungracious. Another point was that his constitution was clearly not very strong which might account for his desire to be in bed by nine and his failure to exert himself.
    Leopold frowned over the letter when he received it. They would have to watch Albert’s health. He would write to Stockmar asking him to superintend his diet. Of course this lack of grace was due to his having been brought up without a mother and with no really cultivated women, except his two grandmothers, near him.
    There was more to worry Leopold. He had had a strange letter from his niece. He was getting rather uneasy about Victoria. Since her accession she had changed. She had more or less told him that she did not expect him to meddle in English politics and that she must refer his suggestions to her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, and her Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston. This was a blow considering that he had thought he would be the one to whom she would turn for advice.
    Now she was writing that she was not at all eager for marriage. She wanted to know whether Albert was aware that a marriage between them was being discussed by his father and their uncle Leopold. Albert must be made aware, she insisted, that there was no engagement between them, because she was not at all sure whether she would like Albert as a husband. She might like him as a brother or a cousin but that was not the same as a husband, and she must remind everyone that if she decided not to marry Albert she would not be guilty of any breach of promise because she had never given a promise. She could make no final promise that year and at the very earliest would not wish to marry for two or three years hence. She wanted Uncle Leopold to know that there was no anxiety in her country for her marriage.
    Leopold cursed softly as he laid down the letter.
    He was disappointed in his little Victoria. How she had changed! He had little doubt of his ability to persuade her, but she was very impressionable, young and romantic, and there should be no further delay in bringing about a meeting.
    After all Victoria was now twenty and Albert on the point of becoming so. That was old enough for marriage.
    He was disturbed about Stockmar’s comment on Albert’s behaviour with women. Albert was really very good-looking; he had a fine figure, was tall, and his features were exactly like those of his mother. He was, in fact, a little like Victoria to look at. She must like his appearance. But he must be warned that he should not appear to be over-confident. He had to woo Victoria. And the sooner he began the better.
    The first thing to do was to warn him of Victoria’s unwillingness to make up her mind, which would prevent his being too confident.
    Albert’s reply alarmed him at first. He would, he told his uncle, be prepared to wait providing there was a definite promise and a certainty that the marriage would take place.
    If, he pointed out, after waiting for three years he should find the Queen no longer desired the marriage, he would be put in a very undignified position, and it would perhaps ruin his prospects for the future.
    This reply did not displease Leopold and Stockmar.
    ‘He is becoming ambitious,’ said Stockmar. ‘And that is what I hoped for.’
    Leopold’s answer was: ‘There must be no more delays. Albert and Victoria must be brought face to face as soon as possible.’
    It was arranged that the meeting should take place in October.
    ‘Ernest should go with Albert,’ commanded Leopold. ‘If by any chance Victoria should decide not to take Albert, it