Free The Queen's Husband by Jean Plaidy Page A

would be as well to have an alternative choice.’

    It seemed to Albert that September, when the leaves began to change, that they had never before been so beautiful. It was a wonderful month and he was happy to be home, but poignantly so, for soon he must leave. The great test was coming nearer; sometimes he welcomed it, sometimes dreaded it. It hurt his dignity that he should have to present himself for the Queen’s approval; if she were to decide against him he would be a laughing-stock; and on the other hand if she still remained undecided and wanted to keep him dangling, that position was almost as undesirable.
    He talked it over with Ernest as they stalked deer in the forest or shot wild fowl or collected pieces of rock for their ‘museum’.
    All Ernest would say was wait and see; and at the end of September they were ready to make the journey to England.

    The wretchedness of that sea crossing was even worse than he had imagined it would be. He lay groaning on his bunk thinking, as he had on a previous occasion, that death would be preferable to such humiliating suffering. It did not make him feel better to realise that his brother and others of the party did not share his sickness, and he believed that the crew secretly jeered at him.
    The terrible rocking of the boat, those high grey waves, the fearful nausea … oh, how he longed for the peace of Rosenau! To go back there, to live in obscurity, to be poor – for he should be as a second son; and even Ernest, the future Duke, would not be affluent – anything was better than this. Indeed the peace of the forest and the simple life seemed very desirable.
    The crossing at last came to an end, and pale and feeble he staggered ashore. Ernest was beside him, ready for adventure. Surely, thought Albert, she will choose Ernest.
    The baggage could not be found but they decided to go on without it.
    ‘It’s fortunate,’ said Ernest, ‘that the Queen is at Windsor. You’ll recover during the journey and the country air will do you good.’
    Albert, though still pale and wan, felt better as they rode through the fresh green fields. He saw the castle – grey and seeming impregnable before him – and his spirits rose. If he were a king in such a castle with its vistas of green fields and forests, he could be content, he believed.
    So much would depend on Victoria, of course.
    They had arrived; the grooms had taken their horses and told them: ‘Her Majesty is ready to receive you.’
    So they entered the castle.
    She was standing at the top of the staircase, a diminutive figure with flushed cheeks and sparkling blue eyes.
    ‘My dear cousins,’ she cried, holding out her hands.
    Ernest first because he was the elder. She smiled up at him.
    ‘Dear Ernest, I am so happy to see you. And Albert … Albert …’
    She glowed with delight; her gaze rested on him.
    ‘ Dear cousin Albert, welcome to Windsor.’
    It was on Albert that her gaze lingered. His heart leaped in triumph, for he was almost sure that he was the chosen one.

  Chapter V  
    THE BRIEF HONEYMOON
    It was indeed triumph. The Queen was too candid by nature to hide her feelings and she made it clear to all about her, including Albert, that she found him fascinating.
    She confided to the Baroness Lehzen that Albert was all she had hoped for. Did not Lehzen find him handsome? He had such beautiful blue eyes; his nose was quite exquisite; his mouth was pretty .
    ‘Does one expect a man’s mouth to be pretty?’ asked Lehzen; and was told sharply that with so many ugly mouths in evidence it was a pleasure to see one which was charming.
    It was clear that Victoria would have no criticism of Albert.
    The Baroness was a little apprehensive. Having been the Queen’s governess and closest companion since she was five years old, she had considerable influence with her and did not wish to lose it now. The influence had come through affection which was the only way in which it was possible to guide Victoria.