Free Victoria in the Wings: (Georgian Series) by Jean Plaidy

become theDuchess of Kent. The fact is it is not easy to find Protestant princesses who would make suitable wives. We have fortunately found two.’
    ‘And the other?’
    ‘Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.’
    ‘Should I not be allowed to select one of the two?’
    ‘One is for William. He would doubtless say that he should have first choice. The fact is, Edward, Victoria must be wooed and we don’t trust William as a wooer. That is why Adelaide is for William. We fear that if he went to court Victoria, the courtship would end in failure. You’ll make a better job of it.’
    The Regent watched his brother covertly. Edward was rising to the flattery.
    ‘What do you know of Victoria?’
    ‘That she is delightful – beautiful and intelligent.’
    ‘All marriageable princesses are.’
    ‘You have become cynical, Edward. I daresay Victoria is as attractive as most young women. She will not be stupid either for she is a mother and has two charming children, so I hear.’
    ‘So I am to have a ready-made family?’
    ‘My dear Edward, the only family you have to concern yourself with is the child the Duke and Duchess of Kent will have. You should be grateful that Victoria has already proved her ability to bear children. How frustrated you would feel if you discovered after marriage – as William may well do – that he has married a barren woman.’
    ‘And I am to visit this Victoria?’
    ‘As soon as possible.’
    ‘And what am I to tell Madame de St Laurent?’
    ‘I should tell her nothing as yet. It is possible that the Princess Victoria will reject you. She is able to make her own choice. As I told you that is the reason why we have decided on her for you. She will find you irresistible I am sure, Edward, but in case she should not, you will not want to lose Julie before you have gained Victoria.’
    ‘You make it sound so unromantic.’
    ‘The marriages of princes always are. It is the extra-maritalaffairs which bring such joy. No, do not worry Julie. Tell her that you are going on a mission for me to Leopold’s family. I think that would be the best. And then … if things went wrong she need not know. There is no need to alarm her before it is necessary.’
    ‘Thank you, George,’ said Edward. ‘And when shall I leave?’
    ‘At once. Don’t lose any time. An attractive young woman like Victoria will doubtless be much sought after. Go at once.’
    ‘I will,’ said Edward.
    As soon as he had left a messenger arrived with a letter from the Queen. The Regent read it and frowned. William was being difficult. He had proposed marriage to and been accepted by a Miss Wykeham. If he could not get royal assent, he was going to Parliament.
    The Regent passed his hand across his brow.
    If only Charlotte had lived! It was odd that at the time of her birth she had been so important because her coming had meant that he need never go near her mother again; and now her death had thrown them all into this state of panic. Her birth and her death had been so important; it was only during her lifetime that they had been able to ignore her.
    William was a fool. Of course he could not marry his Miss Wykeham. How fortunate that the decision did not rest with him. He would tell his ministers that the marriage between the Duke of Clarence and Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen must be brought to its satisfactory conclusion no matter what objections were made by the Duke of Clarence.
    Julie was delighted to see Edward back.
    As they went together into the house and she showed him the new improvements which had been completed since his absence, she clung to his arm.
    ‘Edward,’ she whispered, ‘is all well?’
    ‘Er … yes, yes. All is well.’
    ‘I thought you would come back and tell me that a marriage had been arranged for you.’
    ‘No … no, no.’ It was true. Nothing had been arranged yet.
    ‘I suppose they just wished you to be there because of Charlotte’s death.’
    ‘Because of that,’ he said.
    ‘I have so missed