But Charles had talked freely on English politics, which had angered them, and so instead of lodging him at one of the royal palaces they had put him in Somerset House and made their disapproval very clear to him as he was obliged to stay there without a royal guard. She too had been in disgrace for attempting to meddle in state affairs. And she had too! To think that she had helped to break up her brother’s romance with Sarah Lennox and as a result he had had Charlotte.
Not such a good move really— although Sarah Lennox was a silly little thing and if she had married George would probably have been no friend to the Princess Augusta.
All past history— but one could not help recalling it at times like these when there was a wedding in the family. And so she had come here and been horrified to see what a poor place the palace was and even more so when Charles had made it clear that he had no intention of giving up his mistress because he had acquired a wife and that the latter was of no great importance in his life— although he would endeavour to give her children— while the other woman remained supreme— What a position for a proud Princess to be forced into— and an English Princess at that. But she had succumbed and done her duty and produced her sons — two mentally-deficient, one blind, then her daughters and another boy— all of whom seemed brilliant in comparison with their brothers.
At least I have my children, though I have no control over them, she thought fretfully. They take no notice of what I say, and it is all due to the fact that they know who really rules here with the Duke. One would have thought he might have become tired of her by now. But that would not do. Who knew what arrogant upstart might take her place? The Duke alas was a very sensual man and was not entirely faithful even to Madame de Hertzfeldt; but of course none of his other peccadilloes were serious or long lasting; and on more than one occasion she had reported them to her great rival in order that they could be brought to a hasty conclusion. She supposed that she accepted Madame de Hertzfeldt who was such an admirable woman in so many ways, and while she took command of affairs she always openly paid the correct respect to the Duchess.
So the Duchess must be content with her lot for she would have been far less happy in England, she knew, living a life of dreary spinsterhood. She had realized that in February 1772 when she had gone back to England at the time of her mother’s death; but for the fact that her mother had wished to see her and they could not ignore her dying wish; Charlotte and George would have prevented her coming. As it was they had given her a little house in Pall Mall instead of lodging her at one of the royal palaces.
She recalled her anger and how she had almost returned to Brunswick before the funeral. It would seem that she was to be slighted everywhere.
How strange when she considered what a forceful young woman she had been at home in England as the Princess Royal.
But Charles had changed her. From the moment she had realized he intended to be master and had accepted her inability to prevent it, she had sunk meekly into her place, had borne his children— and the fact that the three boys were abnormal had perhaps contributed to her meekness accepted Madame de Hertzfeldt and even allowed her children to have some respect for the woman.
Now she sighed and thought of Charlotte soon to leave her home for a new life with a husband.
‘I pray,’ said the Duchess, ‘that she is more fortunate than I.’
Charlotte was a dazzling bride, for she was very pretty.
‘When she has gone,’ Caroline told the Baroness, ‘I shall be the prettiest princess at the Court because being the only princess I must be the prettiest.’
‘You occupy your mind with matters of no importance,’ she was reproved, at which she retorted that her beauty was of great importance. Did the Baroness forget that one day very soon— she would have to please a husband?
The Baroness sighed and reminded her of the serious little girl she had been and how when she had been asked in what country the lion could be found replied stoutly: ‘In the heart of a Brunswicker.’
‘I have heard the tale many times,’ said Caroline yawning. ‘What a horrid little creature I must have been— even worse then, than now.’
‘It was a good answer,’ replied the Baroness, ‘and I trust you will never forget it.’
‘Ah,’ retorted Caroline, ‘there is a sequel to the story. You’ve forgotten how I escaped from you all at carousel and rode round and round on the horses which was very dangerous you said and for which I should be punished, until I pointed out that fear was something a Brunswicker knew nothing about so how could you expect me, a Brunswicker, to be aware that I was causing you anxiety.’
‘You have always—’
‘Talked too much. So you have already told me. And I will repeat that when Charlotte has gone, I shall be the prettiest princess in Brunswick.’
But never, she thought when she was watching her sister at the wedding ceremony, as pretty as Charlotte.
She gazed at her father standing erect beside the bride ready to pass her over to her prince.
Dear Papa, he is the greatest man in the world, I believe, she thought. Neither of us will ever find a man to compare with him. And she began to picture herself standing there, all eyes on her in her bridal gown with the shadowy figure of a bridegroom beside her.
Later at the banquet in the great hall at the place of honour and Caroline continued to watch them. Charlotte was very gay, almost hysterically so. I know exactly how she feels, thought Caroline . For I should feel exactly the same.
How she would miss Charlotte! She turned to her brother Frederick William and said to him: ‘There are only the two of us left now, for you can’t count the others.’
Frederick looked rather shocked, but she laughed at him. It was silly to pretend. Everyone knew their brothers were shut away from the rest of the family because of the affliction, so why pretend?
Her eye caught that of John Stanley, the English boy who clearly showed how much he admired her. She would take the first opportunity of talking to him.
When the dancing began she went to him smiling. His eyes were full of admiration. ‘Of course,’ she said, ‘I am not supposed to talk to you in this way.’
‘N— no, Your Highness.’
‘But who cares for rules and etiquette? Do you?’
‘Not if you do not wish me to.’
‘Let us join the dancers. Then we shall be less conspicuous. Then I can talk to you. You will find that I talk a great deal. You come from England, do you not?
As you know the Duchess is English. She cannot forget it, and nor are we allowed to. Oh, you are shocked. How delightful! Do you think I am so very shocking?
But of course you do, and it would be foolish of you not to, because I am.
Shocking and indiscreet.’
‘Your Highness, I think you are—’
‘Yes, come along. Don’t hesitate. I dislike hesitation.’
‘I think you are very handsome.’
‘You think my looks are handsome, but that my speech is forward and immodest and just what a princess’s should not be?’
‘I think that only sweet words could flow from such lips.’
‘Oh, what a charming compliment. I do believe, John Thomas Stanley, that you have fallen in love with me. Oh, don’t deny it. It is all very right and proper, for if my sister has a lover, why should not I?’
John Stanley was overcome with dismay and pleasure. The Princess Caroline was not only the most beautiful girl he had ever met, she was the most unusual.
Her conduct was noticed.
What can one do with such a girl? sighed her mother to herself. She is wild— like all of them. We can only pray that she is not too wild. Her father promised himself that he would reprimand her later, but she would be sad missing Charlotte, so let her amuse herself a little on Charlotte’s wedding day.