Mary laughed. "You seem to be obsessed by one idea."
"It's a very nice idea," retorted Sophie.
Mary was not the only one who had noticed the presence of the Prime Minister. Lady Cowper was watching him, and knew very well why he had come.
She did not approve of Henrietta Howard; in fact she liked to imply that had she been a woman of a less rigid moral character she might have borne the same relationship towards the King as Henrietta Howard did to the Prince of Wales.
She was fond of saying that she had quickly made the King aware that if he wanted an English mistress he should look elsewhere, and had gladly taken up her post in the Princess's household.
She and Mrs. Clayton, both having serious natures, deplored the frivolous behaviour of some of the maids of honour, and in particular Sophie Howe. If Lady Cowper could have had her way that girl would have been dismissed long ago.
So now, she noticed Townsend and was very certain that there was a purpose behind his visit to Henrietta Howard's rooms. She was faintly disturbed too for she believed that if important politicians began paying attention to Henrietta Howard, very soon the woman could become important. That was something Lady Cowper would prevent if it were possible.
She made her way to Townsend's side.
"A pleasant party, my lord," she said.
"Very pleasant." He looked at her without interest. The man is not subtle enough, thought Lady Cowper. Knowing my position with the Princess he should be careful. But of course he did not realize the importance of the Princess.
She decided to speak to him frankly.
"If you seek the Prince's favour you have come to the wrong place."
Townsend looked startled.
"Mrs. Howard has no influence with him whatsoever."
Townsend hesitated. Then he said: "I should like to hear the Prince's views."
"Knowing you are his father's Prime Minister he is scarcely likely to trust you."
"This is unfortunate ... this feud between the King and Prince."
"Oh, doubtless it will enable some men to make their fortunes."
"It is not good for the country."
"And you ... as the King's man would like to hear the Prince's case."
"Naturally."
"And therefore you seek the friendship of his nearest confidante?"
Townsend was silent.
"You are in the wrong apartment, my lord. I did not think your manner particularly gracious to the Princess in the pavilion today. The Princess may have noticed it. She is not a figurehead, you know."
"It was the Prince's views in which I was interested."
"My lord, you are not aware of the truth. The woman who guides the Prince in all he does is the Princess. If you wish for the Prince's favour first seek that of the Princess."
Townsend was looking at Henrietta who, being a little deaf, was straining to hear what the Prince was saying to her.
"She is his mistress, yes," said Lady Cowper. "She is a habit with him, or it might be that he would have discarded her. She dare not attempt to advise him."
"And the Princess dares?"
"The Princess is the cleverest woman at this court, my lord. Until you have discovered that you will not get far with the Prince. She will be at cards in the pavilion tomorrow. If you wish it I will present you to her. She will be gracious and forgive you for past neglect. She will know of course how you blundered."
Townsend looked alarmed.
"I'm right you will find," laughed Lady Cowper. "In time you will realize that."
To his surprise Townsend discovered that Lady Cowper was right. The Princess of Wales while bearing the heirs to the realm had time to spare for dabbling in politics. In fact, once Townsend had gained her confidence she was ready to show that the subject was to her the most fascinating in the world and that when the time came for her to be Queen of England she would do everything in her power to play a big part in its government.
She was clever because she was controlled. Her gift of deceiving the Prince into thinking that she followed him in his ideas when the facts were the complete reverse, was masterly.
Here, thought Townsend, is a true statesman. And he wondered at his folly in not realizing this before.
Walpole was aware of it also, but he was more cautious; he was not going to be on with the new before the old was out. He had warned Townsend that that old spy Bothmer was watching them and reporting everything to Hanover.
Those were days of excitement to Townsend and even more so to Caroline. Sitting in the pavilion sipping tea or coffee, listening to music, watching the card players, sometimes joining in herself, but preferring to sit apart with the Prince or such men as Townsend talking cautiously; it was almost as though she were already the Queen.
It was what she longed for—to be the Queen. Her first command would be that Fritzchen be brought to England. She would also send for Leibniz. What pleasure to have him here! How he would enjoy talking to the brilliant men with whom she was filling her court!
That was what she needed for complete happiness. In the meantime it was pleasant here at Hampton, sitting in the pleasant warmth of late summer. Late summer alas! She would always remember this summer as the happiest she had known since the death of Sophia Charlotte—and it was passing for the warm days were already growing sadly short; soon they would leave Hampton for St. James's ... and the King could not stay away for ever.
Townsend was saying: "I greatly fear that England will be drawn into war. The people of this country do not want war. They hate war. It means to them death and taxation ... and no gain. What gain would there be for us in war? Of course there might be some gain to Hanover. But the people of this country can hardly be expected to make sacrifices for Hanover."
"They should not be asked to," replied Caroline quickly.
Townsend drew a deep breath. Were those the Prince's views? he wondered.
Caroline seemed to sense his thoughts for she added: "The Prince and I vould be strongly against this country making the sacrifice for Hanover. Hanover cannot expect it."
"Hanover does expect. The King and his German ministers are of the opinion that England and Hanover should stand as one."
"That," said Caroline with a laugh, "is a Hanoverian view and not, I believe an English one."
"Your Highness is right. But.. /'
"A strong opposition in England vould mean that this could not be/'
"It is the wish of the King and many of his Hanoverian ministers. But... what of the Prince?"
"I believe the Prince, nay I am sure the Prince vould not agree to his father. My lord, you vill know that there is hardly von matter on vich they agree. And certainly it vould not be this von."
Townsend was alert. If he could get the Prince of Wales to support him, if here with the Prince and Princess he could build up a strong opposition to those who could put Hanover before England, he might get his way and remain in office.
"If I could speak to the Prince..."
"He vill be delighted to giv you von audience."
"And Your Highness will be present?"
Caroline smiled. This was what she had always wanted. She would prepare the Prince who would be only too eager to intrigue against his father. Nothing would delight him more; and it would not be difficult for her to guide him along the way she wanted him to go.
She noticed that the Count von Bothmer was talking to Lord Hervey. The German made a point of attending any gathering at which she or the Prince were present. The King should have chosen a less obvious spy. But they must be careful. If the King knew that the Prime Minister was conferring with her and the Prince, surely he would realize the need for returning to England at once.
She said: "I vould like to hear some singing. Mrs. Bellenden has the voice tres charmante, Mrs. Howard, I pray you tell Mrs. Bellenden I vould hear her sing. And perhaps aftervards Lord Hervey would recite to us some of his verses."