‘Papa will never permit it.’
‘There is one thing that is of more importance than he is, my pet, and that is the law. Mr Brougham knows a great deal about the law – far more than Adonis does. And then there is my dear Sam Whitbread. He’s a Member of Parliament and a very clever gentleman and he is my friend. He has sworn to stand by me and to help me to my rights. So you see, my sweet child, we are not alone, you and I. Nobody is going to trample on us. We have protectors. Listen! Do I hear carriage wheels?’
Charlotte said that she did. And in a very short time Mr Brougham was ushered into the room to be followed a little later by Samuel Whitbread; and after treating her with the utmost respect as though she were not only a princess but an adult, they began to talk of her rights and the need for her to have an establishment of her own.
There was nothing she wanted so much. She wanted freedom from restraint; but she felt very uneasy when she wondered what her father would say if he could see her here with these people who had openly declared themselves to be his enemies.
The battle for Miss Knight
MRS GAGARIN LAY in bed gazing sadly at Charlotte who was seated beside her, an expression of great sadness in her eyes. Dear Gagy, thought Charlotte, it was clear that she was growing more and more wan every day. Louisa had told her sadly that she did not think she would be with them this time next year.
‘You must take more care,’ said Charlotte severely.
Mrs Gagarin smiled and held out her hand. ‘It’s my dearest Highness I’m concerned about.’
‘You were always foolish about me. I’m old enough now to take care of myself. You know there is talk of Cliffy’s resigning.’
‘Yes. Louisa told me. And then …?’
‘And then I shall be free. I’ll never have another governess. I’m quite determined.’ Charlotte hesitated. Better not to mention those important men she had met at her mother’s house. Poor Gagy would start to worry if she did; and that would be no good for her in her present state.
Louisa Lewis who was hovering near the bed said: ‘Don’t tire yourself. You should be sleeping.’
‘So you should,’ added Charlotte, ‘and I am keeping you awake. Oh, darling Gagy, do get well.’ She knelt by the bed and taking Mrs Gagarin’s hand kissed it fervently. Louisa laid a hand on her shoulder and Charlotte rose and leaning over gently kissed Mrs Gagarin’s forehead. Then she tiptoed away with Louisa into the adjoining room.
‘Is she dying, Louisa?’ she asked.
‘Fading away,’ replied Louisa. ‘But she’ll be with us a little longer.’
‘I used to think she would always be there. When I became Queen I was going to give her a house of her own – and you were to share it, Louisa.’
‘I know, my dearest, but things don’t always work out as we plan. There are changes.’
‘Changes,’ agreed Charlotte. ‘Changes everywhere. Where is Mrs Udney? I have not seen her for days.’
Louisa pressed her lips tightly together. ‘So,’ said Charlotte, ‘she has gone. I suppose this is my grandmother’s doing. Louisa, I am afraid that she will try to force another governess on me. I won’t have it. I shall stand firm.’
Louisa was silent, wondering how Charlotte would successfully oppose such forces as the Queen and the Prince Regent. There was certainly a new determination about the Princess. She was growing up and she had always known that it was very likely that one day she would be Queen.
‘I suppose changes come about all the time,’ she mused. ‘It makes one a little sad. Mrs Udney … gone. I’m sure she has. But they didn’t tell me. They should have told me. She was of my household. Actually I’m not sure whether I’m glad or sorry. I didn’t really like her but she made life exciting in a way with all the gossip and the cartoons and things like that. And now she has gone without saying goodbye. And my mother says I’m too old to have a governess, and there are people like Brougham and Whitbread who will help me to get my independence and what is due to me. Louisa, I’ll tell you something: Mercer is coming to see me.’
‘But your father forbade her to.’
‘I know, but I am growing up and I really don’t see why my friends should be chosen for me.’
‘Oh, my dearest, take care.’
‘That is exactly what I intend to do … take care that I am no longer treated as a child.’
‘Mercer!’ The friends embraced. ‘How wonderful to see you! Your letters have been such a comfort – and how brave of you to come here.’
Mercer shrugged aside the compliment. ‘I don’t think the Regent would be very harsh on us if he knew. He is kind at heart and I expect he is sometimes sorry that he stopped our meetings.’
Charlotte glowed with pleasure as she always did when his virtues were referred to. ‘He is,’ she agreed warmly. ‘He really is kind at heart.’
‘Now,’ said Mercer practically, ‘it is certain that Lady de Clifford is going. She has had her congé and although I daresay she is hoping you’ll make a scene and beg her to stay, in certain quarters it has been decided that the matter is settled.’
‘How clever of you to find out!’
‘I have heard it from several sources and that they are thinking of appointing the Duchess of Leeds to take her place as your governess.’
‘The Duchess of Leeds!’
‘She is a meek creature and would give you little trouble.’
‘But as governess! I have sworn I’ll never have another.’
‘They are going to insist on it.’
‘They? You mean the Queen. I suppose she is behind this.’
‘Your only chance would be to appeal to your father.’
‘Of course. I’ll write to him. You’ll help me to compose a letter, Mercer?’
Mercer inclined her head like a wise mandarin. That was in fact what she had intended to suggest.
Mercer said: ‘A letter such as this is of the utmost importance. Your affairs are, after all, the concern of the State. A copy of this should be sent to Lord Liverpool.’
‘Lord Liverpool!’
‘Certainly. He’s the Prime Minister, is he not?’
For comfort Lady de Clifford took a larger pinch of snuff than usual. After all these years, she was thinking, to be dismissed more or less, for that was what in her heart she felt it to be. All the years I have looked after the Princess … and then to be thrust aside.
Seeing her governess so dejected, Charlotte tried to cheer her and smiled at her brightly.
‘My dear Princess Charlotte, it does me so much good to see you,’ sighed Lady de Clifford. ‘A privilege I fear I shall soon have to do without.’
Charlotte nodded with an almost ready resignation.
‘Of course,’ went on Lady de Clifford, ‘it is a great wrench for me.’
‘These separations are inevitable.’
‘And very sad.’
Charlotte could not honestly concede that. ‘You’ll be happier without me,’ she consoled. ‘Think of the trial I was to you. All the wicked things I did.’
‘One expects waywardness from children.’
‘All my unsuitable friendships,’ continued Charlotte. ‘My lack of dignity. It may well be what is known as a happy release.’
Lady de Clifford was shocked. She had expected a pleasantly tearful scene with Charlotte imploring her not to go. This was very different. So ungrateful! thought Lady de Clifford. And how typical of royalty!
Guessing her thoughts Charlotte tried to placate her without pretending. ‘You see, Cliffy, I am too old for governesses. It is not just you. It’s that I want to be free. I’m too old to have a governess and that’s a fact.’