But this was repetition of a wearying and depressing theme. Charlotte unfortunately was Caroline’s daughter as well as his and it was something he could never entirely forgive her.
So … this thin boy with his gaucheries and not very good teeth (but perhaps these could be rectified?) would do very well for Charlotte. The boy was a Protestant and that would please the people – indeed anything but a Protestant marriage was unthinkable. It was time she was married, and when she had children they would occupy her time and thoughts; and this marriage, while not a bad thing for England, would be a relief for the Prince Regent.
They chatted for a while of Wellington’s successes, and the boy became more attractive talking of soldiering. There was no doubt where his heart was.
The Regent remarked on this and added: ‘I have also been with Wellington … in spirit. I cannot tell you how bitterly I railed against the fate which denied me the right to serve my country. When I was your age I implored my father to allow me to join the Army. But I was forbidden. My position as Prince of Wales made it impossible. How fortunate you are to suffer no such bans. I trust you realize this.’
The Prince did realize it. The Regent questioned him and they talked of past battles in which the enemy had been routed. It surprised young William to find how knowledgeable the Regent was and how he could discuss an action as though he had actually taken part in it.
The Regent on his part exerted all the famous charm and before the interview was over William was thinking that if only the Princess Charlotte appealed to him half as much as her father did he would be happy enough to go on with this betrothal.
When he had gone the Regent discussed him with Eldon and Liverpool.
‘Hardly Adonis. I wonder what she will say when they meet. Frankly, I’m not looking forward to that meeting.’
‘If Your Highness makes known his wishes,’ said Eldon, ‘that will be enough.’
‘I know, I know,’ said the Regent testily. ‘It is my wish that this betrothal shall take place and if I say so, it shall. But she is my daughter, Eldon, and I should like her to be pleased with her future husband. Perhaps I’m too indulgent … but I shouldn’t want to see her forced into a marriage which displeased her.’
‘Your Highness, when the Stadholder is restored to Holland it will be a good match.’
‘I know. I’m not thinking of the match so much as the bridegroom. Not a romantic prince, you must admit. And Charlotte can be perverse, as you well know. I have qualms, I must tell you. I am not at all sure how my daughter will like her Slender Billy.’
From that moment William, Hereditary Prince of Holland, had his nickname and was more often referred to as Slender Billy than by his own name.
‘I won’t have him,’ declared Charlotte. ‘Orange! I always hated what I heard of his family. And they tell me he is very unattractive … little and thin … with nothing to say for himself.’
‘You can always supply the conversation,’ Cornelia reminded her.
She laughed aloud. ‘I’m not having it, Notte. I will make it perfectly clear that I will not be forced to marry where I don’t wish to.’
‘Has your father talked to you of the Prince?’
‘No, and that is strange. I know why he’s here. It’s to win my approval. Yet I have not seen him … and I’m not going to if I can help it. And my father says nothing.’
‘I think he is trying to be kind to you.’
‘Do you really?’ asked Charlotte ecstatically.
‘I do indeed,’ replied Cornelia. ‘When he speaks to me of you he seems most earnest.’
Charlotte said suddenly: ‘Dear Notte, there is something very serious I have to say to you.’
Cornelia looked slightly alarmed at the seriousness of Charlotte’s voice and the Princess hurried on: ‘I was once friendly with Captain Hesse – very friendly.’
‘My dear Princess Charlotte, what do you mean?’
‘I mean that I had a … romantic attachment.’
‘My God!’ cried Cornelia.
‘Oh, you should not be alarmed. There was nothing wrong. And I see now that he behaved with great respect towards me. I was very young and foolish and inexperienced and because of this there might so easily have been … trouble. As a matter of fact there were letters.’
‘Letters!’
‘Don’t repeat me like that, dear Notte. It irritates me. As I said, we exchanged letters. I have destroyed his.’
‘But he still has yours?’
‘Unless he has destroyed them. I don’t feel very easy in my mind when I remember what I wrote.’
Cornelia was aghast. The fact that this correspondence had taken place before her appointment was the one bright spot in the affair as far as she was concerned. But it was alarming to think that that adventurer … for he might well be one … had letters … and knowing the Princess they were likely to be indiscreet letters … in his possession.
Cornelia thought quickly. ‘Have you mentioned this to Miss Elphinstone?’
‘No, but I shall when I see her. I did not want to write it. I don’t think it wise to write of such things.’
‘Then you have learned a lesson,’ said Cornelia rather sharply.
Dear Notte, thought Charlotte, she spoke so because she was anxious!
Cornelia was thoughtful. ‘When you tell Miss Elphinstone perhaps you will let her know that you have also spoken to me. It may well be that she will wish to consult with me. If so, tell her that I should welcome that.’
Charlotte put her arms round Cornelia and kissed her. In a crisis Cornelia wished to do what was best for Charlotte and could thrust aside petty differences with Mercer for the sake of her charge.
Cornelia was delighted when Mercer came to her room. She had expected it, for arrogant and self-sufficient as Mercer was, she was a true friend to the Princess.
‘She has told you,’ said Cornelia.
Mercer nodded. ‘It is alarming.’
‘There is obviously one thing that must be done.’
‘Obviously. We must get those letters back.’
‘In your position …’ began Cornelia.
‘Yes, in my position I could do a great deal. I suggest that we mention this to no one. I will get to work immediately. I know that Captain Hesse is on the Continent serving with the Army. My father will help me.’
‘I am so thankful that she has seen fit to confide in us.’
The two women looked at each other. They were far too sensible to wish to continue their feud – and too fond of Charlotte. The Princess needed their care and they could serve her much better if they worked together than if they indulged in petty jealousies.
They were both relieved to have come to such an understanding. The immediate task was to get the letters back from Captain Hesse.
Charlotte was also relieved that those two in whom she had great trust were now aware of her folly. She could shelve the unfortunate matter of Captain Hesse and give all her thoughts to avoiding Orange.
She was more seriously worried than she had admitted, for she knew that her father was set on the match; and she was well aware of his power. He was not only her father but her Sovereign. If poor dear Grandpapa could be approached it might have been possible to explain her feelings, but how could she do this to her father or the old Begum?
Her health was beginning to suffer. There was a pain in her knee which worried Louisa a great deal because her Aunt Amelia, who had died when she was twenty-six, had had a similar pain in the same place. She had a pain in her side too, and although it always became worse when there was a prospect of meeting Orange, it was, even without this fear, extremely painful.