Sitting in the balcony at the Opera House Caroline turned to him and said: ‘I wish to learn all about my future husband. People talk so much of him. They talk of him all the time— and yet when I come to picture him I do not see him very clearly. He is handsome, I know.’
‘He is considered good looking.’
Caroline clasped her hands together. ‘So many princesses ire forced to accept the ugliest bridegrooms. Mind you, there are disadvantages with handsome men. I hear that the Prince is very fond of the ladies.’
‘He is an extremely gallant gentleman.’
Caroline tittered. ‘Well, when I arrive I must, put a stop to that, must I not?’
Malmesbury gave an embarrassed cough. ‘I think Your Highness would best please the Prince by being very tactful. He is a man who admires— finesse— in conversation and behaviour’
‘Finesse I have always believed it to be a virtue to be open and honest I see I shall have to change things at Carlton House if they go in for finesse there.’ She laughed shrilly. ‘And I see too that I have pained you, my lord, and that is the last thing I wish to do. I want to please you for you have been kind and I took a fancy to you the moment I saw you.’
She touched him playfully with her fan.
My God, thought Malmesbury, what would the Prince think of such behaviour! ‘I have heard talk of Lady Jersey,’ went on Caroline.
Malmesbury groaned inwardly, but she continued artlessly, ‘I believe she is a very scheming woman of the court who meddles and intrigues though she is quite old and a grandmother. One would think she had better things to do. I hear she has had two sons and seven daughters. Would you not think. they would be enough to occupy her?’
‘I think you should be particularly careful in your behaviour towards ladies such as Lady Jersey.’
‘Why?’
‘Because they are much older than you and have had more experience of— er — the Court. Lady Jersey— and ladies like her— will frame their conduct towards Your Highness according to yours towards them.’
‘But should not the Princess of Wales Set the pace?’
‘I think the Princess of Wales should act very cautiously for at least six months after her arrival that she may see what is expected of her.’
Caroline regarded him solemnly. ‘Lord Malmesbury, I believe you are a very wise man.’
‘I am honoured by Your Highness’s high opinion.’
‘And you know now that when I say something I mean it. I lack that— finesse.’ Her laughter rang out.
Far too loud and quite unmusical, thought Malmesbury; but there was at least honesty behind it.
She went on: ‘Lord Malmesbury, I am very ignorant, am I not? Perhaps you could help me to be less so.’
‘If Your Highness feels I can be of the slightest use to you, I am always at your service.’
‘I don’t speak English very well,’ she said, ‘do I?’
‘You have a strong German accent.’
‘Which you don’t find very attractive.’
‘Your English will improve with practice.’
‘And there are so many English words which I do not know. How strange, my lord, many German princesses were taught to speak English fluently in the hope that they might marry the Prince of Wales. I was the one who was not. Is that not odd?’
‘And unfortunate,’ agreed Malmesbury. ‘But do not fret too much about the language. The present Queen of England arrived in England from Mecklenburg- Strelitz with a very poor knowledge of the language; now she speaks very well indeed.’
‘Ah, there is another matter which troubles me. The Queen of England. She is bound to hate me. My mother says so.’
‘With all respect to the Duchess, I say that is nonsense.’
‘You see, she and Mamma were enemies and she doesn’t want me there.
There is a Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who is her niece. She would have preferred her naturally.’
‘Her Majesty will welcome the bride her son has chosen,’ said Malmesbury glibly.
She looked at him trustingly and he thought: I fear I cannot be as honest as you, my poor Princess, and remain a diplomat. ‘Pray give me the benefit of your advice. What must I remember when I arrive at the English Court?’
‘I think you should not be as familiar with your attendants as you are here. Be affable but never forget that you are Princess of Wales.’
‘I am to smile and be friendly and yet not friendly—’ she grimaced. ‘Go on, my lord.’
‘If any of them attempt to gossip, do not allow yourself to listen; and don’t allow them to influence your opinion.’
‘I want them to like me,’ she said wistfully.
‘Popularity was never gained through familiarity.’
‘I am really afraid of the Queen. She sounds such a grim old lady and I have a feeling that she will hate me.’
‘All the more reason why you should be on your guard and make sure that your behaviour is always correct.’
‘But how should I know whether I am correct or not? I have often been very correct here in Brunswick.’
‘That is because you have been thoughtless. In England you will be constantly on your guard.’
‘I have heard that the Prince is— how do you say léger? It is as well to know it. I shall never show him that am jealous— even if I am.’
‘I trust that you will never have cause; and I am aware that Your Highness knows that should there be a— slackening of the Prince’s affection it is more likely to be rekindled by affection and tact than by reproaches.’
‘Tell me, when do the King and Queen hold their drawing rooms?’
‘On Thursdays and on Sunday, after church.’
‘Does the Prince go to church?’
‘He will doubtless go with you.’
‘But if he does not care to?’
‘Then Your Highness must go without him and tactfully let him realize that you would prefer him to accompany you.’
‘What a solemn conversation,’ she cried. ‘This is masquerade, my lord.’
‘It is a pleasant subject for what could be more agreeable than Your Highnesses going to church together.’
Caroline leaned forward to watch the dancers.
She looked, Malmesbury noticed, more at ease as a result of their conversation.
The Duke sent for his daughter.
‘Caroline,’ he said, I have today received dispatches from England. It is not the wish of the Prince of Wales that Mademoiselle Rosenzweig should accompany you to England.’
‘Not accompany me! But she must. She is my secretary. How am I going to understand the English without her? Who is going to write my letters? How can I manage without her?’
‘Caroline, pray do not become so excited. You must remember that the Prince of Wales is your husband now and you must obey his wishes.’
‘But he does not know Mademoiselle Rosenzweig. Why should he object to her? I shall take her— no matter what he says.’
‘Caroline, pray be reasonable.’
‘I— be reasonable! What of the Prince, my gallant husband!’
‘You are going to the English Court. You must remember that ours is small compared with it. There may well be rules you do not understand. You should remember always to obey your husband.’
‘But it seems so senseless. He has never met Mademoiselle Rosenzweig. Why should he object to someone he has never seen— unless it is to spite me?’
‘You are talking nonsense.’
‘He is talking nonsense. He is being unreasonable. I will not part with Rosenzweig. I will take her with me.’
‘Caroline, control yourself.’
‘You yourself said that my English was so bad that I needed a secretary.’