One day she would amuse the Prince with an imaginary account of the scene.
But not yet. She must tread carefully for a while. Let him learn that the creature disgusted him without— as he thought— her help.
She had whispered all sorts of information to him, gradually damning Caroline, just as she had when she had had Maria Fitzherbert to deal with. Maria, aloof at Marble Hill, gave her greater cause for anxiety than the Princess of Wales, for she knew that the Prince thought often of Maria.
However, she herself could still enthrall the Prince and she was going to keep a tight hold of the leading reins by which at the moment she held him.
With her she had brought a change of costume for the Princess which she herself had had made. She had had many descriptions of the Princess’s physical appearance and had decided to dress her in white which would, Lady Jersey felt, be the most unbecoming; she had brought with her a tightly fitting hat which would hide Caroline’s hair because by all accounts it was beautiful. Lady Jersey had it all cleverly planned.
She was amused now to see the discomfiture of her companions, Lord Claremont and Colonel Greville, both of whom had been commissioned by the Prince to meet the Princess and, with an escort of the Prince’s Own Light Dragoons, escort her to St. James’s.
How they fidgeted; and they knew in their hearts that Lady Jersey had deliberately delayed them so that the Princess might have the humiliation of being kept waiting.
The Governor of the Hospital at Greenwich, Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser, received Caroline and the company with the utmost grace, but he could not hide the fact that he was uneasy because the escort had not arrived.
Malmesbury was deeply conscious of the reason for the delay and thought it augured no good for Caroline’s future.
He was glad that he had warned her to be on her guard against women such as Lady Jersey.
He was not displeased with the Princess who, since she had stepped ashore, had behaved with some decorum This aught have been due to the fact that she was nervous, but it was still admirable. She had been far too noisy on the Jupiter but it was true that she had endeared herself to the officers; and if she could win the approval of the people through her free manners perhaps they had some virtue.
She looked charming, too. In fact he had rarely seen her look so well. The clothes which she put on for this occasion had been chosen by Madame de Hertzfeldt and Malmesbury was thankful for the good taste of that lady. Madame de Hertzfeldt had made Caroline promise that she would wear these clothes for her entry into England and although Caroline had thought them too quiet, she had promised.
Madame de Hertzfeldt had chosen well. The muslin dress over the blue- quilted satin petticoat was the most becoming color she could have chosen; it gave a touch of blue to Caroline’s rather protruding pale green eyes which was attractive; but it was the hat which did more for her than anything else. It was black beaver trimmed with blue and black feathers; it shaded her face; it subdued the rather too high colouring; and it showed her pretty hair to advantage.
Presentable, thought the Earl. I wonder whether she thought to change her linen. She stood at the window with the Earl beside her.
How much longer! he wondered. This is disgraceful. They should have been an hour early to make sure of being here. I am sure the Prince would be most displeased. Sir Hugh was doing his best to entertain the Princess and she was already becoming friendly towards him. She was quite comfortable, she said. She liked looking around. And seeing some of the crippled pensioners in the courtyard below the window, many of them having lost a limb, she said with a little laugh: ‘Tell me, do all the English lack a leg or an arm?’
Malmesbury saw Sir Hugh flinch and his lips tightened as he said with the utmost severity: ‘Do not joke on such a matter, Madam, I beg of you.’
And Caroline was silent for a few moments and then to his relief he saw that the first carriage had arrived. Lady Jersey alighted and came into the Hospital to greet the Princess on behalf of the Prince of Wales.
Caroline was all eagerness to see this woman of whom she had heard so much. She was astonished. She had imagined some monster and there curtseying before her, with the utmost display of homage, was the daintiest creature she had ever seen.
How pretty she is! thought Caroline.
Lady Jersey was raising the most beautiful eyes Caroline had ever seen, smiling charmingly. Could it be possible that she was a grandmother? How did she remain so slender, so beautiful?
‘Your Highness, I have come to serve you.’
The Princess nodded and Malmesbury closed his eyes because he could not bear to look.
Lady Jersey was thinking: She is more attractive than I had been led to believe But it is that hat— it would make anyone look attractive. That must be discarded.
‘Madam,’ she said, ‘there has been some unaccountable delay—’
Unaccountable, fumed Malmesbury, inwardly . Very accountable, I should think! ‘If you would give your permission for us to proceed with the dressing immediately ‘Why yes, yes, of course,’ cried the Princess ‘Then if you will allow me to conduct you to a room where we can thus serve Your Highness—’
‘Come along,’ cried Caroline.
Lady Jersey and Mrs. Harcourt left with the Princess.
Malmesbury looking after them thought: She has learned nothing— nothing.
‘I have here, Madam, the clothes which have been especially designed for your journey to St. James’s.’
‘Clothes!’ Caroline was eager to see them. ‘White?’ she cried.
‘Yes, Madam. The symbol of purity.’
Caroline laughed aloud, and Lady Jersey looked surprised.
‘Your Highness is amused?’
‘Just a little.’
‘Indeed, Madam.’
‘My father’s mistress used to say that white never suited me.’
‘White not suit you! But Your Highness has the most beautiful colouring.
Such freshness. White, if you will pardon me, Madam, is for ladies like Your Highness.’
Lady Jersey— herself so elegant— must know, thought Caroline. Madame de Hertzfeldt had seemed elegant, but that was in Brunswick. She could not compare with this dainty creature.
‘It is the most beautiful satin available. Pray touch it, Madam. There, Do you not long to try it on?’
‘I never saw such satin,’ admitted Caroline.
‘No, Madam, I daresay not. I ordered it especially for you. Nothing but the best would be worthy of Your Highness and I chose the best dressmakers in London. Would Your Highness try it?’
Caroline removed the beaver hat.
Her hair is lovely, thought Lady Jersey. That must certainly be put out of sight. That turban will be excellent. Caroline took off her muslin dress and put on the white Satin.
‘It couldn’t be better,’ cried Lady Jersey. ‘Do you not think so, Mrs.
Harcourt?’ Mrs. Harcourt, whose position in the Princess’s household depended on Lady Jersey, must agree with her, so she did, but reluctantly, for she had grown fond of the Princess and had been pleased to see her look so well in her muslin gown. Nothing, thought Lady Jersey complacently, could have brought out the coarseness of that ruddy complexion better than the harsh white satin.
She picked up the hat. ‘It is charming for some purposes,’ she admitted. ‘A ride in the country perhaps. But this is Your Highness’s first ride through the Capital, and we need something much more fine.’