And I’d make her sorry if I found out there was anything between Sydney and her— Princess of Wales or not! thought Lady Douglas. And perhaps since she was Princess of Wales it would be easier than if she were not in such an exalted position.
Let her babble on about her babies, those cottage children she treated like her own! The woman was more than eccentric, she was mad— and she had said as much to Sydney.
The eternal question was: ‘Is Sydney faithful to me?’ What a fool she was to become so besotted about a man. It was not like her; she was usually so calm and practical. But ever since she had met Sydney— Oh, well, she was obsessed by the man and as long as he remembered that he was hers and that she expected fidelity all was Well. But if he was the Princess’s lover— There sat the woman brilliantly rouged, her hair in some disorder, her bodice cut low to show too much of her voluptuous bosom. Looking at her one would say that suspicions were not unfounded.
By God, if I found out, thought Lady Douglas, while she said sweetly that one must of course take care of oneself during the waiting months for the sake of the child.
The Princess listened rapturously. One would almost think she was pregnant herself.
‘Poor Lisle hurt her foot today,’ she said suddenly. ‘I am insisting that she lie up for a fortnight. Doctor’s orders. Of course the dear soul is worrying about how I shall manage without her. It will be difficult. I do miss my ladies when they are absent.’
‘They’re very fortunate to serve Your Highness.’
‘And I’m fortunate to have such angels to serve me. Oh— something has just occurred to me. I wonder whether you would like to come here for a fortnight as a maid of honour it would be so amusing. We could talk and talk— and should see personally that you did nothing to harm the precious child.’
To live in Montague House for a fortnight! That would be interesting. Then she might discover a great deal. Sydney could visit her there. It amused her to think of them being together under the same roof as the woman who might well be another of his mistresses.
‘Your Highness is so good to me.’
‘Would Sir John object do you think?’
‘Sir John!’ She must not show her contempt for her husband for that might cloud a little the image the Princess had of her. ‘Oh, Sir John, I am sure, he would be delighted. He would be extremely conscious of the honour done to me.’
‘Then it is settled.’
So Lady Douglas came to stay for a fortnight in Montague House.
What gossip there was and it was all of babies. Lady Douglas was present when the children came to see the Princess. She watched them all at breakfast with her, saw Caroline’s devotion to them and thought her quite mad.
‘Lucky, lucky creature,’ she said to Lady Douglas. ‘You already have one and another little darling on the way. I trust you will have a large family. Ten, no less.’
God forbid, thought Lady Douglas.
Sir Sydney came but he was reluctant to spend too much time alone with Lady Douglas in Montague House.
‘What of the Princess?’ he demanded. ‘What if she should discover?’
‘Would she be so shocked?’
‘The general opinion would be that she should.’
‘You probably know more of her than most people.’ That made Sir Sydney laugh. ‘Do I detect a certain jealousy, my dear?’
‘Do I detect a certain complacency?’
‘Complacent? Why shouldn’t I be complacent? I’m a naval hero, my love.’
‘And the lover of the Princess of Wales?’
Sir Sydney’s eyes sparkled. ‘Hush. Who knows we may be overheard. That’s treason.’
She took him by the arm and shook him. ‘Is it true? Is it true?’
That made him laugh. She thought how maddeningly attractive he was. She longed to subdue him as she had Sir John but of course she could not and that was the man’s attraction for her.
‘Answer me, answer me.’
His eyes were alight with mischief.
‘Ask the Princess. I should like to hear what she has to say.’
How was she to know whether it was true or not? But from that moment she began to believe it was; and her hatred for Caroline was like a physical pain. She felt a longing to destroy the Princess.
But the fortnight passed in outward harmony and Caroline had no idea of the stormy feelings she aroused in Lady Douglas.
And when Mrs. Lisle was again on her feet Lady Douglas went home.
‘It has been such a privilege to serve Your Highness,’ she said.
‘Oh, don’t call it serving,’ cried the Princess. ‘It’s been the visit of a friend.’
Shortly afterwards she was out walking in the neighbourhood when she came across a case of extreme poverty which she found most distressing.
She was first attracted by Mrs Austin who was heavily pregnant and paused at the door of their cottage to talk to her.
‘I see you are soon to have a child.’
‘Worse luck,’ said the woman, recognizing the Princess, for most people in the neighbourhood knew her by now and were aware of her eccentric habits and as she did not ask for ceremony they gave her none.
‘My dear good woman, how can you say such a thing! You are about to have that most precious gift— a child— and you see it as ill luck!’
‘I’ve had too many precious gifts, Madam— more than I can afford to feed.’
Caroline’s deepest sympathies were aroused.
‘You should have come to me and I would have helped you. Now you are not to worry any more. I shall have food sent to you. And I shall see that the baby is looked after when it is born.’
‘We all know of your goodness, Madam. And I can only say we know too you’ll keep your word. This was a lucky day for me.’
Caroline went on her way but she could not stop thinking of the coming child.
Poor mite, to come into the world unwanted. If only she was the mother— if she could only have a child which would be all her own and not taken away from her, how happy she would be!
She could not get the Austins out of her mind; and next day she was at the cottage with blankets and food; and it soon became clear that although she was interested in all the children and pregnant mothers of the neighbourhood, she had a very special feeling for the Austin family.
‘Mrs. Austin’s child will be born in two months’ time,’ she told Lady Douglas when she called. ‘I wonder whether it will be a boy or a girl.’
‘I doubt she minds much.’
‘She said she had had too many. Poor dear soul! As if one could have too many. It’s strange that some feel this to be so and others would give years of their lives to have one.’
‘Your Highness loves children so much. Perhaps other women are less motherly.’
Caroline held her arms as though she cradled a baby. She began to laugh suddenly. ‘Do you know I feel as though I am pregnant.’
Lady Douglas looked at the strange creature sharply. Could it be? Was she?
Sydney would think it all a great joke.
I believe it is so, thought Lady Douglas. There is a look about her. She’s excited. I could almost be sure of it. When Lady Douglas had gone, Caroline called for her pelisse and cap. She had not told Lady Douglas yet. No, it was a secret so far. It might not happen and she had first to consult Mrs. Austin, who at the moment did not want the child but women did change when their children were born. It was natural enough and God forbid that she should take a child from its mother.
Ms. Austin was at the cottage door when Caroline arrived, she invited her in.
Small and dark and insanitary, she noted. The idea of this new and precious life starting in such place!
Mrs Austin dusted a chair for the Princess.
‘Thank you, Mrs Austin I have come to speak to you of a very— delicate matter.’