She had tried very hard to be a good wife, but after Ernest’s birth she had begun to look round for some means of making life more amusing – and she had found it.
Of course she should not be riding out alone: she should be with a party. He goes his own way, she told herself defiantly. Why shouldn’t I go mine? And in any case how could she take a party to meet her lover?
The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg went to her son’s apartments when she left the children. She was very uneasy.
‘I must have a talk with you, Ernest,’ she said, ‘about you and Louise.’
The Duke’s expression hardened, ‘There is a good deal to be said on that matter,’ he agreed.
‘It is all so unfortunate.’
‘I believe that I am on the verge of discovery.’
‘So these rumours …’
‘Of her misconduct? Yes, I believe them to be true. I am having her watched.’
‘And you suspect that someone here is her paramour?’
He nodded. ‘Szymborski.’
‘Never.’
‘Well, he’s a handsome fellow.’
‘Is he Jewish?’
The Duke nodded.
‘Oh, Ernest, and how long do you think this can possibly have been going on?’
‘That’s what I intend to find out. I suspect that she had been unfaithful before Albert was born.’
‘Ernest! This could have terrible implications.’
‘Oh, I believe Albert to be mine.’
‘It could not be otherwise. But it is criminal of her.’
‘I agree with you. That is why I am determined to bring the matter to a head.’
‘She was always frivolous and she is little more than a girl now. Ernest, what will you do?’
‘It remains to be seen. So much will depend on what we discover.’
‘If there were other children …’
‘I know you are thinking that we could not be sure that I was their father. Even so …’
‘No, don’t say it. Don’t even think it. Ernest is you in miniature and I am convinced that darling little Albert is your son.’
‘I feel so, too. But how could I be sure of any others?’
‘It is a scandalous situation.’
‘And will become more so.’
‘Does Leopold know?’
‘Not yet.’
‘He will be horrified.’
The Duke felt faintly resentful. His brother Leopold was his mother’s favourite son and regarded in the family as something of an oracle since he had succeeded in marrying the Princess Charlotte which, had she lived, would have meant that he was the husband of the Queen of one of the most important countries in the world – very different from the little dukedoms and principalities of Germany. But Leopold was far too ready to interfere in family matters. It was not as though he were an elder son either. Fortunately he was in England where he was paid a good income even though his position there was somewhat invidious. King George IV had never liked him and had not wanted him as a son-in-law. But Leopold was so good-looking and clever that Charlotte had insisted on marrying him, and by accounts – Leopold’s at any rate – she had been so enamoured of him that he had easily been able to subdue her will to his. What a glorious future it would have been for Leopold – and the house of Saxe-Coburg – if Charlotte had lived to be Queen.
Still, Leopold had not lost hope of governing England, for a very significant event had occurred at Kensington Palace three months before young Albert had been born. Their sister, who was Duchess of Kent, had given birth to a daughter – Alexandria Victoria – and if the King did not marry and produce an heir – which was scarcely possible considering his age and condition – and his brother William did not either – and he seemed in no state to do so – that little girl, Leopold’s niece, his own niece, would be Queen of England.
So Leopold stayed on in England hoping that since he had failed to be the husband of that country’s Queen, he might one day be her uncle.
Very clever of Leopold, but that was no reason why he should be considered an oracle who could solve the problems of Saxe-Coburg.
Of course his mother believed he could.
‘I think,’ she was saying now, ‘we should write to Leopold and ask his advice.’
‘Mother, this is a matter for me to settle.’
‘When he came over four years ago, he did mention that he thought Louise a little frivolous. He noticed, you see.’
‘We all knew the character of my wife, Mother. It was obvious.’
‘He came all the way from England then just to find me a house in Italy for the winter,’ said the Dowager Duchess fondly. ‘I am sure he would be willing to come on this far more important mission.’
‘I am of the opinion that I can deal with this affair.’
‘What do you propose to do?’
‘To bring the matter into the open. I may find it necessary to rid myself of her.’
‘Ernest, be careful. This could reflect on the children. You remember when Leopold was here, how taken he was with little Albert.’
‘They were taken with each other, I think.’
‘It is true. Albert could just toddle at the time, but although just a year old, he was very forward for his age. He followed Leopold everywhere. I remember how he sat on his knee watching his lips as he talked.’
‘I remember how enchanted Leopold was by such admiration.’
‘He said to me, “I have a dear little niece in Kensington Palace whom I love as much as I could love this little fellow.” And he went on to say that as soon as he had set eyes on our little Albert he had thought of his little niece in England. “She could be Queen of England,” he said. “And would it not be a wonderful arrangement if these two children could be brought together.” He said that, Ernest.’
‘No one makes plans for the family like Leopold.’
‘Oh, he is clever, so wise and so eager to bring good to the family. Just think – our little Albert could be King of England. It’s a possibility, Ernest. So you see, my son, how careful you will have to be. There must be no whisper against little Albert.’
‘I’ll see that there is not. At the same time I have no intention of allowing my wife to deceive me under my very own nose.’
‘I just cannot believe it of her.’
‘You will … when I produce the evidence.’
‘All I ask you, Ernest, is take care.’
‘You may rely on me to do that.’
She sighed. She hoped so. But all her children of course could not be as wise as Leopold.
The book lay on Grandmama Saxe-Coburg’s lap and the two boys listened entranced as she read to them.
‘These two little boys you see here were Saxon Princes and one was named Ernest and one named Albert.’
‘Those are our names,’ cried Ernest.
‘Which one was Albert?’ asked Alberinchen.
Grandmama Saxe-Coburg showed them.
‘They were your ancestors, my darlings, and they lived in the Castle of Altenburg. Their father was Duke Frederick.’
‘Our Papa is Ernest,’ said Alberinchen.
‘That’s quite right,’ said Grandmama. ‘There are a lot of Fredericks in our family and Ernests too.’