But in spite of the fact that things had changed and Lord Melbourne was showing his age a little he could still amuse her more easily than anyone else. Lord Melbourne loved to gossip and he knew so many interesting things about people. Albert, on the other hand, thought gossip demeaning. Albert was right of course. Oh, dear Albert was so good that he did dislike quite a lot of the things that had once seemed good fun – dancing, staying up late, gossiping about people. Compared with Albert, Lord Melbourne was really a little wicked … or would have seemed so if she did not know that he was such a good kind man. Albert would say she was not being logical; but the fact remained that she did enjoy those sessions alone with Lord Melbourne in the blue closet when he would discuss China or Canada – which diversely situated countries were giving cause for concern at this time – and then switch to something quite frivolous in a way which in the past she had found so diverting and delightful – and still did.
It was Lord Melbourne who first brought her the news about Lord William Russell who had been found murdered in his house where he lived alone – apart from numerous servants of course.
‘It is very mysterious,’ said Lord Melbourne, settling comfortably in his chair for a cosy chat. ‘Lord William was found in his bed, cold and stiff, so he had been dead some time. The bed was deluged with blood. His throat was cut so that his head was almost severed from his body.’
‘How very shocking.’
‘The details are too horrible for me to impart to Your Majesty,’ said Lord Melbourne. ‘Such affairs are best forgotten.’
‘Oh, no,’ said the Queen, ‘I want to hear all. Poor Lord William, and what a sad shock for poor Lord John. How very tragic! It only seems a short time since poor Lady John died and left all those dear little children.’
Victoria was apprehensive thinking of Lady John, who had died in childbirth. It was certain now that she herself was pregnant and she was beginning to feel the effects. This in itself was endurable but when she thought of the actual event and what happened to poor Lady John she could be really frightened.
Lord Melbourne, who understood so much in what direction her thoughts were running, went back to the murder – a safer subject than child-bearing.
‘They think that thieves entered by the back door and that when they were in Lord William’s bedroom he awakened and disturbed them. Hence they cut his throat. The maid discovered Lord William’s body in the morning. No one heard anything during the night.’
‘I do hope they catch these wicked people. Poor, poor Lord John.’
‘Oh, don’t feel too sorry for him. I believe he is very interested in Lady Fanny Elliot.’
‘What, Lord Minto’s daughter?’
‘His second daughter. The fact that Minto is First Lord of the Admiralty has meant that little Johnny has been frequently visiting Minto’s house. It’s clear that he is becoming very interested in Lady Fanny.’
‘How old is she?’
‘About twenty-five.’
‘Little Johnny must be twice her age.’
‘Yes, but it would be an excellent arrangement. Everyone cannot have a handsome young Prince for a husband, you know.’
‘Of course they can’t, and Johnny will be able to look after her and she will be able to look after all the children.’
‘Exactly!’
‘I feel a little protective towards Albert, being three months older than he is.’
‘And his sovereign. A sovereign should always feel protective towards her subjects.’
‘Is a husband a subject?’
‘We are all Your Majesty’s subjects.’
‘It is difficult to regard husbands in that light.’
With his usual understanding Lord Melbourne agreed that it was.
‘I shall be very pleased to hear that Little Johnny is happy again.’
‘Oh, so far it is only a conjecture.’
The Queen burst into that loud laughter which in the old days Lord Melbourne had provoked so often.
‘So,’ she said with mock severity, ‘this is just a piece of Lord M gossip.’
‘It might well be that,’ agreed Lord Melbourne.
‘Well, I shall hope it is more for Johnny’s sake. When do you guess the wedding will be?’
‘He has yet to persuade the lady, don’t forget. It is rather an undertaking, a widower with six children. Not every young woman wants a ready-made family.’
Victoria laughed and then was serious suddenly.
‘Lord Melbourne, you know there will in due course be an addition to our family.’
Lord Melbourne bowed his head.
‘Albert thinks we should make an announcement. He is so delighted, you see.’
‘We are all delighted,’ said Lord Melbourne, ‘but I believe Your Majesty would think it more dignified to allow this good news to come out gradually.’
‘I do. I shall tell Albert that that is how it shall be.’
Oh, yes, there was no doubt that she enjoyed her sessions in the blue closet with Lord Melbourne. If Albert were present – as she really believed he hoped he might be – it would not be quite the same. She did not want change and these delightful encounters could be spoilt by the fall of Lord Melbourne’s government, his replacement by Sir Robert Peel, and the intrusion of Albert.
‘Albert,’ said the Queen, ‘we shall make no announcement. The news will be known soon enough.’
‘I think this is not good,’ said Albert seriously.
‘Oh, my dear love, Lord Melbourne and I have decided that it would be most undignified to mention the matter yet.’
Albert was silent.
‘Albert, you are not sulking?’
‘Sulking? Why should you think that?’
‘Well, clearly because you wish an announcement to be made.’
‘Oh, I understand by now that my wishes are of no account.’
‘How can you say such a thing?’
‘Because it is true.’
‘But you know, Albert, I always wish to please you.’
Albert raised his eyebrows. ‘No, I did not know this. In fact I thought the opposite. So much that I wish is ignored.’
‘Now you are being difficult.’ The royal temper was beginning to rise.
‘If being difficult is stating the truth then that is so.’
‘Albert, where are you going?’
‘I am going out.’
‘But we are in the middle of a conversation.’
‘This conversation is over.’
‘I do not consider it so.’
‘But you must realise that it is. I wish an announcement to be made. The Queen and her Prime Minister do not. Therefore the matter is settled.’
Albert clicked his heels, bowed and went into his dressing-room.
‘Albert!’ she called; but he did not look back. ‘Come here. Come here at once.’
He did not answer. So he thought he could go out when she wished to speak to him. She strode to his door. The key was in the lock on the outside. Triumphantly she turned it. Now he would not be able to go out. That would teach him to ignore her.
She waited. Soon he would try the door and come out. She saw the handle turn slowly. Now he knew that he was locked in. She expected him to hammer on the door, to demand to be released, to beg to be released perhaps. But there was silence from the other side of the door.
She waited; she put her ear to it. She could hear nothing, but she promised herself she soon would.