From her window she watched their return; and then she sent for Albert to attend her in the blue closet.
Albert came and her eyes lit up when she saw him.
‘Dear cousin,’ she said, holding out her hand to him, ‘I trust you have enjoyed your ride this morning.’
Albert said that he had indeed and so had Ernest.
She said: ‘I think you must be aware of why I asked you to come here.’ Albert hesitated and she went on: ‘It would make me too happy if you would consent to what I wish.’
Albert understood at once. The uncertainties were over.
He found her enchanting; her adoration had been so obvious; all the fretful delays were forgotten. She loved him, there was no doubt of that; and he was more than ready to love her.
He took her hands in his; she threw herself into his arms; she was laughing and weeping. Albert kissed her; she returned his kisses fervently.
‘Oh, Albert,’ she cried, ‘life is so wonderful. Did you think it could ever be so wonderful?’
Albert had never dreamed that it could be.
They kissed again; she clung to him. ‘I am so happy. Everyone will be happy. Oh, dear Albert.’
And suddenly she was aware of an unaccustomed humility which astonished her. She had believed until this moment that she was honouring him and now she thought of all that being a consort to a reigning Queen implied.
‘Dearest Albert, do you understand what a sacrifice you are making in taking me for your wife?’
Albert laughed tenderly. All he knew was that he wanted Victoria to be his wife more than anything in the world.
‘I am the Queen of England, dearest Albert.’
‘To me you will be Victoria, my wife.’
What enchanting things dear Albert said!
Never in the whole of her life had she been so happy.
What glorious days followed! When she was not in his company she was impatient for a sight of him. She could come behind him and kiss the top of his head. Always demonstrative in her affections, she insisted on constant embraces. Not that Albert was loath. He was enchanted with her; and if she had fallen immediately and violently in love with him he was ready to follow at a more measured pace.
They talked about music and their respective childhoods, but they agreed that the past was unimportant compared with the future which they would share. What joy to dance with Albert, hands tightly clasped, smiling fondly. As she mentioned to Lehzen, she had never been so happy nor felt so humble. She had never thought it possible that she, the Queen, could be grateful to a man for marrying her.
‘Of course, he will have a very high position,’ she said.
‘He’ll also have his burdens,’ added Lehzen.
Poor darling Daisy, perhaps she did feel that she was being pushed a little into the background. Albert seemed to take over so much of what she had done in the past. He made sure that she was not in a draught; he put a shawl or a cape about her shoulders; he would whisper that she should not do this or that as it might not be good for her.
What joy to be so cherished! But dear Daisy would always have a place in her heart.
It was different with Lord Melbourne. He remained her dear Prime Minister however much she was in love with Albert, and she must still have her daily meetings with him. It was true she took up a lot of time in discussing the perfections of Albert.
One day she mentioned Albert’s reserve.
‘Of course, I find it delightful. Do you know, I believe he is quite unaware of any of the other ladies.’
‘Quite right and proper in the circumstances.’
‘Oh, yes, of course, but I do not believe he has ever looked at a woman before.’
‘That type often flirts later on,’ said Lord Melbourne rather waspishly.
‘That,’ cried the Queen angrily, ‘is nonsense.’
“Oh, no,’ insisted Lord Melbourne. ‘I have known many such cases. A man is quiet and reserved in his youth and when he gets to middle age he changes completely.’
‘Are you suggesting that Albert will do this?’
‘Well,’ said Lord Melbourne, ‘there is a possibility that he will conform to that type.’
The Queen stamped her foot. ‘That is a slanderous remark, Lord Melbourne.’
The Prime Minister looked startled.
‘And,’ said Victoria, the corners of her lips drawn down, her manner coldly regal, ‘I expect you to say that you were talking foolish nonsense.’
Lord Melbourne replied that he was talking of a type.
‘And you thought Albert might conform to this type?’
‘I am sure that was a misapprehension,’ said Lord Melbourne tactfully. And he added with one of his sly looks which Victoria was too put out – contemplating the possibility of Albert’s infidelity – to notice: ‘Albert is unique.’
‘Of course Albert would not be like that. He is too dignified and too loyal. He will realise what it means to be married to the Queen.’
‘Oh, yes, he will soon realise that,’ said Lord Melbourne significantly.
‘Albert is reserved, except with those he loves,’ said Victoria tenderly, ‘and he will always be like that.’
‘The Queen will command it,’ said Lord Melbourne with a courtly bow.
‘He is not in the least like the Grand Duke of Russia.’
‘Ah, there was a man whom Your Majesty admired very much.’
‘He has had so many love affairs.’
‘An affair before marriage is nothing,’ said Lord Melbourne. ‘As long as he doesn’t do it afterwards.’
‘I would never marry a man who had loved another woman,’ declared the Queen.
‘You wouldn’t think of that if you were in love with him.’
‘I should.’
‘Then all is well for there is no question of your reserved and gallant Prince having so indulged.’
‘There is no question at all,’ said Victoria, her happiness restored.
There was so much to talk over with Lord Melbourne. Sometimes she would think of something at odd times and would summon him to her.
Dear Lord Melbourne! What would she do without him?
Once she sent for him in the evening. He was to come to her at once, was her message to him. He came in a very strange costume – light white and grey calico trousers; and she knew that he had been in bed and had been awakened to come to her.
She was full of remorse. She feared that in her newly found happiness she had neglected this friend.
‘But you were sleeping,’ she said tenderly.
He denied this, but she didn’t believe him.
‘I only wished to discuss some item about the wedding,’ she told him.
‘A most important subject,’ he said with a smile.
‘Dear Lord M,’ she said. ‘I fear I may have been a little short with you lately. It is all this excitement coming after that wretched time. But Lord Melbourne, always remember that I love you more than any of your other friends do.’
He did not look at her and she saw that his eyes were full of tears.
Her own gushed forth.
‘My dear, dear friend,’ she murmured.
And she thought: My overwhelming love for my divine Albert does not make me love this dear friend less.
Chapter XIV
UNEASY PREPARATIONS
It was necessary for Albert and his brother to return to Coburg. Albert must make his arrangements for leaving the home of his birth, and preparations for the wedding must go forward at once if it was to take place in February. There was so much to be settled and the Queen urged Lord Melbourne to forge ahead with these matters.