Royle - How To Propose To A Prince Part 12

Mercerinterceded."CharlotteplanstoinformthePrimeMinisterthatshewishestomarryPrinceLeopold."

"Oh,oh-allowmetoshowyouboththeorationIhaveplanned."Theprincessfoldedherhandsprimlyinherlap."LordLiverpool,mytimeatCranbourneLodgehasbeenconducivetothought..."SheglancedproudlyatElizabeth."Yougavemethatbit."PrincessCharlottestraightenedherbackandinstantlywipedallemotionfromherface."Iknowitismydutyandinthebestinterestofmycountry,asthedaughterofthePrinceofWales,tomakeanadvantageousmarriage.I,therefore,decidedIshouldchoosefromthoseIconsidertobethemostappropriatecandidatesforahusband-andfromthese,Ihaveselected.AndIonlywishtoconfirmthatyou-beingfarwiserthanIinjudginghowsuchamatchwouldaffectthecountrypolitically-supportmydecision.Puttingmyownpersonalcriteriaaside,andthoseofmycountryfirst,IhavechosenPrinceLeopoldofSaxeCoburg."

Elizabethstaredattheprincess,dumbfoundedbywhatshewashearing.IfParliamentsupportedamatchbetweenCharlotteandtheprince,herownlastthreadsofhopewouldsnap.

Darkspecksbegantodancebeforehereyes.ShedroppeddownuponaslipperchairandstareddullyatPrincessCharlotte,whowasgrinningfromeartoear.

"Oh,Iknow,Elizabeth,"theprincesssaid,addressingherboutoffaintness."Myorationwaspowerful,indeed.Iwasmostconvincing,wasInot?"ShelookedtoMercerforherreaction."Ithoughtthebitaboutseekinghiswisecounselwasaperfectlymanipulativetouch,doyounotagree,Mercer?"

"Idoindeed."MercerlookeddownatElizabeth,whowa.s.stillsittingstupidlyinthecenteroftheroom."Oh,goodheavens,Elizabeth.DidyounotjusthearmywarningtoCharlotte?Standup,beforeyou'vewrinkledthatgown."

Elizabethrose,butimmediatelyfeltherselfteeterandfall.

Whensheopenedhereyes,afterlosingconsciousnessforthesecondtimethatday,Mercerwa.s.standingoverherlookingmostconcerned."Areyouwell?Perhapsyououghttolieonthesetteeandrestforatimebeforethemodistesarrive.Yourbodyha.s.surelybeentaxedfromyouraccidenttoday."

"Iamwell.IbelieveIjustneedtositforamoment,"Elizabethrepliedsoftly,forshecouldnotadmitthathearingPrincessCharlotte'splantoaddressLordLiverpoolwasfarmoreofablowtoherbodythanplungingintothewatersoftheThames.

"Donotworryovermuch,Mercer.Thisturnactuallyenhancesourmostexcellentplanfortheruse,"Charlottewa.s.saying."Foritgavemeanotheridea.IwillbesuretohaveAidareporttothegovernessesthatIwa.s.sohorriblyfatigued,yetdidnotseemtheleastill,thatIcollapsedandrequirerest.Perfect!Oh,youareawonder,Elizabeth."

MercerhelpedElizabethintoherchair."ShallIremainherewithyou?"

Elizabeth'smindwasbeginningtoclearandanexcuseforfaintinginthepresenceoftheprincesssomehowmadeitswaythroughthefoginherbrain."No,no,Iwa.s.simplyunaccustomedtowearinglongstays.Theyaremuchmorerestrictivetobreathingthantheshort,aren'tthey?"

Atthesoundofthecarriagewheelingitswaytothefrontofthehouse,PrincessCharlotterushedtothewindow."Quick,Mercer,givemeyourmaid'scloakandgypsybonnet.Itistime."

"Yes,itis."Mercerliftedthebundlesittingontheedgeof.a.glossytablenearthedoorandhandedittotheprincess,whoexcitedlysettledthebonnetuponherheadandswirledthecloakaroundhershoulders,obscuringfromviewthevibrantbluesatingownedgedwithlayersoffrothyivorylace."Nowtakeadeepbreath,mydearCharlotte.Fortodaymaywellbethesinglemostsignificantdayofyouryounglife."

Theprincessgrinnedexcitedlyanddrewalungfillingbreath,then,withatwinkleinhereye,turnedanddashedforthedoorwithMerceratherheels.

Atthedoor,MercerturnedtoElizabethonelasttime."Iamtounderstandthatyouhaveagreedtoloyallya.s.sumeyourroleastheprincessonthisimportantday?"

"Youmaycountonme,"Elizabethsaidconfidently,thoughshefeltanythingbutconfident."Iamtheprincess'smostloyalservant."

Sheknewtherewasnopossiblewayshecouldcarryoffthisillthoughtoutruse.

Chapter12.

TheGamekeeper'scottageCranbourneLodge L eopoldcrossedonelegovertheother."Theprincessislikeagoldenfilly,fullofspiritandenergy,butsadly,completelywithoutdiscipline,control,andrestraint."Herestedhiselbowonthearmofthechairandgestured,palmup,toSumner,whosatinthecompanionchairastrideaway."TheonlywaytobringoutmydearCharlotte'sfullpotential,hergraceandelegance,isbybreakingher."

"Ihavenotheardonewordfromyouaboutyourattractiontoher,oroflove,"Sumnersaid.Theacridscentofthecoldhearthbesidehimirritatedhisnose,buthedidnotmoveaway.Heneededananswer."Howcanyouwish,sokeenly,tomarryher?Idonotunderstand."

Leopoldshookhishead,asifhewereabouttoneedlesslyexplainhisobviousreasoninginthismattertoachild."Cousin,IamthefirsttoadmitthataftermeetingPrincessCharlotteinLondonlastyear,IhadnoreasontobelieveIstoodachancetowinherhand.Shewasinlovewithanother,andherfatherstillhadaspirations,andstillmight,thatshemarrytheDutchman,William.o.f.orange."Heliftedabruisedhothouseorangefromthesmallbowloffruitonthesidetable,gaveitalittlesqueeze,thenreturnedittoitsplace.Bytheslightlydamagedlookofit,itwasnotthefirsttimeLeopoldhandledtheorangeinthatmanner.

SumnerroseandrefilledLeopold'sgla.s.s,thenreturnedthedecantertothetable,earningapleasedsighfromhiscousin.

"EverythingchangedthemomentIreceivedaletterfromMerceradvisingmethatifIstillhadaspirationsregardingCharlotteIshouldreturntoLondondirectly.Theprincesswouldverylikelyrespondfavorablytomyattentions."

"Butyoudidnotreturnthen?"

"Certainlynot,ourregimentwasonactiveserviceatthetimeandNapoleonwasonthemarchwithanarmyaquartermillionstrong,"Leopoldsaid,makingSumnerfeelthathisquestionhadbeentakenasapersonalaffronttotheprince'scharacter.HeliftedasharpgazetoSumner."Idohavemyduty,afterall."

Sumnernarrowedhiseyes,wonderingifLeopold'scommentwasanotsosubtleremindermeantforhim.ButhewouldputtheinterestsofSaxeCoburgfirst.Hewouldsacrificehishappiness,perhapsevenhislife,tohelpLeopoldclaimPrincessCharlotte'shandinmarriage."Whydidyounotinformmeofthisletter?"Heleanedforwardandawaitedhiscousin'sreply.Therehadneverbeenanysecretsbetweenthemsincetheywerechildren.

Exceptone-oneverylargesecret.

"BecauseCharlottewasrumoredtobeextremelyfickle.Iknewthattocomerus.h.i.+ngtoherwasthe surestwaytoseehershyfrommyadvance."Leopoldsmiledtohimself."Anditseemsasthoughmydelaywastherightdecision.AfterWaterlooandmysubsequentinstallationinParis,IreceivedanotherletterfromMercer,informingmethatCharlottehadsetherheartonmarryingme.MydelayincontactingherandcrossingtheChannelmademefarmoredesirable.Why,Idonotknow.Theprincessisaromantic,itseems."Hedrankdeeplyfromthecrystal.

Sumnergazeddownintohisuntouchedgla.s.sofbrandy."Youknew,however,thatnowwasthetimetoslipawayfromParistosolidifyyourclaimforherhand."

"Idid."LeopolduncrossedhislegsandleanedtowardSumner,pingingthesideofhisgla.s.sagitatedlywithhisindexfinger."Ibegyou,donotjudgemeforwhatyoudonotunderstandasclearlyas I.MyfamilylostvastholdingstoNapoleon,andweareonlynowabletoreclaimwhatwastaken.ButIlearnedavaluablelessonfromthis.Aminorprince,ofgoodmannerandquitehandsomefeatures"-hegrinnedoverhisgla.s.satSumner-"hastheabilitytomakeanadvantageousmarriageandneverriskhisfamily'sancestralholdingsagain."

"Isee."SumnerliftedhisgazeandpeereddirectlyatLeopold.Thenextquestionwasveryimportant."Sodespiteappearancestocontrary,thereisnolovebetweenthetwoofyou."

"Oh,no."Leopoldchuckledconfidently."Shelovesmequitedearly,orhasconvincedherselfthatshedoes.Andwhyshouldn'tshe?"

"Butyoudonotloveher."

Leopolddroppedhisheadbackagainsttherest."Oncesheisbroughtintoline,IamsureIwillonedaycometoloveherimmensely.Butmyfeelingshavenoplaceinthismatter.Mydutytomyfamily,andtheprinc.i.p.ality,mustcomefirst."Hepausedforseveralmoments,addingweighttohisnextwords."Iknowyou,ofallmen,canunderstandthat,Sumner."

Sumnerremainedsilentandnoddedsolemnly.

Indeedhedid.Alltoowell.

CranbourneLodgePrincessCharlotte'sbedchamber NolessthannineFrenchdrapersandmodistescrowdedaboutElizabeth,pinchingfabricaroundherwaist.Twistingandtuggingherarmsthiswayandthat,pinningandpoking,andaccidentallystabbingherthricewiththeirst.i.tchingneedles,theyworkedtoensurethateachgown,ridinghabit,walkingdress,andmorningfrockfit...perfectly.

Elizabeth'sownslimframe.

NotPrincessCharlotte'sshorter,morecurved,royalfigure.

Theywereonlymeanttopinthegowns,notcompletethefittingwithneedlesandthread.Charlottehadexplainedthisquiteclearlytoher.Worriedoverthisproblem,Elizabethtriedtocomplainthatsherequiredmoreroomformovement,andthattheyshouldonlypinthefabric,butherFrenchwaslimitedtoafewfas.h.i.+onablephrases,courtesyofLadyUpperton,andthoseweresadlyinsufficienttocommunicateherneeds.Shes.n.a.t.c.hedupacus.h.i.+onofpinsandhelditouttothem,b.u.t.themodistesonlytookthepinsfromherandsetthemoutofherreach.Wavingherarmsandpattingherwaist,sheattemptedtogesticulatetohelpthemunderstandherwords,b.u.t.thisattempt,too,wastonoavail.Theywouldnotlookdirectlyather,fortheyhadbeeninstructedtoavoiddoingso.

Afterenduringsevenhoursoftheirtorturewithoutmakingherselfunderstoodevenonce,Elizabeth ultimatelydecidedthattheprincesshadtohaveantic.i.p.atedthatusingataller,thinnerwomanasadressmaker'sformforpinfittingwouldresultinlonger,moreslendercutgownsandensembles.Andla,shecouldnotstopthemfromtheirfinalfittings.Theyweresimplytooquickandefficient.

Therewa.s.simplynowaytostopthebusymodisteswithoutabruptlymarchingfromthebedchamberanddestroyingtheillusionthatshewasPrincessCharlotte.Andshewasnotsodaringastodrawthemoodyprincess'swrathbydoingthat.

No,shewouldadhereherselftotheprincess'splanandsimplyhopeforthebest.

Whenthecricketsbegantochirpasnightfell,andthemodisteshaddeparted,Elizabethsatgazingoutoftheprincess'sbedchamberwindowasthelastglimmersoforangelightsunkdownbeneaththelineoftreesatthehorizon.

Therewasknockingatthebedchamberdoor.Elizabethlookedupandwaited.Threemoreraps.ItwasthesignalfromAida,whohadbeenorderedtoundertakesentryduty,towarnElizabeththatsheshouldturnawayfromthedoorsohereveningmealmightbebroughtinwithoutthebearerrealizingshewasnotthetrueprincess.

Elizabethremainedmotionlessandcontinuedtostareoutintothecloudlessnightsky.Shesniffedasthearomaofbeefdriftedpasthernose,makingheremptystomachgrowl.Itwa.s.sadthateatingherbeefwouldbehergreatestdiversionallafternoonandevening.

Afterjustonedayofpretendingtobetheprincess,ElizabethalreadypitiedPrincessCharlotte.Evenshecouldhardlybelieveit.

She,thecommonerfromCornwall,pitiedthegrandprincess.Thesamewomanwhowouldputaquickendtoherdream.Theyoungroyalwho,evennow,wasworkingtogarnersupportofParliamentforherownmarriagetoPrinceLeopold.

Butpityher,Elizabethdid.

CranbourneLodge,solargeandbeautiful,wasnaughtbutagildedcageimprisoningtheyoungroyal.Freedomswerefew,andonly,fromwhatElizabethhadwitnessedherself,claimedbytheprincessmoreoftenthroughdeceitandtrickeryofothers.Fromallaccountsfromhousestaffandevenherclosestconfidante,Mercer,itwasasad,tiresomelifetheprincessledmostofherdays.

PrincessCharlotte'sownmother,unabletoendureit,hadfledthecourtandhermarriagetothePrinceofWales,foralifeoffreedomonthecontinent.Nowondertheprincesswa.s.soillmannered,Elizabethconcluded.Shewouldbe,too,ifshehadtoendurelifeasaprisoner-evenifshecouldwearaglitteringtiaraatopherhead.

Suddenly,sherealizedthatnotoncehadsheseenthetiarathattheprincehadsentPrincessCharlottefromHamiltonandCompany.Sheleapttoherfeetandquietlybegansearchingtheprincess'sbedchamber,untilshecameuponaboxmarkedwiththecompany'snametuckedbeneaththeprincess'sdressingtable.

Sheliftedthelidofthebox,holdingherbreath,hopinguponhopethetiarawasinside.Hertiara.TheoneSumnerhadplacedonherhead.Herheartthuddedharda.s.sheuntiedthelacingsofthelinenbaginsidetheboxandreachedinside.Herfingersalightedatonceuponcoolstoneandmetalands.n.a.t.c.heditup.

Carefully,sheliftedthetiarafromits.h.i.+dingplaceandstaredat.i.tadmiringlyforseveralminutes,beforesittingdownatthedressingtable,intentondoingtheunthinkable.

ShepeeredintothemirrorandimaginedSumnerwasholdingthetiarainhishandsa.s.shelowereditdownatopherhead.Sheexhaledsoftlya.s.shebeheldherimage.

Quietly,shestudiedherreflection,wantingtoholdontothememoryofthedayshefirstmetherprince.Wantingtopreserveit,beforetheprincessreturnedthisnightandthemomentwastwistedfromthegraspofFateandplacedintoParliament'shands.

Atearbuddedintheinnermostcornerofoneofhereyes,forsheknewitwasalreadytoolate.BynowPrincessCharlottehadobtainedLordLiverpool'spromiseofsupport.ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforePrinnywouldbeconvincedtodothesame-andPrinceLeopoldwouldmarryPrincessCharlotte.

Elizabethgulpedbackasoba.s.shewhiskedthetiarafromherheadandreplaceditintheboxbeneaththedressingtable.Sheproppedherelbowsonthetable'ssurfacethenrestedherfaceinherhandsandletthetearsshehadfoughtoffcomeatlast.

Shortlyaftermidnight,Elizabethdecideditwouldbepermissibletoreturntoherownbedchamber.PrincessCharlotteandMercerwouldnodoubtbereturningfromLondonverysoon,afterall.Quietly,sheeasedopenthedoor,tofindAidaslumpedagainstthedoorjamb.Themaid'smouthwasagapeandaslightsnoremettheairwithhereveryexhalation.

Elizabethsqueezedhershoulder,calmingthestartledmaida.s.sheawokewithagentle"Hush."Elizabethsettledaquietingfingeroverherlips,thenwavedgoodnightandheadedupanotherflightofstairstoherownbedchamber.

Shechangedfromtheprincess'sdressinggownandintoherown,thensatattheedgeofhertesterbed.Shewastoorestlesstosleep,however.ShecouldnotridhermindofupsettingthoughtsofafuturewithoutSumner.Risingfromthetesterbed,shepacedthebedchamberbeforefinallyrealizingthat,lud,ifsheremainedinsidethelifestiflinglodgeamomentlonger,shewouldsurelyscream.

Steppingintoherslippers,Elizabethhurriedfromherbedchamber,downthedarkstaircase,throughthedoorway,andthenracedoutintothenight.

Alightbreezepartedtheopeningofherdressinggownandblewthesidesbehindherlikegreatgleamingbannersofblue.Shedidn'tbothertoconcealhersilkchemise,fornoonebutadistraughtlady'scompanionwouldbeaboutatthishour.

Forthesecondnight,themoon,setonabejeweledblackvelvetblanket,wasbrightandnearlyperfectlyround.Shesighed,rememberingstandingattheedgeofthegardenwithSumnerjustonenightbeforeandseeingthesameimageabove.

Shehadbeensofullofhope.SofilledwithexcitementforthegrowingpossibilityofalifetogetherwithSumner.

Buteverythinghadchangednow.

Itwasafool'sdecisionshemadethen,Elizabethknew,butwiththemoonasherguide,shewalkedfromthelodgeuntilshemettherivertrail.Whyshewalkedsuchadangeroustrailnow,shedidn'tknow.ItwasasifshewantedtogotothelastplacesheandSumnerweretogether...alone.

Itseemedsomethingbeckonedher,calledherthere.

Thenearershecametothebendinthetrail,thedeepershefellintomourningwhatmighthavebeen.Herribsfeltcontracted,thebacksofhereyesstungwithheat.

Hersenseofeminentlossgrewwitheverystep,untilshecouldsmelltheThames,hearitsrushjustbelowthetrail.Tearsslippeddownhercheeka.s.sheroundedthepath'scurveandwasabouttocomeupontheveryplacewheresheandSumnerhadlain.Together.

Sheheldherbreathuntilshecouldseearoundthetreestothestretchofsoftmoss.Theirbed.

Thenshestopped.

Shesquintedagainstthemoonlight,b.u.t.therewasnoquestion.There,inabathofsilvermoonlight, washerprince."Sumner."

Sumnerwa.s.sittingonthesoftbedofmoss,onearmwrappedaroundaraisedknee,whenheheardhisnameuponthebreezeovertheroaroftheriver.

Atfirsthethought.i.tagameofthenightandtherus.h.i.+ng,gurglingThames,b.u.t.thenhesawher,hisElizabeth,standinginabluefingerofmoonlight.

Heblinked,unabletotrulybelievewhathiseyesbeheld.Itwasifhisearnestwishtosaygoodbyehadsomehowconjuredherfromherbedtothismoonlitspot.

"Elizabeth?"hemurmured.

"Sumner!"Sherantohim,armsoutstretched.

Pus.h.i.+nguptohisfeet,hesteppedforwardandmetherwarmembrace.Withoutconsciousthought,hisarmscameupandwrappedaroundher.Shetrembledagainsthim,andhebundledherevenmoretightly.

Hedidn'taskherwhyshewasontherivertrailjustnow.Itdidn'tmatter.Whatdidwasthatshewashere,inhisarms,wherehewantedhertobe.Neededhertobe.

Sothat,G.o.dhelphim,hecouldtellhergoodbye.Astabofpainedreluctancecutintohisheart."Elizabeth,I-"

Sheleanedbackabit,soshecouldlookupathim.Tearswethercheeksandsparkledinhereyes."Donotsayit.Ialreadyknow,"shesaid,hervoicefullwithemotion."PrincessCharlottehasgonetoseethePrimeMinister."Asobbrokefromherlipsandpuncturedhernextwords.

Sumnerpulledhertowardhimagain."Shh,Elizabeth,donotcry,please,"hewhisperedintoherhair,whichinthebrightmoonlightresembledabloodredcloakoverhershoulders.

"I-Ican'tstop.IknowsheistheretogainParliament'ssupport-andwhatthatmeanstous."Shedrewinajaggedbreath.

"Hushnow,mysweetone."Hecuppedherchininonehandandgentlykissedherforehead.

Sheraisedherchinhigher,andhekissedawayateardropthathadbeguntorolldownhercheek.Andthen,placingherfingertipsontheedgeofhisjawandtiltinghismouthtohers...shepressedhertendermouthtohislips.

"Ithoughtyou'dgone.ThatIwouldneverseeyouagain...thatIwoulds...o...b..comenaughtbutaforgottenmomenttoyou."Herwordsfeltlikeawarmbreathagainsthispartedlips.

"Icouldneverforgetyou,Elizabeth.Never."Hefeltanacheinhischest.Hewishedwithallhishearthecouldsparethispainbytellingherthetruth-thathewasnotLeopold.That.i.twas.h.i.+ssworndutytoprotecttheprince,hiscousin,nomatterthecost.

"AndIcouldn'tbearthethoughtofneverseeingyouagain.Iloveyou,Sumner."Sheturnedandlookedupandintohiseyes."Iloveyou."

Hisbreathcaughtinhisthroatandsearingheatsurgedintohiseyes.Sumnerpushedbackfromherandturnedaway.Hecouldn'tletherseehimlikethis.Sovulnerable.

Herhandtouchedhisside,andhelurchedforwarduntilhecametoanancientoaktree.Heleanedhisheadandahandagainstthetreeforsupport.

Noonehadeversaidthattohimbefore.

Ever.

Hehadnotbeenpreparedfortheoverwhelmingeffectofthosesimplewords.Forthewayitshookbothhismindandhisbodysodisablingly.

"Please,don'tleaveme."Hervoicecamefromonlyashortdistancebehindhim,butshemighthavebeenaleagueawayjustthen."Sumner,please."