Queen in Waiting - Plaidy Jean - Страница 17

"I have wanted to keep her with me."

"I know. But she has a life of her own to lead."

"I want to see her married but I want to see her happy too. Liitzenburg has been home to her; she loves the place; I doubt whether she will ever be really happy anywhere else."

"Oh, she'll settle down with her husband."

"I want her to remain here. Frederick William will need a wife. Why not Caroline?"

"Caroline from little Ansbach! You cannot be serious. Our son is the Crown Prince of Prussia."

"He is our son and Caroline has been as our daughter."

"She has enjoyed all the advantages a daughter of ours would have had but she is not our daughter. And when it comes to marriage these things are important. The future King of Prussia could not marry an obscure girl from a place like Ansbach."

"Why not... if we wished it?"

"But we don't wish it. You may, but I do not. Moreover I can never allow it."

He saw the surprise and sorrow in her face and was contrite.

"My dear," he said, "I have always allowed you to go your way. I have never interfered with your pleasures. I have tried in every way to give you what you want. This I cannot give you. This is the future of Prussia."

"I tell you he wouldn't find a better wife in the world than Caroline. The truth is he is unworthy of her."

"You are besotted about this girl. She's a pleasant enough creature, I'll admit. But she is not even outstandingly good-looking and she has nothing to commend her but her good health and serene disposition. Those are not enough, my dear, for the crown of Prussia and you must know it."

"I must talk to you "

"My dear, you will only distress yourself. This is something I cannot give you. Please put this idea out of your mind. Either find another husband for the girl or let her remain unmarried. But she shall not marry our son."

She knew that for the first time in their married life it would be useless to attempt to persuade him.

It was shortly after this when Sophia Charlotte clearly a little agitated, asked Caroline to walk in the gardens with her that they might talk in privacy.

She led her to a summer house and as they sat there together took her hand and said: "Caroline, this was bound to happen sooner or later. You are not a child any more and it was inevitable that sooner or later someone would ask for your hand in marriage."

Caroline grew pale and Sophia Charlotte hurried on: "It is a great honour, of course."

"Who?" asked Caroline faintly.

"It is the Archduke Charles whom they call King of Spain. Of course he has yet to win that title but ... you will understand it would be a very good match for you."

"The King of Spain!"

"In name only at the time. Louis is determined to put his grandson on the throne but we and our allies will not allow that, of course. Yes, it would be a very brilliant marriage."

"And he would marry me?"

"At the moment tentative enquiries are being made. You should not consider them certain but this is in the air and it would be an excellent marriage for you."

She did not say: My husband has no doubt had a hand in this because he is determined not to have you for our son. Yet

if you are good enough for the King of Spain why not for the King of Prussia?

Of course Charles was only the titular King of Spain and Louis was powerful but...

Caroline had thrown herself into Sophia Charlotte's arms and they dung together.

"I never never want to leave you," she sobbed.

Yet when she was alone she stood before her mirror and looked at her reflection. The traces of tears still showed on her face. She was plump and pretty; she had masses of auburn hair and blue eyes; she was talented and well-educated.

"The Queen of Spain," she said aloud.

She could never be happy away from Sophia Charlotte whom she loved so dearly; she would never never find a home such as Liitzenburg had been to her; and yet she saw herself with a crown on her head, dressed in purple and ermine.

"Her Majesty, Queen of Spain," she said.

Months passed without mention of the project.

Of course, said Caroline, to herself, I should never be happy away from Sophia Charlotte. No place however grand could ever be home to me the way Liitzenburg is.

After a while she told herself it had been merely a rumour and she forgot that the marriage had been suggested.

Sophia Charlotte did not forget. Betrothal to the Archduke Charles might have come to nothing but there would be other suitors. There must be. Caroline was twenty years old. She could not keep her with her much longer.

The fact depressed her so much that she became unwell. She felt a pain in her throat which kept recurring—only slightly but painfully enough to be uncomfortable.

She discussed this with one of her attendants, a close friend named Marie von Pollnitz.

"I have not felt well since this question of Caroline's marriage has been in the air." Marie looked at her sadly for she knew that it was unlikely that she would be able to keep Caro-

line with her for ever. Sophia Charlotte put her hand to her throat. "I have a vague sort of pain ... here. But I believe I should feel as well as ever if the King would consent to Caroline's marrying our son."

**Your Highness might be anxious then if Caroline were not happy in her marriage."

*'But we should be together for the rest of our lives. I am sure that is all Caroline would ask ... as I should. Whatever happened we should be together."

Marie, looking at her friend, thought she showed signs of her anxiety. It was the first time she had noticed that the Queen showed her age.

To her astonishment Caroline received an invitation from the Duke and Duchess of Weissenfels who would be delighted if she would spend a few days with them. She showed the invitation to Sophia Charlotte.

*'Why should they suddenly remember me?"

"Why not? They are related to your mother. I daresay they have heard accounts of your charm and would like to see you. It is natural."

"I shall not go."

"It will seem churlish to refuse."

"You would come with me?"

Sophia Charlotte laughed. "My dearest, I am not invited."

"Oh but..."

"You must now and then take these little trips."

"If I go I shall not stay long."

"I hope not, my dear. I shall be longing for your return."

"Then why go at all?"

"Because you have been asked."

"And why should you not come with me? I am sure if I suggested it they would be delighted to receive you."

Sophia Charlotte shook her head. Secretly she would be glad of the respite. She was often feeling very tired and she did not wish Caroline to know this. While the girl was away she would spend the time resting and on her return would feel as well as ever.

Suitors and Tragedy for Caroline 'j'j

So Caroline went to Weissenfels alone.

During her journey to Weissenfels Caroline began to feel uneasy. Had she imagined it or had Sophia Charlotte seemed as though she wanted her to go? Surely that could not have been so for she hated their parting as much as Caroline did.

But when she arrived at the castle of Weissenfels, which was a delightful spot situated among vineyards on the River Saale, she had no time for speculation; she was welcomed by the Duke and Duchess and taken to her apartments by the latter and as soon as they were alone there, the Duchess told her that a very important visitor was expected at the castle.