In the Shadow of a Queen by Heather B. Moore

Author:Heather B. Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Published: 2022-05-18T15:30:51+00:00

Chapter 23

“Bertie and Alix have been evidently and most successfully worked on by the Hessian relations. I would advise you not to begin the subject again to them unless they do to you, and then just tell them what you think. I do not think there will be any row at all. I really do not see what on earth there is to ferret out. You spoke of dear Mama herself—if she asks you again you have but to tell her what you wish and what you think. I do not believe she can fancy anything so unjust or absurd as that we should wish to try and make you marry anyone you do not like for wishes of our own.”

Letter from the Crown Princess of Prussia

to Princess Louise, Berlin, January 9, 1869

October 1869

Louise, age 21

are you nervous about tomorrow?” Bea asked as she rested her chin on her hand, her gaze focused on Louise. At age twelve, her blond curls had mellowed to a darker color, though she still had a cherub face that made her look younger.

Frisky startled awake and yipped, and Louise tried not to flinch. She’d finally distracted herself by reading the first volume of Little Women, a novel approved by Mama, in order to stop thinking about the Argylls’ impending visit to Balmoral. Time had passed much too fast, and tomorrow, John Campbell would arrive. The Duke had visited the second week of October for a council meeting, and he’d stayed overnight at Balmoral. Louise had felt awkward around him at first, but then their conversation became more natural as they talked about his wife and children. The Duke had presented her with a cross necklace, which Louise found very charming. She didn’t know if she’d ever wear it though—not if she wasn’t directly connected to the family.

At the very least, the Duke was an entertaining man. He’d told Louise stories that she laughed at, and the bright eyes of the man who might become her father-in-law didn’t miss much. “I’ve been told that you’re an excellent sculptress,” the Duke had said.

Talking about her art had put Louise completely at ease, but she didn’t know if she felt better or worse after he left. The queen had been the one to broach the topic of Louise and John and then later said that Louise wasn’t going to marry anytime soon. So what did the Duke think of her?

Now she looked at her sister. With all the talk and speculation in the house, Bea had decided that Louise was her favorite subject.

“I’m not nervous,” Louise said, petting Frisky so he’d settle back down. “Lord Lorne knows that I want to wait to marry. Our meeting will be cordial, that’s all. Nothing to be worked up about.” She didn’t trust Beatrice to keep anything in confidence, both because of her age and the fact that she was Mama’s pet daughter. As the baby of the family, Bea had always been coddled. It might be extra difficult for her to take over as Mama’s personal secretary when Louise did marry.

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