Queen of Bedlam by Laura Purcell

Author:Laura Purcell [Purcell, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781910183021
Publisher: Myrmidon Books
Published: 2014-01-22T08:00:00+00:00

Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London

There were rooms imprinted on Charlotte’s memory. In reality, she could walk in and out of them, but in her mind they were locked, without windows.

There were the chambers where her baby boys had died. Part of her would always be caught in them, watching the dreadful scenes again and again. The room in the castle where George spat hatred in her face. The servant’s quarter where Madame Schwellenberg passed away, leaving her scared and alone. And now there would be the Chapel Royal. The place where she lost her eldest daughter – the first, no doubt, in a long string of deserters.

Royal sailed into the room with a steady step, looking straight ahead at the altar. Joy transformed her face into something lighter, more beautiful.

Charlotte remembered herself as a bride, recalled the words her brother-in-law said as he led her, trembling, into the chapel: ‘Courage, princess, courage.’ Royal already possessed it. That was one virtue Charlotte had managed to instil in her, at least.

The bridegroom was stuffed into a silk suit, shot through with gold and silver thread. Embroidery coated his lapels and cuffs. Over his bulky shoulder, he wore the blue ribbon of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A dagger of pity plunged into Charlotte. At least when she went up the aisle, she was heading toward a young, handsome prince with a good temper.

But this Fritz . . . He snapped at her ladies in waiting and complained to Lady Harcourt because he had received no gift from his bride. He was no match for Royal. It was like pairing a dove with a wild hog. But there was nothing she could do. The die was cast and Royal, ignorant of it all, was happy.

Charlotte watched the bride’s long pelisse of crimson velvet sweep up the aisle, dappled in patches of colour from the stained-glass windows. The white satin dress, threaded with silver, sparkled and shimmered in beams of spring light. A cluster of long ringlets surrounded Royal’s ecstatic face. Little stars bounced off her diamond coronet and reflected in her eager blue eyes. As she reached Fritz’s side, she slowed and turned to him. He dwarfed her in height and width. How vulnerable and helpless she looked beside him.

‘Dearly beloved . . .’ The sacred words droned in Charlotte’s ears. Her vision darkened. How would she cope without Royal? Her daughter, her first baby girl. With a war and a sea between them, they might never meet again. Thirty years of love and care poured into a child and then – gone. Forever. And Royal was only the first. Time and children were slipping through Charlotte’s fingers; it was like trying to hold water in her hands.

The King cleared his throat. Charlotte was intensely aware of him at her side, holding himself under rigid control. He was doing all he could to keep cheerful and restrained for his daughter. One vein stood out on his neck; a muscle at the corner of his eye fluttered every few seconds.

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