The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

Author:Allison Pataki
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Howard Books

The remainder of March passed in a blur of doctor-imposed resting and the opening of congratulatory gifts. Cousin Ludwig sent a trunk full of baby dresses in the style of Bavarian tailoring. Helene sent a porcelain doll with dark golden curls the color of Sisi’s. And Ludovika sent trunks full of the gowns and sleepwear and bonnets in which she had dressed her own daughters.

Thanks to her youth and strength, Sisi’s body recovered quickly, so that after several weeks she felt quite restless and ready to resume her normal schedule.

It was a gray afternoon in spring. The palace was quiet, the courtiers observing the somber rituals of Lent, a time when balls and concerts and other entertainments were flatly forbidden. That day, Sisi decided to ignore Doctor Seeburger’s orders of rest and summoned Countess Marie Festetics and Herr Lobkowitz to her apartments.

“How many letters have we received?” Sisi asked, sitting down into a blue satin settee in her office. Her body felt lithe and nimble once more, with the bulging belly almost entirely gone.

“Hundreds,” Herr Lobkowitz answered, his brow creased as he studied the stacks of notes—messages of congratulations from around the empire and from Europe’s leading families.

“Queen Victoria and Prince Albert have just sent you this.” Countess Marie pointed toward a basket overflowing with chocolates, pears, and petite macaroons.

“Goodness,” Sisi said, eyeing the overflowing bundle. “Take it down to the kitchens, tell the servants they may divide it up, Marie. And I shall have to remember to add them to the list of thank-you notes.”

“Let’s remember that Victoria’s youngest child, Prince Leopold, turns two on the seventh of April,” Herr Lobkowitz said matter-of-factly. “It might be wise to include a small toy horse with your letter, wishing Prince Leopold a happy birthday. He does love horses.”

Both Sisi and Marie turned to Herr Lobkowitz, impressed.

“What is it, Your Grace?” The aide fidgeted, adjusting the monocle where it perched on the side of his nose. “Why does Your Imperial Highness look at me this way?”

“You are invaluable to me, Herr Lobkowitz.” Sisi smiled, nodding her head approvingly. It was one of the few pleasant surprises she’d had since becoming empress, that this middle-aged man—though perhaps an ally of Sophie’s in Bad Ischl—had come to serve her so devotedly.

“It’s a brilliant idea, Herr Lobkowitz. Let’s include a toy horse and a special message of birthday wishes for the little English prince.”

“Her Majesty is too kind.” Herr Lobkowitz bowed, flashing a diffident smile.

“Now, we shall start with the letters to my family in Bavaria. I should like to describe everything about my darling little Sophie to Mamma and Helene.”

After several hours Sisi’s mind began to wander, and she felt as though she dictated the same response over and over again. “Are we nearly done?”

“You see the one downside of being so beloved.” Herr Lobkowitz looked up from the rosewood desk, shaking out his cramping wrist. “Too many letters.”

“I’d like to go find Sophie. I haven’t seen my daughter since yesterday.”

“I think we’ve made good progress today, Your Majesty.

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