Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill by Plaidy Jean

Author:Plaidy, Jean [Plaidy, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Romance
ISBN: 9780449217405
Amazon: 044921740X
Goodreads: 817226
Publisher: Fawcett
Published: 1970-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Attack at St James’s

‘DEAR HAGGERDORN,’ SAID the Queen, ‘how I shall miss you when you have gone.’

Mrs Haggerdorn, faithful attendant for twenty-five years, turned away to hide the tears which filled her eyes. For so long now she had dreamed of going home and now that the time had come she felt this reluctance to go – but her only real regret was leaving the Queen.

‘Your Majesty has been so good to me,’ whispered Haggerdorn. ‘That is why I am sad to go.’

‘Twenty-five years is a long time,’ said the Queen.

‘Ah, Madam, I shall never forget the day we left. And that dreadful sea journey when Your Majesty set such an example to us all by playing the harpsichord when we were all so sick.’

‘I happened to be a good sailor, Haggerdorn; and I expect I was a little defiant. It is a terrible anxiety to come to a country one has never seen … to a husband who is a stranger …’

‘Ah, Your Majesty, I know it. In my small way I too suffered. But Your Majesty has been a blessing to His Majesty and the English people. You have given them so many sons and daughters.’

‘Too many, perhaps, Haggerdorn. We have had our troubles. But cheer up. You will soon be in Mecklenburg. Think of that. You will see my family, my old friends. Do you think they will remember me, Haggerdorn, after twenty-five years?’

‘They could never forget you, Madam.’

‘Perhaps not. They will have heard news of the Queen of England from time to time. I expect they hear of the scandals my son has a talent for creating.’

There was a hint of dislike in her voice which startled Haggerdorn. She remembered how at one time the Queen’s voice had softened every time she spoke of the Prince of Wales.

Perhaps, thought the mild and peace-loving Haggerdorn, it was indeed a good thing that she was going home. There had always been trouble with the Prince and now that he was growing older those troubles would grow with him; and the other boys were growing into the trouble-making age. Madam von Schwellenburg had always been so arrogant and demanding. Then there was His Majesty the King. Only those close to the Queen realized how anxious she was on his account and how oddly he could behave at times.

He entered the Queen’s apartment at that moment, brows furrowed, eyebrows bristling, his face that unhealthy brick red.

The Queen said: ‘Your Majesty, dear Haggerdorn is saying goodbye to me. You know she is leaving us.’

The King looked at Haggerdorn, his eyes softened by sentiment.

‘Ah yes, yes, good Haggerdorn. Pleasant journey. Sorry to see you go. Very sorry.’

Haggerdorn curtsied as elegantly as creaking knees and rheumatic pains would allow. Oh, yes, it was time she left draughty Windsor Lodge. She needed a little comfort in her old age.

‘I shall miss her,’ said the Queen.

‘Yes, we shall miss her.’ The King was at his best on such an occasion. He was kind and showed an interest in Haggerdorn’s plans.

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