The Companion of Lady Holmeshire Read Online Free PDF Page A

Emma. My father is considered to have been a hero in the Napoleonic Wars. I’m sure he did some wonderful things, though he claims he was simply having a bowl of beans at the time. But that is his humility and humor for you. Lord Breyton was honored, as well. Breyton saved one of the Regent’s dearest friends from a sure death. And it seems there was no end to the displays of appreciation for it all as long as he reigned as King George IV. There were the endless parties where Papa and Breyton received honors; they were bestowed new titles for their troubles, and properties. My sister and I were invited to every event for my father’s sake. King George was quite improvident. The wasting of resources improved when William came to the throne; thank heavens he was not quite like his brother.”
    Wills continued. “When Caroline of Brunswick, George’s wife, was alive, my Mama was barely tolerated by the Prince Regent despite the honors heaped upon my grandfather. He hated his wife, you see, and lived apart from her. Mama and Aunt Helena were friends of their daughter, Princess Charlotte, and at times they visited her mother with her. The Regent was in quite a rage about it. The daughters of the Duke of Streybourne at the home of the hated Princess of Wales, can you imagine! We were quite surprised that eventually his disdain faded—enough so, in fact, that he allowed a younger brother, the Duke of Trent, to marry Aunt Helena! You shall meet him soon, if you haven’t already; have you?”
    “ No, My Lord.”
    “ Well, all that to do with George IV is done with now, and Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, has begun her reign! What a huge change it has been for the nation. The throne went from one old man to another for decades, you know, and now it has gone to Her Majesty, a very young woman. It is a welcome change. I have applied to marry her, you know, but it is not likely to be, as she has her eyes elsewhere, as her uncle suggests,” he teased. “I can assume that had she met me sooner, she would have forgotten Albert, and I would be king already, can I not?”
    Winnie looked up to heaven and resignedly agreed. “Perhaps we will see her when we go to London, and Albert will be told to remain in Germany in favor of you, but remember that you are engaged to be married as well. It is all for naught. It is tied up and concluded, and you must comply. I apologize for it, but we were unaware that a queen would become available. Being nephew-in-law of a prince may not have qualified you for the position, in any event.” She became serious. “Have you begun to pay calls on Lady Genevieve, yet, Wills?” She leaned forward. “She has been waiting since age four , you know, and she is beginning to feel like an old maid.” She duly emphasized the years. “It has been a seventeen-year wait for her thus far.”
    “ Yes, well her mother should not have told her so young, Mama. It puts a girl into a romantic state of delirium. I hear she played with dolls—me…and her.” Wills rolled his eyes, crossed his arms and slumped in his chair.
    “ We told you when you were young, also, you know.”
    He sat up straight. “And I threw a muddy stone at the apple tree for it. Boys are quite proper.”
    “ I hope your mood has changed a bit?”
    “ Well, she is beautiful. I cannot help but see that. But as I said. Romantic delirium.” He played the part of picking up another stone and threw it at a gold-framed mirror, which appeared to relieve the problem temporarily.
    “ And how does that display itself?”
    “ At the balls, Mama. She watches me.” He wanted to secure his mother’s understanding. “Once she even dropped her handkerchief right in my line of sight, and I was under obligation to retrieve it, which, of course, led to a useless conversation regarding the rain. Why would a gentleman care to pick up a handkerchief, unaware of its condition?” He made quite a wretched face. “And her friends look at me with suspicion. At