The Queen and Lord M Read Online Free PDF Page A

talked in whispers although there was no need to do so, only to symbolise the solemnity of the occasion. A new reign was about to begin.
    ‘A child,’ whispered the Lord Chamberlain.
    ‘Governed by her mother and that man Conroy!’
    ‘Melbourne will know how to manage our affairs, I daresay.’
    The dawn was beginning to show in the sky, and they could distinctly see the hedgerows now. They would be the first to greet her. Melbourne would say there was no need to wake her and tell her that she was Queen. That duty was for the Prime Minister. No, my lord, thought Lord Conyngham, she is after all the Queen although but a girl, and she will always remember those who first brought the news to her.
    They had reached the Palace and as they rode through the gates the startled porter stared at them. He was about to demand their business when he recognised the robes of office of important men.
    The bewildered maidservant stood before them.
    ‘Please acquaint the Princess Victoria that we are here and wish to see her,’ said Lord Conyngham.
    ‘My lord, she is sleeping.’
    ‘Tell her at once that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chamberlain wish to speak to her.’
    The maid, trembling and uncertain, made her way to the Duchess’s apartments.
    One of the Duchess’s ladies rose sleepily from her bed.
    ‘What is this?’
    ‘There are gentlemen to see the Princess.’
    ‘At this hour! It is only five o’clock. She is asleep.’
    ‘It is the Lord Chamberlain and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Madam.’
    ‘The Lord Chamberlain! Wait. I’ll tell the Duchess.’
    But the Duchess was already awake. She had been expecting something like this which could mean only one thing. She came out of the bedroom she shared with Victoria demanding: ‘What is the meaning of this?’
    ‘Your Grace, the Lord Chamberlain and the Archbishop of Canterbury are here demanding to see the Princess.’
    To see the Princess! Indeed they would have to learn differently. If they wanted to impart important news to Victoria they must do it through her mother.
    ‘Go and tell them that they will have to wait. The Princess is sleeping.’
    The Duchess went back to her bedroom, her heart beating wildly. She slipped a robe over her nightgown. It has come, she thought, the moment I have waited for all these years. This is the most important day in my life. Everything depends on what happens today. We must start as we intend to go on. The King is dead! Jubilation shone in her eyes. Victoria must be made to obey her mother. Then for herself and John Conroy the years ahead would be glorious.
    The lady was back.
    ‘Your Grace, the Lord Chamberlain demands to see the Queen .’
    The Duchess put a hand to her fluttering heart. At last those magic words had been spoken.
    She went back to her bedroom, where Victoria lay sleeping. Bending over her daughter she kissed her.
    ‘My darling,’ murmured the Duchess.
    Victoria opened her eyes. ‘What is it, Mamma?’
    ‘Your ministers are waiting to see you, my love.’
    Her ministers! Victoria was wide awake immediately. Then it had indeed happened. Uncle William was dead and she was the Queen.
    She looked at the tortoiseshell clock ticking away on the bedside table. It was not yet six o’clock.
    ‘I will not keep them waiting,’ she said. She took off her nightcap and let her long fair hair fall about her shoulders. The Duchess put a wrap about her daughter and she thrust her feet into slippers.
    Someone else was at the door. It was the Baroness Lehzen carrying a candle and a bottle of smelling salts. Victoria threw a grateful glance at her governess. Trust Lehzen to be there. She would have been sleeping lightly, ready for the call. And there she was like a guardian angel waiting to protect her charge if need be. And smelling salts! Dear, foolish Lehzen! As though she needed those! What sort of a queen would she be if she were to need smelling salts on being told she was one.
    ‘They are waiting in the