The Third George: (Georgian Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘before the Princess arrives.’
    ‘We shall press forward with all arrangements as soon as possible,’ Bute assured him. ‘Harcourt will see that there is no delay. Your Majesty is impatient for your bride.’
    George hesitated. Perhaps, he thought, when she comes it will be easier. Once I am married to her I shall think only of her. It would be wonderful to put an end to this continual ache for Sarah.
    ‘I am very impatient for that moment to come which will join me to her, I hope for my life.’
    The Princess and Bute exchanged glances. George was so reliable – except of course when he tried to act without their guidance. They both still shivered now when they contemplated the Lightfoot affair. The Sarah Lennox matter had been far more manageable.
    But once George was married all would be well.
    The marriage must take place at the earliest possible moment. Therefore it was comforting to hear from George’s own lips that he was impatient for it.
    *
    When they were alone Lord Bute and the Dowager Princess of Wales began discussing events more candidly than they were able to in the King’s presence.
    ‘I cannot wait for Charlotte’s arrival,’ declared the Princess. ‘I shall not feel safe until they are married.’
    ‘This will surely be one of the most hasty royal marriages that ever took place,’ smiled Bute.
    ‘I keep feeling that something will go wrong.’
    Bute took her hand and kissed it tenderly; his eyes regarded her affectionately. He had good reason to feel affection for her. His fortunes had been going up ever since that day fourteen years ago when at Egham races a shower of rain had driven the late Prince of Wales into a tent and he, Bute, had been invited to join the royal party for a game of whist. He had immediately become a favourite of the Prince – and an even greater one of the Princess. In those days Frederick had welcomed Bute’s devotion to his wife; it had left Frederick to dally with his mistress of the moment while Bute took care of the Princess. They had been a happy foursome and nothing could have been more amicable. But since Frederick’s death, Bute’s fortunes had risen fast. Not only had he made himself indispensable to the Princess but to her son; and George looked upon him as a father, for he had always played the part to perfection; and now that George was king, Bute’s eyes were on the greatest power available. He wanted the position which was now held by William Pitt – the man who was known throughout the country as the Great Commoner, who had dreamed of an Empire for England and had set about obtaining one for her. How he had succeeded was only too apparent. Horace Walpole, that old gossip, had remarked that each morning he must ask what fresh English victory there had been for fear of missing one. Pitt had declared that he could save England and he was the only one who could. He had taken over the ministry in all but name when England was engaged in a war that seemed disastrous, for her only ally was Frederick the Great, and he and England stood together against the combined forces of France, Austria, Russia and Spain. Pitt was fighting out the conflict in America and India and doing what he had said he would do – turn a kingdom into an Empire.
    Recognizing the man’s genius, Bute would have been contented to work with Pitt. It was Pitt who had shown so clearly that he would not work with Bute. Pitt had stood firm against the folly of nepotism. The right man for the job, was his cry. And he was proving how right he was. Yet if ever a man hoped to climb through favouritism that man was Bute. He had relied for years on the love of the Princess Dowager; now he relied on that of the King. Bute wanted to rule England; and Pitt hadalready declared that if the unfortunate day arrived when Bute moved in, he, Pitt, would move out.
    Ever since that day Bute had made up his mind that Pitt should go and he was waiting for the time to come when he would have an opportunity