The Three Crowns: The Story of William a - By Jean Plaidy Page 0,38
until the diamond ring, the outward symbol of union was put on to that white and reluctant finger, was the Earl’s relief apparent. Now he could prepare to take home to his master the one whom he believed to be the most beautiful girl in the world.
When James in London heard the news he was delighted. A wife, at last! And, if Peterborough could be believed, a beauty.
His eyes grew misty at the thought. He saw the years ahead, the children they would have—lots of them, girls as well as boys. He would spend much time with them. He remembered that period when he and Anne had lived with their children in Richmond Palace … those months when they had both been ill and had believed themselves to be not long for the world. Anne had been right regarding herself; but he, by the blessing of the Virgin, had recovered his strength. They had been wonderful years—lived in the shadow of death it was true; but he would find even greater happiness when the sense of urgency was removed! With this young girl from Modena he would recover conjugal happiness. She and their children all about them. What greater joy could there be on earth?
They would have sons. He would have liked to see his dear Mary Queen of England, because of all his children she would always be his favorite; but it was better to have a boy. Mary would understand that. Yet never, he was sure, would he love a child as he loved Mary.
He wanted to share this joy with his beloved daughters. He could scarcely wait to tell them, so he went with all speed to the schoolroom, where he was delighted to find Mary alone with her sister Anne. His heart was full of love for them as he watched them for a second or so before they saw him. Purposely he had come unannounced because he wished this to be a very private meeting.
They were bending over a table drawing together and Mary was pointing out to Anne some fault in her work. What a pretty pair! Anne so placid with her rosy cheeks and light brown hair; Mary so dark and graceful, so serious—his darling best-beloved.
“My dearest daughters.”
They looked up and in that moment he felt he was the happiest of men. A lovely young girl for a bride … a girl not much older than this delightful daughter. Oh, the future was going to be good indeed.
They had both risen, but he would have no ceremony on such an occasion; he strode to them and putting one arm about each held them against him.
“My dearest girls!” he murmured.
“You are very happy,” said Mary, the perceptive one. “Something has happened to please you, Father.”
“It is something I am longing to tell you. I am providing you with a playfellow.”
Mary’s long dark eyes were clouded. Another girl, she thought, to invade the nursery, perhaps to be a friend rather to Elizabeth Villiers than to her. Was this a matter for such rejoicing?
“You will be so delighted with her,” went on James. “You too, Anne.”
Anne smiled a little vaguely, and her father went on: “My daughters, you will have more than a playfellow. You will have a mother.”
“But our mother is dead …” began Mary.
“Alas, alas! We have never been happy since then, have we? So I thought I should provide you with another. I have been married to a charming young girl—only a few years older than you are, Mary. Are you not pleased?”
“You said a playfellow,” said Mary slowly. “This is a stepmother.”
“She will be your friend, playfellow, and mother. My children, I see happy days ahead for us all.”
Mary smiled, only half convinced. She had already come to suspect change.
Now that the marriage by proxy had been completed, Charles and James waited for the storms to rise.
They were not long in coming. The Earl of Shaftesbury asked for an audience with the King.
Charles studied his minister sardonically and as he asked his business was well aware that he had come to protest and what about.
“Your Majesty,” began Shaftesbury, “it is with great regret and misgiving that I hear of the plan to marry the Duke of York to the Princess of Modena. I beg Your Majesty not to proceed with this plan which I am convinced would not please the people.”
“Your request comes a little late, my lord. The alliance is completed and the Duke already married to the lady.”