Part 31 (1/2)

'Somerset. It is I believe a very pleasant county.'

'Very pleasant, Your Majesty.'

'And my lord Ilchester's seat very... very... pleasant.'

'Oh yes, Sire, my father's house is very pleasant.'

'You will be going there, I suppose.'

'Yes, Sire, for the summer.'

'And nothing will bring you back... before the winter?'

'I don't know of anything.'

The King was silent and Susan was growing more and more embarra.s.sed. One could not broach a subject to the King and must content oneself with answering, but how boring it was. Moreover, she was aware of Sarah's eyes on her from across the room. Sarah was looking sly; she was going to accuse her of trying to s.n.a.t.c.h the King from her as she herself had s.n.a.t.c.hed Newbattle from Caroline Russell.

'Would you... would you come back to see a coronation?' asked the King.

'Oh yes, Sire, I should hope to come back to see that.'

'I have put off my coronation for a while. I have a reason.'

'I am sure Your Majesty has.'

'I thought that a coronation with a Queen would be a much finer sight than one without.'

'That is surely so, Sire.'

The King looked at her so intently that Lady Susan was alarmed. Good heavens, she thought, is he proposing to me? Has it all been a mistake. Am I the one... not Sarah...

She dared not look at the King and lifting her eyes she saw Sarah glaring at her. Sarah would want a detailed account of this conversation.

'I have had a great many applications from abroad,' said the King. 'Foreign Princesses. I don't like the idea much.'

'No, Your Majesty.'

He looked wistful. 'I have had none from at home.' He leaned towards her. 'I should like it better if I had.'

Lady Susan began to tremble. It must be. A proposal of marriage from the King. Oh no! It could not happen in this way. It would have to be a formal approach through her parents. She was dreaming surely... Or the King was mad.

He too was looking across the room at Sarah, which was a relief since he could not see her, Susan's, discomfiture.

'What do you think of your friend? You know who I mean.'

He was smiling at Sarah.

'Oh... oh yes, Sire.'

'Don't you think she is the fittest?'

'Think, Sire?'

He did not seem to hear her. He said firmly: 'I think none so fit.' Then he returned to Susan. 'Come with me,' he said. 'I wish to speak to your friend.'

Susan rose and together they crossed the room. Sarah swept an enchanting curtsy.

'I have been talking to your friend,' he told her.

'I have observed Your Majesty,' she answered pertly.

'So you were... aware of me?'

'Sire, everyone is aware of the King.'

He chuckled. 'Will you ask your friend Lady Susan what I have been saying to. her?'

'If it is your wish, Sire.'

'It is my wish. Yes, it is my wish. Ask her to tell you and make her tell you all I said to her. Will you promise me to that?'

'I promise, Sire.'

George seemed overcome by mirth and emotion. He left the girls and went and joined Lady Pembroke, an old friend of his.

Sarah looked at Susan interrogatively. 'I'll tell you when we're alone. It's too fantastic.'

Susan had repeated every word the King had said not only to Sarah but to the whole of Sarah's family.

She must go through it all when she returned to Holland House. Lady Caroline questioned her, so did Mr Fox.

'Now, Susan, are you sure? He said he thought none so fit. Are you sure of that?'

'Absolutely sure. I remember every word.'

'And then he took you over to Sarah and said you were to tell her what he had said.'

'Yes... it all happened exactly as I have explained.'

'You could have misconstrued.'

'No, I'm sure I didn't. It was all so simple... so straightforward... and so fantastic. Of course I haven't made up anything.'

The Duke of Richmond called at Holland House, and Susan had to repeat the story to him.

There was a long family conference.