Queen in Waiting: (Georgian Series) Read Free

received the loyal cheers of the citizens for the Margrave was deeply loved and respected, largely because he, a Hohenzollern, and connected with the Brandenburgs, had not scorned to concern himself with trade, and as a result he had made a thriving community. He had brought skilled weavers from abroad; nor had that been all. He had set up metal workers in his town; and all his officials and servants were commanded to buy articles which had been produced locally. This foresight had brought prosperity to Ansbach; and the citizens made their approval of his methods known when he rode through their streets with his family.
    ‘Long live the Margrave! Long live the Margravine!’ She had basked contentedly in his popularity.
    There had been minor irritations. It was often difficult for a stepmother to win the love of her predecessor’s children; and George Frederick, the elder of her stepchildren, his father’s heir, actively disliked and resented her. This had seemed unfortunate but not disastrous when her husband had been alive; but when on his death George Frederick had become the Margrave of Ansbach, it was a different matter.
    He did not exactly tell her to go, but when he took over the apartments with their brilliant frescoes and porcelain galleries which she had inhabited with her husband he made it clear that she was not welcome in his palace.
    She was a proud woman and had no wish to remain where she was not wanted, so she decided that she would leave Ansbach with her children – Caroline who was then only three years old and William Frederick who was two years younger. Her old home was in Eisenach on the border of the Thuringian Forest and here she went with the children, although she knew it would only be a temporary refuge.
    Often she thought of her kindly, plump husband prematurely killed by the smallpox, and longed for the old days. There was little pleasure in spending one’s life visiting other people who, kind as they were, would not wish her to stay forever.
    Sometimes she asked herself if she had been headstrong in leaving Ansbach. George Frederick was a minor, and not allowed to govern; and until he married and had a son, the heir presumptive to Ansbach was her own son William Frederick.
    Her greatest friends in her misfortune were the Brandenburgs and at their suggestion she had sent William Frederick back to Ansbach – for after all it was his home – and had travelled to Berlin with young Caroline.
    Here she had made the acquaintance of the Elector John George of Saxony, and both the Elector and Electress of Brandenburg had persuaded her that it was her duty to accept the proposal of marriage he would make to her.
    It was for this reason that she was waiting for him now.
    He was coming towards her – a young man with wild eyes, full, sensuous lips, and an ungraciousness about his manner which was disturbing.
    He bowed stiffly and, she fancied, avoided meeting her eyes.
    He was thinking angrily: She’s older than I thought. Already a matron and a mother of two!
    ‘Madam,’ he said, ‘I believe you have some notion why I have asked for this… er… pleasure.’
    His voice was cold; he scarcely bothered to hide his dislike.
    She looked alarmed and that angered him still further. There was no need for her to play the coy maiden. She knew very well what his purpose was; and she doubtless knew how vehemently he had had to be persuaded. He was not going to pretend to her now or at any other time. He would make no secret to her or to anyone that if he was forced into this marriage it was under protest.
    She inclined her head slightly, conveying that she was aware of the reason for his visit.
    ‘I understand you are prepared to marry me.’
    Eleanor wanted to cry out: No! I must have time to think. I have allowed them to persuade me. I have been carried away by their arguments. She thought of herself growing older, Caroline becoming marriageable. What hope would she have of finding a suitable husband for