“Your Majesty, an epistle was received for you. At first, the Duchess of Hamilton and I did not think you should see this drivel, but we realised that you would not be able to decide what, if anything, is to be done if you do not read it yourself,” Juliane von Schellenberg, the Queen’s bedchamber woman and most trusted friend, stated contritely in their shared native language.
“We appreciate your efforts to protect us, but we like to be kept informed,” Queen Charlotte responded in her native German. “Hand us the offensive missive.”
Juliane curtsied deeply and handed the missive to Her Majesty. She backed out of the Queen’s bedchamber, nodding to a member of the royal guard to pull the door closed behind her.
Queen Charlotte looked at the direction. It was from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whom Her Majesty was aware had been removed from her position of power some years previously after her daughter had gone to her final reward. If the termagant was requesting that someone step in to restore her as the mistress of Rosings Park, then the woman was further in her dotage than Queen Charlotte already considered her to be.
The Queen unfolded the previously unsealed letter and began to read. The more she read, the angrier she became.
When she finished reading, she pulled the cord, which summoned the major domo to her suite. The man entered and bowed, looking at her expectantly. “We believe that Lords Matlock and Holder are in London. Have them come to see us as soon as may be,” the Queen commanded. “Include their countesses in theinvitation as well.”
The major domo bowed at the waist and exited the Queen’s apartments. Next, she rang for Juliane and three of her lady’s maids.
It did not take too long before Her Majesty was dressed and ready to be seen. Thereafter, with her ladies in waiting trailing behind her, the Queen made for one of her receiving rooms at Buckingham House. A lady in waiting, the Countess of Pembroke, made sure the major domo knew to direct the visitors to the parlour where Her Majesty was seated.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It just so happened that the Fitzwilliams were at Holder House when the royal page arrived with messages summoning both earls and their wives to see Queen Charlotte at her primary residence in London. The two men were in Holder’s study. It was the Wednesday after Andrew had wed Marie, and the newlyweds were at Seaview House, the Darcys’ house near Brighton, where they were to begin their wedding trip.
“Do you have any idea why Her Majesty has ordered us to appear before her?” Holder enquired after the royal page had departed.
“No, Holder. I have no clue as to why, but one does not keep Her Majesty waiting. Come, let us inform our wives; I believe they are in the main drawing room,” Matlock replied.
“May I come with you?” Elizabeth enquired once her father told her mamma and Aunt Elaine that they needed to depart forthwith to see Queen Charlotte.
“No, Lizzy, you may not come uninvited,” Edith said with a smile. She had a good idea why Lizzy had made her request. “And why, pray tell, would you want to see Her Majesty today?”
“If I curtsy to her today, I will not have to don one of those hooped monstrosities like Jane did,” Elizabeth responded.
There was laughter from around the drawing room, which only increased when Lizzy put on a pout at being laughed at. It lasted a few seconds before she too giggled.
“Only Lizzy,” Lady Elaine stated affectionately. “You are well aware that one does not impose on the Queen, are you not, Lizzy?”
“Of course, I am,” Elizabeth replied. “You cannot blame a girl for trying.”
“We must away,” Holder reminded everyone. “When we arrive home, we will share what it was that caused Her Majesty toinviteus to see her.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The Earls of Matlock and Holder, along with their countesses, were shown into the receiving room where Her Majesty and all her ladies-in-waiting sat. The men bowed deeply, and their wives made proper court curtsies to the Queen.
“Before anything else, Lord and Lady Matlock, we wish to extend our congratulations for Lord Hilldale’s marriage to our cousins’ only daughter. He and Lady Marie are well matched,” Queen Charlotte began once she had inclined her head to accept the courtesies shown to her. “The reason we summoned you is because we are greatly perturbed by a letter we received. It is not any of you with whom we are angry, but we will need your counsel regarding how we are to respond to this.” The Queen held up an epistle. She summoned a footman. “Hand this to Lord Matlock.” Then she looked at the four persons before her. “We will discuss this once you have all read the missive. You may be seated.”
Each couple sat on one of the settees facing the queen and her ladies. As soon as the footman handed Matlock the paper, he felt a chill as he identified Catherine’s handwriting before seeing the direction.
He held the letter so Elaine could read it as well. They began to read.
20 August 1807
Rosings Park
Kent
Queen Charlotte!
How can a sane woman, if you are indeed sane, elevate those Carrington foundlings to the same rank as me?
It is not to be borne! I am sure they are the by-blows of some servant, and as such, they can never be considered equal to me! Are the shades of the nobility to be so polluted by these nothings who need to be returned to the gutter where they belong?
