old!
Chapter 9
V ISITORS FROM A BROAD , 1833
Nothing pleased me more than to receive visits from members of my family. I was delighted with the arrival that summer of two cousins, Alexander and Ernst Württemberg, the sons of Mammaâs sister, Antoinette. Both were extremely tall. Alexander, twenty-nine, was excessively handsome; his younger brother, Ernst, wore a kind expression. These two young men were both very attentive to me. My brother, Charles, of the same age as Ernst, joined us, making it a very gay and happy party.
My cousins were perfect guests, always good humored, always completely satisfied with whatever was offered them. And such fine conversationalists! They spoke of such interesting things, such as their experiences growing up in Russia, where their father was a diplomat. Every day we went out driving and walking. In the evenings we attended the opera, and mycousins agreed with me that Madame Taglioni and her archrival, Fanny Elsler, both danced BEAUTIFULLY.
But there was one extremely unpleasant incident, and Mamma was to blame for it.
Dear Aunt Adelaide, who had always been so VERY kind to me and equally kind to Mamma, had arranged a ball at St. Jamesâs to honor my cousins. I was sitting on the dais beside the queen, chatting most agreeably, when Mamma abruptly rose and, though it was still quite early in the evening, signaled me that we were leavingâ now! Her expression indicated that nothing could persuade her otherwise.
âLeaving?â Aunt Adelaide asked Mamma, puzzled. âBut we are just about to go in to supper, my dear duchess. Can you not delay your departure a little?â
âI beg your pardon, your majesty,â Mamma said in the sourest tone imaginable, âbut my nephews have been at a review today, and they are quite fatigued.â
âFatigued? Those great young men are fatigued?â Aunt Adelaide smiled, raised an eyebrow, and shook her head in disbelief.
I stared at Mamma. My cousins were both over six feet tall and QUITE STOUT. It would surely take a great deal to tire them. Why is Mamma behaving so ill? I wondered. But I had no choice but to make my farewells to the king and queenâthe queen looking surprised and hurt, and the king glowering FURIOUSLY.
My face was hot with embarrassment and shame as Mamma seized my hand, and with an imperious nod to my cousins, led us out of the ballroom. The ride from St. Jamesâs back to Kensington was accomplished in silence. My amiable cousinsstared uncomfortably at the rain that drummed on the windows of the carriage. I sat miserably in the corner, certain that the ill will between Mamma and King William would only grow worse, and I did not understand why.
After a fortnight my cousins sailed back to the Continent. I missed them so VERY much, and I wished they were still with us. The days were wretched, with pouring rain, and the trees were bare. Kensington seemed dull and stupid and gloomier than ever.
Daisy was no longer my governessâLady Charlotte held that titleâbut she was surely my most devoted and affectionate friend. I trusted her more than anyone, including Mamma. Especially Mamma! As Daisy and I walked in the garden on one of those foggy, drizzling days soon after the kingâs ball, I put my questions to her. âWhy did Mamma insist upon leaving so rudely? Why does she dislike him so much? Has it anything to do with me?â
âNo, my dear Victoria,â she said, âit has nothing whatever to do with you, and you must not trouble yourself with matters that concern only King William and your mother. Itâs true that they do indeed have their differences,â she added.
I stopped to pick a few late summer flowers, causing my friend to stop as well. âDearest Daisy,â I said, planting myself firmly in front of her, âplease speak to me frankly. It is important to me to understand why things are as they are. Even if it has nothing whatever to do
Chapter 9
V ISITORS FROM A BROAD , 1833
Nothing pleased me more than to receive visits from members of my family. I was delighted with the arrival that summer of two cousins, Alexander and Ernst Württemberg, the sons of Mammaâs sister, Antoinette. Both were extremely tall. Alexander, twenty-nine, was excessively handsome; his younger brother, Ernst, wore a kind expression. These two young men were both very attentive to me. My brother, Charles, of the same age as Ernst, joined us, making it a very gay and happy party.
My cousins were perfect guests, always good humored, always completely satisfied with whatever was offered them. And such fine conversationalists! They spoke of such interesting things, such as their experiences growing up in Russia, where their father was a diplomat. Every day we went out driving and walking. In the evenings we attended the opera, and mycousins agreed with me that Madame Taglioni and her archrival, Fanny Elsler, both danced BEAUTIFULLY.
But there was one extremely unpleasant incident, and Mamma was to blame for it.
Dear Aunt Adelaide, who had always been so VERY kind to me and equally kind to Mamma, had arranged a ball at St. Jamesâs to honor my cousins. I was sitting on the dais beside the queen, chatting most agreeably, when Mamma abruptly rose and, though it was still quite early in the evening, signaled me that we were leavingâ now! Her expression indicated that nothing could persuade her otherwise.
âLeaving?â Aunt Adelaide asked Mamma, puzzled. âBut we are just about to go in to supper, my dear duchess. Can you not delay your departure a little?â
âI beg your pardon, your majesty,â Mamma said in the sourest tone imaginable, âbut my nephews have been at a review today, and they are quite fatigued.â
âFatigued? Those great young men are fatigued?â Aunt Adelaide smiled, raised an eyebrow, and shook her head in disbelief.
I stared at Mamma. My cousins were both over six feet tall and QUITE STOUT. It would surely take a great deal to tire them. Why is Mamma behaving so ill? I wondered. But I had no choice but to make my farewells to the king and queenâthe queen looking surprised and hurt, and the king glowering FURIOUSLY.
My face was hot with embarrassment and shame as Mamma seized my hand, and with an imperious nod to my cousins, led us out of the ballroom. The ride from St. Jamesâs back to Kensington was accomplished in silence. My amiable cousinsstared uncomfortably at the rain that drummed on the windows of the carriage. I sat miserably in the corner, certain that the ill will between Mamma and King William would only grow worse, and I did not understand why.
After a fortnight my cousins sailed back to the Continent. I missed them so VERY much, and I wished they were still with us. The days were wretched, with pouring rain, and the trees were bare. Kensington seemed dull and stupid and gloomier than ever.
Daisy was no longer my governessâLady Charlotte held that titleâbut she was surely my most devoted and affectionate friend. I trusted her more than anyone, including Mamma. Especially Mamma! As Daisy and I walked in the garden on one of those foggy, drizzling days soon after the kingâs ball, I put my questions to her. âWhy did Mamma insist upon leaving so rudely? Why does she dislike him so much? Has it anything to do with me?â
âNo, my dear Victoria,â she said, âit has nothing whatever to do with you, and you must not trouble yourself with matters that concern only King William and your mother. Itâs true that they do indeed have their differences,â she added.
I stopped to pick a few late summer flowers, causing my friend to stop as well. âDearest Daisy,â I said, planting myself firmly in front of her, âplease speak to me frankly. It is important to me to understand why things are as they are. Even if it has nothing whatever to do
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