Victoria Victorious: The Story of Queen Victoria by Jean Plaidy Page B

was quite taken aback, but that did end the piano lesson for the day.
    These people were all quite fond of me, I believe, in spite of my lack of application and my occasional storms. There were quite a number of times when my natural enthusiasms and feelings toward them made me go against Mama's instructions and let them know it. They thought those lapses, which Mama would have called vulgar, charming. So, in spite of everything, we got along very well together, and often when I made an effort to please them, they were so appreciative of that.
    But with Feodore gone, I was really melancholy, and nothing— simply nothing—could lift the gloom.
    On Wednesdays Uncle Leopold came to Kensington to visit us. These were the red-letter days. I would stand at the window with Lehzen beside me waiting for the sound of carriage wheels which would herald his arrival. I loved to watch him step down from his carriage. He was so handsome. “I think Uncle Leopold must be the most distinguished man in the world,” I told Lehzen.
    As soon as I was summoned I would rush down and throw myself into his arms. Mama would stand aside, not at all displeased that, on this occasion, I had allowed natural affection to triumph over dignity.
    Uncle Leopold did not mind either.
    He would ask me if I loved him as much as ever and I would assure him fervently that I did.
    I would sit on his knee and he would talk to me about being good and doing my duty and remembering that it was the only true way to satisfaction.
    Mama said, “We have had quite a few storms lately.”
    “Storms?” echoed Uncle Leopold. “Oh I do not like to hear that.”
    “We are still sulky over the Sussex matter.”
    Uncle Leopold looked very sad and that made me almost burst into tears.
    “I watered the flowers,” I tried to explain. “They did need it.”
    Uncle Leopold sighed.
    “There have been many storms because Feodore has gone,” said Mama.
    “Dear me,” said Uncle Leopold. “That is not like my princess.”
    “Yes, Uncle Leopold,” I corrected. “It is very like your princess.”
    “To be stormy when she does not get what she thinks is her due,” supplied Mama.
    “My dearest,” said Uncle Leopold, “but it was very necessary for your sister to go away. She had behaved rather foolishly as you now know, and I am sure she will be happy with the new arrangements which are being made for her.”
    “She was very happy with the arrangements she and Augustus were making.”
    My mother exchanged a look with Uncle Leopold as though to say, “You see.”
    Uncle Leopold then began to ask me about my progress with my lessons, a less-than-happy subject, and after that he spoke to me so beautifully about the joys of endeavor, and as I sat on his knee watching his handsome face, my attention strayed from what he was saying and I was thinking how good he was and how lucky I was to have such an uncle.
    Finally he said it was time I visited him at Claremont and asked if that were agreeable to me.
    “It is the most agreeable thing in the world,” I told him, “apart from Feodore's coming back.”
    “I am disappointed that it is not the
most
agreeable event,” said Uncle Leopold, and I was ashamed because I knew that he always liked to be the first. But it was true that more than anything I wanted Feodore back, and I could not deny that.
    He stayed with us for some time talking first to me and then I was sent back to Lehzen while he talked alone with Mama; and when he left I went down to wave him goodbye.
    H OW I LOVED Claremont! I bounded up the steps to the front door, counting them as I went until I reached the triumphant thirteen. Uncle Leopold was waiting to take me in his arms. Lehzen kept a discreet distance. She would go back to Kensington afterward so that I should be alone with Uncle Leopold. Louisa Lewis was there to greet me. She looked so happy to see me that I even forgot I had lost Feodore and prepared to enjoy every moment of my stay at