Read Online Death at St. James's Palace by Deryn Lake - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Deryn Lake
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the other day.”
Mr. Fielding chuckled. “Ah, Elizabeth, yes. Of course she is not really a member of that social order, not yet that is.”
John looked interested but said nothing, anxious to hear more.
“No, her father was merely Colonel Chudleigh and she was left very badly provided for when he died suddenly. Elizabeth was only six years old at the time. But she has always been a beautiful girl and has risen very high because of that. They say the Earl of Bath was much attracted to her and the Duke of Hamilton was on the point of marrying her, though some misunderstanding caused them to break up and he married one of the Misses Gunning instead. However, she is now much attached to my kinsman, the Duke of Kingston.”
“Will she become his wife, do you think?”
“I don’t see why not. There is nothing to stop either of them. In fact I am surprised she has not done it by now.”
“Has she ever had a child?” asked John, out of the blue.
Mr. Fielding looked slightly startled. “Not that I know of. Though there was a rumour that some years ago she left court for a considerable length of time. But then there are rumours like that about all lovely and daring women.”
John nodded, longing to ask when this was but not quite having the courage to do so. It was obvious by the way he spoke that the Magistrate was fond of the lady in question and there were other ways of finding such information. However, Mr. Fielding had not finished speaking.
“It is said that when she returned, one young woman commented that she had heard Miss Chudleigh had given birth to twins, and this to her face, mark you. Apparently, Lord Chesterfield was standing nearby and Elizabeth at once drew him into the conversation and asked if he could believe such gossip. ‘Ah, Miss Chudleigh,’ he answered, very straight-faced, “I make it a policy only to believe half of what I hear.’”
The Magistrate rumbled another melodious laugh, in which John joined him.
“Why is it that I can never think of witty ripostes until too late?”
“A fact common to most of us/‘ John Fielding answered. He changed the subject. “The investiture is going to be quite an ordeal, I believe.”
“Why so?”
“My dear friend, there is a great deal of walking involved. Apparently, we enter by one staircase, leave by another, and have endless rooms to process through until we reach the throne.”
“But Mrs. Fielding will walk with you surely.”
“Not only she. I have asked permission for Jago to take my other arm. He is as used to guiding me as my wife. They shall proceed on either side of me and Mary Ann will sit by herself to observe.”
“How I wish I could be there,” said the Apothecary. “It would be one of the great moments of my life to see you knighted.” He meant every word.
“Alas Mr. Rawlings, we are limited to three guests. As it is there will be a mighty crush.”
“Is the Queen to be present?”
“Not she. I have heard that she does not care too greatly for public show. She is formidably ugly you know, and I am sure that someone must have giggled this behind her back. I suppose one should feel sorry for the poor thing. Sometimes ...” He burst out laughing again and John came to the conclusion that the great man was very slightly the worse for liquor. “... one almost feels blessed that one cannot see her.”
“Is it true that the King wears a blindfold at night?” asked the Apothecary. He, too, was feeling the effects of the port.
“If he doesn’t, he soon will. The only thing the poor girl has on her side is youth and that will pass quickly enough.”
“I am sure that half the people present at the ceremony will be disappointed not to get a close look at Her Majesty. It is the talk of town that wagers are being taken on exactly how plain she is.”
“Well, she’s not going to be there. Apparently it is not the thing for consorts to attend.”
“Ah well,” said John. There was a noise on the stairs and he
Mr. Fielding chuckled. “Ah, Elizabeth, yes. Of course she is not really a member of that social order, not yet that is.”
John looked interested but said nothing, anxious to hear more.
“No, her father was merely Colonel Chudleigh and she was left very badly provided for when he died suddenly. Elizabeth was only six years old at the time. But she has always been a beautiful girl and has risen very high because of that. They say the Earl of Bath was much attracted to her and the Duke of Hamilton was on the point of marrying her, though some misunderstanding caused them to break up and he married one of the Misses Gunning instead. However, she is now much attached to my kinsman, the Duke of Kingston.”
“Will she become his wife, do you think?”
“I don’t see why not. There is nothing to stop either of them. In fact I am surprised she has not done it by now.”
“Has she ever had a child?” asked John, out of the blue.
Mr. Fielding looked slightly startled. “Not that I know of. Though there was a rumour that some years ago she left court for a considerable length of time. But then there are rumours like that about all lovely and daring women.”
John nodded, longing to ask when this was but not quite having the courage to do so. It was obvious by the way he spoke that the Magistrate was fond of the lady in question and there were other ways of finding such information. However, Mr. Fielding had not finished speaking.
“It is said that when she returned, one young woman commented that she had heard Miss Chudleigh had given birth to twins, and this to her face, mark you. Apparently, Lord Chesterfield was standing nearby and Elizabeth at once drew him into the conversation and asked if he could believe such gossip. ‘Ah, Miss Chudleigh,’ he answered, very straight-faced, “I make it a policy only to believe half of what I hear.’”
The Magistrate rumbled another melodious laugh, in which John joined him.
“Why is it that I can never think of witty ripostes until too late?”
“A fact common to most of us/‘ John Fielding answered. He changed the subject. “The investiture is going to be quite an ordeal, I believe.”
“Why so?”
“My dear friend, there is a great deal of walking involved. Apparently, we enter by one staircase, leave by another, and have endless rooms to process through until we reach the throne.”
“But Mrs. Fielding will walk with you surely.”
“Not only she. I have asked permission for Jago to take my other arm. He is as used to guiding me as my wife. They shall proceed on either side of me and Mary Ann will sit by herself to observe.”
“How I wish I could be there,” said the Apothecary. “It would be one of the great moments of my life to see you knighted.” He meant every word.
“Alas Mr. Rawlings, we are limited to three guests. As it is there will be a mighty crush.”
“Is the Queen to be present?”
“Not she. I have heard that she does not care too greatly for public show. She is formidably ugly you know, and I am sure that someone must have giggled this behind her back. I suppose one should feel sorry for the poor thing. Sometimes ...” He burst out laughing again and John came to the conclusion that the great man was very slightly the worse for liquor. “... one almost feels blessed that one cannot see her.”
“Is it true that the King wears a blindfold at night?” asked the Apothecary. He, too, was feeling the effects of the port.
“If he doesn’t, he soon will. The only thing the poor girl has on her side is youth and that will pass quickly enough.”
“I am sure that half the people present at the ceremony will be disappointed not to get a close look at Her Majesty. It is the talk of town that wagers are being taken on exactly how plain she is.”
“Well, she’s not going to be there. Apparently it is not the thing for consorts to attend.”
“Ah well,” said John. There was a noise on the stairs and he
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