Read Online Queen in Waiting: (Georgian Series) by Jean Plaidy - Free Book Online
Authors: Jean Plaidy
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world – and with it that feeling of protection and security, which, but for fears of the past, she could not have known was so precious.
She was not so fond of her official guardian who was, naturally, Sophia Charlotte’s husband, the Elector of Brandenburg; she found his appearance repulsive and he had no interest in those matters which seemed so vital to her and Sophia Charlotte. He was exclusively concerned with statescraft; he would rise at four o’clock in the morning and retire early, which was in complete opposition to the habits of his wife, who liked to spend the morning in bed because, for her, the day did not begin until the evening.
He cared for all that seemed empty to his wife. He enjoyed colourful ceremonies and never lost an opportunity of indulging in them. Often it was necessary for Sophia Charlotte to appear with him and this she did, but it was with reluctance that she put on the robes of state, the glittering jewels which so delighted her husband, and took her place beside him; and as soon as possible she would discard them and put on some loose, flowing garment, in Caroline’s eyes so much more tasteful and beautiful than flamboyant purples and gold, and instead of glorifying the power of the Electorate, talk of art or literature, philosophy or music.
Caroline, while having no affection for the Elector, often marvelled at his tolerance towards his wife. He would look at her wistfully and long for her to interest herself in his affairs and yet he never showed displeasure that she did not do so; only sadness. Whereas Sophia Charlotte had no desire to draw him into her life and was quite content for him to go his own way.
It was only natural that he should resent the girl who had soeasily won the love of his wife in a manner which he had been unable to do, in spite of everything he had done for her – particularly as, with the coming of Caroline, his wife had grown even further from him.
There were occasions when, on his way to bed, he would look in at her gatherings which were just beginning. He would stay awhile to listen to the music of a young boy named Handel whom she had discovered and was encouraging – for she was constantly discovering and encouraging someone; or exchange a word with one of her Huguenots or Catholics or perhaps Leibniz who was one of the most eminent philosophers of the day. He would not stay; he would be too weary to do anything but yawn at their learned discourse; and in any case, he felt unwanted.
Caroline, very much aware of him, always relieved when he left, often felt that their happy home would have been nearer perfection if the Elector had not been there.
But growing in wisdom as she was, she knew that those moments when she and Sophia Charlotte were together could not have been quite so rapturously wonderful if there had been perpetual contentment.
For Sophia Charlotte there were the petty displays of pomp for which she had no feeling; there was the fact that she was married to a man whom she could not love; there were anxieties about the wild nature of her only son – but from all these she had her escape, and she and Caroline were together every day.
So the golden years began to pass and Caroline was growing into a handsome young woman.
Caroline’s greatest friend in Berlin, next of course to Sophia Charlotte, was Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and from him she first became deeply aware of the family at Hanover.
Leibniz had come to Lützenburg to visit Sophia Charlotte from Hanover, bringing messages from the Electress Sophia, and when Caroline began her friendship with him he was in his late fifties. Recognized as one of the most learned men in Europe, he was both philosopher and mathematician, and had originally made a name for himself at two universities and later by the ideas he presented through his writing.
The Electress Sophia, Sophia Charlotte’s mother, had welcomed him at Hanover; and because Leibniz was a man who had a great respect for money
She was not so fond of her official guardian who was, naturally, Sophia Charlotte’s husband, the Elector of Brandenburg; she found his appearance repulsive and he had no interest in those matters which seemed so vital to her and Sophia Charlotte. He was exclusively concerned with statescraft; he would rise at four o’clock in the morning and retire early, which was in complete opposition to the habits of his wife, who liked to spend the morning in bed because, for her, the day did not begin until the evening.
He cared for all that seemed empty to his wife. He enjoyed colourful ceremonies and never lost an opportunity of indulging in them. Often it was necessary for Sophia Charlotte to appear with him and this she did, but it was with reluctance that she put on the robes of state, the glittering jewels which so delighted her husband, and took her place beside him; and as soon as possible she would discard them and put on some loose, flowing garment, in Caroline’s eyes so much more tasteful and beautiful than flamboyant purples and gold, and instead of glorifying the power of the Electorate, talk of art or literature, philosophy or music.
Caroline, while having no affection for the Elector, often marvelled at his tolerance towards his wife. He would look at her wistfully and long for her to interest herself in his affairs and yet he never showed displeasure that she did not do so; only sadness. Whereas Sophia Charlotte had no desire to draw him into her life and was quite content for him to go his own way.
It was only natural that he should resent the girl who had soeasily won the love of his wife in a manner which he had been unable to do, in spite of everything he had done for her – particularly as, with the coming of Caroline, his wife had grown even further from him.
There were occasions when, on his way to bed, he would look in at her gatherings which were just beginning. He would stay awhile to listen to the music of a young boy named Handel whom she had discovered and was encouraging – for she was constantly discovering and encouraging someone; or exchange a word with one of her Huguenots or Catholics or perhaps Leibniz who was one of the most eminent philosophers of the day. He would not stay; he would be too weary to do anything but yawn at their learned discourse; and in any case, he felt unwanted.
Caroline, very much aware of him, always relieved when he left, often felt that their happy home would have been nearer perfection if the Elector had not been there.
But growing in wisdom as she was, she knew that those moments when she and Sophia Charlotte were together could not have been quite so rapturously wonderful if there had been perpetual contentment.
For Sophia Charlotte there were the petty displays of pomp for which she had no feeling; there was the fact that she was married to a man whom she could not love; there were anxieties about the wild nature of her only son – but from all these she had her escape, and she and Caroline were together every day.
So the golden years began to pass and Caroline was growing into a handsome young woman.
Caroline’s greatest friend in Berlin, next of course to Sophia Charlotte, was Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and from him she first became deeply aware of the family at Hanover.
Leibniz had come to Lützenburg to visit Sophia Charlotte from Hanover, bringing messages from the Electress Sophia, and when Caroline began her friendship with him he was in his late fifties. Recognized as one of the most learned men in Europe, he was both philosopher and mathematician, and had originally made a name for himself at two universities and later by the ideas he presented through his writing.
The Electress Sophia, Sophia Charlotte’s mother, had welcomed him at Hanover; and because Leibniz was a man who had a great respect for money