Page 60 of A Foreign Crown
As soon as Prince Laytonleft in the carriage, Lady Aribella rushed back to her chambers. Certain she was needed somewhere, somehow, she searched the walkways for a servant. As soon as a maid crossed her path, she reached out. “Excuse me. Do you know if the Queen has asked after me?”
“No, my lady. But she is in her chambers with some of her ladies.”
“Oh—oh dear. I will head there straightaway.” Rushing in that direction, she wrung her hands. Full of hope that she had not let down the Queen but concerned that she had, Aribella wondered what her mother would do in such a situation. Unfortunately, she did not know.
As soon as she stood in the doorway, she felt a bit better. She was here now. She would do what she could. The room seemed busy with activity. Ladies Mallory, Jennings, Oppenheim, and Smithing were present with the Queen.
When the Queen caught her eye, she waved Aribella in. “Oh good, Lady Aribella. Is everything well in regards to earlier? No feelings ruptured on Prince Layton’s part, that sort of thing?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Quite well. Great understanding abounds in times such as these.”
Relief shone in her eyes. “Thank you.”
Aribella curtsied low.
“And now I have other tasks that must be completed. Please come join me at my table.”
She sat next to the Queen. A servant brought a quill, an inkwell, and parchment, and the Queen slid half of her correspondence over to Aribella. “And now we begin responding to all of these. We must also send our notices overseas. Everyone must learn of the passing of dear Amelia and of our allegiance to Prince George and of the King’s slip into deep grief.”
Aribella was astonished at the Queen’s strength. The other ladies in the room were engaged in various tasks themselves. Lady Mallory looked to be embroidering the hem of a black gown while Lady Smithing was separating out clothing. Piles of dresses filled the bed.
“I know the hour grows late, but I must remain busy, or I’m afraid I won’t be much more use than the King.” Queen Charlotte’s voice caught, and she turned away, a hand at her mouth.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
“I know, dear.” She rested a hand on the table and took a deep breath. “The funeral will take place at Windsor. I suspect it wisest for us to move there.”
Aribella nodded.
“We shall finish out our duties here first and then move out of the way of my son.”
Aribella thought the Queen might have much wisdom or counsel to offer her son, but she seemed determined to step away. Aribella didn’t blame her for that decision either.
Most of the correspondence could be answered by a few simple phrases the Queen dictated to Aribella once or twice until she had them memorized.
“Now, ladies,” the Queen said while Aribella worked. “I would like you all to listen. You will have a funeral to attend. I will need my best mourning clothing mended and cared for, as will all of my daughters. Lady Mallory, thank you for your efforts there. Would you assist them in their selections of mourning clothing? You will each need deep black clothing yourselves. Call in a modiste for tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lady Mallory nodded.
“Lady Aribella.”
She looked up from her letter. “Yes?”
“I would appreciate your attendance with me in the carriage.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” She hoped she could be of some assistance.
“It would be well for everyone to speak of these events in the same manner. We will discuss the King’s great grief. We will talk of his aging. I have little hope that news of a crazed mind will be kept within these walls, but I can only hope and ask for a bit of loyalty from you, my closest attendants.”
The other ladies looked away, but they mumbled agreement.
“I look to you to be true ladies of the bedchamber—friends, loyal to me and my children, for we have no one else but each other.”
“Certainly.” Lady Aribella hoped the other women would rise to the call. Could they not see that, of any moment to assist, now was the time to reach out in mercy to the woman who’d just lost so much?
The Queen rang her bell. When another servant arrived, she said, “Would you send someone in to play the pianoforte?”
“Yes, Majesty.” She curtsied and hurried from the room.
