Page 120 of May I Have the Pleasure
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“Kitty, I must again warn you! I may do things that will most assuredly bring down some trouble on you and your family—quite a lot of it, I fear.”
“So long as nobody injures my husband or my son, I care not. You have done everything for me. It is time I did something for you. When will you tell me what you need?”
“As soon as Lady Catherine, Anne, and Fitzwilliam arrive.”
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Mediterranean Sea—November 1818
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“Fitzwilliam, I cannot thank you enough for being here. The deck of a ship is the only place I truly feel safe from prying eyes and ears.”
“I am happy to be here, Elizabeth. I wish… I wish… well, that does not matter. I am happy to see you, my friend, and as you know, I am at your disposal.”
“I asked you here for a specific reason. I need to ask something of you, but… but… it is… it is… well, oh, so difficult. I hardly know where to begin.”
“Take your time. We will not reach Gibraltar for at least half a day with this odd route you planned. We have time, and I have patience.”
“I DO NOT WANT TO BE QUEEN!”
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“My apologies. That came out wrong. I have been working on this problem so long, my mind is muddled.”
“Youdowant to be queen?”
“The sentiment was correct. I just was not ready to say it.”
“How likely is this… ah… unfortunate position to come to pass.”
“Absent a massive intervention, it is nearly inevitable.”
“How so?”
“I am… I am… I am like a leaf blowing around in a storm. I am just a simple country girl… a nobody really—”
“You arenota nobody and never were.”
“I thank you, but nevertheless… there are certain… enormous… pressures being applied to me to wed Prince Gustav; at least partially to try to gain control of my lands in England, partially to put my lands here on the continent more in control of the men of the royal family; or maybe just to annoy the Prince Regent or serve some unknown diplomatic purpose. There is also a better than even chance his elder brother will not survive the next year. Almost nobody knows it, and the king refuses to acknowledge what is obvious, but it is fact. If he succumbs, and I have wed Prince Gustav, he will ascend on his father’s death to become King of Sweden… and probably Norway as well, with the way the negotiations are currently going, which would mean…”
“You would be Queen of Sweden and Norway! That is… that is… that… I have no idea what to say. Is Prince Gustav a good man?”
“That is the worst part of the entire debacle. Heisa good man. Among the absolute best of men.”
“Should I wish you jo—”
“Not yet! I saidamongthe best of men. I have another example right here with me.”
“I… I… I have not always been so, but I do try. I learnt from the best.”
“Yes, your father was a—”
“Do not be ridiculous! I meant you!”
“Oh!”
