In the gardens of Brocket Hall...
...
"Like a rook, I mate for life." Lord Melbourne said sadly, the sun shining behind him as it dipped in the evening sky.
"I see." Victoria said, "then I am sorry to have disturbed you, Lord Melbourne."
Just like that, Victoria's heart shattered into a million pieces like the leaves at her feet, she turned and walked down the tree-lined path, away from Lord Melbourne. A tear slid down her face gently as she tried to remain upright, her legs wobbling under distress. She felt she couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't hear for the pounding of blood rushing to her head was too great. She had poured her heart out to her dearest Lord M, desiring he take her as a wife or lover, and he had rejected her.
All she desired was his love and companionship and it was as if the candle lighting her future had flickered out. All those stolen glances and late night chats... she had thought he had surely felt the same way.
Who was she without her dearest Lord M?
The tears were streaming now, pouring down her face as she kept her chin up attempting to hold on to her last shred of dignity as she walked forward towards Emma's unmarked carriage that waited for her in the drive of Brocket Hall. Her pace quickened, feeling a desperate need to leave this place at once. It was a mistake to come here... to get her heart broken so foolishly.
She was such a foolish young woman, so naive in love.
"Wait," she heard from behind her. The small but strong voice made her heart quicken.
Victoria stopped walking.
The leaves rustled behind her as hurried footsteps approached.
"Ma'am?" Lord M said.
"Yes?" Victoria whispered, not daring to turn around.
"I am old." Lord M said with a sigh, "I am weakened by my age and the work I do. But perhaps..."
Lord M paused, the only sound was the rustle of the wind through the trees and Victoria's skirts shifting on the leaf strewn path. She still dared not turn or breathe too deeply for fear of ruining whatever moment they were having... whatever hope she newly ignited flickered in her chest.
"Perhaps, once a mate dies, the Rook can find a new mate? Perhaps... there is hope for more than one opportunity for such love?"
Victoria exhaled and turned to face Lord M.
"I believe I found my Rook, Lord M," Victoria said, her voice wavering and her cheeks shining with tears.
Lord Melbourne took a step forward, reaching out for Victoria's hands, taking them in his. He studied them, turning over her small and delicate gloved fingers before slowly taking them up to his face and placing a gentle kiss upon them.
"Well," he said, his eyes swimming with tears, "what will we do about that?"
Victoria choked a laugh, her eyes shining, "Lord M, I do not know! You are my advisor in circumstances of state and life. What do you advise?"
With a tearful smile, Lord M beamed down at the petite Queen, whose eyes stared intently into his. Her beautiful cheeks, shining with tears. Her little pink nose and soft delicate lips.
"As your political advisor, my advice would be to avoid scandal and leave this old man alone. For you so deserve a true Prince, worthy of your affection and spirit." Lord M, swallowed deeply, his throat bobbing as he continued, "as your..."
He paused. The air stilled. Victoria's heart was racing, butterflies in her stomach, the weight that had just been on her shoulders had lifted.
"Ma'am, I would ask your advice now. What would you call me?"
Victoria smiled, "I always call you my Dearest Lord M, but maybe I could call you William? Or, if you find appropriate... something else, perhaps?"
"In that case," Lord M swallowed, "as your dearest, William, my advice is conflicting."
"Oh do tell me why it is so conflicting, William!" Victoria huffed.
At the sound of his real name leaving her lips, William smiled, a tear rolling down his cheek. Removing one hand from his grip, Victoria reached up her gloved hand to gently brush the tear away.
"It is conflicting, Ma'am because you are a queen and I am but a Lord. Not just a Lord, but one who has been your advisor. I am an old man and you are a young woman... I am of no position to please a queen the way she deserves... and despite all of that," Lord M's lips quivered into a small smile, "I find myself unable to keep away from you, to stop thinking of you. When we are not near, I think of you always. More than an advisor."
He paused, looking down into Victoria's clear blue eyes.
"More than a friend, really," he admitted quietly.
Victoria beamed up at her handsome Prime Minister, his greying brown curls highlighting his face as the sun faded behind him. The crinkles next to his eyes looking as beautiful as ever and the gentle hook of his nose pink from the wind. This beautiful man, not as old as he refers himself to be... but a worldly example of kindness and generosity. How she adored this man!
Victoria tried to hide her smile and coughed, "Well, William... we seem to have found ourselves in a bit of a spot, now haven't we?"
"I believe we have Ma'am," William smiled at her, his eyes wrinkling with the warmth and kindness she knew so fondly.
"And what shall we do?" Victoria asked.
"I believe, as Queen, you must be the one to make that decision, Ma'am."
"Victoria." The little queen said, smirking at him, "My name is Victoria, William."
"Victoria," William breathed, glowing.
She laughed and he scooped her up into his arms and twirled her with ease.
"Victoria!" He shouted, laughing as he put her back on the ground gently.
"My dearest, William," Victoria said, smiling as she caught her breath. Looking down at her feet she asked, "Will you reconsider what I asked you earlier?"
"I will," William said, pursing his lips, "but I do not think it is wise for you to take a lover. Not at your age and not with the need for heirs."
"Would you..." Victoria said, breathless, shocked.
Did this... mean?
William waited, staring at his Queen. This young woman, whose bravery, wit, and fierce spirit had taught him so much in the short time he knew her.
"William, my Dearest Lord M, would you consider my hand in marriage?" Victoria asked him, her heart racing, the smile so close from her lips... yet not quite there.
"I would, my Queen," William responded quickly, kneeling down in front of her and kissing her gentle hands once, twice, three times.
Victoria laughed, breathless and full of joy as she lay a hand on her stomach.
"My heart! It might burst!" she exclaimed, laughing.
Lord M stood in front of her, tucking a wind-whipped hair behind her ear and pausing with his cold fingertips to her warm cheek, "I do worry I will disappoint you, my Victoria."
"You could never," Victoria answered, leaning into his hand.
"I might not be young or a Prince, but I promise to give you what I have," Lord M said.
"And what is that, William?" The Queen smiled blinking slowly.
"Love," Lord M answered quietly, leaning in to gently kiss Victoria softly on her warm lips.
"Mmm," she murmured into her newly betrothed as they held each other.
The sun dipped below the horizon, at last, the wind picking up, as they walked hand-in-hand back to where the unmarked carriage awaited her arrival.
...
XX