Chapter 2: The Princess who wanted to kill time.
Victoria was so stunned and excited that she did not notice that Lord Melbourne looked at her expectantly, and when she realized she has given a gesture of strangeness because Lord Melbourne smiled a little amused and bewildered.
"Forgive me, my lady ... but I think I have not had the pleasure of hearing your name yet," Lord Melbourne said with that lovely smile that Victoria was beginning to notice was a characteristic feature of him.
Then Victoria shuddered and realized her stupidity ... of course, the man did not know who she was and had just introduced himself to a young lady of society, and now it was Victoria's turn to introduce herself. That was the right moment for Victoria to take the man out of his ignorance and tell him who she really was, the King's niece and presumptive heiress of the Crown, Princess Alexandrina Victoria. But then the man would treat her as did all those who knew her identity, with distance, and reverential respect or at least formal as if she were not a person of flesh and bone but a sacred relic. And for the first time, she was in front of someone who treated her naturally, like a normal girl, even if it was because he did not know her true identity, and he was being very nice to her. Victoria decided she did not want to give up on that and decided to play a little.
"I ... I am Elizabeth Han ..." Victoria said and stopped in time to avoid making a mistake because she was about to use her real surname, Hanover, that in Great Britain only the members of the Royal Family had it, "Hanley ... Elizabeth Hanley," Victoria added trying to sound safe, with a shy smile.
"Lady Elizabeth Hanley ... it's a beautiful name ... Then your family is Hanley ... they're not from London, right?" Lord Melbourne said with a little curiosity because he did not remember any Hanley family among his acquaintances of the aristocracy of London and its surroundings.
"No, we are not from London ... my late father was a merchant from the North of England, and my family lived there until recently ... we also lived for a time in Scotland," Victoria answered, letting her imagination fly but trying not to exceed herself so as not to make mistakes, "But now we have settled in London, permanently."
"I see ... now I understand your accent ... that is, you do not speak like someone from London, in fact you have an accent that seems foreign, although I do not identify it as one of the accents of the North of England that I have heard, I imagine that as the North is so extensive I do not know all the northern accents," Lord Melbourne said kindly.
Victoria was a little surprised, although what Lord Melbourne said confirmed what she already assumed. Educated in almost total isolation, the people with whom she had the most contact in her short life were her mother, her half-sister and her governess, and they were all German. Therefore, Victoria was more accustomed to speaking in German than in English, and the English she heard had a strong German accent. The only native English people around were Conroy, the servants and the daughters of Conroy who, at their father's insistence, sometimes came to keep her company, and with them, Victoria did not talk much, especially with Conroy. So although Victoria had been working with Lehzen lately to try to soften her marked German accent, and listened attentively to the English to try to pronounce the words in a more genuinely English way, she still sounded too foreign, and that bothered her because she thought that the British would not like much to have another Monarch who spoke as a German.
"Yes, my accent is a mixture of the accents of the places where I've lived ... accents from the North of England and Scotland, including those other languages spoken in Scotland," Victoria lied with some shame, "It's something that embarrasses me a little now that I live in London society, with its way of speaking much more refined than mine."
"I do not think you should be ashamed, my lady ... I think it's a touch that brings some attractive exoticism to your way of speaking, and in your beautiful voice, so musical, any accent sounds heavenly," said Lord Melbourne trying to flatter the girl, for raise her mood.
Victoria blushed again and felt her heart speed up a little. It was the first time that someone praised her voice because she only heard teasing from Conroy, who considered her voice silly and unpleasant, like every aspect of her person.
"My lady, I know it's not very appropriate, but can I take a seat next to you?" Lord Melbourne asked with gallant caution.
Victoria saw him a little confused, and then she understood ... he was referring to the fact that a gentleman was alone with a woman, especially a single young woman. Certainly Victoria knew it would be scandalous if it was known especially that the heiress to the Crown was talking alone in a dark corner with a man, and surely her mother and Conroy would want to kill her (even Lehzen would be furious), but Victoria was very excited and flattered because that man treat her like a woman and not like a little girl.
"Of course, Lord Melbourne ... you are very kind and I like your company," Victoria replied, struggling to find the right words to sound like an older girl.
Lord Melbourne sat next to her, leaving a respectful space between them.
"If you allow me, Lady Elizabeth ... can I ask why you were so distressed? ... Of course, if it is not an intrusion in your privacy," said Lord Melbourne cautious and delicate.
"No, of course, it is not an intrusion, on the contrary, you have been very kind to me ... what happens is that I had an argument with my mother, here, at the reception ... You must think that it is just a girl's nonsense, a childish tantrum ... but it is much more than that. I love my mother, but my life has been a nightmare at her side ... because of ... because of my stepfather ..." Victoria said partially lying as she could not find a better way to explain the role of Conroy in her life and in that of her mother, "He has been very cruel to me, all my life he has despised and humiliated me, and constantly denigrates and mocks me," she added.
With the confidence that Lord Melbourne inspired to her, and her anxious need to tell someone everything she had suffered, all her painful experience. Lord Melbourne listened with interest and empathy, with an affectionate look and frowning from time to time, when Victoria counted the most painful and humiliating parts of her life.
"Lady Elizabeth, I understand your pain, believe me," said Lord Melbourne with an affectionate gesture on the face and a warm tone in his voice, "I understand how difficult it must be for you your relationship with your mother ... I loved my mother very much, and she loved me very much ... she was never bad for me, on the contrary, she was the most loving and tender mother a man could have in life ... but, she also hurt me a lot, often, although she did it without intention, indirectly, as a consequence of her life, because after all she was human and humans are weak and imperfect. But in the end, I understood that I should forgive her because after all she was the person who loved me the most in the world and the bond between us was bigger and more solid than any misunderstanding, temporary disagreement or petty rancour... Although I know that it is difficult for you to understand now but someday you will be able to reconcile with your mother and leave behind those painful memories and those things that now stand between you will disappear," he added.
Victoria listened attentively and appreciating in him the tenderness with which he spoke of his mother.
"As for your stepfather, I do not know the man and that's why I can not honestly judge him, but the things you have told me are horrible ... a true gentleman should not act like that with any lady, especially with an impressionable, young lady, that's cruel, infamous and shameful ... Maybe he mistakenly thinks that that can better shape your personality, but even so unacceptable. But as for that, Lady Elizabeth, you must not allow that to not embitter your life either ... unfortunately, I have known very well what it is to suffer a life of humiliation. Due to circumstances that are very difficult to explain, for many years I had to endure the humiliation and mockery that other people caused me. It was very mortifying, but I resisted it, and I did not let that destroy my life and condition my person and my actions. You must do the same, Lady Elizabeth, do not let the mockery and unjust criticism of that man ruin your youth and undermine your confidence in yourself," Lord Melbourne said with an intense look that conveyed compassion and understanding.
"But, how do you do that, Lord Melbourne?" Victoria asked in a sad and innocent way.
"Smiling and not letting them see how difficult it is," answered Lord Melbourne with a sweet and sad smile.
Victoria also smiled and felt that for the first time someone understood her.
"In addition, they are all nonsense ... for example, the height has nothing to do with the qualities and attractive of a person," said Lord Melbourne gesticulating with his hands with some energy, "I have met very tall people who are very stupid and useless, and people of very short height who are very intelligent and efficient ... Nor has anything to do with beauty, there are tall people who are very unattractive physically, and short people who are very beautiful ... You yourself Lady Elizabeth is a young very beautiful," he added with sincerity.
"You do not have to lie to me to make me feel better, Lord Melbourne," Victoria replied with a sad expression on her face and a bitter and ironic smile.
"It would be impossible to lie about it, Lady Elizabeth ... your eyes and your face are very beautiful, your eyes are like great and beautiful gems, and your angelic and sweet face must be the envy of many young ladies ... even your thin silhouette is very elegant and beautiful, I think it's silly to deny your beauty," said Lord Melbourne convincing and charming.
"Oh, Lord Melbourne ... you almost get me to believe it!" Victoria exclaimed with a giggle but still sceptical.
"Lady Elizabeth, I give my word that it is true ... so much so that I guarantee that in 4 or 5 years you will have many wooers, I promise that many men will be happy to woo you because I would be one myself," said Lord Melbourne almost vehemently.
Victoria opened her eyes wide and her face was covered with a somewhat comical surprise. Then she blushed, turning red as a tomato, and bowed her head, as she felt her skin bristle and her heart quicken. And a sweet smile appeared on her lips.
Meanwhile, Lord Melbourne was embarrassed and disconcerted, thinking, "Where the hell did that come from?" Lord Melbourne did not understand how he could have said that to a girl who was barely 11 years old ... the only thing missing in his life after the disastrous scandal of Caro and Lord Byron is that they accused him of trying to seduce a girl of 11-year-old. But what most alarmed Lord Melbourne is discovering that he really thought that in 4 or 5 years he would be willing to woo her. That girl had something that touched something deep inside him ...
"Excuse me, Lady Elizabeth, I do not want you to consider what I said a daring on my part," said Lord Melbourne timidly.
"No, do not worry, Lord Melbourne ... I understand that your intentions are honourable," said Victoria, who was delighted to be treated like a woman and to have a conversation like that with an adult man who was also handsome and charming.
Victoria was nervous and excited, few times in her life had she seen a man who was not Conroy or one of the servants of Kensington. And Victoria noticed that this man was very handsome, tall and strong, with big hands, a manly and attractive face, beautiful green eyes and dark hair that Victoria felt the desire to caress. And besides, he was a charming and seductive man, very generous and kind. And that wonderful man had told her that he would woo her if she was 4 or 5 years older.
"You are a very gentle and charming gentleman, Lord Melbourne, besides having other qualities ... your wife is a very lucky woman," Victoria said trying to hide her interest in knowing if he was married and the coquettishness that enclosed her compliments.
"I'm a widower, Lady Elizabeth, my wife died a couple of years ago," said Lord Melbourne fun because he did not stop noticing Victoria's intentions.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Victoria said trying to hide the joy and enthusiasm to know that he was not married.
"Well, my wife and I had separated long before her death, and we were only friends at best ... But of course, I regretted her death, for her and for our son," Lord Melbourne replied with some sadness.
"You have a son?" Victoria asked affectionately.
"A sweet boy ... unfortunately, he was born sick and has mental problems, which makes him dependent. But he is a very tender boy, and I love being with him," answered Lord Melbourne.
"I'm sure you're a good father," she replied honestly.
Lord Melbourne and Victoria then listened to the music of the party that reached them through the windows and the open doors.
"Lord Melbourne ... could I ask you to dance with me?" Victoria asked shyly.
"But would it be right for you to dance before your court presentation?" Lord Melbourne replied unsurely.
"I did not mean in the ballroom ... I mean here, outside ... I know it's crazy, but since I was a girl I've received dance lessons but I've never been able to dance at a party ... we can do it a few steps further so that no one can see us," Victoria said pleadingly.
Lord Melbourne could not refuse when he sees the face of the girl, and a few moments later he was dancing with her at the edge of the garden, in the darkness, trying to compensate the great difference in height with the girl so short.
"I think you never danced with someone of my height," Victoria said laughing.
"Do not believe, I've danced with women of all heights, and believe me it's worse to dance with a woman taller than me," Lord Melbourne replied amused.
"Lord Melbourne ... have not you thought about getting married again?" Victoria asked trying to hide her emotion and appear casual.
Lord Melbourne smiled amused and thought it was himself fault, for having encouraged her and now he was the target of a marriageable barely 11-year-old girl.
"Well, I have not really thought about it and at first I am inclined not to, after the disastrous marriage I had ... over the years Lady Elizabeth will understand that relationships are very difficult. Marriage does not work for everyone," said Lord Melbourne sincere.
"That seems very pessimistic, and I think that you are not a pessimistic man at all," Victoria said with determination and Lord Melbourne thought again that he was in trouble to see that the girl was not one of those who gave up easily.
"Well, politics also takes a lot of time from me," said Lord Melbourne, diverting attention.
"Are you a politician? Your name, from the newspapers, seemed familiar to me," Victoria replied.
They continued talking for a few more minutes while they danced, and he told her roughly about his political career. But then they heard screams.
"Drina ... Drina!" Lehzen said almost shouting.
Victoria was scared and left almost running in the direction of Lehzen's voice, followed by Lord Melbourne.
When Baroness Lehzen saw Victoria emerge from an area of shrubbery in the garden, she felt a momentary sigh of relief, but when she saw Lord Melbourne walking behind her, anguish and anger seized her.
"Who are you and what do you do with ...?" Lehzen said furiously.
"Lehzen, shut up and wait for me to explain!" exclaimed Victoria angry, anguished and authoritarian.
"Excuse me, ma'am, I know this is irregular and inappropriate, but your daughter was upset and I just ..." Lord Melbourne said embarrassed and trying to justify himself.
"I'm not the Duchess, sir!" Lehzen exclaimed, causing confusion in Lord Melbourne, "But in any case, I can protest your behaviour, you being alone with ..."
"Lehzen!" exclaimed Victoria desperately.
"Whoever you are, I only intended to help and comfort Lady Elizabeth ..." Lord Melbourne replied uncomfortably and somewhat irritated by the angry tone of the woman.
"Lady Elizabeth? I do not know who you speak to me, I only know that it is inappropriate and unworthy that you have been alone with ..." Lehzen continued accusingly.
"Lehzen!" Victoria exclaimed almost begging.
"... Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Hanover, the ..." continued Lehzen.
"The heiress of the Crown," Lord Melbourne said in astonishment.
"Enough, Lehzen! You're talking to the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, Lord Melbourne, a very important politician and a respectable member of high society, and a gentleman ... Lord Melbourne did not do anything inappropriate, on the contrary, he acted like a gentleman and I was the that has acted wrong, it was me who has hidden her real name under a false name and I have deceived Lord Melbourne, so I owe him an apology ... but I beg you to treat him with respect and gratitude," said Victoria angry and with wet eyes
"Excuse me, Your Royal Highness ... but you know that a single-lady, and especially you, cannot be alone in the company of a man, because ..." Lehzen said bewildered and still annoyed.
"I am perfectly aware of this, Baroness Lehzen," Victoria replied in a royal tone that surprised Lehzen and astonished Lord Melbourne. "But surely you know that Mr Conroy carried out another embarrassing act, provoking my uncle until he lost his head and because of that I had an unpleasant incident with my mother, and I was very distressed, quite disturbed. But I had the great fortune to meet with Lord Melbourne who comforted me in my affliction acting as a gentleman should do in those situations ... Lord Melbourne has treated me with a lot of kindness and affection, and for that I am grateful," she added.
Like pieces of a puzzle, the names fit in Lord Melbourne's mind ... the governess of the princess, Baroness Lehzen, and the man who dominated the Duchess of Kent, the despicable John Conroy, of whom many rumours circulated.
"I understand, Your Highness, but still ..." Lehzen protested.
"I will not continue with this discussion now, Lehzen, if you want we continue later," Victoria said, leaving at her governess open-mouthed, already who had never heard her speak to her, in that way, as if she were an adult and also the Queen, "Now I need a little privacy to apologize appropriately with Lord Melbourne, so go away and wait for me in that corner," she added.
"Drina! Sorry, Your Highness ... but you need a chaperone, I ..." Lehzen protested scandalized.
"From that corner, you can see us perfectly while we speak! And it's not a request, Baroness, it's an order and if it seems wrong you, discuss it later with my mother," Victoria said, hitting the ground with her foot.
Lehzen reluctantly withdrew as she did not stop seeing Lord Melbourne with suspicion. Victoria turned to see Lord Melbourne.
"I beg your pardon, Lord Melbourne ... probably now you will be thinking that I am like my grandfather and that I am not in my senses. But everything I've told you about me tonight is absolutely true, only I not said that my mother was the Duchess and instead of a stepfather it was Conroy ... my life has been as I described it, and you have been the first person in my life who has treated me like a normal person, who has understood my feelings and has consoled me, giving me also good advice ... You are probably the best man I have ever met in my life, and I have paid your generosity and nobility with a lie," Victoria said with tears in her eyes.
"Please, Your Highness, do not cry! Do not worry, I understand your reasons and there is nothing to reproach ... I am happy to have been able to help you, and everything I said is still valid ... Believe me that I am not upset, I was once your age, and if I would have lived what you have lived ... I understand it," said Lord Melbourne affectionate.
"I only regret that I will not be able to see you for a long time, I must return to my confinement in Kensington ... I would like to be able to correspondence with you," said Victoria with sadness and a slight hope.
"I would be happy to correspondence with you, Your Highness ... but you know that for this you would need the knowledge and approval of your mother, and I doubt that she will allow it, and less if she listen to Mr Conroy ... I even believe that your uncle the King would not approve either that you keep correspondence with a politician and less with a whig," said Lord Melbourne with a sad smile and compassionate look.
"Yes, I know they will not allow it ... you see, Lord Melbourne, I am so imprisoned that I do not even have the right to have friends and to correspondence with them," said Victoria repressing the desire to cry.
"But nothing is eternal Your Highness, in a few years you will be free at least to choose your friendships and they will not be able to continue imposing on you their will ... and someday you will rise above all of them, to reign over all of us ... In the meantime, remember what I said, do not let them bend you and convince you that you are worth less than you really are ... and never let them see how difficult it is for you," Lord Melbourne said with a passion that he already believed it dead in him.
Victoria saw him with a sparkle in her eyes and a lovely smile, with a gesture of adoration on her face.
"Thank you very much, Lord Melbourne, I will always keep in mind ... Now I must say goodbye before my governess dies of displeasure," said Victoria extending her hand and Lord Melbourne took her and kissed it again like a gallant goodbye.
"It has been a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness ... a great pleasure," he said with great affection and an intense look that made Victoria blush.
Victoria turned and walked a few steps to meet Lehzen, who did not take her eyes off them and waited impatiently. But when Lehzen was already preparing to leave with Victoria, the princess turned around to see Lord Melbourne.
"Lord Melbourne, one more thing ... one day our destinies will cross again, I'm sure ... and that day I hope to dance with you all night, in a room full of guests and not in a dark corner of the garden ... Until then, the time will not pass fast enough for me," Victoria said with a lovely smile and a look of adoration.
Lord Melbourne made a surprise gesture on his face, and Lehzen's horror in her own. Victoria turned around and started the march and before following her Lehzen saw Lord Melbourne with a murderous look.
"Drina, why are you talking like that? ... What happened to you with that man?" Lehzen asked anguished and irritated while walking next to the princess.
"Easy, Lehzen, nothing inappropriate happened ... depending on what you deem inappropriate," Victoria said with malice and a mischievous smile, enjoying mortifying her poor governess and kept walking while Lehzen was paralyzed by horror and worry.
"How depending on what I consider inappropriate? Do not scare me, Drina! ... Drina!" Lehzen exclaimed as she walked to catch up with Victoria while the princess laughed out loud.
Later that night, Victoria was lying on her bed, watching the ceiling without being able to sleep, while her mother snored in the next bed.
"William Lamb ... Lord Melbourne," Victoria said in a low voice, with a sweet and childish smile, and then took a pillow to hold her and sink her face in it, suffocating her laughter so as not to wake her mother.
In his residence, Lord Melbourne was sitting in his favourite armchair, with a glass of whiskey in his hand, and without finishing undressing after returning from the party, in shirt sleeves and with his shirt open showing his chest.
"Princess Alexandrina Victoria ... that girl is quite a character!" Lord Melbourne said laughing alone.
Four years later ... July 17, 1834 ...
Victoria was lying face down on her bed, still dressed in her nightgown, and was reading for the umpteenth time the letter she had written, sighing and with a smile on her lips. Beside her, standing was Miss Skerrett.
"Give me the perfume ..." Victoria said, a little impatiently.
Skerrett rolled her eyes and handed Victoria the bottle of perfume.
"If the Duchess finds out you've used her perfume ..." Skerrett said in a warning tone.
"If my mother allowed me to have my own perfume, I would not have to use hers," Victoria said irritably as she sprayed the paper with the perfume.
"Please, Your Highness ... do not overdo it, a little perfume is enough," Skerrett said resignedly.
"The young ladies do not use much?" Victoria asked innocently.
"Only those who are very vulgar or foolish use perfume in excess ... well, there are some who are so brazen that they put red blusher on their lips and kiss the paper of the letter to leave impregnated the mark of her kiss," Skerrett said laughing.
Skerrett saw Victoria's roguish face and was horrified.
"Do not even think about it, Your Highness! That would be crazy, imprudent, a ..." Skerrett said scandalized.
"Don't worry, Skerrett, I'm not that stupid! Well, I think it's ready ... deliver it shortly," Victoria said kindly.
"I hope that Baroness Lehzen or the Duchess will not discover me, because they would tear off my skin," Skerrett replied with a sigh as she received the envelope containing the letter.
When Skerrett left, Victoria picked up again a newspaper that had a great headline on the front page: "Lord Melbourne Prime Minister: the King asks him to form a government" ... Victoria smiled cheerfully.
A couple of hours later, Lord Melbourne was in the library of his London residence talking animatedly with Lord Palmerston, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the previous government and in the new government of Lord Melbourne (and lover of Emily, Countess Cowper, the Lord Melbourne's sister), and then, Lord Melbourne's private secretary, Tom Young, entered the room.
"My Lord ... a letter has arrived," said Tom.
"Another letter of congratulation? Put it with the rest and I'll read it later," said Lord Melbourne kindly.
"It is that this is special ... it was brought by a beautiful young woman who claimed to be a maid, although she dressed very well, and said that the letter was from her mistress. And judging by its scent, and if the mistress is as much or more beautiful than the maid, I would not hesitate to read it immediately," Tom said with lascivious gesture on his face, and without mentioning that the maid had given him money as a small bribe to insist that his master read the letter.
Lord Melbourne and Lord Palmerston burst out laughing, and Lord Melbourne reached out to receive the letter, but Lord Palmerston picked it up and raised it to his nose to smell it.
"Delicious aroma, your friend has an exquisite taste for perfumes ... in the privacy, she has such a divine aroma, William?" Lord Palmerston asked mocking and lascivious.
"Don't be stupid, Henry! You already know that I am very discreet when it comes to a lady. Give me that," said Lord Melbourne with a laugh, and took the envelope with the letter, and took it to his nose, checking that it had a strong smell of a woman's perfume.
Lord Melbourne opened the envelope and extracted the letter, written in a delicate and elegant woman's calligraphy.
"My dear Lord Melbourne, in these brief lines I wish to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister, I believe that the British Empire is very fortunate to be ruled by a man like you, a responsible and sensible statesman, an honest and loyal patriot. The Crown has in you the most loyal and wise servant and the citizens of this country a benevolent ruler who will watch over their interests. But my joy is greater because, since that night when our destinies crossed, I consider him my friend, a sincere and loyal friend. In all these years of loneliness and sadness, the lovely words that you told me that night, your well-meaning and wise advice, the warm affection you showed me, has been my refuge and my strength, and they have helped me to endure the unbearable, and they have given me hope. And I have followed your advice, and I have never let them see how difficult it is for me. But I do not deny that everything would be easier if I counted on your presence and has no idea how, I wish to see you again, to enjoy intimate conversations like that night. And I hope you have not forgotten my words when we say goodbye, that when you and I meet again I want to dance with you all night, and I hope that I do not have to wait a long time, because the time has passed incredibly slow for me."
With sincere affection, your unconditional friend, Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Hannover.
Postscript: I would greatly like your answer, but unfortunately I know that this is almost impossible, I will settle for imagining that you are happy to read this letter. "
Lord Melbourne smiled broadly as he finished reading the letter, his face illuminated by a gesture of joy, surprise and tenderness. Lord Palmerston and Tom Young exchanged looks of complicity and malice.
"It will be possible that a woman has the fortune of being the new wife of the Prime Minister? ... Or perhaps a husband has the fortune that his wife is the new mistress of the Prime Minister? ... Will your sister have something to be happy?" Lord Palmerston asked mockingly.
"Seldom have I seen that face to the boss ... the lady must be a Greek goddess or a princess of legend," Tom Young said funny.
"You have no idea, Tom ... you have no idea," Lord Melbourne said as he folded the letter and put it in a pocket of his jacket, close to his heart.