Chapter 2
...
The sun had gone down by the time Emma's unmarked carriage reached the gates of Buckingham Palace. Shrouded by a sheer black shawl and bonnet, Queen Victoria exited the carriage and hurried up the steps into her residency. The footman dared a glance at each other as she ran through the halls smiling.
Throwing open the gaming parlor doors, a pink nosed, wind-whipped Victoria smiled at Lady Emma Portman, Lord Alfred Paget, and Harriet, The Duchess of Sutherland who all sat around a table drinking wine and playing cards.
"Emma?" Victoria said breathlessly.
"Excuse us," Emma said as she and Harriet curtsied at Lord Paget before following Victoria out of the room.
In the hallway Victoria breathed heavily from running to the gaming room, her small chest heaved as she let loose a giggle before covering her mouth with her gloved hand.
"A word," Victoria said, glancing around, "in private."
Victoria took off down the halls quickly, as Emma and Harriet followed their Queen to her bed chambers, closing the double doors behind them.
Victoria flung her bonnet across the room and beamed. Emma and Harriet exchanged worried glances. Surely Lord Melbourne had not... done anything improper? Surely they had not... Surely he knew better than to... she was his Queen, after all...
The thoughts were too ghastly to consider further as Emma brushed them aside.
"Ma'am?" Emma inquired delicately, "What transpired at Brocket Hall?"
"Only the most divine of events, Lady Emma!" Victoria chirped as she grabbed Lady Emma's hands and twirled in a circle with her before collapsing on her ornamental couch.
Harriet stood still, unsure where to even start. Thankfully, Emma pressed the tiny Queen further.
"Exactly what type of divine events, your Majesty?"
"I promise I was incognito." Victoria nodded at Emma, "as much as could be expected."
Emma and Harriet exchanged worried glances.
"Then I found my dearest William deep in the garden..." Victoria sighed.
Emma and Harriet winced at the word "William". It was far too casual for where they wanted this conversation to be headed. Queen Victoria should have instead used the more proper, "Lord M".
"I confessed my love and asked him to be my consort, like Queen Elizabeth, so I may reign alone," Victoria wrinkled her brows, "But he refused."
Harriet sighed a breath of relief and Emma glanced at her, worried the tale was not over yet.
"I was distraught as I walked away, but he stopped me." Victoria covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing as her eyes twinkled.
Victoria sat up a little straighter, looking at the ceiling, "After some time and discussion, he has accepted my hand in marriage."
"Ma'am!" Emma exclaimed. Harriet glanced at Emma whose were eyes full of concern.
"Do you not... think it improper?" Harriet said slowly, treading carefully.
"Improper?" Victoria said surprised.
"He is so much older than you. He is your advisor and is only a Lord... you need heirs. You must marry a Prince, Your Highness." Emma continued as Harriet tried to catch her breath. She was fanning her face with her hand.
"I surely do not think marrying for love is improper," Victoria scoffed. "Lord M has my whole heart. He knows this. You hear what they call me, 'Mrs. Melbourne'. It is already as if the world knows our love and we are just to confirm it, officially."
Both Harriet and Emma were silent, the room in the air still.
"I assure you I did not expect such a cold reaction," Victoria said after a while.
"There is just concern Ma'am," Emma assured her, "how will we tell Parliament? There are expectations and protocols and this..."
"I am aware of my duties, Emma, and I am certain I will be unable to fulfill them without William at my side." Victoria said, sitting up straight.
"If you know what is right for you, Your Highness, then we will support you." Harriet said, curtsying. Emma followed suit, albeit more rigid than Harriet.
"My concern now is not if people approve... it is that we must find a way to tell the Privy Council." Victoria said with conviction, "and soon."
...