Ruled By A HeartI will be uploading another chapter tomorrow.
''Are you quite alright?'' Victoria spoke out in the quiet to her companion.
Lord Melbourne looked over to her ''Yes of course ma'am, why wouldn't I be?''
''You have hardly spoken a word this morning'' Victoria gathered up her reins, slowing her horse's walk down slightly.
''Just enjoying the company, that is all'' He smiled over to her. Ignoring his whirling mind.
The horse's feet padded through the grass in the woodland. The heavy mist still lingering from dawn. Victoria had wanted to ride out early, it was her favourite time to ride when everything was beginning to come to life.
''You have fully recovered now'' Victoria remarked as she looked over his features. His face had healed well, not a mark left, but there was a noticeable scar on his abdomen which Sir James said he would carry for the rest of his life.
''Yes ma'am, I like to think so'' He paused ''Do you have much planned for today?''
''My boxes this morning, and then we are going down to the docks this afternoon, have you forgotten?''
''No, of course not ma'am'' He replied slightly sarcastically ''Have you thought much more on your invitation to Coburg?''
''Would you come with me if I decided to go?'' Victoria asked cautiously
''I do not think I would be welcomed ma'am, and I cannot leave parliament for such a time'' Lord Melbourne replied quickly ''I cannot tell you to do anything, however I think you would be making a mistake leaving England at such an unsettling time''
''We flushed out the gun man, and have had no more incidents'' Victoria said in defence
''Somebody paid him to do it'' Lord Melbourne reminded The Monarch ''And whoever is trying to prove a point is still out there''
Victoria paused ''I used to think a great deal of Uncle Leopold. I used to write to him, in the finest of detail explaining the things I have done, learnt and enjoy. He always used to reply with happiness, and support. He was a father figure to me for many years''
Lord Melbourne looked over to her, he could see the hurt on her face as he realised things had changed for her. ''Was ma'am?''
Victoria looked over to him, she made no effort to hide her sadness ''He has changed so much since being here, his wishes for me to marry are the fore front of his mind. He has no regard for my feelings anymore, if I had of married Albert in spite of everything and been miserable I am sure he would have been happy''
''Sometimes ones feelings can get mixed with expectations ma'am'' Lord Melbourne chose not to defend The King, he could not stand the sight of the man and had no wish to push Victoria closer towards him.
''I see a lot of Sir John in him, he wants power and wealth, I do not think he cares much for my happiness anymore. Lehzen has never liked him''
''I do not think Lehzen likes many people ma'am'' Lord Melbourne said with a smile ''She carries a great deal of love for you''
Victoria smiled ''More than mama does I am sure''
''I am sure that is not true'' He replied almost to quickly.
''You have been conversing with her a great deal, I feel like you are hiding something from me'' Victoria finally admitted.
He looked over to her, if the years of marriage taught him anything it was that lying, even the smallest ones, cause a huge amount of damage. It destroys the trust that is built with companionship, and a sense of betrayal lingers from then on after. ''It is not my place to say ma'am''
''But I am asking'' Victoria pushed ''I do not understand why two of the most relevant people in my life are hiding something from me''
Lord Melbourne remained quiet for a moment The urge to come clean and tell her everything grew stronger by the day. ''Your mother has concerns for your safety here, the attack must have worried her. She simply converses with me on the grounds of safety and security, especially before public events''
''But why does she not tell me directly?'' Victoria asked slightly confused.
''Perhaps due to the grounds of your relationship ma'am, I am not the one to ask. I merely follow her wishes to keep her mind at ease when you go out to public engagements''
Victoria remained quiet, a surge of guilt ran through her, was she so distant with her own mother that she could not speak to her, to confide in her? It hurt Victoria. She had often found support in her mother in serious times of need, she found a comfort in knowing her mother was in the palace sometimes. Did her mother not feel the same? She planned to talk to her.
The silence was deafening, both Victoria and Lord Melbourne became lost within their own thoughts, worrying about different things, unaware that they both linked so close together.
''When did things get so difficult'' Victoria finally spoke out loud.
''Things are rarely so simple ma'am'' Lord Melbourne replied sadly ''Your position does not help matters''
''Sometimes I wish I was not Queen, I would love a normal life, to marry whom I wanted, no royal duties or responsibilities, and other days I wouldn't trade it for the world. Why is that?''
''Everybody feels like that sometimes ma'am, it is only natural to imagine how it would feel to live in another life''
Victoria went quiet once again.
V&M
The mood had changed between Lord Melbourne and Victoria, it was almost as though a great weight burdened them both. It saddened him to see her so depressed and confused.
He walked the corridors alone. Victoria had gone to change ready to do her boxes, so he had some time to himself.
''Lord Melbourne'' The Duchess's voice came from behind him, it was quiet almost hushed, as he turned to see her he smiled, she walked beside him. ''My brother is going to ask Drina about her going to Coburg with him again, he needs an answer. Has she spoken to you?''
''I feel she wants to go ma'am, I was asked to join Her Majesty but refused her offer''
The Duchess looked taken back ''My brother would never accept you to accompany her, as he knows you would be able to control such a plan. You cannot let her go Lord Melbourne''
''I have to tell her the truth, The Queen is getting suspicious, she will feel betrayed if I continue to hide this from her''
The Duchess stopped ''Perhaps you should make her a better offer, a trip away maybe?''
''I will still have to tell her the truth ma'am'' Lord Melbourne insisted ''I refuse to keep lying to her''
The Duchess nodded, I understand. But for now, we must keep her from going to Coburg with my brother, invite her to take a trip with you, she would not refuse'' The Duchess smiled
''Do I have your permission to tell her the truth ma'am?'' Lord Melbourne said carefully.
The Duchess shook her head. ''I will tell her, I need you to remain close to her, to keep her safe. The relationship I have with my daughter does not warrant you to ruin yours''
Lord Melbourne frowned, everything in that conversation was wrong, he had no place conversing with The Duchess in such a way.
''You have looked after my daughter, despite people around you, me included, trying to keep you away. She would be heart broken if she found out I am sure, and I do not want that for her, she deserves some happiness''
''I think your underestimating The Queen's affections for you'' Lord Melbourne said with a smile. ''I refuse to allow you to tell her without my presence''
V&M
Victoria looked at the pile of papers beside Lord Melbourne. ''Why do you sit the opposite side of the desk?'' She started swaying her leg out of boredom
''There is more room'' He said, not looking up.
''I do not know how you can keep so focused'' Victoria began tapping her fingers on the wooden desk.
He looked up with his eyes, but not moving his head ''I do not know how I can focus with your evident boredom ma'am, but I manage''
Victoria stopped tapping and huffed, picking up her pen she began to read and sign once more.
He looked up at her, seeing her growing irritation as she tried to focus on the paperwork In front of her.
''Would a few days away help your focus ma'am?''
Victoria looked up. ''I am certain you advised me against going to Coburg this morning''
''I did, but perhaps we could go somewhere different, somewhere I would be welcomed to attend with''
''I am sure my Uncle would invite you if I asked him'' Victoria remarked
''Perhaps France would be a nicer place to visit this time of year''
Victoria's eyes shot up to meet his, she met his gaze, as if searching his expression. ''I cannot tell if you are teasing or not''
''I am being serious ma'am''
''You said earlier you could not leave parliament at such a time''
''I am sure I could work around it. France is closer than Coburg'' Lord Melbourne replied.
Victoria remained quiet for a moment. ''When would we leave?'' Victoria asked
''As soon as I find somewhere we can stay, as long as I can arrange the royal boxes to be delivered, and the people you wish to take with us agree to attend of course''
''I think you should invite your mother, to join us'' Lord Melbourne replied cautiously
''Why would I do that? at least my ladies –''
''We can keep ourselves private, your mother worries about you Victoria, it would mean a great deal to her if you invited her''
Victoria thought carefully for a moment, she had intended to speak to her mother, perhaps Lord Melbourne was right. ''Very well, I shall invite her'' She smiled, properly for what felt like the first time in ages.
''Do not forget to tell your Uncle of your plans, I am sure he is awaiting and answer''
Victoria tried to focus back on her boxes, however the excitement made it even more difficult to focus.
She stood and walked round to him, capturing his attention she sat down in his lap, grabbing his hand and intertwining it with his. ''You did that on purpose'' She murmured quietly, unable to keep herself from smiling.
''I am certain I will regret bringing it up at such a time, perhaps waiting until the boxes were complete would have been a better idea'' He smiled as he spoke though, he enjoyed seeing her happy.
''I am glad you told me now, it gives me something to look forward to''
Victoria felt him squeeze her hand gently, before bringing it up to his mouth and kissing it.
''Finish your papers, we have to go to the docks shortly''
V&M
''Mama'' Victoria half shouted as she saw her mother walk past in the hall way.
The Duchess walked tentatively into the room, Victoria could see her mother looked anxious.
Victoria sat down on the divan and encouraged her mother to do the same.
''Myself and Lord Melbourne are going to France, I wish to invite you to come with us''
The Duchess's surprise was impossible to ignore ''France? Drina, are you sure?''
Victoria paused for a moment ''I am sure mama, I wish to go away, and I would prefer to go with Lord Melbourne than Uncle Leopold''
The Duchess shook her head. ''No Drina, are you sure you want me to come with you?''
Victoria looked over her mother before feeling a sense of guilt as she realised her mother felt that unwelcomed within her life. ''Yes mama'' She grabbed her mothers hands ''It would make me very happy to have you with us''
The Duchess smiled at her daughter before nodding her head. Lord Melbourne was right.
V&M
''I do not understand, I was under the impression you had no further trips planned'' Uncle Leopold tried to keep his irritation down, knowing he very often walked on thin ice with Victoria.
''France is closer than Coburg, we have been talking of going for months now'' Victoria replied calmly ''Myself and my ladies are very much looking forward to the change in scenery''
''Coburg would have provided that for you'' Leopold said quietly ''Your ladies would have been more than welcome to of attended''
''My ladies would have attended with me regardless of your opinion, my staff go where I go'' Victoria said sharply ''However I wanted Lord Melbourne to attend with me, and I know he will not be welcomed in Coburg''
''Myself and Lord Melbourne share different views. We both want different things''
''Apparently'' Victoria paused ''I shall visit Coburg one day'' Victoria smiled to her Uncle but did not get one in return. Standing from the Divan she made her way out of the room.
V&M
''I told Uncle Leopold I would not be visiting Coburg with him'' Victoria said quietly as the carriage pulled up to a stop''
Lord Melbourne tried to contain his sigh of relief, they had avoided that one. But the knowing doubt in his mind understood The King would keep trying until Victoria was married. ''France more appealing ma'am?'' He was surprised how calm his voice was given his racing heart.
Victoria looked over to him ''Not so much the country, but the company'' She smiled as he quirked his eyebrows.
He stepped out, walking round the carriage quickly he opened the door, Victoria held her hand out to him delicately and stepped out of the carriage.
He found he did not want to let go of her hand, that he wanted the people to know about them. He wanted to be proud of her hand.
Slowly he released her hand, Victoria did not look at him but walked straight towards the crowds where the path laid out ready for her to walk towards the dock in which the ship sat waiting.
She was fearless. He thought to himself. She had no hesitation, she did not think of what had happened, how people had tried to hurt her, it was as if every new outing was a new beginning, any bad ones forgotten, and the new ones shimmered with hope and happiness. He smiled to himself as he walked behind her, watching her grin and wave to the crowds of people, cheering and chanting as she walked towards the ship.
Victoria loved the public, seeing a new place and new faces, keeping her locked in Buckingham palace would be impossible. As they walked up the ramp to meet the captain Lord Melbourne signalled for the guards to stay at the bottom of the docks ramp, preventing people from entering the ship whilst giving Victoria a bit of freedom in a safer environment.
Lord Melbourne wandered the ship with Victoria. The Captain showing every room, every little detail was noticed, the woodwork, the floor, the small paintings and details in the bedrooms. The ship was 3 years in the making, and it was all in Victoria's honour.
''It is like a house within a house'' Victoria said with a grin as she walked out into the open floor of the ship towards the hull.
''It is rather impressive ma'am'' Lord Melbourne admitted, running his hand along the railings of the ship.
''I am very much looking forward to taking her on her first trip Your Majesty'' The Captain, who was a younger man than Melbourne had expected, smiled. Pride filling every inch of his face.
Victoria looked at the two men. The Captain looked slightly confused as Melbourne but smiled and looked at ease. She was scheming something and knowing what she was like it was senseless to try and stop her.
''Captain, I would like this ship to take me and my company to France now shortly, I feel it would be a fine method of travelling'' Victoria finally said.
The Captains face lit up like a burning lantern. Melbourne tried not to laugh as he struggled to hold his excitement around Victoria.
''I shall have to speak to the senior Captain to make sure it is ok''
''We will wait here'' Victoria said as she leant back on the railings a little''
The younger man walked off far to quickly, before very obviously breaking into a run when out of sight. Melbourne looked down at the ramp to see the man almost sprinting towards his senior Captain.
''I think his career has just peaked'' Melbourne said quietly as he looked to Victoria.
She smiled, the sunshine beaming off her skin, she looked beautiful. ''I like to think I make some people happy''
''You make many people very happy ma'am'' He said with a smile, knowing she needed to hear it.
V&M
''It is such a beautiful ship'' Victoria said with a smile as she sipped her sherry. ''You will all love it''
Melbourne sat beside her in a corner, glancing over to Leopold who kept his teeth clenched and his head down, leaning on the doorway rather than taking an offered seat with the others.
Victoria glanced over in Lord Melbourne's sight to see the same thing. ''Uncle'' Her voice grasped The King's attention ''Come and sit with us'' Victoria gestured to the seat that had been laid out for him.
Everybody went quiet. Nobody gave the impression they wanted the King there. The mood changed, and the silence became heavy. ''I think I may retire'' He smiled warmly to everybody, but people could tell it was half hearted ''Good night''
The table mumbled their good wishes and continued with their conversation.
V&M
''Do you think Uncle Leopold will ever forgive me for not marrying Albert?'' Victoria sat down on the Divan in her chambers.
Melbourne sat down with her, they had retired later tonight, many of the staff had left for the night. Victoria's ladies had retired giving the couple a little privacy.
''Well ma'am, if he doesn't then he does not have your best interests at heart''
Victoria nodded, taking in his wise words ''How can I marry anybody if it isn't for love. I know what love is now, how can I settle for something less?''
''You may meet somebody younger, better suited, and fall in love all over again. It does happen ma'am' He could hear the own regret in his voice. But he knew she had to understand this.
''I do not think that is possible Lord M'' She smiled.
''Do you want to get married ma'am?'' He asked the question tentatively.
''Not unless it is to you'' Victoria smiled and almost joked, but the seriousness of the situation changed quickly.
He smiled and linked her hand in his own. ''Perhaps you could come to Brocket Hall again soon. To see the Glass Houses before we go to France. They are in bloom again''
Victoria smiled. ''I would love that''
He kept looking into her eyes then he saw such happiness there, the enthusiasm she held in such little things, despite all that has happened she still held the same qualities.
''I learn so much from you'' He said quietly, almost in a whisper as his eyes remained on hers.
''What can I possibly teach you?''
''More than you can imagine'' He smiled then, and not just a little smile, a quirk of the lips, but a full smile. One Victoria had not seen him do for many weeks.
She kissed him delicately as she felt his hands wrap around her waist pulling her closer into his frame as she felt his hand slide up to her neck, holding her head in a fixed position. He controlled her, with such precision yet without being forceful. Victoria loved it.
He pulled away from her, he couldn't succumb to his desires here, anybody could walk and check on her, as much as he wanted to, he had to be sensible.
''We cannot'' He huffed his annoyance as Victoria smiled before biting down on her bottom lip, looking down at their intertwined hands.
''How different things could be'' Victoria whispered squeezing his hands.
Lord Melbourne felt butterflies in his stomach, yes, things could be very different. Perhaps not as desirable as what a Queen would want, but what a difference it would make for the pair of them. The Duchess's words came up in his head once more, he had rarely thought of anything else. ''I will see you tomorrow'' He said quietly, placing a delicate kiss to her cheek before standing.
Victoria watched him walk out the door, almost to quickly, straightening his jacket to ensure his appearance had not changed. She couldn't help but laugh a little as she heard his footsteps echo down the quiet corridors.
Ok so this is like a filler chapter. The plot twists and thickens a good deal from now on so felt the need to level things out a little before-hand. So… France. I mean we all know France is a pretty romantic country, so anything could happen. Thoughts on what Leopold might do next? Thanks for reading